Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 44

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 44

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Henry Shultz was born in Germany and came to America with his parents in his youth, Johnston Palmer was born Sept. 11, 1818. in Burrell township. Indiana county, where he followed farming. owuing a tract of 129 acres which he cultivated and greatly improved. He spent several years in Jefferson county. Pa., but resided upon the place above men- tioned until his death. which occurred Ap- ril 9, 1896: he is buried in Blairsville cemetery. Mr. Palmer was a prominent man in his township. where he was chosen to fill various important offices, serv- being reared in Pine township, Indiana county, where his father bought a farm. Later Henry Shultz moved across the line into Indiana county, where he invested in farm property and occupied the same until his death. He also followed cabinetmaking. His wife survived him but a short time. They were parents of eleven children, the eldest being Ellen, who became the wife of Samuel Bennett, and they live in Pine township ; Dilly is the wife of Gideon Baum, and they live at ing ably as tax collector. school director and Barneshoro. in Cambria county : Catherine is constable; he held the latter office for twenty-

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eight years. In politics. he was a Republican, been a notary public for the last thirteen in religion a member of the M. E. Church, and years. He is broad-minded and has advanced views on most questions. In politics he is a sincere Socialist, one of the foremost men of that party in this portion of the State, and fearless in upholding the principles of social- ism as taught by the founders of the party. He believes firmly in their ultimate triumph.

he was active in that connection also, serving as class leader and taking part in all church work. In West Wheatfield township he mar- ried Jane Palmer, who was born Aug. 26, 1820, daughter of Charles Palmer, and she preceded him to the grave, dying Jan. 21, 1885; she, too, is buried in Blairsville ceme- tery. Thirteen children were born to this

Oct. 1, 1846; Clara, June 16, 1848; (Dr.) J. W., June 18, 1849; Lyman D., Aug. 26,1851; Eveline, Oct. 16, 1853 (died in infancy) ; Martha E., Nov. 14, 1855 (deceased) ; Su- sanna Elizabeth, March 11, 1857 (wife of Thomas Mabon, of New Florence, Pa.) ; Davis A., March 15, 1859 ; Mary A., March 28, 1861; and Jessie J. and Anna Margaret, twins, Dec. 18, 1862. Jessie J. Palmer is proprietor of the Commercial Printing Company, of Black- lick, Pennsylvania.

Davis A. Palmer grew to manhood on the home farm in Burrell township and had the educational privileges afforded by the local public schools. He continued to work with his father on the homestead place until he reached the age of thirty-two, at which time he acquired an interest in the lumber busi- ness, forming a partnership with S. A. Kun- kle, under the firm name of Palmer & Kunkle. They were engaged in the manufacture of lumber and railroad ties, and much of their product was disposed of directly to the rail- way companies. In 1904 Mr. Palmer estab- lished himself as a merchant in the town of Blacklick, in Burrell township, erecting the fine frame building in which he has since ear- ried on his furniture and undertaking busi- ness, which has attained large proportions. Mr. Palmer has taken his son Lyman D. Palmer into partnership with him, under the name of D. A. Palmer & Son, and through their enterprise and progressive methods they have become widely known over a large terri- tory. They have acquired an extensive trade as a result of their personal integrity no less than their thoroughly satisfactory dealings with their customers, showing their appreci- ation to their patrons, by making their busi- ness relations pleasant and mutually agree- able.

Mr. Palmer has interested himself .in local- affairs. particularly the problem of public Jamison; Robert, who married Elizabeth Me- education, and he has filled the office of school Lane; Sarah; and James, born in 1785, who married Mary Campbell, and died in 1857. director of Burrell township for three terms, doing effective work in that capacity. He hasi.

Mr. Palmer was married at Homer City, this county, to Margaret Wier, daughter of union, viz .: Sarah Jane, born Oct. 8, 1843; Squire D. C. Wier, a well-known trial jus- Charles W., Dec. 30, 1844; (Rev.) Cyrus G., tice of Homer City. Their family consists of six children: Lyman D., who is in busi- ness with his father; Clara, who is now the wife of B. L. Foreman, and resides at Day- ton, Pa .; Grace, wife of W. B. Rhodes, of East Pittsburg, Pa .; Terrence V., a student at the Pennsylvania Business College, of Lan- caster, Pa .; Davis, deceased; and Florence, who is now a student in the high school at Blairsville. The family belong to the Pres- byterian Church.

SAMUEL CLARK COLEMAN, farmer and proprietor of an express business at Ise- lin, in Young township, is a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Conemaugh township, and was born at the old Coleman homestead there May 31, 1863, son of Samuel and Margaret (Miller) Coleman.

Nicholas Coleman, the paternal great-grand- father of Samuel Clark Coleman, and founder of the family in America, was born in Scot- land in 1731, and coming to this country, settled in the Conococheague valley, in Penn- sylvania, where he was married to Jane Mc- Clelland, a native of that section. He came to what is now Conemaugh township, Indiana county, in 1773, and in 1774 or 1775 made the first improvements on what has been the family homestead for four generations. Nicholas Coleman was an extensive farmer and large land owner, but suffered much at the hands of the hostile Indians, and on one occasion was driven from his land; his cabin was destroyed by fire. His children were as follows: William, born in 1774, who died in 1851; John, born April 9, 1776; Elizabeth, who married James Matthews; Margaret, who married John Matthews and (second) James Oliver; Mary, who married Samuel Cravan : Nancy, who became the wife of Moses Thomp- son; Jane, who married Alexander Mc- Gaughey; Archibald, who married Margaret

John Coleman, son of Nicholas, and grand-

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father of Samuel Clark Coleman, was born now owned by the Pittsburg Gas Coal Com- April 9, 1776, and made farming his vocation, pany, a tract of 202 acres, on which he has living on a part of the old homestead in Cone- maugh township. He fought as a soldier dur- ing the war of 1812, and was quite a promi. nent man in His township during his day, tak- ing a deep interest in the affairs of his com- munity and its people. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away in 1865. John Coleman married Martha Katon, and they had a family of children as follows: Nancy, who married John Neal; Nicholas, who married Margaret Colewell; Samuel, the father of Samuel Clark; Elizabeth, who married William Miller; Mar- garet, who died on the old homestead at the age of ninety-one years; and Ebenezer, who went West and there died. been carrying on operations for a quar- ter of a century. Farming aud stock raising have occupied his attention and his ventures have all proved uniformly successful. In 1909 Mr. Coleman purchased the William McComb farm, a tract of 162 acres, on which he has made numerous improvements, and this he rents. In addition to the fine frame resi- dence on a part of this property, which is lo- cated on the Clarksburg and Eldersridge road, he is erecting another large house for a tenant. During the year 1909 Mr. Coleman branched out into the express business in Iselin, and now has three express teams and employs five hands. He has shown himself to be no less a business man than an agriculturist, the

Samuel Coleman, father of Samuel Clark Coleman, was born on the old homestead in years of tilling the soil having proved no Conemaugh township, where he grew to man- less valuable in commercial affairs. Mr. Cole- man is a Republican in his political views. and has served frequently as election clerk and inspector. He belongs to Lodge No. 35, Woodmen of the World, at Clarksburg, and has many friends among its members. In his religious views he is liberal, but supports all movements calculated to benefit the cause of education, morality and good citizenship, and endeavors to live up to the teachings of the hood and became a farmer, following the same vocation throughout his life. He owned a tract of 240 acres where he made his home, and in 1856 built a large brick house on his property. In 1879 he had a fine frame barn built, which was put up by David Cunning- ham, a contractor, and other improvements of a like nature were made. Mr. Coleman had a long and useful life, died Dec. 4, 1884, and was buried in Conemaugh cemetery. He was Golden Rule. a faithful member of the United Presbyterian In 1883 Mr. Coleman was united in mar- riage to Sarah T. George, daughter of William George, and they have had the following chil- dren : Beatrice married Edward Shearer and resides in Young township ; Florence married Edward Irwin, also of Young township; Clar- ence McBride, residing with his father, mar- ried Cora Davis, who died five months later ; Elizabeth married Frank Getty, of Saltsburg. United Presbyterian Church. Samuel and Pa .; Harry, Jennie, Glenn and Thomas all live at home and are attending the public schools of Young township. The family at- tends the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Coleman is a lady of intelligence and refined tastes and like her popular husband has nu- merous friends in their part of the township. Church, and his political views were those of the Republican party, although he was never an office seeker. Mr. Coleman was mar- ried in Conemaugh township to Margaret Mil- ler, daughter of John Miller, and she sur- vives him and is living on the old homestead at the age of eighty-two years. She is a faithful member and active worker of the Margaret Coleman had the following children : Mary, who died in young womanhood ; Me- Leod, who passed away at the age of twenty- one years; Ella, who married Hugh Low- man, who was justice of the peace at Clarks- burg, Pa., for forty years; Samuel Clark; Ir- win Miller. who resides in Westmoreland county ; and Roland, living on the old home- stead with his mother.

Samuel Clark Coleman, son of Samuel Cole- man, attended the schools of Conemaugh town- ship, and remained on the old homestead place assisting his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he went to Arm- strong county and for one year was engaged in farming there. In 1888 he settled on his present place in Young township, near Clarks- burg, known as the Thomas Elder farm, and

ALVA CLARENCE FISHER, postmaster at Dixonville, Indiana county, has been a resi- dent of that town for seven years and has held his present office since March, 1910. He belongs to a family which has been settled in Grant township, this county, since the time of his grandparents, Andrew Fisher and wife. . natives of Germany, who came to America and made their home in that township, con- tinuing to live there the rest of their days. They were farming people. Of their large

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family four sons were in the army during the Fisher, namely: Marie, Alva George, Ed- Civil war on the Union side, and one on the Confederate side.

George F. Fisher, son of Andrew, was one of a family of sixteen children. He was born in Grant township, Indiana county, and lived there during the greater part of his early life, spending four years, however, in Jefferson county, Pa. Later he removed to Rayne town- ship, this county, and then to Blairsville, re- maining at that place until his death, which occurred on Thanksgiving Day, 1902. He fol- lowed farming and also his trade of cooper. Mr. Fisher was in the Union service during the Civil war, enlisting in Company I, 67th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Later, when the ranks of Company I had been depleted by casualties, he was transferred to Company F. Mr. Fisher married Jennie C. Folsom, who was born at Johnstown, Pa .. daughter of Hiram J. Folsom, a native of Maine, who came to Pennsylvania and set- tled on a farm near Johnstown, making his home there until his death. In his earlier manhood Mr. Folsom taught school besides carrying on farming. His wife was a native of England, and came with him to Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. Jennie C. Fisher was well edu- cated, and taught school near Johnstown be- fore her marriage: She died in 1870, the mother of three children, namely: Hiram A., who is now deceased ; a daughter that died in infancy ; and Alva Clarence.

Alva Clarence Fisher was horn May 16. 1867, in Grant township, Indiana county, and there attended public school. Later he was a pupil at the Purchase Line Academy. In his youth he assisted his father at his trade.

Living at Blairsville for a time, he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and subsequently moved onto a farm with his father. Afterward he returned to Rayne township and engaged in farming on his own account, and in 1905 he removed to Dixon- ville, where he engaged as a fireman and engi- neer for the Russell Coal Mining Company for four years. On March 2, 1910, Mr. Fisher was appointed postmaster at that point, and continues to hold the position. He is one of the most respected citizens of that place.

ward D. E., John Wesley, Robert Delmont and Oscar Darrell. Mr. Fisher attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES McKENDRICK, retired farmer and business man of Indiana, Pa., who for many years was identified with enterprises of an extensive nature, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1829, and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Macbeth) McKendrick.

The parents of Mr. McKendrick were both born in Ireland, and were married in Phila- delphia, from which city the father moved with his wife, Jane, and sons John and James, when James was six months old, locating in Indiana county on a farm of 350 acres. There the father died when about forty years of age, his wife surviving him some years and pass- ing away in Cherryhill township. They were members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. McKendrick were the parents of the fol- lowing children : John, who married Amanda Gibson, was always a farmer in Indiana coun- ty, where he died; James is mentioned below ; Martha married Allison Gibson, and died in Cherryhill township; Mary married James Nichols, and died in Rayne township; Esther died in childhood.

After the death of the father, the mother took her little brood to Philadelphia, and James, then a sturdy lad of seven, was put out to work until sixteen years of age with a Mr. Rubencamp, in Bucks county, who saw that he received a little schooling during the win- ter terms, but paid him no wages. When he was sixteen years of age his mother and other children returned to the Cherryhill township farm, and James joined them, but remained only one year, going again to Bucks county, where he quickly secured employment as a hand at a salary of eight dollars a month. He remained two years, and then once more returned to the farm in Cherryhill township, he and his brother John operating the farm together until they divided it, at which time James received 176 acres of coal land. Sub- sequently he purchased fifty-three acres in Rayne township, where he resided eighteen years, and near which he later bought sev- enty-two acres. He farmed both these tracts diana, where he has resided ever since. For some time Mr. McKendrick was engaged in lace curtains and all kinds of window fittings, and also conducted a general store at George-

On July 24, 1895, Mr. Fisher married Mar- until November, 1903, when he moved to In- garet B. Gilpatrick, who was born in Grant township, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza- beth Gilpatrick, both of whom are now de- the manufacture of venetian blinds, shades, ceased ; Mr. Gilpatrick was a farmer and also a cooper. Six children, five sons and one daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. ville, Pa., for four or five years, his next ven-

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ture being in a store at Dixonville, Pa., with ville. He was a member and elder of the Samuel Gibson as a partner. For the last five United Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, or six years, however, he has lived retired from all business enterprises. and active in all the work of that congre- gation. In political opinion he was a Demo- crat. His first wife, Jane, died Oct. 27, 1862, aged sixty-three years, and his second mar- riage was to Mrs. Sarah Shearer. All his children were by the first union, viz .: Martha, who married Elias Garde, of Green township ; Alexander L., who died July 3. 1858, aged twenty-seven years, seven months, sixteen days; John, deceased; George L., who died Aug. 13, 1858; Elizabeth, who married Hugh Lowman; and Robert MeCown.

Mr. MeKendrick was married (first) to Hannah Adams, and (second) to Margaret Calahan, and there were two children by the second union, both of whom are deceased. His third marriage was to Anna Short, of Rayne township, daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Hewett) Short, and they have had one child, Myrtle Jane, who was born on the farm in Rayne township. She received her pre- paratory education in the public schools, graduated from the Indiana normal school in the class of 1909, and began teaching at school No. 2, in Cherryhill township. After one year there she was transferred to the Walnut Grove school, at Johnstown, Pa., and is now teaching in the city of Johnstown.

ROBERT M. STEWART, of Jacksonville, Indiana county, is a well-known merchant and popular official of that borough, where he has resided for over twenty years. He was born on a farm near that place, in Blacklick town- ship, April 17, 1850, son of William and Jane (Lytle) Stewart.

William Stewart was born about 1790 in County Dublin, Ireland, and there grew to manhood. He married Jane Lytle, who was born in 1799, and in 1830, with their daughter Martha, they left their native country for America, landing at Baltimore, Md. Coming overland to Pittsburg through the Allegheny mountains with a four-horse team, they made a settlement in Westmoreland county, near Perrysville, where Mr. Stewart was engaged in farming for five years. Then he crossed the Conemaugh river into Indiana county, locating in Blacklick township, where he bouglit the Porter Turner farm, a tract of seventy-two acres on which stood a stone house and frame barn. There he settled down to farming and stock raising. and prospered so that he was able to buy another small tract, from the Lucas family. He had a fulling and carding mill on his farm, running same by water power except when the water was scarce, when he was obliged to use horse power, having a treadwheel. He continued WELMER DEVERS STEWART, only son of Rob- ert M. Stewart, was born on the Stewart farm in Blacklick township, and received his edu- cation in the public schools there and at Grove City business college. While still in his teens ville as a dealer in horses, buggies and har- to follow farming and milling all through his active life, and in his declining years was tenderly cared for by his son Robert, who gave him the loving attention which only a dutiful son could. He lived to the ripe old age of he became interested in business at Jackson- one hundred years, dying July 17, 1890, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Jackson- ness, continuing thus for some years. and

Robert McCown Stewart had the advan- tages of the public schools of Blacklick town- ship and later attended the academy at Jack- sonville under H. B. McIntire. He began working on the farm with his father when a boy and continued there with him until his death, that year, 1890, selling the place and moving to Jacksonville. For a number of years thereafter he was engaged in the under- taking and livery business, which he carried on until 1907, in which year he sold out and turned his attention to merchandising, buy- ing the interests of Simon Anthony (now jus- tice of the peace). He has since given his attention principally to his general store, though he has also taken considerable part in public affairs in the borough. He has been school director of Jacksonville for twelve years; was constable of the borough twelve years; member of the council six years; and has served as street commissioner. On polit- ical issues he is a Democrat. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, which he serves as trustee.

Mr. Stewart's first wife, Harriet E. (Smith), daughter of James Smith, of Young township, died Jan. 23, 1909, a member of the United Presbyterian Church. She was buried in the new cemetery near Jacksonville. Two children were born to this union: Grace, who married Wallace Cunningham, and re- sides at Steubenville, Ohio; and Welmer Dev- ers. For his second wife Mr. Stewart mar- ried Elizabeth Baker, of Blairsville, daughter of Jacob Baker, of that place; they have no children.

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later engaged in the same line at Indiana, for buggies and pianos in Grant township and Pa. Returning to Jacksonville, he followed other sections of Indiana county. His great the business here again until 1912, in which energy, enterprise and business tact, combined year he sold out, at present giving his time and attention to a moving picture show at Titusville, Pa., which he has found very prof- itable. He is a Republican in politics.

BENJAMIN MARTIN McAFOOS, in his of his stock. In 1905 he sold the farm above lifetime a well-known business man and farmer of Grant township, Indiana county, mentioned and bought the Sylvis place at Decker's Point, remodeling the house, build- was born Feb. 25, 1847, near Kittanning, in ing a fine barn and converting the place into Armstrong county, Pa., son of George Fred- erick McAfoos.

George Frederick McAfoos was born in August, 1816, and died Dec. 4, 1894. He fol- lowed farming near Kittanning, and came thence in 1859 to Indiana county, locating in what is now Grant township, where he owned land and followed farming and stock raising. His property was situated in what later be- came known as the McAfoos district, and he made many improvements on the place, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring there. His wife, Margaret (Schreckengost), born Feb. 28, 1817. died Dec. 3, 1890, and they are buried in Oakland cemetery in Grant township. Mr. McAfoos was a member of the Lutheran Church. Chil- dren as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mc Afoos : Isaac Schreckengost, born Jan. 6, 1839, died Sept. 30, 1854; James John, born Jan. 30, 1841, now a resident of Grant town- ship, was a soldier in the Civil war; Herman Bertram, born Feb. 10, 1843, was a soldier in the Civil war and died while in the service, May 6, 1865; Susanna Urish, born Feb. 3, 1845, died Jan. 26, 1851; Benjamin Martin is mentioned below ; Peter Wilyard, born May 23, 1849, died Jan. 26, 1851; Joseph William, born Sept. 16, 1851, died May 29, 1852; Dan- iel Lewis, born March 30, 1853, died young; Samuel G., born March 18, 1856, resides at Decker's Point, in Grant township; Sylvester L., born May 10, 1860, died young.

Benjamin Martin McAfoos attended public school near his early home in Armstrong county and later in Grant township, Indiana county. He was twelve years old when the family settled in what is now Grant township. where he grew to manhood on the farm, and when he started out for himself he purchased the Ruffner farm, a tract of ninety-two acres upon which he made many improvements, building a fine frame dwelling-house, and a substantial barn. Besides general farming he had taught, and is now the wife of Harry engaged in raising cattle and sheep, and also dealt largely in both, and he was selling agent

with thrift and hard work, made him success- ful in his business undertakings, and he had many admirable personal traits which made him liked as well as respected. IIe was a lover of horses and cattle and took excellent care

a most attractive home, one of the most desir- able in that section. He did not live long to enjoy it, however, dying Nov. 4. 1907, and was buried in the Decker's Point cemetery. Mr. McAfoos was a member of the Christian Church and particularly active in the work of the Sunday school, acting as teacher and su- perintendent. He was very fond of music and was a very fine singer. Politically a Demo- crat, he took an interest in the success of the party, and served as assessor and tax collector.

On July 25, 1872, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. McAfoos was married in Grant township to Mary E. Simpson, who was born there, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Jane (Smitten) Simpson. Four children were born to this marriage: (1) Harry Simpson, born May 1, 1873, received his early education in the public schools of Grant township, and attended the Indiana State normal school and college. After teaching school four terms he engaged in farming and lumbering, having a fine farm near Gastown, Armstrong county, where his widow and children now reside. He had acquired extensive interests as a lum- ber manufacturer in North Carolina. and while locating there for the second time con- tracted fever. He started for home, but be- came so ill that he lived only four days, dying at Raleigh hospital, July 1, 1910. He was brought home and buried in the cemetery at Decker's Point, Indiana county, and a beauti- ful monument, erected by his wife, marks his resting place. Mr. McAfoos was a Republican in politics. His ambition was great, and his aspirations were high and noble. He married Lola White Graffuss, and they had two chil- dren, Annie Mary, born Aug. 13, 1905, and Helen Mabelle, horn May 14, 1907. (2) Lola Eva died in childhood. (3) Anna Belle at- tended public school and summer normal. taught public school four years in Grant town- ship, in the same district where her mother Reithmiller, a merchant, of Grant township. (4) Nobel Cleone, who was educated in the

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 44

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