Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 24

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 24

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ent home in Burrell township. He bought a tract of twenty-five acres, part of the Ear- hard farm, and began fruit culture, in which line he was the pioneer in the township. Now he has over twenty-five hundred trees, of different kinds, including peach, plum, cherry and apple, besides strawberry, raspberry and blackberry vines, all of which are doing well under his capable management. In 1911 he bought the Bowden-Repine farm of 135 acres, near his first purchase, and is planting part

CLARENCE R. SMITH, of Indiana, presi- dent of the Indiana Bent Rung Ladder Com- Indiana county, in 1889, locating at his pres- pany, and otherwise identified with the busi- ness life of the borough, belongs to the fourth generation of his family which has resided in Indiana county. He was born in this county July 5, 1877, and is a great-grandson of Rich- ard Smith, who came hither when this region was a wilderness and took up large tracts of land. He was a member of the Society of Friends.

Richard W. Smith, son of Richard, was born in West Virginia, and came to Indiana county with his father. He became engaged in saw-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

milling and lumbering, doing an extensive ter engagement he received the wound which business for his day. ended his service as a soldier, causing the loss

born in Indiana county and here passed all his life. Like his father he did a large busi- ness sawmilling and lumbering, and was also engaged in farming. He married a native of Clearfield county, this State, Ruth Ettie Weaver, and they became the parents of three children : Siviter W., Jay C. and Clarence R. The father was a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity.

Clarence R. Smith received his education in the public schools of Indiana county. At the age of nineteen he began business life on his own account, engaging in various lines, and in 1904 became president of the Indiana Bent Rung Ladder Company, an association which he has maintained to the present. This com- pany has built up a flourishing business, giv- ing employment to between forty and fifty hands, so that it is one of the factors in the material welfare of the borough. Mr. Smith is a stockholder in and director of several other thriving enterprises in this locality, where he is looked upon as an energetic and reliable citizen, one of those whose ability and resource conserve the best interests of any com- munity. He is a Mason, belonging to Bhie Lodge No. 313, F. & A. M., of Indiana, of which he is a past master.

In February, 1903, Mr. Smith married Mabel Dickie, daughter of Joseph Dickie, of Indiana. They have two children, Genevra Ruth and Helen Louise.

J. BLAIR SUTTON, register and recorder of Indiana county, Pa., son of James M. and Martha (Stuchell) Sutton, was born in In- diana borough. His grandfather, Peter Snt- ton, was a native of Indiana county, where he was engaged in farming until his death, in 1865. Peter Sutton was married to Nancy Fisher, of Dauphin county, Pa., who survived him, dying in 1897. They were both highly respected members of the Presbyterian Church.

James M. Sutton, father of the subject of this sketch, began life on his father's farm in Indiana county. In 1861 he enlisted, becom- ing a private in Company E, 148th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His gal- lant and meritorious conduct soon won him promotion to the rank of lieutenant. He took part in all the many battles in which the gal- lant 148th participated, including Gettysburg and Spottsylvania Court House, at which lat-

Ellis G. Smith, son of Richard W., was of a leg, and eventually, after years of intense suffering, ending his life. Returning to his native county, James M. Sutton located in Plumville and there engaged in various enter- prises until 1869, when he was elected county treasurer, which office he filled with ability and fidelity, making his residence in Indiana borough. He died in 1882 in a Philadelphia hospital, where he had gone for treatment of his wound. His soldier record was excel- lent. In the same regiment served his three brothers, Joseph, Ayers and Capt. John, all of whom, with the exception of John, are now deceased. Mr. Sutton was an elder in the Presbyterian Church from the age of thirty until his death. He was prominent in the local G. A. R. Post, No. 28, of Indiana borough.

James M. Sutton was twice married, his first wife, Martha (Stuchell), dying at a com- paratively early age. Her children were: Clara B., deceased; Emma (wife of Ernest Stewart), deceased; Frank, who died in in- fancy, and John Blair. His second wife was Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of Samuel Wilson. By this union there was one child, Ella May, who died in infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth (Wil- son) Sutton was not only a devoted wife, but was also an exceptionally kind and loving mother to her stepchildren, who thoroughly appreciated her goodness and conscientious care.

J. Blair Sutton received his education prin- cipally in the public schools. Before he was ten years of age he was appointed court page by Judge John P. Blair (for whom he was named). Two years later Judge Harry White reappointed him to that position, in which capacity he served until 1892, when he be- came a clerk in the store of A. W. Wilson & Son, and so continued until he entered the law office of Hon. George W. Hood as a student, in 1897. In 1898, during the Spanish-Ameri- can war, Mr. Sutton helped to organize Com- pany B, 21st Regiment, Pennsylvania Pro- visional Guards, was elected second lieutenant, and served as such until the regiment was mustered out of the service. In 1902 he was appointed deputy register and recorder of Indiana county. In this capacity he served six years, and by his genial and accommo- dating ways, and careful and efficient dispatch of public business, fairly earned the large majority by which he was elected register and recorder at the end of his service as deputy. In 1911 he was reelected, practically without

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

opposition. Mr. Sutton is a member of the abolitionist. He died on his farm in 1849, at Order of Elks. He served Indiana Lodge one year as secretary. He is also prominent in the affairs of the Cosmopolitan Club, of which organization he has been treasurer for more than fifteen years.

Mr. Sutton continues to perform the duties of the offices of register of wills, recorder of deeds and clerk of the Orphans' court in a manner highly satisfactory to the people of the county. He is also a director of the First National Bank of Indiana. He stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens in every relation of life.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN EVANS, a well- known agriculturist of Brushvalley township, Indiana county, prominent also in other con- nections, was born there Nov. 9, 1861. A citizen whose activities have made him valu- able to the community, he bears worthily a name which has long been synonymous with good citizenship in this section.

Mr. Evans is descended from one of the an industrious and successful man through- oldest pioneer families in Brushvalley. The out his long life. He was an honored resident Evanses are of Welsh extraction, the founder of his locality, a member and deacon of the. Baptist Church, and in politics a Whig and Republican in turn, and a strong admirer of the martyred President Lincoln. During the Civil war his sympathies were with the Union cause, and his two sons went out as Union sol- diers. He died on his farm at the age of seventy years, seven months, and is buried in the family lot in the Evans cemetery. He married in Brushvalley township Elizabeth Sanderson, a native of Hagerstown, Md., daughter of Thomas Sanderson, who settled in that township. Mrs. Evans was also a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. She was the mother of eight children: Benjamin, men- tioned below; Emily, who married John Fin- ley, and died in Blairsville; Lucinda, who acre tract, all brush and timber, near the site married William Conrad, and is now a widow residing in East Wheatfield township; Susan, who married David Overdorff, both being de- ceased; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Greg- ory, and died in Franklin, Pa .; Rebecca, who married Finley Campbell, and died in Johns- town; John Sanderson, who now makes his home in Homer City ; and Maria, who married Jolin Bracken, and died in Indiana county, of the family in this country, Hugh Evans, having been a native of Cardiff, Wales, who crossed the Atlantic when a young man, work- ing for his passage on the vessel. Among the passengers was a young English girl named Hannah Dill, with whom he fell in love, and they were married when they landed at Phila- delphia. They came west to the Welslı set- tlement near Ebensburg, in Cambria county, Pa., where they remained for a short time, until they came to Indiana county, locating in Brushvalley township. They were among the first settlers there. Settling in the wilder -. ness, Mr. Evans built his log cabin and set to work clearing up the land. He remained but a short time on his first farm, buying a 400- of Mechanicsburg, upon which he settled down to farming. Much of this land is still in the family name. Here he built a dwelling house and barn, and also erected a saw and grist mill, the first of the kind in Brushcreek valley. The mill was of stone, and stood on Brush creek about three quarters of a mile be- low the present site of Mechanicsburg, and for many years was a prominent landmark. Pennsylvania.

He also owned a distillery. He worked hard and faithfully, prospered in his own affairs, and did his full duty as a citizen, being one of the enterprising and progressive men of his day and generation. He was a strong 58

the age of seventy years, and was buried in what is known as the Evans graveyard. He was a member of the Baptist Church, the first Baptist to settle in the township. His first wife died leaving children as follows: Ann, who married John Kelly aud (second) James Stewart; John; Hugh, who died at Altoona ; Mary, who married Henry Grumbling; Eliza- beth (Betsy), who first married Joseph Mc- Nutt; Evan, who lived in Brushvalley; Wil- liam, who married Susan Wilkins; and James, who died in Center township. Mr. Evans married for his second wife Esther Cresswell, and she bore him three children: Ellen, Re- becca and Lucinda (who married Rev. A. B. Runyan, a well-known Baptist minister of Mechanicsburg).

John Evans, eldest son of Hugh Evans, was educated in Brushvalley township and there grew to manhood on the farm. Receiving 250 acres of land from his father, he settled down to farming and stock raising, made many improvements on his property and was

Benjamin Evans, son of John, born Feb. 16, 1826, on the homestead farm in Brushvalley township, attended the local school. He took up farming as an occupation, following in his father's footsteps. Settling on the 100-acre

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tract of land now owned by his son Benjamin several years; he has been assessor for one F. Evans, he improved the land, erected a term. Mr. Evans has been a stanch Repub- dwelling house and barn, and added to the lican and is an ardent supporter of Roose- value of the property in many other ways. velt and the principles he stands for. In re- ligion he is a member of the M. E. Church, of which he is a trustee. As the representa- tive of a family whose members have always been regarded as estimable citizens he is liv- ing up to the obligations of an honored name, connected for several generations with the best element in the community. As he prospered he bought another place, of 126 acres, known as the Isaiah Bonner farm, which he gave later to his son John W. He spent his life in agricultural pursuits, carry- ing on stock raising as well as general farm- ing, and died on his farm in April, 1895, at the age of sixty-nine years, three months. He was buried in the Evans cemetery near Me- On Oct. 18, 1883, Mr. Evans married Clara B. Hileman, who was born in Brushvalley township, daughter of George and Louisa Hileman. They have had a family of ten children : George S., a farmer of Brushvalley township, who married Mary Appleton; Charles, a railroad man, who resides at Mans- field, Ohio; Louisa, Bessie and Eleanor, at home; Marion, who died when sixteen years old; Elizabeth, at home; Dick; Ruth, and Boyd. chanicsburg. Mr. Evans was one of those men of unassuming disposition but strong char- acter whose lives, following what they deem only the simple paths of duty, have a lasting effect on the welfare of the community. He was intelligent and well read and took an in- terest in all things which tended to promote the general good. During the Civil war he fought for the Union cause as a member of the 6th Heavy Artillery. He served five years as school director of his township, and was an active church member, belonging to the M. ANDREW JACKSON CUMMINS, who is now living retired on his farm in Center town- ship, is a descendant of one of the oldest pio- neer families of Indiana county, Pa., and was born on the homestead farm where he still re- sides June 22, 1844. The family came hither from Virginia. E. Church, which he served as class leader and steward. In politics he was a Republi- can. Mr. Evans married Margaret Finley, of Brushvalley township, daughter of David and Margaret (McCormack) Finley, and they had three children, namely : John W., now retired and living at Homer City, Pa .; Mar- garet J., who married Frank Stake, of Cherry- hill township (both are deceased) ; and Ben- jamin F. The mother died in 1901 while liv- ing with her son Benjamin and is buried in the same cemetery as the father. She was a member of the M. E. Church.

David Cummins, the great-grandfather of Andrew J. Cummins, was the first of the name to come to Indiana county. He was born in Rockingham county, Va., where he grew to manhood and came to what is now White township prior to the Revolutionary war. He settled on a tract of 400 acres, which was then a wilderness, and is now known as the Adam Mikesell place. Here he erected a little rough log hut and with his young wife took up the life of a pioneer, two of his chil- dren being born in this primitive little cabin in the wilderness. In 1777 the little band of

Benjamin Franklin Evans obtained his edu- cation in the public schools of the home neigh- borhood. From early boyhood he worked on the farm with his parents, and, continuing to make his home there, took charge of the homestead after his father's death and cared for his widowed mother. In time settlers was driven from the new home by the outrages of the Indians, Mrs. Cummins hiding he bought other land in the township, and 'is now cultivating over two hundred acres, her pewter plates and various other articles engaging in farming and stock raising on a in Spring run, while her husband secreted his saws and other tools and implements. Put- ting the remaining household effects on a horse, with his wife and two young children on another animal, Mr. Cummins set out with his gun on his shoulder, driving the cow, and made his way back to his native State, al- though a stop was made at Wallace fort. In Virginia the rest of the children of this pio- neer couple were horn, and there Mr. Cummins spent the remainder of his life. His widow and children returned to Indiana county to large scale. He built his present home and re- built the barn which his father erected, and which was destroyed by fire. Mr. Evans is thoroughly enterprising, and under his well- directed labors his farm has become one of the best cultivated in his section of the county. He has shown his public spirit by his efficient work in the township offices to which he has been chosen by his fellow citizens. During his eleven years' service as member of the school board he has been president of that body for

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the place of their first settlement, and there the farm July 30, 1877, at the age of seventy- she continued to make her home for some years. three years, and was buried in the old ceme- tery in Center township. He was a stanch Democrat, a strong admirer of Andrew Jack- son, and for a number of years was captain of the local militia. He belonged to the Presby- terian Church. David Cummins married Mary Wilson, who was born in Center town- ship, Jan. 27, 1810, daughter of John Wilson, and her death occurred April 10, 1888, in her Finally she removed to the home of her son William, and there her death occurred. The children of David Cummins were as follows: William, born in 1775, who settled on Crooked creek, in Rayne township, Indiana county, after the return of the family from Virginia; John, born in 1777; Mary, who married Charles Morrow, and settled in Ohio; Eliza- beth, who married Jeremiah Brown, of In- seventy-ninth year. She was buried in Green- diana; and David, who settled in Crawford county, Ohio.

John Cummins, son of David, and grand- father of Andrew J. Cummins, was born in the little log home in White township, in 1777, and was but an infant when taken by his mother to Virginia. When he was fourteen years of age, in 1791, he was brought back to Indiana county, and continued to reside at home until 1807, at which time he purchased 1,200 acres of land, now known as a part of the Harbrage tract. Here he built a log house aud barn, and later, in 1814, the present dwelling was erected, numerous other im- provements being also made. By hard work Mr. Cummins managed to clear up a large part of the homestead, but he died in 1827, at the comparatively early age of fifty years, and is buried in Bethel Church cemetery, in Cen- ter township. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. Cummins married Nellie Todd, who was a native of Ireland, daughter of Samuel Todd, and she died on the farm and was buried in the same cemetery. They had the following children: Susanna, who married Samuel Stewart, of Center township; Jane, who mar- ried Archibald Stewart, of Greenville, Pa .; David; Samuel, who was a farmer of Center township; William, who was a stock raiser of Tipton, Iowa, which town he named; John D., who settled at New Philadelphia, Ohio, was a congressman from that State, and died in 1849, at Milwaukee, Wis., from the effects of cholera; and Margaret and Ellen, who died unmarried.

David Cummins, son of John, and father of Andrew J. Cummins, was born July 4, 1804, and was educated in the subscription schools before the advent of free schools. He grew to manhood on the home farm and made agri- cultural pursuits his life work, and always remained on the homestead, acquiring 400 acres of land. He built barns, made exten- sive improvements on his place, and was known as one of the good practical farmers and stock raisers of his locality. He died on

wood cemetery, at Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins had the following children: John D., born Dec. 19, 1831, died at Crooked Creek, Rayne township, Sept. 11, 1906; William, born March 28, 1834, captain during the Civil war in the 78th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, is now living retired at Shel- by, Ohio; Joseph, born Oct. 16, 1835, died April 15, 1858; Caroline, born June 11, 1838, married Joseph Repine, and resides at Blairs- ville, Pa .; Thomas Benton, born April 19, 1841, was a farmer of Center township, and died March 28, 1903: Andrew Jackson is men- tioned below; Elizabeth, born May 27, 1848, is the widow of Dr. S. B. Thomas, and lives in Conemaugh township, Indiana county.

Andrew Jackson Cummins attended the little log schoolhouse in his district during the winter terms, which lasted three months, and his summers were spent in assisting with the hard work of the home farm. The oppor- tunities for obtaining a good education were decidedly limited, but by home study and close observation he managed to acquire good mental training. He continued to reside with his parents, helping them to run the home farm and caring for them during their de- clining years, thus doing his full duty as a son. At the present time Mr. Cummins is operating 157 acres, on which he has made numerous improvements, and devotes his at- tention to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Cummins has been quite active in educa- tional affairs, having served for twelve years as a member of the school board, during nine years of which he was treasurer of that body, and has also been auditor of the township for three years. He is a stanch Democrat in his political views.

In December, 1875, Mr. Cummins was mar- ried to Margaret Peddicord, who was born in Brushvalley township, Indiana county, daugh- ter of John Peddicord. Two children have been born to this union: Joseph Todd, born March 25, 1885, now operates the homestead ; Mary Blanche, born Dec. 16, 1888, married

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Ralph D. Cummins, resides at Derry, West- born Nov. 27, 1856, married Milton Kerr and moreland county, and has one child, Margaret. had one child, Harry A., dying when he was ULYSSES GRANT NELSON, who owns and operates the Maple Valley farm in Brush- valley township, is rated as one of the most enterprising agriculturists of his section of Indiana county. He is a native of Armstrong county, Pa., born Aug. 22, 1871, near Atwood, son of Samuel Nelson and grandson of An- drew Nelson. born, in March, 1876 (he lives in Erie, Pa., and is engaged in the automobile business) ; Jennie M., born Jan. 28, 1858, married Jacob Burkett March 20, 1880; Sloan Alexander was born Aug. 28, 1860; George W., born Aug. 10, 1862, removed to Kansas; Charles Sum- ner, born Oct. 6, 1865, lives in Pittsburg, Pa .; Laura Belle, born June 24, 1867, died Feb. 7, 1901; Daniel, born March 18, 1869, died in infancy; Ulysses Grant was born Aug. 22, 1871. On March 1, 1894, Mr. Nelson married (second) Nannie Sweeny, at Morrellville, Pa., and three children were born to this union: Bessie L. (born Aug. 8, 1895), Blanch Cula, and Bliss.

Andrew Nelson, the grandfather, was a farmer and land owner near Elderton, Arm- strong county, where he followed farming all his active life. His children were: William; Andrew; one son who died of starvation in Libby prison during the Civil war; Samuel; Mary, and Hannah.

Samuel Nelson, father of Ulysses Grant tion in the public schools of the various lo- Nelson, was born near Elderton May 22, 1827, and there made his home, following farming, until 1871. In that year he moved with his wife and family to near Atwood, in Plum- creek township, Armstrong county, where he farmed for eight years, owning his land, which he sold when he moved to Indiana, Indiana county. For a year he lived on a farm east of that borough, in 1880 settling on the Kauff- man place, in White township, Indiana coun- ty, a tract of 109 acres where he resided for twenty-one years, engaged in farming. Dur- ing that period he erected all the buildings on the place and made many other improve- ments. In 1901 he moved to Mechanicsburg, in Brushvalley township, where he entered the hotel business as proprietor of the "Nel- son Hotel," and also kept a livery and fecd stable in connection. After nine years there he gave up the hotel and settled on a farm in Brushvalley township for a year, at the end of that time returning to Armstrong county and taking up his residence with his sister. He died not long afterward, April 22, 1911, in his seventy-fourth year, and is buried at Elderton. Mr. Nelson was a stanch Republican in political faith, and always took considerable interest in public matters. While at Mechanicsburg he served as a member of the borough council, was school director of the borough, and also held other local offices. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and served as deacon of the church at Indiana. On Nov. 29, 1855. Mr. Nelson was married in Armstrong county to Agnes Jane Johnson, daughter of John Johnson. She died Feb. 4, 1893, in White township, and was buried in Oakland cemetery at Indiana. To this mar- riage were horn eight children : Margaret M.,

Ulysses Grant Nelson obtained his educa- calities where the family lived during his boyhood, principally in White township, In- diana county. He worked on the farm with his father until he was twenty-two years old, at which time he married. After spending another year on his father's farm he went to Homer City, remaining there for a year, and then settled on the Brandon farm in Center township, upon which he lived for two years. He then located on Mrs. Jacoby's farm in White township, a tract of 110 acres which he farmed for a year, the next three years living on his father's place in White town- ship. In 1901 he moved to the McDonald farm in Brushvalley township, where he spent one year, in 1902 buying the Maple Valley farm in the same township, where he has since made his home. This property consists cf eighty-six acres, formerly owned by George Risinger. Mr. Nelson has improved it greatly since it came into his possession. He follows general farming and stock raising, and by hard work has earned success and the respect of all his fellow men. He has served as treas- urer of Brushvalley township, and is a citizen who enjoys the confidence of all who know him.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 24

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