Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 17

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 17

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Boyd W. Hawes received considerable of his early education in Butler county, Pa., and after coming to Indiana county attended school here. When a young man he learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed at Cherrytree for some time before engaging in mercantile business. He and his brother have done a steadily increasing business, and by irreproachable transactions and a thoroughly progressive policy have maintained a high position in the business circles of the place. As their trade grew they moved to more com- modious quarters, now having one of the larg- est stores in Indiana county. Boyd W. Hawes, in addition to his interest in the firm of Hawes Brothers, has had other business connections in the borough, being a stockholder in the Company, and in the Cherrytree Water Com- pany. He has given some of his time to secur- ing adequate public service, at present being a member of the school board of Cherrytree borough.

On June 6, 1893, Mr. Hawes was united in marriage with Rose Patrick, a native of Burn- side, Clearfield Co., Pa., daughter of Chamber- lain and Catherine (Kneedler) Patrick, the former of whom is deceased. He was engaged as a blacksmith and carriagemaker at Burn- side. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hawes, namely : Zelda; Mary ; Mar. garet, deceased; Harry; Lynn: Alice, de- ceased; Sarah, and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Hawes are members of the Presbyterian Church, and socially he belongs to Lincoln Lodge, No. 28, Knights of Pythias, of which body he is treasurer, and to Indiana Lodge, No. 931, B. P. O. Elks.

FREDERICK WEITZEL has been a suc- cessful business man and farmer, active in public affairs, a leading member of the Chris- tian Church and a prominent worker in the

876

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Prohibition party in his township and the lie) is the wife of Thomas P. Brickel, a mer- county. He is a resident of Banks township, chant of Smithport, and they have a family Indiana county, and one of its best-known of five children: Imogene, Roxie, Viola, Bertha Lucile and another daughter. (5) Bertha E. is the wife of Ilarry Fairbank, of Omaha, Nebr., government meat inspector. (6) William Forest, who is a practicing physi-

citizens. Born May 6, 1836, in Hessenstaat, Germany, he is a son of John George and Elizabeth Weitzel. His father was a farmer and tailor in Germany, and continued to fol- low farming after he brought his family to cian at Indiana, married Arveda Gourley, of this country, settling in Indiana county, Pa., Jefferson county, Pennsylvania.

where he bought 135 acres of land in Canoe township, which he cleared and cultivated.

Frederick Weitzel received his education in Germany, graduating from school there in 1850. Coming with his father to America, he was trained to farming and has followed that occupation all his life, now owning farm prop- erty in Banks township, about 130 acres of good land. For twenty years Mr. Weitzel was in business, carrying on furniture and under- taking establishments at Glen Campbell and Smithport (postoffice Hortons), this county. He was senior member of the firm of F. Weit- zel & Sons, his sons W. F. and J. C. Weitzel having been associated with him. Though busy with the management of his private af- fairs he also found time to take part in public matters, and he was honored with election to offices of trust, having served many years as school director, and also in the positions of township auditor and township clerk. Mr. Weitzel is a strong Prohibitionist, and has always been an earnest worker in Indiana county in the cause of Prohibition, which he has aided whenever possible by his influence. He was one of the charter members of the Christian Church at Hortons, and has served as elder since the organization. Highly re- spected in all the associations of life, he has an enviable standing in the community.

On Dec. 20, 1860, Mr. Weitzel married Elizabeth Coy, of Westmoreland county, Pa., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Coy, and six children have been born to them: (1) Laura Bell is the wife of R. Y. Smith, of Baldwin county, Ala., a merchant and planter, and their children are Walter K., Lula Grace, Thomas Boyd and Frederick Lloyd (twins), Sandy John, Allen Frost and Goldie.' (2) Joseph C. is a traveling salesman and makes his home in Indiana borough. He married Jennie Guthrie, of Indiana county, and they have three children, Frederick. Marion and Eugene. (3) Luther Miles, a merchant of Rome, Ga., married Josephine Stephenson, of Jefferson county, who died leaving one child, Carl. Mr. Weitzel married for his second wife Lelia Wilt, of York, Pa., and they have one child. LeRoy. (4) Anna Alfaretta (Dol-

WILLIAM E. BOWSER, D. D. S., is one of the best-known residents of Plumville, In- diana county, where he is engaged in the prac- tice of dentistry and carries on the livery busi- ness, besides acting as postmaster. He is a native of Armstrong county, born Feb. 5, 1860, at Elderton, where his father, Anderson Bowser, was in business for some time.

Anderson Bowser, the father, was a native of Bedford county, Pa., son of George Bowser. Coming to Armstrong county he settled at Brady's Bend, near Elderton, where he fol- lowed the trade of molder and foundryman. Later moving to Kittanning, same county, he also worked at his trade there, and afterward went to Elderton, where he engaged in the- foundry business with John Craft. He sub- sequently followed the business on his own account for twelve years, and at the end of that period came to Plumville, in South Ma- honing township, Indiana county, where he continued to make his home to the end of his days. He was in business for himself there, always working in the same line, and met with success. Mr. Bowser died May 8, 1876, and is buried at Plumville. He was a member of the M. E. Church, to which his wife, Mary (Templeton), also belongs. She died Feb. 3, 1913, when over eighty-three years old, and had made her home with her son Dr. Wil- liam E. Bowser, at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county. Mr. and Mrs. Bowser had children as follows: Mary, who is now deceased; Martha; Jerry, deceased; Thomas, deceased ; Clarilla, deceased; William E .; and Nancy. deceased.

William E. Bowser was six years old when the family came to Plumville, Indiana county. and there he had the advantages afforded by the public schools. For a time he worked in the foundry with his father, after which he took up the study of dentistry with Dr. N. L. Park, at Marion Center, later attending dental college at Philadelphia, where he was gradu- ated in 1893. He practiced for three years before coming to Plumville, in 1893, where he

877

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

has had an office for nineteen years and es- (her second husband was named Anderson) ; tablished a profitable patronage. He is one Maria, who married Bernard McQuade, and died in Ireland; James, who married Eliza- beth McGonigle, and died in California; Rob- ert A., who died in Indiana in 1888; Eliza- beth, who married James McGonigle and (sec- ond) Matthew Steele, and died in Belfast, Ireland; William, who died in Philadelphia, Pa., when seventy-six years old (he married) ; Mary, Mrs. Gardner Pepper, who died in Pennsylvania; and Josias H. of the leading dentists in Indiana county, his work standing the test of time, and his repu- tation extending beyond the limits of his home district. Over twenty years ago Dr. Bowser started in the livery business at Plum- ville, being the pioneer in that line there, and he has been engaged in same continuously since. In 1898, during President McKinley 's administration, he was appointed postmaster to succeed J. C. Pierce, and has continued to serve the community in that capacity since. Dr. Bowser is recognized by all who know him as a broad-minded, intelligent citizen, and he has given eminent satisfaction iu his public services and in all the other relations of life. He is conscientious in his professional work, a thorough business man in all his undertakings, and interested in everything which concerns the general welfare. He is a member of the Postmasters' Association, and socially belongs to the Odd Fellows' lodge at Plumville. In political opinion he is a Republican, but in politics as in other affairs he is liberal and inclined to support whatever he thinks will conduce to the good of the greatest number.

On March 8, 1888, Dr. Bowser was married in North Mahoning township, this county, to La Vinnia Pounds, who was born in George- ville, Indiana county, daughter of James and Hannah (Kimple) Pounds. They have no children. Dr. and Mrs. Bowser are members of the M. E. Church at Plumville, and highly esteemed in that connection.

PROF. JOSIAS H. YOUNG has been asso- ciated with the business and educational life of the borough of Indiana almost continuously since the close of the Civil war. Though he prepared for the ministry he did not follow the profession long, because of his health. He was born in April, 1837, in Belfast, Ireland, son of Robert and Mary (Hillman) Young, the former also a native of Belfast, and a watchmaker and jeweler by occupation. The mother died in Ireland, when her son Josias was quite young, and the father subsequently came with his family to America. He worked at his trade with his son Robert in Indiana, Indiana Co., Pa., and died there in 1859, at the age of sixty-four years. He and his wife were Presbyterians in religious faith. They had children as follows: Margaret, who mar- ried James Blair, of Ireland, with whom she came to America, settling with her brother in San Francisco eventually, and she remarried there after Mr. Blair's death and died there

Josias H. Young attended school in his native land until he came to the United States with his father, at the age of twelve years. He spent his first few years in this country at Philadelphia, and attended what was known as the Presbyterian Institute, taught by Rev. Dr. Coleman, a noted linguist, under whom the youth studied German, Latin and Greek. He was apprenticed to learn the trade of jeweler, but gave it up to continue his studies, and entering the University of Pennsylvania was graduated from that institution with the class of 1859. He then took a course at Prince- ton Theological Seminary, graduating there- from in 1862. He entered the ministry, but soon gave it up on account of his health, and has since been engaged in business and edu- cational pursuits. When the Civil war broke out he went to enlist, and was offered a second lieutenancy in the Philadelphia Zouaves, who covered the retreat at the first battle of Bull Run. His guardian interfered with his plans for serving in the Union army, but allowed him to become a member of the United States Christian Commission, which did hospital work, nursing the sick and wounded on and off the field. At the close of the war he came to Indiana, Pa., and engaged in the jewelry business with his brother Robert here for eight years, during whichi time he was also con- nected with the normal school, having been elected to the chair of languages, which he filled for seven years. He then acted as principal of the borough public schools for seven years, at the end of which period he went to New York City, where he was in the jewelry and diamond business for three years. Returning to western Pennsylvania, he was principal of a ward school in Pittsburg for two years, and then came again to Indiana. where he became interested in the Indiana Leather Company, for which he traveled, and was also similarly associated with the Indiana Ladder Company. He has disposed of his interests in both, and is now following other lines of business.

Three years ago Mr. Young took up the

878

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

study of Esperanto, the world language, and James Stewart; Hugh, who died in Altoona, he now has a class of twelve in Indiana, in- cluding representative citizens of the borough. He has been a Republican in politics, recently taking up Progressive principles.

In 1871 Mr. Young was married in Indiana to Laura L. Hildebrand, of that place, daugh- ter of Edward P. and Elizabeth (Woods) Hildebrand, and they have had three children : Florence B., now the wife of Walter H. Jack- son; Edith M., wife of John A. Scott, of In- diana; and Elizabeth, who was married in June, 1912, to Harry P. Beans, of Indiana.

EVANS. Members of the Evans family of Indiana county were among the first of the early settlers of western Pennsylvania. The first of the name in this county was Hugh Evans, who was a native of Wales, born in Cardiff, where he grew to maturity. When a young man he left his native home to try his fortune in the western world. He crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel, working for his passage. Among his fellow passengers was a young English girl who intended to make her future home in the United States, and the young Welshman wooed her so successfully that when they landed at Philadelphia, where they spent a short time, they married. The young couple then came West, locating first at the Welsh settlement near Evansburg. They soon mnoved from there to Indiana county, locating in Brushvalley township, on a tract of land where Hugh Evans built his little log home and started to clear a farm from a wilderness. After remaining on this farm for a few years he sold it and bought a 400-acre bush and timber tract, a part of which is now included in Mechanicsburg. Here he started to make his future home, erecting a log cabin and barn. By hard work he cleared up much of his land and made other improvements on the property, putting up a frame dwelling house, barn, et cetera. He also erected a saw and grist mill, the first of its kind in the township. Mr. Evans spent his life on this farm, and there died at the age of sixty years. He was buried on the farm, in what is now known as the Evans family ceme- tery. A man noted for his enterprise and progressive ideas, he was hardworking and industrious, much devoted to his home and family. He was a member of the Baptist Church, as were also his wife and children. IIis widow died on the farm and was buried in the family plot there. The seven children born to this marriage were as follows: John; Ann, who married John Kelley and (second)

Pa .; Mary, who married Henry Grumbling; Elizabeth (Betsey), who married Joseph Me- Nutt, of Brushvalley township; Evan, who lived and died in Brushvalley township; and James, who died in Center township.

John Evans, eldest son of Hugh Evans, was born in Brushvalley township, and what edu- cation he received was obtained in the schools of that section. He grew up on the farm of his father and made farming and stock raising his life occupation, receiving 250 acres of the homestead farm. There he erected buildings and made other improvements, passing all his life on the place, where he died at the age of seventy years, seven months, and is buried in the family lot, the Evans graveyard. He was a member of the Baptist Church, of which he was deacon. He was a Whig and Republican, but took no active part in public life. He was a strong admirer of the martyred President Lincoln and during the Civil war his sympathy was with the Union, his only son enlisting to uphold the flag and preserve the Union. He was married in Brushvalley township to Eliza- beth Sanderson, a native of Hagerstown, Md., daughter of Thomas Sanderson, who had set- tled in that township. Mrs. Evans died on the farm and is buried in the family cemetery. She was a member of the Baptist Church, a devoted wife and mother, doing her duty by her family, which consisted of eight children : Benjamin, who died in Brushvalley township; Maria, who married John Bracken, and both died in East Wheatfield township ; Emily, who married John Finley, of Blairsville (he died in Brushvalley township) ; Lucinda, who is the widow of William Conrad and resides in East Wheatfield township; Susan, who mar- ried David Overdoff (both are deceased) ; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Gregory, and died in Franklin, Pa .; Rebecca, who married Finley Campbell, and died in Johnston; and John Sanderson.

JOHN SANDERSON EVANS, youngest child of John and Elizabeth (Sanderson) Evans, was born on the homestead farm in Bruslivalley township Ang. 13, 1844. His educatiou was acquired in the public schools of his native township, and from early life he was ac- customed to work on the farm, which he helped to operate until the death of his father. He then became the owner, and continued to cultivate the place during his active life, en- gaging in general farming and stock raising. IIe also bought the Chambers farm in the same township, a tract of 162 acres which he likewise operated. In 1908 he retired from

879

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

farming, moving to Homer City, where he they have two children, Blanch and Robert. built a home and where he and his wife are enjoying the evening of a well-spent life, reap- ing the benefits of years of toil.

(9) Elsie Edna, born Sept. 2, 1889, married George Kelley, of Homer City, and has one child, Ruth.

During the Civil war Mr. Evans enlisted, Aug. 20, 1864, in Company H, 206th P. V. I., CHARLES CRONK, superintendent of the Lucerne Coal Mines, at North Homer, In- diana county, owned and operated by the Rochester, Pittsburg Coal & Iron Company, has filled that position of trust and responsi- bility since July, 1912. Mr. Cronk is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, born in Luzerne county in June, 1862, a son of James and Jane (Dean) Cronk. James Cronk, the father, was a lumberman and sawmill owner, being en- gaged in that kind of business nearly all his life, both in Pennsylvania and on the Pa- cific coast. 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 24th Army Corps, being under the command of Capt. J. C. Grear and Col. Hugh J. Brady. He was stationed for a time in front of Petersburg and later at Richmond. Mr. Evans spent ten months in the service, being mustered out at the close of the war, June 10, 1865. He has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, a firm be- liever in its principles, and is a strong admirer of Roosevelt. He served the township of Brushvalley as supervisor, was assessor two terms, tax collector one term, school director and overseer of the poor two terms. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Bolar Post, at Homer City, and is chaplain of his post. He and his family are members of the M. E. Church, of which he he continued his education. When a youth is steward, trustee and class leader. Mr. Evans is a strong advocate of temperance, a citizen and family man who would do credit

Charles Cronk attended the local schools at his birthplace and was nine years old when he moved with his parents to Bradford county, Pa., the family locating at Carbon Run, where of fourteen years he went with an elder brother to work in the coal mines at Carbon Run, where he was employed as a coal miner

to any community. He educated his nine until 1885, in which year the family moved children well and gave them all a fair start in to Jefferson county, Pa. There Mr. Cronk life, and they reflect credit on him and his devoted wife, being thrifty and industrious citizens, of sterling worth.

On July 16, 1865, Mr, Evans married Metilda Helman, who was born in Wheatfield township, daughter of Adam and Mary (Fry) Helman. To this union were born children as follows: (1) Harry H., born March 28, 1867, is an electrical engineer, and resides at Renton, Wash. He married Rhoda Croyle, and has five children, Joseph, John Bair, Name, Beulah and Edwin. (2) Bennett B., born March 21, 1869, is an engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad and makes his home at Pittsburg. He married Sally Swaring, of Steubenville, Ohio, and their children are Ralph, Merle, Clarence and Harold. (3) Ella N., born Jan. 8, 1872, married James K. Altman, and resides in Brushvalley town- ship. They have two children, Charles and Fanny. (4) Charles, born March 8, 1875, an engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad, resid- ing at Pittsburg, married Ida Echinger. (5) Albert P., born June 9, 1877, a farmer in Brushvalley township, married Mamie Bench- man. (6) Frank, born Dec. 5, 1880, residing in Pittsburg, married Nora Mock. (7) Ger- trude, born July 2, 1883, resides at home. (8) Clair, born March 4, 1886, who lives on the Mr. Cronk married, in Jefferson county, homestead farm, married Alma McCrea, and Jennie Jones, and to this union six children

followed his occupation of coal miner in the mines of the Jefferson Coal Company, and remained until 1901, at which time he went to West Virginia, locating in Barbour county. Becoming mine boss for the Jefferson Valley Coal & Coke Company, he continued in that capacity until July, 1904, when he accepted the position of superintendent of the mines of the Tygarts River Coal Company, at Arden, Barbour Co., W. Va., holding it for two years. Then he came to Indiana county, Pa., and on Nov. 15, 1906, became assistant superintend- ent of the Lucerne Mines at North Homer, for The Rochester, Pittsburg Coal & Iron Com- pany. He acted in that capacity for six years, and in July, 1912, was made superin- tendent. The Lucerne mines were opened in December, 1905, on the Risinger farm, and the property was in the early stages of its development when Mr. Cronk assumed his duties as assistant superintendent. He has more than five hundred hands under his charge. He has become a most respected resi- dent of his adopted borough, and is at present serving as school director of Center township. He is a Republican in politics. He and his family are members of the M. E. Church of Homer City.

880

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

were born: Margaret, who died when three were born to them the following children: years old; Cora H., who married Thomas Catharine married Joseph Crossman; Isaac Robinson; James, a steam engineer; Alice, at married Catharine McClelland ; John, born in home; Catharine and William, both attend- 1801, married Martha Jordan; James married ing school.

RALPH F. McHENRY, M. D., practicing physician and surgeon of Heilwood, Indiana county, where he also conducts a modern, well-equipped hospital, was born at Frost- burg. Jefferson Co., Pa., Aug. 30, 1869, son of George Washington and Anna Rebecca (Keck) McHenry.

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 Stutchel (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 In- diana on what has been known as the James Hamilton farm. Thence he moved to what is now North Mahoning township, where he and his wife and two sons died in the fall of 1812, all during the same week, the par- ents aged about eighty years. the son James aged thirty-three years and the son Samuel aged thirty-six years. They lie in the ceme- tery at Gilgal Church (this church was or- ganized in 1808). The father served as major in the Pennsylvania State militia. Isaac and Jane MeHenry had children as follows: John married Miss MeCord; Wil- liam, born in 1770, married Sidney Gordon. and they were the grandparents of Squire MeHenry, of Spangler, Pa .. whose 'mother was a Row; William 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 ; James is mentioned below : Samuel married Mary MeCall: Joseph married Elizabeth Boyd: Jane married Robert Morrison; Sarah : Hannah married Daniel Morrison.

James MeHenry, son of Isaac and Jane MeHenry. was born Feb. 15. 1779. 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 in 1812 at the early age of thirty-three years, as already related. In 1795 he married Eliza- beth Stutchel (daughter of John), who was horn Feb. 15. 1779, and died in 1851. There

Ann Neal; Mary married Asa Crossman; Elizabeth married George Timblin ; Jane mar- ried William Postlewait. Of these, James and Ann (Neal) had children: Elizabeth married Martin Reits; William married Lu- . cetta Light and (second) Rachel Lantz; Mar- garet married Austin Welchans; Benjamin married Catharine Beck; Mary married George Goheen and (second) Rev. Uriah Conly; Sarah married John C. Stear.

Isaac MeHenry, eldest son of Maj. James and Elizabeth (Stutchel) McHenry, was the grandfather of Dr. Ralph F. McHenry. He was born July 4, 1797, in North Mahoning township, and in his early days followed farm- ing in his native township, assisting to clear and operate the home farm, also engaging in lumbering. Later he moved to Jefferson county, and made the first settlement at Ford- ham. Isaac McHenry was at Punxsutawney when the site was a windfall and an Indian sugar camp. After his marriage he and his wife lived for a time at Fordham, on what is known as the old Bath farm at Whitesville, thence removing to the vicinity of Frostburg, Jefferson county, where Mr. MeHenry was engaged in farming for over forty years. In 1886, however, the farm was sold and the old couple moved-on Nov. 16th-with their son George W. to a farm which had been bought in East Mahoning township, Indiana county, where Isaac McHenry died Dec. 28, 1886. On Oct. 6, 1825, he married Catharine McClel- land, a native of Pennsylvania, whose parents had 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.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 17

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