Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 42

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 42

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old; Susan, who married Benjamin Reese;

J. Hahn; and Frank, an employee in the offices of the Cambria Steel Company, who married Gertie Horan and has one daughter, Helen Phebe, born in March, 1895, residing with her parents at Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

James G. Findley moved to Conemaugh with his family in 1874, from that place mov- ing to Mineral Point in 1886, where in 1889 his home was swept away in the great Johns- town flood. His wife, Phoebe (Burkhart)

also drowned, their bodies being found and buried in Grand View cemetery. Mr. Findley and his daughter Annie had a very narrow escape, both being rescued by people who pulled them out of the water. Mr. Findley died while on a visit at Erie, Pa., Jan. 21, 1903, at the age of nearly eighty-three years, and is buried in the soldiers' plot in Grand View cemetery, at Johnstown. His son, James Sampson, an engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad, resides at Pittsburg and part of the time at his summer home at Conneaut Lake; he has eight children, Edgar Allen, Charles G., Essie J., Enid, Donna, Frank, Alice and Robert, and one grandchild, son of Essie J., Jesse Finley Cunninghan, born in 1913.

LOUIS J. HAHN was born Jan. 1, 1865, in the town of Grozingen, Kingdom of Wurtem- berg, Germany, son of John G. and Dorothea (Brodbeck) Hahn. He was educated in his native land, and when sixteen years of age came to America, first settling in Philadel- phia, Pa., and later coming to Johnstown, Pa., where on July 5, 1892, he married Annie Findley, daughter of James G. Findley. Mr. and Mrs. Halın have since made their home on Somerset street, Johnstown, where he is en- gaged in the real estate business, having built up a fine patronage in that line. They have had a family of six children : Lionel J., born April 28, 1893; George James, Aug. 19, 1894; Dorothy Lilian, June 2, 1896: Frances Eu- gene (daughter), Jan. 31, 1898 (died Aug. 5, 1898) ; Louis, Jan. 21, 1899 (died April 5, 1904) ; and Francis Eugene (son), July 12, 1900 (who died by accidental drowning on March 31, 1905).

Lionel J. and George J. Hahn, mentioned died in 1892; Rebecca, who married J. C. above, are employees in the office of the Lo- Murphy ; Eliza, who died when eighteen years rain Steel Company and Dorothy Lilian Hahn is a student in the Johnstown high school.

James Sampson; Joseph, who died young ; The above is a correct account of all direct Essie Jane, who married John A. Keiper ; descendants of James G. Findley as far as Ella S., who married Charles Scheetz, and re- known. The family record having been lost sides at Anderson, Ind .; Annie, wife of Louis in the flood, some dates are omitted.

THOMAS C. MACK, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of East Wheatfield township, Indiana county, where he owns Fair View farm, was born Dec. 27, 1874, on the old Mack homestead in that vicinity.

The early members of this Mack family in Indiana county were among the most re- spected of the pioneer settlers in what is now East and West Wheatfield townships,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and its founder here was Robert Mack, great- vert the property into a habitable place. By grandfather of Thomas C. Mack. Robert hard work he succeeded in making a comfort- Mack was a native of County Down, Ireland, able home for his large family, and he was. born about 1763. There he grew to manhood and married Margaret Campbell, who was born about 1769, and four children were born to them in their native home: John, born about 1797; Robert, born about 1799; James, born March 3, 1800; and Jean, born about 1803. In the early part of 1803 Robert Mack with his wife and four children left their native home for America. While they were crossing the Atlantic, on a slow-going sailing vessel, their little daughter Jean died and

one of the most respected citizens of the vicin- ity. He died on his farm in 1854, at the age of fifty-five years, and was buried in the cemetery of Bethel U. P. Church, in which he held membership. In political conviction he was a stanch Democrat. Mr. Mack's first wife, Margaret (McDonald), daughter of Joseph McDonald, of Wheatfield township, was buried in Bethel Church cemetery. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Nine children were born to this was buried at sea, the body being placed in union, namely: Joseph, Robert, Hugh, John,

Margaret (married Robert Campbell), Cath- erine (married James Campbell), Mary (mar- landing in the New World the family made ried James Smith and went West), Elizabeth (married Thomas Wertz and went to Iowa), and Martha (married John Campbell, who died in Andersonville prison, and she sub- sequently married David Brandgler, of Johns- town). Mr. Mack's second marriage was to Mrs. Nancy (Barr) Mikesell, widow of John Mikesell, and she died in September, 1897, at the age of eighty years, at Titusville, Pa., where she is buried. The children of this union were: David; Samuel; Stewart, twin of Samuel, deceased in infancy; Nancy, who married William Kerr; and Icareda Belle, who married William Henderson and resides at Titusville.

a sack, weighted at the feet with sand. The burial service was read by the captain. After their way west of the Alleghenies, locating in Wheatfield township, Indiana Co., Pa., where Mr. Mack settled down to farming on a 400- acre tract. He had to erect the log cabin for his family, and began a hard fight for exist- ence in the wilderness which lasted many years. By steady industry and thrifty habits he managed to develop his farm and make many improvements, and he spent the re- mainder of his life on that place, dying there Aug. 2, 1850. He was buried in Bethel Church cemetery, in what is now West Wheat- field township, and a headstone marks the last resting place of himself and wife. Mr. Mack in religious principle was what was known as a Seceder, later joining the Bethel United Presbyterian Church. He was an old-line Democrat on political questions. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying on the farm Nov. 17, 1839, at the age of seventy years, and was laid to rest in Bethel cemetery. She, too, was a member of the Bethel United Presby- terian Church. She was the mother of thir- teen children, those born in Wheatfield town- ship being: David; William; Samuel; Arm- strong; George; Jean (2), who married Will- iam McLean, and resides in West Wheatfield township; Margaret, who married Hugh St. Clair, and removed to Iowa; and Elizabeth (Betsey), who married William Campbell, be- ing his second wife.

Robert Mack, son of Robert, was born about 1799, came to America with his parents and grew to manhood in Wheatfield township. He made his home in what is now West Wheat- field, where he became engaged in general farming and stock raising, owning a tract of 100 acres which he himself cleared up and improved, building a log house and barn and doing all the other work necessary to con-

David Mack, son of Robert and Nancy Barr (Mikesell) Mack, was born in what is now East Wheatfield township, Dec. 24, 1849, and obtained his education there in the public schools. He was only in his fifth year when his father died, and he lived with his mother on the farm, learning agricultural work and assisting at home as soon as possible. After some experience in the employ of others he settled on the homestead place, a tract of 140 acres where he carried on general farming and stock raising, doing well and making many improvements upon the property, where most of liis active life was spent. He built a frame dwelling house and barn there. In 1895 he removed to Armagh, this county, where he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness, in partnership with his son Thomas C. Mack, the firm name being David Mack & Son. They had been associated for four years when David Mack had to give up active work because of poor health, and he died shortly afterward, Dec. 17, 1899. He is buried in the Armagh cemetery. He was quite prominent in the public affairs of his locality, serving as tax collector, school director and constable

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of the township for a number of years. In ager of the Conemaugh Mercantile Company's his political views he was a Republican. He store at Conemaugh, Cambria county, where was a member of the United Presbyterian he now resides. On Oct. 6, 1896, he married Church. Mr. Mack married Angeline Carney, Rose M. Spires, daughter of Wellington a native of Buffington township, this county, daughter of Thomas Carney, and she survives him, living in East Wheatfield township. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Mack had two children, Sylvester S. and . Thomas C.

Spires, and they have had seven children: Lenore, Angie, Paul, Stanley, Dorothy, and twin daughters, Ethel and one that died at birthı. Mr. Mack is a member of the M. E. Church, in which he is an active worker, serving as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a Republican in polit- ical matters.

Thomas C. Mack was educated principally in the public schools of his native township, and attended summer normal under Prof. J. T. Stewart and Prof. C. A. Campbell. Be- ginning work on the farm with his father, he continued there until the family settled at Armagh, when he became his father's part- ner in the mercantile business, continuing same until a short time after his father's death. In 1900 he sold out and resumed farming, settling on the tract of 110 acres which has since been his home. This place was formerly owned by A. P. Thompson. stock raising for the last twelve years, and being enterprising as well as industrious has made many changes for the better in his prop- erty. Mr. Mack is the kind of citizen who believes in working for the general welfare as well as for the advancement of his private interests-feeling that the prosperity of the one is favorable to the other. He has served seven years as auditor of his township, and has been election inspector. He is a Re- publican in political principle, but votes in- dependently. His religious connection is with the M. E. Church at Armagh, which he joined in 1900; he has served as trustee of that church. He takes great pleasure in his auto- mobile, which is one of the best cars in the township.

DANIEL FREDERICK RINN is an active business man of Indiana, where he has various associations which have brought him into prominence and established position. He is a member of the firm of St. Clair, Rinn & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in coal, sand and brick, also engaged in the milling and feed business at Indiana, and operating a large stone quarry and sand plant at Kim- mel's Siding, on the Buffalo, Rochester & Here he has followed general farming and Pittsburg railroad, and carries on lumber op- erations on his own account besides maintain- ing his connection with that concern. He was born March 13, 1864, in North Mahoning township, Indiana Co., Pa., son of John Rinn and grandson of Daniel Frederick Rinn. The latter brought his wife and family from Ger- many to America many years ago, settling in Rayne township, Indiana Co., Pa., where he passed the rest of his life on a farm, where he and his wife lived to a ripe old age.

John Rinn was born in Germany and was seven years old when he came with the family to America. He grew to manhood in Rayne township, and what little education he re- ceived was gained in public school there. He was very young when he commenced to work, being employed in the timber and at anything On June 6, 1900, Mr. Mack married Mary A. Shaffer, who was born in West Wheatfield township, daughter of L. S. Shaffer, of Clyde, that township, mentioned elsewhere. They have had two children : David Raymond, born Aug. 6, 1901, and Helen Elda, born Dec. 5, 1903. he could do. At the time of his marriage he settled on a farm of his own in North Mahon- ing township, Indiana county, and later bought and moved to a farm in Perry town- ship. Jefferson Co., Pa., where he died in 1894, wheu sixty-seven years old. He was married in Indiana county to Margaret Haag, a native SYLVESTER S. MACK, brother of Thomas C. Mack, was born July 23, 1873, and began his education in the public schools of the home township. Later he attended summer normal of Germany, who came to America with an older brother and a younger sister. Mr. and Mrs. Rinn were reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and joined the Evangelical at Armagh under Prof. C. A. Campbell, and denomination. He was a Republican in his the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg. political opinions. Six children were born to this worthy couple: Mary, Mrs. Walter Hunter, now deceased ; Samuel A., a coal op- erator, of Punxsutawney, Pa .; Daniel Fred- For three years he taught school, then be- coming clerk in a store at Pittsburg and after- ward being similarly engaged at Johnstown for a short period. He has since been man- erick; Sarah, Mrs. William Brumbaugh; Jen-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

nie, Mrs. Jacob Lingenfelter, deceased; and settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., later Lizzie, Mrs. Humble, deceased.

Daniel Frederick Rinn obtained his early education in the public schools of Jefferson county, completing his schooling with a course in a seminary in Perry township, Jefferson county. For nine years he was engaged in teaching public school in Jefferson county. Subsequently he took a position as coal weigher with the Rochester & Pittsburg Coal & Iron Company, at Eleanor, Pa., and was later bookkeeper with the same concern. ried Malachi Sutton; and Sarah, who married William Robinson.

Since severing that connection he has been in- terested in the lumber business, and he has also met with considerable success as a coal dealer. In 1904 he settled at Indiana, where he has been associated with business oper- ations as a member of the firm of St. Clair, Rinn & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in coal, who also carry on a feed store, engage in milling, and deal in sand and brick. He is also a member of the Indiana Hardware Com- pany and a director of the Savings and Trust Company.

On Sept. 21, 1886, Mr. Rinn was married to Sadie E. Freas, daughter of John and Cather- ine (Snyder) Freas, of Ringgold township, Jefferson Co., Pa. They have a family of three children : John C., who graduated June 12, 1912, from Gettysburg College; Minnie C., who graduated May 28, 1912, from Combs' Broad Street Conservatory of Music, Philadel- phia ; and Samuel W., now a. senior at the Kiskiminetas Springs school (he is serving his second year as captain of the track team and winning his "K" in track, basket-ball and foot-ball work).

Mr. and Mrs. Rinn are members of the Lutheran Church, and he has been a promi- nent church worker, at present serving as member of the church council and superin- tendent of the O. A. B. C. work in Indiana county. He is a Republican on political ques- tions.

JOHNSON LIGHTCAP LAUGHRY, a farmer and stock raiser of East Mahoning township, was born in that township, on the farm he now occupies, March 21, 1846.

The family is of Scotch extraction, but the immediate founders of it in Pennsylvania came from Ireland. Some members of this family spell the name Loughry, while others spell it Laughry, the latter form being used by the branch to which Johnson Lightcap Laughry belongs.

William Laughry, the founder of the family in this country, came here from Ireland and 64

moving to Blacklick township, Indiana Co., Pa., settling west of Campbells mills, in which section he was one of the pioneers. He not only operated a large farm, but served as justice of the peace and was a man of dignity and prominence. He married Esther Allison, also a native of Ireland, and their children were: James; Joseph; John, who married Margaret Graham; William, who married a Miss Chambers ; Benjamin ; Rebecca, who mar-

James Laughry, son of William Laughry, was born in Blacklick township, on a farm. His educational opportunities were very lim- ited, as there were few schools during those pioneer days. After he grew up he settled in what is now White township, and there made his home, following farming all his life. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and lived out in his everyday life the creed he professed. James Laughry married Aun Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, who during the American Revo- lution was one of General Washington's life guards. Ten children were born to this mar- riage: John W .; Mary, who married Abra- ham Moor; William, who married Margaret Lucus; Alexander, who married Louisa Mc- Lean; Martha; Rebecca, who married Gibson Stewart; Elizabeth; Margaret, who died in childhood; Robert, who married Susannah Flickinger ; and Joseph, who married Martha Allison. Mrs. Laughry died, and Mr. Laugh- ry married (second) Jane Shields, by whom he had these children: Ann, who married James Park; Margaret, who married Dr. D. M. Marshall ; James N .. who married and is a physician ; Nelson; Esther, who married Dr. Burrell; and Mary J., who married Joseph Shields.

John Wilson Laughry, son of James Laugh- ry, was born in White township June 10, 1809, and there attended school for a few months each winter. Although his educational ad- vantages were thus limited, he was a well-in- formed man, as he did a great deal of reading and was very intelligent. Growing up on the farm, he worked along agricultural lines for a time, and then began to learn tanning in Young township, but later went to Rayne township, where he followed this trade in conjunction with farming. In 1842 he came to East Mahoning township, buying 120 acres of land owned by Hugh Cannon. On it he built a log house and stable, and cleared off the land, working hard early and late. In

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IHISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1851 he built the frame dwelling, and three for his mother and sister, which is now oc- years later the frame barn, and spent the re- cupied by his son and family. In 1903 he mainder of his life there, carrying on diversi- put up his present fine residence, which is fied farming as well as stock raising. He also one of the best in the township, and supplied bought a tract of land from John C. and J. with modern improvements. As cirenm- H. Rochester, known as the Brady farm, thus stances required he erected buildings on the becoming the owner of 200 acres of land, all farm to house his stock and machinery, and his entire premises are in magnificent condition. Adding to the original homestead he is now operating, with the assistance of his sons, 233 acres of land, and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his section. A pub- lic-spirited man, he has found time to serve as a school director, inspector of elections, clerk of the board of elections, and (for sev- enteen years) auditor of the township. The Republican party has in him a tried and true supporter. He has long belonged to the Presbyterian Church of Marion Center, but holds no official position in that body. of which he cultivated. His death occurred Aug. 24, 1881, when he was seventy-two years old. His remains were laid to rest in the Washington Church cemetery in Rayne town- ship. From the formation of the Republican party Mr. Laughry was interested in the snc- cess of its principles and gave it hearty sup- port. For years he held township offices, among them being those of school director, assessor and collector. During the entire period of his holding office he gave complete satisfaction, and was a man of extreme pro- bity. The Presbyterian Church held his membership, and he was as highly respected in that connection as he was elsewhere.

On Jan. 31, 1834, John Wilson Laughry married Jane Lightcap, who was born in Cumberland county, Pa., Aug. 3, 1808, a daughter of Godfrey Lightcap, and died Nov. 16, 1894; she is buried in the same cemetery as her husband. They had children as fol- lows: Samuel W., born March 22, 1835, died Dec. 30, 1846; James M., born Feb. 27, 1837, was a soldier of the Civil war, and now re- sides at East Mahoning township; Johnson Lighteap was born March 21, 1846; Mary Jane, born Jan. 24, 1848, died Nov. 4, 1863; Margaret Ann, born Sept. 19, 1851, resided with her mother on the homestead.

The Laughry family is a large one and its members are scattered all over the country, but wherever found they are men and women of high character who have made good use of their talents and occupy positions of trust and responsibility in their communities, doing credit to their common ancestor, the sturdy Scotch-Irishman who came to this country so many years ago.

On March 26, 1874, Mr. Laughry was mar- ried to Hester A. MeLaughlin, a native of Rayne township, daughter of James and Mar- garet (Speedy) MeLaughlin. After thirty- seven years of happy married life Mrs. Laughry died Dec. 13, 1911, very suddenly, of rheumatism of the heart, and was buried in the Marion Center cemetery. She was a lovable Christian woman, and was deeply mourned not only by her own family but by the many who claimed her as a friend: The following children were born to Johnson Lighteap Langhry and his wife: James Nor- man, born March 29, 1877, on the homestead, married Ella M. Pollock, daughter of Hugh M. Pollock, and they have one son, Frank Glade, born March 16, 1910; John Dallas and Margaret Eva (twins), horn April 18, 1885, are at home; Harvey MeKee, born March 7. 1888, died Feb. 23, 1891.

FRANKLIN O. SHIELDS, of Spring Farm, Blacklick township, Indiana county, is a son of John Shields. His mother was Myr- tilla Stewart, daughter of Alexander and Su- san (Sutton) Stewart, granddaughter of Gawin Sutton and great-granddaughter of Peter Sutton, the Revolutionary soldier and ancestor of the Suttons in Indiana county. Her grandmother-wife of Gawin Sutton- was Jane Ward, a daughter of John Ward. of Morris county, N. J., who also was a soldier in the Revolution, serving every alternate month during the whole war, and for his serv- ice was pensioned during the later years of his life.

Johnson Lighteap Langhry, son of John Wilson Langhry, was brought up on his fath- er's farm and taught lessons of thrift and in- dustry that have served him well all his life. Ile attended the local schools, his first teacher having been Miss Mary (Molly) Brady. The youngest son, Mr. Laughry, re- mained at home and took care of his parents in their declining years. Long before the death of his father he took charge of the prop- erty, the greater portion of which he had as- sisted in clearing, and commenced further John Shields, great-grandfather of Frank- improving it. In 1881 he built a frame house lin O. Shields, was the pioneer of the Shields

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

family in this county. He was born in Ches- and his wife Myrtilla on May 14, 1897. They ter county, Pa., Aug. 18, 1759, and moved to left seven children: Alexander S., now of Omaha, Neb .; Joseph M., a farmer, of Center township, this county; Ellen E., now Mrs. Rue, of El Paso, Tex .; John W., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; William S., of Evanston, Ill .; Franklin O .; and James K., an M. E. min- ister, of Chicago, Illinois. Toboyne township, then in Cumberland (now Perry) county, Pa., from where he enlisted in the war for independence at the age of sev- enteen years. On one occasion he substituted for his father and at another for a neighbor, and later served in the State militia in quell- ing the Indian outbreaks. In 1782 he mar- ried Mary Marshall, and a year later moved across the mountains into what was then known as the Indian country, settling on the bank of Blacklick creek, near where Gen. Charles Campbell had built his mill, and at what is now known as the Shields ford. He was a hunter and Indian scout and came from a family known for their love of frays, and was seven feet tall. The settlers living be- tween blockhouses depended upon him to warn

Franklin O. Shields was born Nov. 1, 1863, and at the age of seventeen went to the State of Illinois, where he engaged in farming. When twenty-one years of age, imbued with the spirit of pioneer ancestors, he filed claim upon 160 acres of government land in south- western Kansas, and helped to organize the county of Scott. After proving title to his land he returned East. Mr. Shields has been an important factor in the progress of the southern end of Indiana county. He has in- them of the movements of the Indians. His troduced modern and more scientific methods wife died leaving him children: William, who married Margaret Reed; Joseph ; Jean, who married Michael Stewart; Martha, who died unmarried; John, who married Elizabeth Speedy ; Mary, who married William McKec; Margaret, who married James Speedy; and James, who married Margaret Getty. On Oct. 8, 1818, John Shields was again married, this time to Elizabeth Carson, of Center town- ship, Indiana county, by whom he had one child, a daughter, named Sarah. He died Oct. 26, 1840, and is buried in the Washington Church graveyard. He was pensioned by the government for his services in the war, as shown by the military records at Washington. of farming, proving the value of his principles by the success he has had. He introduced the custom of dehorning cattle in this part of the State, and it was through his petitions that the government established the first rural free delivery mail route in this county. In 1905 he was elected justice of the peace of his township. Besides operating an exten- sive farm he has conducted a small store, carrying a stock of general merchandise for the convenience of his community. A man thoroughly acquainted with his work and at- tending closely to his own affairs, he yet finds time to keep up with the world's doing and thinking, and he has accomplished much. If the saying be true that he who causes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before is a benefactor to his country and the human race, the "Squire" has not lived in vain.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 42

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