Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 22

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 22

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the early part of 1865 until the close of the war.

William B. Serena attended the local schools six months.

of his native township, but at an early day began working on the McFarland farm, re-

maining in charge of it for two years. He of over six hundred acres of improved land in' then went to New Alexandria, Westmoreland Young township, is the leading agriculturist Co., Pa., where he learned the carpenter's of his part of Indiana county and also has ex- trade with his uncle, and at the completion of his apprenticeship worked in the oil fields in Titusville and Oil City, Pa., with a fair meas- ure of success.

In 1882 Mr. Serena came to Saltsburg, where he embarked in a meat business, and com- manded a large trade drawn from all over that part of Indiana county. Later he opened a meat market on Salt street, on the present site of Stahl's store, and occupied these prem- ises until 1902, when he built his present com- modious quarters on Indiana street, having a ship, where he became the owner of a tract

trons. Mr. Serena raises a number of his cat- tle and other stock on his farm in Loyalhanna township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and buys the remainder. Having been in this line of business so many years, he is thoroughly con- versant with its every detail, and his patrons benefit through his wide experience and thorough knowledge. His judgment with re- gard to stock is excellent, and is relied upon

Mr. Serena married Theressa Kaney, a daughter of Stephen and Hannah (Jackson) Kaney, and they are the parents of children as follows: James Clifford, Beletta M., Joseph W., Clyde Washington and Philip C., the two last named dying in infancy.

For a number of years Mr. Serena has been a consistent Methodist. His political views make him a Republican, and he has always given a stanch support to the principles of his party. In 1863 he enlisted in Company K, 62d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving with this regiment one year, after which he was transferred to Company B, 155th Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, of which he was also a member for about one year. He was then changed to Company E, 191st Pennsyl- vania Regiment, serving in all about two years,

WILLIAM BAXTER CRAWFORD, owner

tensive interests in other lines, being a man of all-around business ability and remarkable enterprise. He has done threshing in Indiana county and adjoining sections of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties for the last forty years, and for thirty years has carried on the manufacture of lumber, in both Indiana and Armstrong counties. Mr. Crawford was born in Young township Sept. 22, 1855. William Crawford, his grandfather, was a pioneer set- tler in the Eldersridge section of that town-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of four hundred acres, on part of which land Armstrong and Westmoreland counties, and the mining town of Iselin now stands. He he has always commanded a large patronage; followed farming and spent his life there, his sons now assist him in this business. For dying on his farm, and is buried in the seven years in his early manhood Mr. Craw- Ebenezer cemetery. He was of Scotch extrac- ford worked with his uncle William Baxter in the oil fields of Clarion county, Pa., drilling, pumping and gauging. In 1879 he settled down to farming on the Matthew Crawford place, near what is now Iselin, and he has added to his farming property steadily since then, having bought other land in the town- tion and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife, whose maiden name was MeDowell, also died on the farm and was buried in Ebenezer cemetery. Their children were: Ann, who married James Clemens and lived in Allegheny county, Pa .; Isabelle, who married Daniel Shearer ; Matthew, who lived in Armstrong county ; James; and John, who died in the West.

James Crawford, son of William, was born near Eldersridge in Young township, and there attended public school. At an early age he began work on the construction of the Pennsylvania canal, and also engaged in other lines, eventually settling down to farming in Conemanghi township, this county, on a 128- aere tract near Clarksburg. He devoted his time to general farming and stock raising and passed the remainder of his long life on that place, dying there at the age of eighty-three years, eleven months, twenty-three days. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and is buried in the U. P. cemetery at Olivet, Armstrong county. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a Republican. Mr. Crawford married Jane Baxter, who was born in Allegheny county, Pa., daughter of William Baxter and sister of William Baxter, prominent oil operator in his day and well known in both Indiana and Armstrong coun- ties. Mrs. Crawford died at the homestead and is buried in the same cemetery as her husband. Six children were born to their union : Mary Jane, who is on the old home- stead ; William Baxter; John, now a resident of Pittsburg, in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company ; Nancy, who married Frank Gordon ; James, who is on the old home- stead; and Sarah Belle, on the old homestead.

Sarah Jane; ship until he now owns and operates over six hundred acres. His purchases include the old Robert Elder homestead, a tract of 125 acres; the T. C. Watson farm, and the MeCombs farm. All these properties have been greatly improved with buildings, fences, etc., during his ownership, his thrifty management and good judgment being apparent in the sub- stantial nature of all the building he has had done and the careful attention to detail in evi- dence everywhere on his holdings. He also continues the manufacture of lumber, in which he has been interested for thirty years. There is no more progressive man in the locality, and he has not only been active in promoting his own interests but influential in encourag- ing every movement for the general good, his support being regarded as a valuable asset to any project for the benefit of the community. Though a Republican in political sentiment he is independent in his advocacy of meas- ures and his support of candidates for public position.

On June 6, 1878, Mr. Crawford married Mattie J. Dunmire, of Maysville, Armstrong Co., Pa., daughter of Andrew Dunmire. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. C. Tel- ford. Four children were born to this mar- riage : Oliver Rowland, born Jan. 29, 1879, who remained on the homestead, and died April 29, 1908; James Carl, born Oct. 28, 1881, at home; Andrew Claude, born Ang. 28, 1887, who is at home; and William Baxter, Jr., born Aug. 13, 1889, at home. The mother died May 19, 1890. On Jan. 11, 1894, Mr. Crawford was married, by Rev. S. A. Hughes, of Bethel Church, in Center township, In- diana county, to Annie M. George, a native of Center township, daughter of Walter Bates George, of that township, full mention of whose family will be found elsewhere in this work. They have had one child, Walter Ham- ilton, horn July 8, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Craw- ford and their children are members of the Presbyterian Church at Eldersridge. Fra-

William Baxter Crawford was allowed the advantages the schools near his home afforded, and until he reached the age of twenty did farm work on the home place for his father. He then began threshing on his own account, being one of the first in this region to follow that line on the plan now generally adopted. He began with a three-horsepower machine, and as he became able to improve his equip- ment came to own an eight-horsepower outfit, and since he commenced to use steam power has had five engines. His work has taken him all over Young. Conemangh and Arm- strong townships, in Indiana county, and into ternally he is an Odd Fellow and Mason

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

(Lodge No. 431, F. & A. M.), belonging to ket. For a time he had as partners in this the lodges at Saltsburg, this county.

J. MILTON JOHNSTON, agriculturist and dairyman and a man well known all over In- diana county, Pa., was born Oct. 24, 1863, son of James and Martha (Gibson) Johnston.

James Johnston, great-grandfather of J. Milton Johnston, in 1814, came with his wife, Mary (Perry), from Franklin county, Pa., to Indiana county, settling on a small tract of land in Center township, which had been cleared, and a log cabin erected. In this neighborhood they spent the remainder of their lives, rearing a family of ten children, namely : Adam, Elizabeth, James, Anne, Rob- ert, Mary, Saralı, John, William and George W.

Adam Johnston, the oldest son of James and Mary Johnston, was born in Franklin county and accompanied his parents to In- diana county, where he grew to manhood, giv- ing his father assistance in clearing up the pioneer farm. In 1824 he married a member of the McNulty family, bearing the name of either Mary or Nancy, and to them the fol- lowing children were born: Mary, who be- came the wife of Charles McCracken ; James; Isabella; Margaret, who married Hiram St. Clair; John; Robert, who married Mary E. Latimer and (second) Cynthia Meredith; and George W., who married Mary Dixon. Mr. Johnston was one of the first men in Center township to serve as a justice of the peace and filled that office for many years. He pur- chased 156 acres of land from a tract war- ranted to Dr. Robert Johnston in 1786, pat- ented in 1796, which was part of a tract known as "The Valley," and on this land his life was spent in farming and his children were reared. He was buried in the Bethel Church graveyard in Center township.

James Johnston, son of Adam Johnston, was born and reared on the old homestead and received the usual educational training that country boys then enjoyed. At the time of his marriage he bought fifty acres of his father and fifty more from the Harold farm, adjoin- ing, and with this land to cultivate he became busy and industrious and soon was regarded as one of the prosperous men of his commu- nity. While cultivating his land he made im- provements for the comfort of his family and his buildings were substantial and attractive. For many years he devoted a large amount of attention to the buying and selling of cattle and all kinds of stock, which he either shipped or drove to Reading, Pa., a convenient mar-

business first Peter Harold and later J. D. Dickie, both of Center township, but he was quite capable of carrying on large transac- tions alone. He continued to increase his land holdings until he had acquired 300 acres at the time of retirement from activity.

Mr. Johnston was elected on Nov. 8, 1881, a county commissioner of Indiana county, and served three years, his colleagues being Wil- liam Mabon and James A. McQuown. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and served his constituents and party in a faith- ful manner in every office to which he was elected. In addition to serving as a county official he was useful in township offices, for nine years being overseer of the poor and sev- eral terms township assessor. Far and wide he was known for his genial disposition as well as for his keen business qualifications. During the greater part of his life he was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, and was a trustee for many years. In 1893 he retired from active business and moved to In- diana, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in May, 1904; he was interred in Oakland cemetery.

On March 29, 1849, Mr. Johnston married Martha Gibson, daughter of Robert Gibson, of Center township, the ceremony being per- forned in the Gibson (now Pounds) stone house, which was built about 1800. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were born the following children : Annie, who married John Kinnan; Lizzie and Jennie, both of whom reside at In- diana ; James Stewart, now deceased, who was a merchant at Jacksonville, Pa .; and J. Milton.

J. Milton Johnston received his educational training in the Harold or Myers school in Center township and continued to assist his father until his own marriage. At this time he located on the Adam Johnston farm, and when his father retired, in 1893, assumed charge of the homestead which he has man- aged successfully ever since. At the present time of writing he is residing temporarily at Indiana, but continues to direct his farming operations as carefully as he did when living on his farm. At present he owns 630 acres of land, on which a large herd of cows is kept and an up-to-date dairy is maintained under his careful supervision.

On Dec. 26, 1889, Mr. Johnston was mar- ried to Louie Mabon, a daughter of Francis Mabon, who formerly was a county commis- sioner of Indiana county, and four children have been born to them, namely: Stewart,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

who lives on the Harold farm near the home- he was reared and became engaged in farm- stead, married to Edna Britton, of Jefferson ing, spending the rest of his life there. He county ; Francis Perry, who is a student in died March 2, 1846, at the age of sixty-five the Indiana State normal school; Martha, and years, thirteen days. His wife, Margaret Ernest.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Johnston has been a conscientious voter but has never ac- cepted any office except on the school board, serving for twelve years in Center township, during eight of which he was secretary of the board. He is an active worker in the Presby- terian Church, of which he is a trustee, and was formerly superintendent of the Sunday school.

CHARLES DEVINNEY FERGUSON, of Burrell township, Indiana county, belongs to one of the oldest families of that section. He was born Sept. 29, 1866, on the old Ferguson homestead on Stewards run, in Blacklick township, this county, where several gener- ations of Fergusons have lived and labored. They are of Scotch origin.

James Ferguson, the emigrant ancestor of the family, was born March 17, 1746, in Scot- land, where he passed his early life. On Dec. 31, 1770, he was married there to Eliza- beth Elliott, who was born Jan. 4, 1750, and they came with their family to America about the close of the Revolutionary war, settling first at Morrison's Cove, in Huntingdon coun- ty, Pa. In 1786 they removed to what is now Blacklick township, Indiana county (then a part of Westmoreland county ), locat- ing on a tract of land which was patented in the name of Barbara Elliott. The family re- mained for a short period at the Dixon block- house, at Broad Ford, but made a permanent home in Blacklick township, where Mr. Fer- guson died April 30, 1813. His wife had died Oct. 26, 1792, at the age of forty-two years. They were the parents of the following chil- dren : William, born Nov. 14, 1771 (died Sept. 23, 1819) ; Rebecca, April 20, 1773; John, May 20, 1775 (died Jan. 11, 1791) ; Hance, March 3, 1777 (died April 30, 1813) ; Elizabeth, March 30, 1779; James, Feb. 17, 1781; Samuel, March 27, 1783 (died Dec. 14, 1843), David. Jan. 30, 1786 (died Aug. 9, 1862) ; Jean, April 17, 1788; Elliott, Dec. 14. 1789 (died June 7. 1852) ; Mary, Sept. 10, 1792.

James Ferguson, son of James and Eliza- beth (Elliott) Ferguson, was born Feb. 17, 1781, in Seotland, and soon afterward was brought to America by his parents. He was in his sixth year when the family settled in Blackliek township, Indiana county, where terms.

(Devinney), born Oct. 7, 1793, died Nov. 27, 1861, aged sixty-eight years, one month, twen- ty days. They had a family of twelve chil- dren, namely : Elliott, born July 8, 1812, died June 19, 1883; Aaron, born March 25, 1814, died Jan. 4, 1881; Elizabeth, born Jan. 2, 1816, married James Patticord; William, born Jan. 21, 1818, died June 16, 1885, in Ohio; Jane, born May 14, 1820, died Sept. 7, 1907, unmarried; James, born March 8, 1822, lived at New Florence, Pa., and later went to Kan- sas, where he died; Eli, born April 25, 1824, a doctor and minister, resided at Latrobe, and later went to Kansas; Andrew D. was born Feb. 17, 1826; John, May 12, 1828; Joseph, March 24, 1831; David, Jan. 2, 1833; Mar- garet Ann, Sept. 12, 1836.

John 'Ferguson, son of James and Mar- garet (Devinney) Ferguson, was born May 12, 1828, at the Ferguson homestead, and at- tended the Ferguson school. The land on which the school building stood was given by his father for that purpose. He began to assist his father when a mere boy, and con- tinued to follow farming and stock raising at the homestead all his life, making extensive improvements on the property during his ownership. During the Civil war his sym- pathies were with the Union, and he served three months in the Pennsylvania militia. He was a stanch Republican, and took an active interest in local politics, and he held a num- ber of the township offices, serving as school director, supervisor, and tax collector. He was a leading member of the Hopewell M. E. Church and prominent in all its work, serv- ing as steward, trustee and class leader. He died on his farm May 22, 1895, and is buried in Hopewell M. E. Church cemetery. On Nov. 24, 1863, at Livermore, Pa., Mr. Fergu- son married Sybilla Kells, who was born June 2, 1846, daughter of Robert and Mary (Cunningham) Kells, the former a native of Ireland who came to America with his par- ents and settled in Philadelphia, later moving to Westmoreland county. Pa., where he passed the remainder of his life; he is buried at Livermore. Mr. Kells was a carpenter and boatbuilder by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Fer- guson had the following children : (1)

Frank Ulysses, born Dec. 12, 1864, attended Blairsville Academy and later was a student at the James Beacom private school for five He then studied medicine and was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in the drug business at Glitson and is now en- town, is one of the most popular citizens of gaged in the practice of medicine there. He Brushvalley township. He is a native of married Margaret Bradley. (2) Charles D. the county, born Jan. 12, 1872, in West is mentioned below. (3) Mary Savannah, Wheatfield township, son of David and Mar- born Feb. 21, 1870, married E. C. Ryder and tha C. (Carnahan) Campbell. The father was lives in Pittsburg. (4) Jennie May, born also born in West Wheatfield township, where Nov. 23, 1872, married Thomas N. Dougherty. he was reared, and was a farmer throughout (5) George Crooks, born May 31, 1875, is a his life. He served on the Union side during farmer in Indiana county, Pa. He married the Civil war, enlisting Aug. 30, 1864, in Effie Fritz. (6) Rebecca Kells, born Sept. 13, 1878, married Roy Torrence. (7) James Thomas, born Oct. 10, 1883, now in Port Arthur, Texas, is shipping clerk for the Gulf Refining Company.

On July 5, 1900, Mrs. Ferguson married (second) Matthew H. Henry, of Blairsville, Pennsylvania.

Charles Devinney Ferguson attended the Ferguson school near the homestead, and sub- sequently worked there with his parents un- til 1891, when he married and started life on his own account. Renting the Smith farm he cultivated that place for a year, the next year farmed the Walker place, and in 1893 moved to Burrell township, where he car- ried on the Sloan place for five years. In 1898 he bought the Laughlin farm of ninety- eight acres (originally known as the McCrea farm) and there settled down to farming and stock raising. Ambitious and honorable, he has made a substantial and respected place for himself in the community, having been suc- cessful in his work and a thoroughly reliable and useful citizen. He still retains the coal .interests on the old homestead, and also has acquired other coal interests in the State.

On Feb. 25, 1891, Mr. Ferguson married Lenora Hazlett, daughter of Lesley and Mar -. garet (Streams) Hazlett, and they have be- come the parents of ten children : Alma (now engaged in teaching school, living at home), Lesley, Gladys, Lena, Margaret, Lynn, Clair, Winifred, Evabel and Wayne G. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson and their family are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church at Blairsville, and he has served as elder for four years. He has been deeply interested in politics as a progressive Republican, and has taken some part in the workings of the party in his section, having served as member of the township election board and as a member of the county Republican committee. He has been school director of his township for three years.

A. W. CAMPBELL, merchant and justice of the peace of Heshbon, Indiana county, owner of the big "Square Deal" store in that

Company H, 211th Regiment, and was in the army almost a year, being discharged May 18, 1865. He received a gunshot wound above the right knee during his service. His death occurred Feb. 18, 1901, in West Wheatfield township. He was a Democrat in politics and in religious connection a member of the U. P. Church, in which he held the office of elder. His first wife, Nancy J. (Palmer), was the mother of two children: Robert, now a resident of Blairsville, Indiana county; and Polly, wife of James Brown, of Wisconsin. To his second marriage, with Martha C. Car- nahan, were born seven children: John A., formerly commissioner of Indiana county, who now resides in Blairsville, Pa .; James E., of Pueblo, Colo .; A. W .; Ella M., wife of Bert Donnellson, of Josephine, Indiana Co., Pa .; Zurah I., Mrs. W. B. Wagner, of Heshbon; Rosa, Mrs. James Wadsworth, of Josephine; and Joseph E., a teacher, of Heshbon. The mother died May 21, 1902.

A. W. Campbell went to the common schools near home for his early education, later at- tending different normal schools in the coun- ty-a summer normal at Armagh, the Green- ville normal and the Indiana normal. He had a successful career of fourteen years as a school teacher, which he began when only six- teen years old. During this time he was an instructor in ungraded schools for seven years and for the other seven was principal of schools in Indiana, Cambria and Westmore- land counties, and for five summers trained teachers at summer normals held in various sections. In July, 1906, he became engaged in the mercantile business at Heshbon, own- ing what is widely known in his territory as the "Square Deal" store on Broadway, which as the result of his efforts to give full value for every expenditure is one of the most popu- lar trading places for the people in and around Heshbon. He has a large stock. reas- onably priced in accordance with his policy of doing the best possible bv his customers. who have shown their appreciation by steady pat- ronage. His good business judgment and enterprise are so generally recognized that for several years his services as auctioneer

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

have been in great demand, and in that ca- Jesse J. Williamson, was a soldier in the pacity he has presided at many public sales Colonial army during the war of the Revolu- in his own and adjoining counties.

tion, and was wounded in battle, after which Mr. Campbell was a poor boy when he he returned to his home in eastern Pennsyl- started life on his own account and whatever position or means he has now can be accredited vania. He followed farming during the rest of his life. He had five children: John, to his own exertions. He has been successful Robert, Nancy Ann, Mary and Sarah. not only in a financial way, but in keeping the

William G. Williamson was born in Hunt- good opinion and respect of all with whom ingdon county, Pa., Feb. 16, 1799, and his wife, he has been brought into contact by his scrup- ulous observance of the rights of others and his keen sense of responsibility toward his fellow men.

On May 1, 1910, Mr. Campbell was com- missioned a justice of the peace, "and has been dispensing law with equity and justice in that section of the county." This compli- ment to his official services appeared in the A, 103d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and Indiana Progress, issue of May 22, 1912, apro- pos of the progressive stand he has taken on the marriage question. At that time he had just announced his intention of refusing thenceforth to perform a marriage ceremony unless the contracting parties presented him a certificate signed by a responsible physician, testifying to their physical and mental fit- ness. He was the first justice in this section to take such a step and his action caused con- siderable comment.

Mr. Campbell has been a prominent mem- ber of the Democratic party in this part of Pennsylvania for years. Although this is a Republican section he has made a good show- ing as candidate on more than one occasion. His heart is with the new Progressive move- ment. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the United Presbyterian Church.

JESSE J. WILLIAMSON, who is the owner of 196 acres of good farm and timber land in West Mahoning township, was born in South Mahoning township, Indiana county, Oct. 6. 1841, son of William G. and Nancy Ann (Colkett) Williamson.

Hiram Williamson, the paternal grand- father of Jesse J. Williamson, was of English descent and coming to what is now known as Indiana county settled in what is now West Mahoning township (then included in Ly- coming county), where he secured land. He married a Quaker lady, Miss Evans, of Ches- ter county, and they spent the rest of their lives in agricultural pursuits in West Ma- Evans City, Pa., where he was employed in honing township, where they were among the the oil fields; while there he contracted an earliest pioneers. Their children were: Hi- ram, Evan, William G., Mary and Sarah, all except William G. moving to Illinois.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 22

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