Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 32

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 32

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).

On Aug. 19, 1908, Dr. Stewart was united in marriage with Maud V. Cameron, who was born in Cherryhill township April 12, 1883, daughter of John G. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Cameron, the latter of whom died in 1901. Mrs. Stewart's father was for a num- ber of years engaged in farming, but after serving one term as commissioner in 1892 en-

he is at present connected, having made his home in the town of Indiana since that year. Mrs. Stewart's parents had six daughters : Clara, the wife of J. N. Langhanı, an at- torney of Indiana; Chrissie, a teacher in the public schools of Pittsburg; Cora, living at home; Miriam, the wife of Oscar A. St. Clair, of Chicago; Madge V., living at home; and Maud V., who married Dr. Stewart. The two last named are twins.

Dr. and Mrs. Stewart have one child, John Harvey. The Doctor and his wife are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church. During his residence in Green township he served as president of the school board.

JOSEPH E. PARNELL, senior member of the insurance firm of Parnell, Cowher & Co., is engaged in business on lines so typical of the advanced spirit of the age that his work deserves special mention.

The Parnells are of English descent, and he was born in Dauphin county, Pa., son of John

Alexander H. Miller, the maternal grand- Parnell. The early years of his life were father of Dr. Stewart, and for whom he is spent at Houtzdale, Clearfield Co., Pa. This named, was an early settler of South Mahon- ing township, where the greater part of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits.

was in a mining district, and by reason of this early association with that industry Mr. Parnell had the opportunities, of which he took full advantage, of acquiring a thorough and technical knowledge of all departments of the mining industry. At the age of seventeen he began to teach school, following that oc- cupation for two years. At that time and

recognizing the unusual opportunity offered at that time by the insurance situation in this country, Mr. Parnell decided to specialize in that direction instead of entering on the gen- eral practice of law. At that time, to a very large extent, there was a lack of trained men in the insurance business, who possessed not only a thorough knowledge of the technical side of insurance, but also a more or less com- plete technical knowledge of the mining and manufacturing industries, together with suffi- cient legal training to furnish the necessary equipment for the proper handling of insur- ance on the properties of large manufactur- ing and mining corporations. This is espe- cially true regarding the fire hazards in con- nection with properties, the elimination of which has furnished the demand for a new class of trained men, known as "insurance engineers," whose duty it is to give most care- ful attention to the removal from property of fire hazards, and in this work Mr. Parnell is

955

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

recognized as one of the leaders. Along these will and approval of all who have come to lines the firm of Parnell, Cowher & Co. has know and appreciate his work. worked for the last eighteen years and has On Sept. 1, 1910, Mr. Allison married Fan- achieved a large degree of success, handling nie E. Myers, who was born Dec. 9, 1890, in at the present time a larger volume of busi- Rayne township, Indiana county, daughter of Foster and Ella (Bence) Myers, who live on a farm in Rayne township; Mr. and Mrs. My- ers are natives of Indiana county. ness than any other firm between Pittsburg and Philadelphia. They maintain offices at Patton, Pa., and Windber, Pa., but the office at Indiana, Pa., under the personal direction of Mr. Parnell since 1909, at which time he

SAMUEL SHERWOOD WETZEL, pro- moved to Indiana, is the largest and most im- prietor of the Locust Hill Stock Farm in East portant of the three.

This combination of insurance, engineer- ing, legal and industrial training and ability has proved of so much value to the customers and clients of this firm that the business is growing rapidly and the services of Parnell, Cowher & Co. are becoming more and more in demand each year. Mr. Parnell is recog- nized as the leading spirit in this successful firm and is regarded throughout the State as

one of the best authorities and experts on to maturity, there marrying Sarah Yost. all phases of insurance.

In 1897 Mr. Parnell married Vindetta C. Smith, daughter of John G. Smith, of Tip- ton, Blair Co., Pa., and they have two chil- dren, Gilbert Smith Parnell and Elizabeth Stewart Parnell. The entire family is identi- fied with the Presbyterian Church.

HARRY E. ALLISON, principal of the public school at Dixonville, Indiana county, has been engaged in teaching in the schools of this county ever since he commenced his in- dependent career and has established a high reputation in his profession. Mr. Allison was born in Indiana county Jan. 20, 1888, son of Harvey and Susanna (Bartlebaugh) Allison. The father is a native of Jefferson county, Pa .. the mother of Indiana county. Harvey Alli- son was engaged in farming for a number of years, and is now living retired in East Ma- honing township.

Harry E. Allison obtained his education in the public schools of Indiana county, and was a youth of only seventeen when he commenced teaching. He was thus engaged in Pine, Cherryhill and Rayne townships before he came to Green township, and meantime pre- pared himself for more advanced work, at- tending summer schools at Penn Run and Marion Center, this county. In April, 1912, he came to Dixonville, Green township, and was appointed to his present position as prin- cipal of the public school. He is a young man of sterling qualities, his high character as well as his mental attainments fitting him for his chosen field, in which he has won the good

Mahoning township, was born in Bell town- ship, Clearfield Co., Pa., July 20, 1850.

The Wetzel family comes of German stock, and its representatives have long been associ- ated with the growth and development of Pennsylvania. Rinehart Wetzel, the founder of the family in this region, was born in Ger- many and was nine years of age when brought to this country by his parents. They lo- cated in Lancaster county, Pa., where he grew Later he moved with his family to Clearfield county, and there he rounded out his life, dy- ing in 1848, when still in the very prime of life, being only fifty-two years old. His wife died in 1840, aged forty-two years. Their children were: Enoch B., who married Har- riet Campbell; Henry ; Jacob Yost; John M .; Mary, who married Daniel K. McGee; James S., who married Sarah Bird; Sarah, who mar- ried John Brown; and Christiana.

Henry Wetzel, father of Samuel Sherwood Wetzel, and son of Rinehart Wetzel, was born at Mifflintown, Juniata Co., Pa., in 1821, and was still a child when the family went to Clearfield county. Locating in Bell township, that county, he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it for some time after he was married, but eventually engaged in farming, settling on the homestead of 183 acres. This property had been secured by his father, and was a valuable tract of land. He was also engaged in rafting logs down the Susque- hanna to Marietta. In 1864 he came to In- diana county, settling in East Mahoning town- ship, where he bought 145 acres of land known as the David Alp farm, and on it he erected a substantial house and barn and made other adequate improvements, residing there until 1878, when he retired to Marion Center. In that village he spent the remainder of his days in a house he built, dying there April 24, 1894, aged seventy-two years, eight months, six days. His remains were laid to rest in Marion Cen- ter cemetery. A strong Methodist, he was a trustee of the church for many years. Elected school director on the Democratic ticket, he

956

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

gave good service in that office, and also in is a stockholder and director of the Marion that of supervisor.

Henry Wetzel married Mary Katherine Weaver, who died on the homestead and is buried by his side. She, too, was a Methodist. Their children were: Samuel Sherwood is mentioned below; Ruth Amanda, who married John S. Glasser, resides in Brushvalley town- ship; Sarah Ellen married Kinley Hunter, of East Mahoning township, and is deceased ; John Rinehart, a farmer of Burrell township, married Nina Smyers; Harry Pater married Bell J. Rankin; James Burton died young ; Wilbur Enoch lives at Homer City, Pennsyl- vania.

Samuel Sherwood Wetzel, son of Henry Wetzel, was educated in the schools of his native township, growing up amid healthy rural surroundings. He learned farming and also engaged in rafting until the family came to Indiana county, when he was fourteen years old. From then on he continued to work with his father until he attained his majority, and then started out for himself, engaging in lum- bering and rafting for a time, taking rafts down the river from Cherrytree to Lock- haven. Eventually, however, he began farm- ing in Rayne township, on the James Mc- Laughlin farm of 300 acres, which he oper- ated for four years. Mr. Wetzel then located on the Luther Richards farm in East Mahon- ing township, and farmed its 100 acres for four years, during which period he became largely interested in stock raising and handled an immense lot of cattle, sheep and hogs. At the expiration of the four years he moved onto his father's homestead in the same town- ship and continued his stock operations, deal- ing heavily in horses and mules, having as a partner in the latter line N. Cook Simpson. These men sold their stock to the coal mines in Jefferson, Clearfield, Clarion, Cambria and Indiana counties and controlled an extensive business. In 1891 Mr. Wetzel settled on his present property, known as the Locust Hill Stock Farm, which was formerly owned by Hugh Lawson, continuing his stock business. In time Mr. Wetzel added to his original . holdings, and now has 350 acres, a portion of which is in Rayne township. He has made extensive and valuable improvements on his property, and is very extensively engaged in raising Jersey cattle and blooded stock. For the last thirteen years he has been operating a coal hank on his farm, from which he has already mined over 100,000 busnels of coal, selling it in the locality. In addition to his valuable agricultural holdings. Mr. Wetzel

Center National Bank, and a man of depend- able solidity in the business world.

For years he has been a member of the Methodist Church of Marion Center, and ow- ing to his own temperate habits and belief in the abolition of the liquor traffic, he has given his hearty support to the Prohibition party. He has been the nominee of his party for va- rious county offices, but owing to the predomi- nance of other parties was not elected, al- though he ran ahead of his ticket because of his personal popularity.

In 1872 Mr. Wetzel was married to Dor- inda Griffith, who was born in Somerset coun- ty, Pa., daughter of Hiram Griffith. They had children as follows: Silas, who has been on the police force of New York City since 1895; Lewis G., who is car inspector for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Pit- cairn, Pa .; Henry Harrison, who is farming a portion of the homestead; Charles, engaged in coal mining; George R., at home; Sarah, unmarried; Mary, who died young; and James, who died young. Mrs. Wetzel died in 1893, and in 1895 Mr. Wetzel married (sec- ond) Mary Work, a daughter of William A. Work, and they have two children: Wil- liam, who is attending the high school of In- diana; and Ernest, who is at home. In ad- dition Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel have adopted a daughter, Grace Ella, whom they are rearing with tender parental care as their own.

Having worked very hard all his life, Mr. Wetzel can justly lay claim to being a self- made man. What he is and has is the result of his own, unaided efforts, and he has every reason to be proud of what he has accom- plished. In addition to securing his own ma- terial advancement he has exerted a powerful influence for good in his community, both through the church and the interests of the Prohibition party. He has brought up a fine family and has trained them to be useful citi- zens, and they are strong factors in the moral uplift of the several communities in which they have settled.

CLARENCE C. SPICHER, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon, who has been established in his profession at Starford, Pa., since 1904, was born in Montgomery township, Indiana county, Sept. 20, 1874, a son of John D. and Mary Elizabeth (Stahl) Spicher.

The great-great-grandfather of Dr. Spicher came from Germany and settled in Somerset county, Pennsylvania.

Samuel Spicher. the great-grandfather, was

957

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

born in Somerset county, Pa., in 1801, and State medical societies, and the American Med- married Magdalene Barkey in 1821. ical Association.

Peter Spicher, son of Samuel, and grand- father of Dr. Spicher, was born in Somerset county, but was an early settler in Mont- gomery township, Indiana county, which con- tinued to be his home until his death, and he was survived by several sons and daughters.

John Decker .Spicher, son of Peter, and father of Dr. Spicher, was born in Montgom- ery township, Indiana county, and now lives retired at Hillsdale, Pa. For some years he has been in the furniture and undertaking business and he also cultivated part of the old homestead farm. He married Mary Eliza- beth Stahl, who was born in Indiana county, and died in Montgomery township in 1908. Her father, Samuel Stahl, was an early set- tler in Cherryhill township and owned a farm there. Seven children were born to the parents of Dr. Spicher, namely : Orange, who is now deceased; Geary, who lives in Mont- gomery township; Clarence C .; Bertha May, who is deceased; Ollie Minerva, who is a pro- fessional nurse residing in Philadelphia; Flor- ence, who is deceased; and Emory E., who is in the U. S. navy.

Clarence C. Spicher attended school in Montgomery township through boyhood and early youth and then taught the local school prior to entering the State normal school at Indiana; later he was a student for one year at Lebanon University. He received his medi- cal training in the Baltimore Medical College, at Baltimore, Md., where he spent four years, being graduated in May, 1903. For one year he engaged in. practice at Dixonville, Pa., and then came to Starford.

In December, 1899, Dr. Spicher was married at Greensburg, Pa., to Ada Houck, who was born at Purchase Line, Indiana Co., Pa., a daughter of George F. and Sarah (Buter- baugh) Houck, the latter now deceased.

JOHN HARRISON SWASY, a successful farmer and stock raiser of Blacklick township, Indiana county, is a native of that part of the county, born Feb. 10, 1850, in Center town- ship. This family has long been settled in New York State, and many of the name are to be found on Long Island and in central and northern New York, as well as in New Jersey and elsewhere. It has been spelled in various ways.

John Swasy, the founder of the branch in Indiana county, Pa., was a native of New York State, and crossed the Allegheny mountains when a young man, looking for a location where he could make a home. He settled not far from what is now Homer City, in Center township, this county, where he engaged in farming and passed the remainder of his life, dying on his farm. He owned a tract of 109 acres. His wife, whose maiden name was Bonner, also died on the homestead. They were members of the M. E. Church. Three children were born to this pioneer couple: Rebecca, John and Jane.

John Swasy, son of John, was born May 21. 1824, on the farm in Center township, and attended subscription school in the neighbor- hood. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life on the homestead, was a hard worker, and became a much respected citizen of his locality. He died on the farm July 18, 1895, and is buried in Oakland cemetery, at Indi- ana. Mr. Swasy was a member of the M. E. Church at Homer City. In political associ- ation he was a Democrat, but he never took any part in public matters. On Nov. 17. 1846, he was married, in White township, this county, to Sarah B. Allison, who survives him, residing on the home farm. She became the mother of five children: Martha married Houston Monshower and resides in Worcester, Mass .; John Harrison is mentioned below ; Hannah, wife of Lemuel Kunkle, resides on the homestead in Center township; Mary Ann married John Anthony, of Armstrong town- ship, Indiana Co., Pa .; Robert Allison makes his home at Erie, Pennsylvania.

George F. Houck, father of Mrs. Spicher, was a shoemaker in his earlier years, but later became a farmer. He still survives. His chil- dred are: Ada, who became Mrs. Spicher; Alice, who is the widow of Jesse Churchill ; Earl, who is a physician and surgeon, gradu- ating from Baltimore Medical College in 1906; and Roy, who is a pharmacist. Four children The Allison family, to which Mrs. Swasy belongs, were among the first white settlers in what is now Center township. A full his- tory of its early representatives here will be found elsewhere in this work. Andrew Alli- son. son of Robert, settled in Center township have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Spicher : Lweyn, Irene. Gwendolin and Helen. Dr. Spicher and family are members of the Bap- tist Church. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks, the former at Starford and the latter at Indiana, in 1788; he had been a soldier in the Revolu- and professionally belongs to the county and tionary war. His son Robert Allison, born

958

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Feb. 9, 1794, married April 14, 1819, Hannah fore the Revolution. He made his home in Bryan, who died March 24, 1879; his death Pennsylvania, at first in the Conochocheague valley, moving in 1808 to Blacklick township, then a part of Westmoreland county. His children were: Samuel, Alexander and James. occurred Aug. 15, 1866. They had a family of eleven children, born as follows: Han- nah, April 14, 1820 (died Sept. 25, 1838) ; Jane, Feb. 24, 1822; Nathan B., Jan. 7, 1824 (died April 6, 1828) ; Sarah, Jan. 27, 1826 Alexander Lyons, son of James, married Margaret McFarland, and to them were born five children : Martha, wife of Matthew Lich- enthall of Prairie City, Ill .; James A., of Beaver county, Pa .; Mary, who married James Reed, of Prairie City, III. ; Eliza A., deceased ; and William, of Blackliek township, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania. (now the widow of John Swasy) ; Rebecca, March 31, 1828 ; Martha, Feb. 16, 1830; Mary, Feb. 19, 1832 (died Jan. 17, 1853) ; Nancy, March 1, 1834; Charles T., Feb. 15. 183- (died Aug. 25, 1863, while serving in the Civil war) ; James S., Aug. 9, 1842; Emma J., March 20, 1848.

John Harrison Swasy spent his boyhood days on the home farm and obtained his educa- tion in the local public schools. Remaining at home until he reached the age of twenty-two years, he then started farming on his own ac- count in Blackliek township, on the Lyons homestead, a tract of 126 acres where he has since resided, and upon which he has made extensive improvements. In 1901 he built a remainder of his life, dying there Jan. 31, substantial and convenient barn, and in 1908 1881. He is buried in the Ebenezer cemetery erected the liandsome residence which he and in Conemaugh township. In religion he was his family now occupy. Other buildings have a Presbyterian, in political sentiment a Re- also been put up which add materially to the publican. His wife, Eliza (Deviney), daugh-

equipment and value of the property, and Mr. Swasy has been very well rewarded for the years of thrifty labor he has put upon the place. He is not only interested in the prosperity of his own affairs, but also in the advancement of the general welfare, and sup- ports every movement which promises to bene- fit his township and fellow citizens, being pub- lic-spirited on all matters pertaining to his community. In politics he is a stanch Demo- crat. He was one of the organizers and charter members of the local Grange, No. 317, Patrons of Husbandry, and has acted as stew- ard of that body, in the promotion of whose interests he has taken an active part. His re- ligious connection is with Hopewell M. E. Church, of which he is a trustee.

On June 3, 1875, Mr. Swasy married, in Blackliek township, Myrtilla Lyons, who was born there, daughter of William and Eliza (Deviney) Lyons, and they have had three children: Myrtle, formerly a school teacher of Indiana county, who married J. Elder Smith, son of John T. Smith, of Blacklick township; Logan, at home; and Charles O., who is now clerking for the Josephine Fur- nace & Coke Company of Josephine, Pennsyl- vania.

James Lyons, the first of his family to set- tle in Indiana county, was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1764, some years be-

William Lyons, son of Alexander, was born on the homestead, and followed farming the greater part of his life. He spent some years at Steubenville, Ohio, where he kept store, later returning to the homestead, where he cultivated a tract of 118 acres now owned by George Clawson. He made a number of im- provements on that place, where he spent the ter of Aaron Deviney, died in 1876, on the homestead; she was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. They had a family of ten children: Newton died while serving in the Civil war; Martha died in 1909; Melissa married George Harmon, of Cuba, Mo .; Alex- ander is deceased; William died in infancy ; Ella married Mark Hunter, of Peoria, III., and is deceased ; Myrtilla married John Har- rison Swasy ; Harriet married Harry Mahon, of Pittsburg; Dudley lives in Westmoreland county; Luna married Dayton Ray and re- sides in Youngstown, Ohio.

JOHN L. BENCE, of Cherryhill township, has one of the handsomest farm properties in Indiana county. He has lived at his present home since 1903. Mr. Bence was born near Dixonville, in Rayne township, this county, Aug. 17, 1875. His grandfather, Samuel Bence, is still living in Rayne township, now (1912) aged ninety-two years. He and his wife, Elizabeth, who was a native of Germany, were early settlers in that township.

James Bence, father of John L. Bence was born in Indiana county, and became a farmer in early life, always following that oc- enpation, except for the time he was in the Union army during the Civil war. His pres- ent home is near Dixonville. Ile married Rosina Everwine, who was born in Indiana

959

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

county, daughter of Jacob Everwine, and they in this region, where his grandfather settled became the parents of ten children, namely: in pioneer days. Laura, who is the wife of F. B. Longwill, of the borough of Indiana; Harry E., a resident of Marion Center, Indiana county ; John L .; Charles, of Dixonville, this county, who con- ducts a general store in partnership with his brother Logan; Luther, who lives on the old home place in Rayne township; Logan, of In- diana; Mary, wife of F. Hoer, living near Dixonville; Genevieve, a trained nurse, of Pittsburg, Pa .; Elizabeth, deceased; and Jacob, deceased. The mother of this family died eighteen years ago.

John L. Bence received his education in Rayne township. During his boyhood he worked on the farm, and in his youth he was employed in a store at Dixonville for a year. He has been engaged in farming on his own account since 1899, and in 1903 removed to the home in Cherryhill township which he now occupies and which he has bought. He built a handsome brick residence, one of the finest farmhouses in Indiana county, and in other respects as well his farm is improved accord- ing to the most modern ideas, the appearance of the place being highly creditable to its owner. Mr. Bence is intelligent and syste- matic in his work, and his profitable agricul- tural operations are the best recommendation for his methods.

On Nov. 12, 1903, Mr. Bence was married to Ada B. Ackerson, a native of Indiana coun- ty, the marriage taking place near Dixonville. Mrs. Bence is a daughter of James P. and Emma M. (Barber) Ackerson, farming peo- ple, who have lived in this county since 1866. They had a family of seven children : Dr. Lewis E., a dentist, of Clymer; James Wes- ley, a farmer of Cherryhill township; Mary M., deceased; Judson, deceased; Ada B., Mrs. Bence; Frank, a farmer near Marion Center, Indiana county; and Nora, living at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Bence have had two children, Seward J. and Ralph. They are members of the Presbyterian Church at Penn Run, and in political sentiment Mr. Bence is a Repub- lican.

James Houston, the grandfather, came in an early day to what was then Center town- ship, where he obtained possession of a tract of 640 acres, having what was known as a Revolutionary war grant. From this circum- stance it is supposed he was a soldier in the Revolution, and it is kuown he was a capable Indian fighter. Farming was his occupation after he settled here, and he worked hard to clear his land and improve it. He was a member of the Christian Church and noted for his high character. In politics he was a Whig. He died on his farm and is buried in the family plot there, known as Houston's cemetery. His wife, Mary (Reed), was a daughter of David Reed, a noted pioneer and Indian fighter of this section of Pennsylvania. She, too, was a member of the Christian Church. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Houston : James; William; Nancy, who married Norman Landfair; and Emily, who married Thomas Stites.

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 32

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