Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 30

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 30

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In 1877 Professor Campbell was married to Sadie Makesell, whose father died during the Civil war, and they have the following children: Millard, a graduate of Lancaster Business College, who has been a school teacher for two terms; Mabel, a graduate from the same college and now a teacher; Amanda, who is studying under her father with the idea of becoming an educator; Dwight; Gladys; Dee, and Marion.

WILLIAM NELSON LIGGETT has, in a comparatively brief period of practice at the bar of Indiana county, attained such standing as to give promise of unusual achievement and usefulness. He is a resident of the bor- ough of Indiana, where his energy and popu- larity have already led him into various ac- tivities helpful to the community and demon- strating his thorough sympathy with all that affects the general welfare. Mr. Liggett was born April 29, 1881, at Centerville, in West Wheatfield township, this county, son of Rob- ert Carr Liggett, and belongs to a family of Scottish origin whose first representative in Indiana county was his great-grandfather, Robert Liggett.

Robert Liggett was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, where he grew to manhood. There he married a Miss Carr and they came to America, settling in Wheatfield township, In- diana Co., Pa., where Mr. Liggett became a farmer, owning a tract of 200 acres. He was among the first settlers in that section of the county, and was one of the most respected

men of his day. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged. Their children were: John; William; Margaret, who married John Ma- bon ; and Jane, who married Hugh Best.

William Liggett, son of Robert, was born Jan. 24, 1818, in what is now West Wheat- field township, and there grew to manhood. He followed farming all his life, owning a tract of 125 acres near Centerville, upon which he built a brick home and made other improvements. He spent the remainder of his life there, dying on the farm, and is bur- ied in the Bethel Church cemetery. He was a member of the U. P. Church, in politics a Whig and Republican in turn, and took suffi- cient interest in the welfare of his township to fill the position of school director. Mr. Liggett married Mary Wallace, who was born in Wheatfield township, daughter of Samuel Wallace, and died Nov. 7, 1882, aged seventy- four years, seven months. She, too, is buried in Bethel Church cemetery. Fourteen chil- dren were born to this couple: Agnes, who died in June, 1871; Juliann, who died Dec. 9, 1865; Samuel, who died June 2, 1860; Mary, who died Oct. 22, 1880; Josephine, who died Feb. 28, 1879; Emma, who married Aiken Stivender, and died at Leesburg, F'la., May 28, 1891; Elizabeth, wife of Seymour Hol- lingsworth; Sarah Ellen, who died young; Robert Carr; Margaret, married to William Alexander, of West Wheatfield township; Lu- cinda, who married Lawson McKelvey, and resides in Youngstown, Ohio; William, a farmer of West Wheatfield township; John. who resides on the homestead; and J. Nelson, of Brushvalley township.

Robert Carr Liggett, son of William, was born on the Liggett farm in what is now West Wheatfield township Sept. 5, 1836, and had such educational advantages as the neigh- boring public schools afforded. He helped with the work at home from boyhood, remain- ing with his parents until he attained his majority. Farm work had been his principal occupation, but when he started out for him- self it was as a laborer on the work train of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, his wages being eight cents an hour. After being employed in that capacity for some time he became a brakeman, running between Pitts- burg and Altoona, and he received $1.35 for the trip, which took from twelve to twenty hours. He was on the main line for a while, until promoted to conductor on work trains. having forty miles of road under his juris- diction. He was thus engaged for twenty-

William 9. Liggett

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

nine years, being one of the oldest conductors at Ada, Ohio, he was graduated in 1902 with in the employ of the Pennsylvania Company at that time. It was during this period that the famous Johnstown flood occurred, and his name will live in history as one of the heroes of that disaster. He took it upon himself to run his train as rapidly as possible through the threatened district with whistle screaming, warning the people of their danger and urg- ing them to flee to the hilltops. Thousands of lives were saved through his foresight and courage. When the flood was over he worked night and day with his train to get the road in passable condition again. He retired from railroad work in 1890 and settled down to farming on a forty-acre tract in West Wheat- field township, part of the original Liggett homestead, where he has since continued to reside. He has erected buildings and made other improvements on this tract, having a very attractive home. Though past seventy- five years of age he is still active in mind and body, looking after his own affairs and taking a zealous interest in local matters. He has al- ways been regarded as a valuable citizen, be- ing highly esteemed by all who know him for his sterling worth and high character. His genial disposition has endeared him to his family and a large circle of friends. Though a stanch Republican in political sentiment he is independent in his support of measures and candidates. He has served his township as school director. Mr. Liggett is a member of the U. P. Church at New Florence, of which he is a trustee.

On March 8, 1871, Mr. Liggett married Barbara Wagoner, who was born in Fairfield township, Westmoreland county, daughter of John and Betsey (Galbreath) Wagoner. She, too, is a member of the U. P. Church. Seven children have been born to this union, one of whom died in infancy, the others being: Sam- uel W., born Aug. 11, 1873, married Eliza- beth Matthews Keller; Amy G., born Feb. 2, 1876, married Robert B. Rogers and resides in Conemaugh, Cambria Co., Pa .; Lottie V., born April 20, 1878, was educated in the public schools and at summer normal under Prof. J. T. Stewart; William Nelson is mentioned below ; Mary Emma, born Nov. 27, 1883, died in 1887; Joseph R., born Oct. 23, 1886, is en- gaged in farming at home.

the degree of A. B. In 1904 he graduated from the MeGibeney College of Oratory, Phil- adelphia; next took the course in the college of law at the Ohio Northern University, re- ceiving the degree of LL. B. in 1906; was dean of the College of Rhetoric and Public . Speaking, Ohio Northern University, in 1906 and 1908; received the degree of A. M. from the Ohio Northern University in 1908; and was admitted to the bar in Ohio that year. In 1909 he was admitted to the bar in Penn- sylvania, and has since been enaged in practice in the borough of Indiana. Mr. Liggett was a zealous and conscientious student throughout his preparatory years, and his devotion to his work and high abilities augur a useful and successful career for him in his chosen line. He has the respect and good will of all who know him, and his friends feel that he is des- tined to take a leading part in matters af- fecting the public good in his own locality and perhaps in wider fields. He is a staunch Republican and has advanced ideas concern- ing honorable and public-spirited citizenship as shown in the clean administration of gov- ernment and disinterested partisanship in politics. He fights his battles in the open, and is opposed to any compromise with the enemies of right, and his broad-minded views and keen intellect make him a powerful champion of any cause. He has already established him- self as a criminal lawyer and an exponent of patriotic citizenship and clean manhood from the public platform.

In 1904 Mr. Liggett married Emma Pearl Mack, who was born Nov. 12, 1879, daughter of Robert G. Mack, of Indiana county, and they have two children, Beulah and Robert. Mr. Liggett is a member of the United Pres- byterian Church of Indiana and takes an ac- tive interest in the church and Sabbath school work.

JAMES DEVLIN DEVINNEY has a large farm in Conemaugh township, Indiana coun- ty, where he is engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits and stock raising; he makes and sells large quantities of butter. Mr. DeVinney was born in Armstrong township, Indiana Co., Pa., Oct. 26, 1862, son of James DeVinney.

Daniel De Vinney, his paternal grandfather, was born at Connor, County Antrim, Ireland, Jan. 1, 1803, son of Walter and Margaret (Cawfield) De Vinney. He was a Mason and an Orangeman, holding fast to his faith until

William Nelson Liggett was reared on the farm in the Conemaugh valley where his father still lives. After receiving a good pub- lic school education he taught school in his na- tive State for some time. Taking a collegiate course in the Ohio Northern University, the time of his death, Oct. 27, 1883. Mary 60

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Montgomery, who became his wife March 2, iel and James attended the public schools, and 1823, was born at Connor, Jan. 8, 1803. On later entered the Indiana (Pa.) high school. Oct. 28, 1890, she peacefully passed away on from which they graduated in 1896, James the old homestead, and her remains were laid entering the Pennsylvania State nornial school at Indiana, Pa., where he graduated in the commercial course in 1897. Coming to Pitts- burg he entered upon his professional career with the Westinghouse Electric and Manufac- turing Company. The following year Daniel and his parents located in Pittsburg, Daniel taking up machinist work and mechanical en- gineering. But these two brilliantly opening careers were cut short by the death of James S., Feb. 14, 1899, and Daniel B., Sept. 6, 1902. Both were removed from their home in Pitts- burg and buried in St. John's Lutheran ceme- tery, near their old home, Atwood, Pa. Dur- ing their stay in Indiana at school, their Aunt Ann kept house for them, she coming with Daniel and his parents to Pittsburg and mak- ing her home with them until the time of her death, Nov. 5. 1912. (3) Martha, born Sept. 21, 1839, on March 3, 1864, became the wife of Joseph Lukehart, of Plumville, Indiana Co., Pa. Mr. Lukehart was born Feb. 3, 1827. and died April 16, 1907, and was buried in St. John's Lutheran cemetery. His widow lives at Smicksburg. Indiana Co., Pa. (4) Elizabeth, born at Atwood. Pa., Oct. 3. 1842, married in October, 1871. John P. Lukehart, of Plumville, Indiana Co., Pa. For some years they made their home at Vandergrift, Pa .. where she died in February, 1905. She was buried in St. John's Lutheran cemetery. to rest in St. John's Lutheran cemetery, in Armstrong county, midway between Atwood and Plumville. She was a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Kid) Montgomery, and niece of Gen. John Montgomery, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1759. coming to America in 1774, and enlisting in the Ameri- can army in 1776, at which time he was ap- pointed on Washington's staff, with which he served until the close of the great war for independence. He died at Lewisville, Indiana Co., Pa., Nov. 11, 1840, where his remains repose. Daniel and Mary DeVinney, with three children, came to America in 1832, coming on to Conemaugh in 1833, and later settling on a 400-acre tract of land near At- wood, Armstrong Co., Pa., a part of which is still the old homestead. Besides James, the eldest child, there were born to them in Ireland, two children: Mary, born April 21, 1830, married July 11, 1850, William Mc- Laughlin, who was killed in one of the early battles of the Civil war, and his widow still resides in their old home near Atwood, Pa .; Ann S., born Aug. 18, 1832, died at the home of her brother, William C. DeVinney (with whom she had resided from the time her parents died), corner of Rosedale and Sus- quehanna streets, Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 5. 1912, and was laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery, Wilkinsburg, Pa. The following children James DeVinney, father of James D. De- Vinney, was the eldest child of Daniel and Mary DeVinney, and was born at Connor, County Antrim, Ireland, Sept. 1, 1827. Com- ing to America with his parents at the age of five years. he assisted them on the farm as he grew from boyhood into young manhood, until Feb. 27. 1855, when he married Re- becca McCausland, of Atwood. Soon after- ward he bought a farm near by and engaged in farming for himself. To this union was born, Feb. 23. 1857, William M. DeVinney, who was left an orphan by the death of his mother March 15th of the same year. His grandparents, Daniel and Mary DeVinney, took charge of him and nurtured him through to boyhood and young manhood, and their home was his home until they died. From that time until his marriage he lived with his uncle. William C. DeVinney, and his aunt Bell, and his aunt Ann. He was sent to the public schools, and later to Glade Run Academy, after which he entered the profes- were born to Daniel and Mary DeVinney in this country : (1) John, born March 22, 1835, at Atwood, Armstrong Co., Pa., died unmarried Oct. 13, 1866, and was buried in St. John's Lutheran cemetery. (2) William C., born Aug. 12. 1837. at Atwood, Pa., en- listed from Indiana, Pa., in Company E, 148th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Aug. 16, 1862, and served with the Army of the Potomac in General Hancock's Corps (the 2d), under Col. James A. Beaver. stay- ing with that great army until it was mus- tered out at the close of the war. He was promoted to quartermaster sergeant. He taught in the public schools of the State thirty-five years. On Aug. 29, 1866. he mar- ried Miss Bell, youngest daughter of John and Maria Kelly, of Willet, Indiana Co., Pa. To this union were born: April 13, 1867, John K. DeVinney; Oct. 3, 1876, Daniel B. De Vinney ; Dec. 7, 1877, James S. De Vinney. On Feb. 9, 1876, John K. died, and was buried in St. John's Lutheran cemetery. Dan- sion of teaching. Later he studied at the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania State normal school at Indiana, Pa., from which he graduated in the famous class of "'89," his aunt Ann keeping house for him during his three years' stay in Indi- ana. In 1890 he married Jennie E. Winters, of Edinboro, Erie Co., Pa., a graduate of the Northwestern Conservatory of Music. he remained until the time of his death, Aug. Through his further school work she ably as- 19, 1904. He bought a tract of 117 acres there from the Samuel Wiggins heirs, all of which was in timber at the time of purchase, and he spent the remainder of his life there, clearing his land, selling timber and follow- ing farming. He is buried in the West Union cemetery. sisted him by superintending the musical de- partments of the special summer normal in- stitutes he conducted the following seasons. After having spent fifteen years in the pro- fession of teaching he abandoned his work as teacher and principal and they moved to Pittsburg, where he became assistant to

James Devlin De Vinney attended common County Superintendent Samuel Hamilton, of school in Armstrong township and began the Allegheny county public schools, which position he finally resigned to enter business, which he has since pursued. Mr. William M. DeVinney was brought up in the Presby- terian Church, and as to his political affilia- tions he is an untiring worker in the cause of Prohibition, and is ever active in the councils of his party. He is a member of the Alle- gheny County Prohibition executive com- mittee, and was elected a delegate to the Pro- hibition State convention which met at Phil- adelphia July 9, 1912, and also to the Pro- hibition National convention which convened work as his father's assistant, continuing to help his parents until 1888, when he married. He was then engaged on Samuel Robinson's farm in Armstrong township for a year, "cropping," and for the next few years "cropped" the Sampson Pershing farm in Armstrong township. That place, which con- tained 106 acres, was willed him by his father, and he lived there and cultivated the land until 1905, in which year he sold it to the Saxton Coal Company and moved to Cone- maugh township, where he purchased the Daniel Hawks farm of 217 acres, on which he at Atlantic City, July 10-13, 1912. His wife has since had his home. In addition to gen- is a strong advocate of this great cause and

eral farming and stock raising he is interested a faithful W. C. T. U. worker, and is ready, in dairying, producing butter only, and ship- when women are given their rights in this ping it to Livermore. In 1907 he built a great Keystone State, to place her ballot squarely against the great blighting evil, in- temperance. They live at No. 5618 Broad street, Pittsburg.

In 1859 James DeVinney married as his cultivation, and everything about the prop-

second wife Margaret Devlin, who was born in 1826 in Armstrong township, Indiana

county, daughter of James and Ann (Ram- Margaret Robinson, daughter of Samuel and sey) Devlin, of that township, and died Aug. Isabelle (Cunningham) Robinson, of Arm- 22, 1907, at the home of her son James; she strong township, Indiana county, and they was buried in the West Union cemetery. She have had a family of six children, born as

was the mother of six children: Harvey, born March 17, 1860, married Rose Halstead and now resides in Haskell county, Kans .; John, born July 29, 1861, died when twelve years old; James Devlin is mentioned below ; Harriet, born April 1, 1864, unmarried, lives at Fort Collins, Colo .; Taylor, born Dec. 1, 1866, married Ella McDowell, and lives at Reno, Kans., where he is engaged in the threshing business and is a lumber dealer; George Calvin married Martha J. George, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hamilton) George, and resides on the homestead in Armstrong township.

In 1862 James DeVinney enlisted in Com- pany E, 148th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, from Atwood, Armstrong Co., Pa., being mustered into the service from Indiana, Pa. After the close of the war he moved to Armstrong township, Indiana county, where

fine large barn, and he is constantly making changes on his place to improve the property or facilitate the work, which he conducts along up-to-date lines. His farm is under excellent

erty indicates intelligent care.

On May 10, 1888, Mr. DeVinney married

follows: Elsie May, May 9, 1889 ; Nettie Bell, March 6, 1891; Elder Paul, Nov. 13, 1892; Mary Margaret, Aug. 26, 1895 ; Bertha Viola, Sept, 23, 1898; Edna Blanch, Dec. 26, 1901. All of the family belong to the Ebenezer Pres- byterian Church, and take an active part in the church and Sabbath school work. Mrs. De Vinney is superintendent of the Home de- partment, and their oldest three daughters have been secretary and treasurer of the Sab- bath school. The other two have been present at every session the last year.

GEORGE CALVIN DEVINNEY, youngest brother of James D. DeVinney, was born

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Aug. 22, 1868, on the homestead farm in Arm- born April 23, 1816, married George Trim- strong township and there passed his early ble, and died Sept. 5, 1893; Margaret died Dec. 21, 1847, aged twenty-nine years; Mar- tha, born Sept. 28. 1829, married William Rong, and died Feb. 9, 1912; Jennie, born Feb. 21, 1831, died April 7, 1906; Elizabeth, born March 23, 1833, married James Dickson, who died Aug. 1, 1891, aged sixty-seven years, two days, and Mrs. Dickson now makes her home on the Mahan farm in Washington town- following general farming and dairying; he ship which William H. and James C. Mahan, sons of Harry E. Mahan, conduct (she had no children by Mr. Dickson, but he had two by a previous marriage, to Eliza Jane Rob- inson, John, now deceased, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Warner, of Saltsburg) ; Nancy Ann, born in 1835, is Mrs. Andrew Duncan; David P., born Feb. 2, 1837, was a well-known school teacher, having taught for forty terms; Eben- ezer, born Dec. 8, 1838, entered the Union army during the Civil war and was killed May 27, 1864, while taking part in Sherman's march to the sea. life, attending public school. When a young man he went west to Dickinson county, Kans., where he worked on a farm for two years, at the end of that time returning home and re- suming work with his parents, conducting the farm for his father until the latter's death. He now owns the old place, having 117 acres which he keeps in fine condition, makes considerable butter, which he ships to Indiana borough. He is decidedly enterpris- ing and progressive, and has become one of the prominent agriculturists of his section of the county. He has always taken a deep interest and active part in the public affairs of the locality, and has served three years as member of the board of school directors ; he has been active on the election board for sev- eral years. In political opinion he is a Re- publican. He is a member of the Presbyter- ian Church. Mr. De Vinney. is a wide-awake, public-spirited citizen, one whose activity in

Harry E. Mahan was educated in the com- the affairs of the community has been for the mnon schools and at the Indiana State normal general good, and actuated by a real desire school. During his young manhood he taught to serve his fellow men as much as possible. four or five terms of school in Washington Mr. DeVinney has two children: Ina Mar- garet, born Oct. 6, 1898, and James Murray, born Sept. 29, 1905. township, and was married just before the beginning of his last term. Then he settled on the farm where he resided the rest of his life and which is now owned by his heirs. It HARRY E. MAHAN, though scarcely in his prime at the time of his death, Nov. 20, 1900, was one of the most esteemed resi- dents of his district. As a progressive farmer and stock raiser, a man active in publie af- consists of 125 acres in Washington township, upon which he made extensive improvements, bringing the property into most profitable shape. In addition to general farming he made a specialty of stock raising, breeding fairs and interested in advancing the welfare registered Percheron horses, Jersey cattle, of the community, he had made an enviable Shropshire sheep and Berkshire hogs.

reputation, and he left an honored name. Mr. Mahan was born May 22, 1862, in Washing- ton township, Indiana county, on the farm now managed by his two sons.

This Mahan family came originally from Ireland, where Patrick Mahan, grandfather of Harry E. Mahan, was born. He came to America with his father, John Mahan, and settled on a tract of 225 acres in Washington township, Indiana Co., Pa., building a log cabin within a few rods of the site of the he was a teacher in the Sunday school.

Mr. Mahan was a most enterprising man, and took a public-spirited interest in the good of the community, encouraging the various movements for the general welfare which seemed to him to promise good results. Orig- inally a Republican in politics, he later be- came a prominent member of the Prohibition party, of which he was county chairman. He served his township as auditor. In church connection he was a United Presbyterian, and

On Feb. 11. 1886, Mr. Mahan married Ida B. Lydie, who was born Oet. 29, 1862, in Washington township, daughter of William HI. Lydie, and they had two sons: William H., born Sept. 19, 1887, and James C., born Jan. 16, 1890.

handsome modern residence now on that place. He cleared the land and improved it greatly during his long life, dying .June 30, 1871, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was a Se- ceder, and joined the Presbyterian Church in his neighborhood. In polities he was an aboli- tionist and Republican. We have the fol- WILLIAM II. MAHAN obtained his early edu- cation in the common schools and later at- lowing record of his children: Rebecca died Sept. 16, 1876, aged sixty-three years: Mary, tended the State Normal school at Indiana,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Grove City College and Muskingum College. He taught four terms of school in Indiana, meantime, in partnership with his brother, also engaging in the farm work on the place lately owned by their father. The brothers continue to work along the lines laid down by their father, looking after their agricul- tural work in the most approved modern fash- ion and raising registered stock which has quite a reputation in the neighborhood.

JAMES C. MAHAN received his literary edu- cation in the local common schools, Indiana State normal school and Grove City College, and is now preparing for the medical pro- fession, having only one more year of study before him to complete his course. Mean- time he has also engaged in teaching in In- diana county and W. H. Mahan, his brother, is looking after the fine family estate.

JOHN D. SNYDER, a leading agriculturist and one of the largest land owners of Brush- valley township, Indiana county, belongs to an old New Jersey family of Holland extrac- tion which has been settled in this county since the middle of the last century. He was born Aug. 2, 1847, at Newton, Sussex Co., N. J., son of George B. Snyder and grandson of William Snyder. The Snyders have be- come connected by marriage with many of the old families of New Jersey.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 30

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