Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 45

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 45

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

public schools and summer normal, taught byterian Church, and in politics originally a school four years in Grant township in the same district where her mother had taught. She now resides at home, and is a prominent member of the Christian Church.

Mrs. McAfoos received her education in the public schools and in summer normal at Mar- ion Center, this county, under Professors Wolf and Covode, studied under Professor Brown, and at the Blairsville high school. For four years she taught in Grant township, and for one term was so engaged at Punx- sutawney. She is an earnest member of the Christian Church, and has taught in the Sun- day school. The Simpson family, of which she is a descendant, was represented among the early pioneer settlers of the county. James Simpson, the first of the family in Pennsyl- vania, born about 1750, was of Scottish ex- traction, but came to this country from the North of Ireland, in 1775. He first located in the Path valley, in Huntingdon county, Pa., later moving to Westmoreland county, where he continued to reside until 1785-86. Then he crossed the Conemaugh river, locating in what is now Cherryhill township, Indiana county, in which section he was among the first settlers. He was married to Polly Pol- lock, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Charity, who married Thomas Craven; Robert, who married Mary Shearer ; Margaret, who married Moses Gam- ble; Nathaniel, who married Catherine Leas- ure ; James, who married Jane Shearer ; John, who married Sarah Kirkpatrick; David, who married Nancy Coulter; Isaac, who married Mary Lewis; and Samuel, who married Phebe she is now the widow of William Widdowson Lewis. (Another account gives his children as James, Charles, Sarah, John, George, David, Nathaniel, Isaac and Samuel.)

David Simpson, son of James and Polly (Pollock) Simpson, was an early settler of East Mahoning township, one of the first at what is now Richmond or Rochester Mills. He put up the first building at Richmond for a dwelling house, and the next was a saw and grist mill. The place was known as Simpson's Mill until 1862, when it was changed to Rich- mond. Mr. Simpson was a large land owner, most of his property lying in Canoe township. The first lot he sold for building purposes was bought by Isaac Bee, the second by Daniel Bee. Besides engaging extensively in lumber manufacturing he carried on farming and stock raising. He was a pioneer in Canoe township. He died in 1870, at the ripe age of eighty-six years, and is buried in Gilgal ceme- tery. Mr. Simpson was a member of the Pres- chant of Summerville, Jefferson Co., Pa.,

Whig, later a Republican. His wife, Nancy (Coulter), died in 1858, and was buried in Gilgal cemetery. She belonged to the same church as her husband. Their children were: Nathaniel, who died in the West; David, who died in the West; Isaac; and Elizabeth, who married Jacob Wilhelm and lived in West Mahoning township.

Isaac Simpson, son of David, received his education in the subscription schools in the home neighborhood. Like his father he fol- lowed lumbering and farming and was a suc- cessful humber manufacturer, operating his father's sawmills and the gristmill, and en- gaging in general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and dealing. He spent his life in Grant township, and was considered one of the most progressive citizens of his day. In politics he was a Democrat; in religious connection a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged. He married Sarah Jane Smitten, daughter of Archibald Smitten, and her death occurred on the farm in 1899, when she was seventy- five years old. They are buried in the Rich- mond cemetery. Nine daughters were born to their marriage: Nancy taught school be- fore her marriage to W. H. Work; both are now deceased, and they are buried in Indi- ana cemetery. H. J., also a teacher, married J. M. Stuchel, a fine carpenter, and (second) T. H. Kerr, a veteran of the Civil war, who resided at Vandergrift, and was employed in the steel mill; she is now a widow residing at Richmond. L. Eva was also a school teacher ; and resides at Richmond. Elizabeth, a teacher, married A. P. Copp, of Maine, and died there. Mary E. is now the widow of Benjamin Martin McAfoos and resides at Decker's Point. Margaret died when sixteen months old. Sarah Candace married J. M. Gamble, of Indiana, Pa., and is deceased ; she possessed the traditional powers of the "sev- enth daughter," having more than ordinary skill in the care of the sick, and her charity and kindness were unfailing. Anna Belle was graduated from the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and served as principal of schools at Houtzdale, Philipsburg and Summerville, Pa. : while engaged as an instructor in Kezar Falls, Maine, she became acquainted with Prof. Aristes Kennerson, whom she married in 1880, and who died April 17, 1883 (he was buried in Richmond cemetery) ; later she be- came the wife of Prof. H. F. Guthrie, a 'mer-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

where she now resides. Keturah married June 15, 1897; Emma C., born Aug. 3, 1868, Josiah Widdowson, a merchant, of Nashville, married Charles Hileman, of Brushvalley township, and died Feb. 24, 1889; Lizzie B., born Oct. 15, 1871, married Benjamin D. Hile- man, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Pa., and both are now deceased ; by this union there was one son, Clyde, who now resides in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

FRANKLIN GESFORD CONRAD, a farmer of Buffington township, was horn there Oct. 29, 1859, in a log house owned by his father, William Stephens Conrad.

The earliest Conrad of which there is any definite record, was Conrad Conrad, who came to Lancaster county, Pa., from Germany, long prior to the Revolutionary war. He had twelve sons, and from them have descended practically all the Conrads, Conards and Con- raths in Pennsylvania, and many in other , active part in the work of the Baptist Church, States.

Daniel Conrad, one of the twelve sons of Conrad Conrad, married Elizabeth Shank, and moved to Huntingdon county, Pa., where there is yet an extensive family connection.

William S. Conrad moved to Buffington township with his parents when but six years old, so that he was practically reared there. Although the schools were somewhat primitive and conducted upon the subscription plan, he learned rapidly and made good progress, and at the same time made himself useful about the homestead. While at home with his par- ents he helped to clear off the land, the timber being made into barrel staves, sometimes called shooks. As he grew older he took an

which he had joined, and became a deacon in that body, holding that office for forty years in the church of that faith in Brushvalley. Later he was one of the founders of the Dill- town Baptist Church, and became one of its first trustees. From the formation of the Re- publican party, he gave its principles his hearty support, and was often called upon to represent it in different offices. For many

Samuel Conrad, son of Daniel Conrad, be- came a Baptist minister, and also followed farming to a considerable extent. He left Huntingdon county for Indiana county, in 1838, bringing his family in a covered wagon, years he served on the election board, was a and driving his cattle in front. Settling first school director for fifteen years, and a justice of the peace for five years, and in every way sought to do his full duty as a Christian citi- zen. on what is now the Stephens farm, at Dill- town, he later traded it for one owned by Wil- liam Stephens, now known as the Conrad farm. Before leaving his old home Rev. Mr. On Ang. 20, 1906, Mr. Conrad and his es- timable wife celebrated their golden wed- ding, and the occasion was a most enjoyable event, attended by a large concourse of rela- tives and outside friends. It was then hoped that the aged couple might be spared to cele- brate their diamond wedding, but these hopes were destined not to be realized, as Mr. Con- rad died within five years. Conrad had married Catherine Mattern, of Huntingdon county, and they had the follow- ing children : Elizabeth married George Dill; Jane married John Rowland ; Mary Ann mar- ried James Evans; Daniel married Lydia Dias ; Catherine married Adam Altimus; Re- becca married James C. Dill; William S. is mentioned below; Alvira married Sampson Stephens ; Harriet married Samuel Schwartz; Samuel, who married Annie Disert, became a physician, and lived at Johnstown, Pennsyl- vania.

Franklin Gesford Conrad, son of the late William S. Conrad, was sent to the local schools and those of Dilltown. He remained at home with his parents until the death of his father, when he bought out the other heirs and has since conducted the farm of 130 acres, devoting it to general farming, stock raising and dairying. Without doubt he is one of the most progressive agriculturists of his town- ship, and one who stands high in the esti- mation of his neighbors. On Sept. 28. 1909, Mr. Conrad's home was destroyed by fire, but before the first of the following year he had erected a new one, built upon modern plans. and supplied with conveniences that make it rank with any city dwelling.

William Stephens Conrad, son of Samuel Conrad, was born April 27. 1832, and died Jan. 22, 1911. He married Lucinda Evans, born March 6, 1833, daughter of John and Eliza (Sanderson) Evans, who survives him and makes her home with her son, Franklin Gesford Conrad. Children as follows were born to William S. Conrad and wife: Flora, born July 27, 1857, married G. W. Nippes, and resides at Johnstown, Pa .; Frank G. is mentioned below ; Ella C., born June 9, 1862, married Charles Swearingen, a farmer of Brushvalley township; Lucy Adelia, born Mr. Conrad was married to Emma Eliza- July 21, 1865, married Hugh Tomb, and died beth Tomb, daughter of Washington and Mary

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

(Ling) Tomb, and she died Aug. 24, 1907. time he became the junior member of the firm, They had the following children: Mary Lu- purchasing a half interest, and succeeded to cinda, born Sept. 15, 1891; William Washing- the business upon the demise of Mr. Mulhol- ton, born Aug. 31, 1893; Charles Spergin, born Jan. 4, 1896; Elizabeth May, born June 19, 1899; and Russell Franklin, born Nov. 6, 1902.

Mr. Conrad has been active politically, hav- ing served on the election board for years, for fifteen years as school director and for five years as supervisor. He is a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist Church, which he serves as trustee.

SAMUEL RAY, for years a business man of Blairsville, Indiana county, was born in 1816 in Cherryhill township, this county, and passed to his last reward at Blairsville in 1907. He was a son of Matthew and Mary (Matthews) Ray, the latter being a sister of Archibald Matthews, whose wife, Elizabeth, was the daughter of George Findley, the first white settler in Indiana county.

Matthew Ray, born in Ireland, came to the territory now embraced in Indiana county, Pa., about 1790. Here he married in 1798, his wife being a native of Ireland. His death oc- eurred in 1817, when he was about forty-two years old, but his widow survived many years, passing away in 1861, at the age of eighty- three years. The following children were born to Matthew Ray and his wife: James, who married Elizabeth Blaine, a granddaugh- ter of Mr. Lewis, who laid out Lewistown, which was named in his honor; Jane, who is deceased ; Martha, who married James Nesbit ; William, who married Eleanor Bateman : John, who married Eliza Leslie; Robert, who married Henrietta Blaine and (second) Mrs. Harriet (Odell) Sherrer; and Samuel.

Samuel Ray had none of the privileges of free education such as the boys of today en- joy. He was early taught to work and to sup- port himself. In 1828, when twelve years of age, he entered upon the career which was to yield him a competeney and high business honors, as a clerk in the general store of Fred- erick Leyda, at Armagh, Indiana Co., Pa., where he remained about sixteen months. He then went into the employ of William Rankin, who agreed to pay him forty-eight dollars per year. In 1836 he moved to Blairsville and engaged with Mulhollan & Waterman for $150 per year. This house was succeeded by that of George Mulhollan, and Mr. Ray's con- nection with the two concerns as an employee covered a decade. At the expiration of that

lan. Later the style was changed to that of Ray & Poor, who were succeeded by Ray, Hill & Co., the partners being Mr. Ray, John Hill and I. D. Poor. The latter retired to give his attention to another store at Latrobe which he and Mr. Ray operated, under the name of I. D. Poor & Co. In the meanwhile Mr. Ray was doing business with Mr. Hill under the title of Ray & Hill, and they remained to- gether until the outbreak of the Civil war. On March 18, 1867, Mr. Ray took his son George M. in with him, the firm becoming known as Ray & Son. Meantime. in 1864, the substantial briek storehouse of the con- eern was built. A larger business was car- ried on, the firm changing to S. & L. S. W. Ray in October. 1870. L. S. W. Ray is now sole owner, his father's successor in the hard- ware business.

In 1841 Samuel Ray married Margaret Jane Johnston. They had children as fol- lows: Jane Parker, wife of Cyrus Stouffer, of Blairsville, Pa .; George Mulhollan, who is deceased; Lyman Swan Waterman; Mary Matthews; Sarah Blaek, who is deceased; Margaret Johnston; Ada Frances, wife of Holmes Dysinger, D. D., of Atchison, Kans .; and Cornelia Ida, wife of George Dey Jenks, attorney, Brookville, Pennsylvania.

In all the relations of life Mr. Ray was a man of the highest moral character. Possess- ing strong convictions of right and wrong, he lived up to them, no matter what the personal cost. During his seventy years of business life in Blairsville, he saw many changes. In these improvements he was especially inter- ested. He entered, a boy, the warehouse on the bank of the Conemaugh when the larger part of produce carried in and out of the town was by the eanal. He saw the entrance of the Pennsylvania` railroad; the organization of the cemetery corporation, of which he was first president ; the installment of the electric light plant (his residence was the first com- pletely wired house in the town) ; the water system, and the graded public schools. He started as cashier with the First National Bank upon its opening, and served as presi- dent one year. During these busy years Sam- uel Ray found time to help many others in the struggle of life: found time to read, was well versed in polities and the general his- tory of publie events, a lover of good poetry and literature, known to be one of the best Bible students in the community. He has

Samt Ray.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

left behind him-as a precious heritage to his He was brought up a farmer and followed children-"a good name," and the example of a well-spent life. that line of work all his life, dying upon the place of his birth when he was seventy-one years old. His widow lives with her daughter, HENRY W. KNAUF, a farmer of North ' Mrs. Wilson Sprankle, of North Mahoning Mahoning township, was born April 11, 1861, on the old homestead of his family in that township, a son of Hartman and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Knauf, and grandson of Michael Knauf. township. For three years Hartman Knauf served as township collector, and he was judge of election and overseer of the poor, always being elected on the Democratic ticket. Like his parents he belonged to the Round Top Lutheran Church early in life, but later joined the Lutheran Church at Trade City. He and his wife had eight children, as follows: Henry W. is mentioned below; Samuel died at the age of fifteen years; Anna Nora died at the age of thirteen years; Mary Elizabeth married Clark D. McConaughey, of North Mahoning township; Howard P., who married Jennie Stormer, has always lived on the homestead; Emma, who died young, was a twin of Etta, who married Wilson Sprankle, of North Ma- honing township; George Leonard died at the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Knauf were called upon to endure a terrible trial, as all of their eight children were stricken with diphtheria within three months, and four of them died from the disease.

Michael Knauf was born in Germany, as was his wife Elizabeth, and they were the first of the family to leave the old country for America, settling in North Mahoning town- ship, Indiana Co., Pa. They made the trip across the ocean on a sailing vessel that took several weeks for the voyage. The family se- cured 185 acres of land three miles east of Trade City, which was then in the wilder- ness, but with his customary energy Michael Knauf went to work to bring his farm into a state of cultivation, and succeeded in doing so, having a comfortable home when he and his wife died on the farm. They were con- sistent members of the Round Top German Lutheran Church. Three children were born to them : Henry was a Civil war soldier, and after the close of that conflict went to Minne- sota, where he took up a homestead and lived upon it until his death, having in the mean- while married a Miss Lewis; Michael lived near Trade City, Pa., for some years, but later moved to Chippewa Falls, Wis., where he became a farmer and lumberman. He mar- ried first a Miss Lewis and second Sophia Bowman; Hartman became the father of Henry W. Knauf.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Hoffman) Knauf was born in Germany, daughter of Henry and Cather- ine (Hinkle) Hoffman, natives of Germany who came to America and settled near Harris- burg, Pa., but later moved to Valier, this state. Mr. Hoffman secured eighty acres of land south of Trade City, Pa., and he and his wife lived on this property the remainder of their useful lives. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were: Elizabeth, who be- came Mrs. Knauf; Philip, deceased, who op- erated a hotel and resided on the Hoffman homestead, being as well a driller and coal tester (he married Sadie Clyde, who survives him and lives at Trade City, Pa.) ; and Mol- lie, who married Murray Stear, and resided at Smicksburg until her death, her husband also being deceased.

Hartman Knauf, son of Michael, and father of Henry W. Knauf, was born on the Knauf homestead, and was sent to the local schools.

Henry W. Knauf passed his boyhood in the ordinary way, attending school and working on the farm as did the other boys of the neighborhood, and he remained at home until he was twenty-one years old. After marrying he worked on his father's farm and operated it for three years, and then bought his pres- ent property of sixty acres, then known as the I. O. Brady farm, located in North Ma- honing township. At the time he took posses- sion of it there was a small log cabin on the place, which served as a home until 1888, when Mr. Knauf built the present comfortable resi- dence, which is modern in every respect, being supplied with hot water heat and up-to-date plumbing; the water for the house and prem- ises is supplied from a fine spring. In 1907 Mr. Knauf built his barn, and in 1912 his wagon house. In the latter year he added fifteen acres to his farm. This property is one of the best improved in the township, and he carries on general farming and the raising of cattle and hogs; his herd of cattle numbers seven head.

For three years Mr. Knauf served as a school director, and for one year he was election inspector. Believing in securing and voting for good men rather than for party principles, Mr. Knauf is independent in his political views. An active church worker, he is very prominent in the Lutheran Church of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Trade City and for six and a half years has county, joining the 105th Regiment, Penn- been an elder of same. He is one of the best- known men of the township, and his success in life has been honestly and honorably won through hard work and natural ability.

On Jan. 4, 1883, Mr. Knauf was married (first) to Maggie E. Brilhart, of East Mahon- ing township, a daughter of Lewis and Mar- garet Brilhart, of the same township, farm-

sylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was popu- larly known as the "Wildcats." Mr. Mc- Henry saw considerable active service, and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, receiving a gunshot injury in the right leg, below the knee. After his marriage Mr. Mc- Henry was employed for some time in the Pennsylvania oil fields, and then returning to ing people, but now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. his native place lived upon his farm in White Brilhart became the parents of the follow- ing children: Samuel, who is a farmer of East Mahoning township; W. W., who resides in Indiana, Pa., and has a farm in East Ma- honing township; Milton, unmarried, who lives on the old homestead ; Albert, a painter ; and five who are deceased, two of them passing away in infancy, and Mrs. Knauf on Feb. 20, 1906. Mr. Knauf and his wife Margaret had a married life of twenty-three years. They had two daughters, Annie and Etta, both of whom died in infancy.

On April 8, 1908, Mr. Knauf was married (second) to Mrs. Jennie (Blose) MeElroy, of North Mahoning township, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Shaw) Blose. Mr. Blose was a farmer and wagonmaker and lived in North Mahoning township. Mrs. Knauf was the widow of Alexander McElroy, of Armstrong county, Pa., by whom she had one son, Leon, who is a civil engineer with the American Bridge Company, and resides at Philadelphia, Pa .; he married Ada Hoop, and they have one child, Brooks.

county, born June 11, 1844. John and So- phronia (Scott) McHenry, his parents, were farming people, in White or Rayne township, and died in this county. They had a large family, viz .: Sidney, born Jan. 10, 1828, who married Fred Bush, and is deceased; Mary Jane, born July 8, 1830, who died unmarried ; Pamelia, born April 16, 1834, who married Charles Little, and is deceased ; William, born Nov. 14, 1836; Samuel, born May 17, 1839; Oliver, born Jan. 29, 1841; Smith M .; Rachel, born Ang. 19, 184-, deceased ; James G., born June 27, 1851, deceased; and Margaret E., born Jan. 7, 1854, who married Frank Mc- Henry and lives on the old home place in Rayne township.

Smith M. MeHenry attended the East Pike school during his early boyhood, and remained on the home farm, assisting with the farm work, until he entered the army for service in the Civil war. IIe enlisted from Indiana Hannah (Dauffenpauh) Cranmer.

township for some years, giving all his time to its cultivation. He was very successful in his farming operations, and was one of the most respected citizens in White township. Moving to the borough of Indiana in 1901, he was there engaged in business to the close of his life, dealing in real estate and making a specialty of handling coal lands. He made the first coal land sale in Indiana county. He had a profitable patronage in this line, and by his honorable methods and reliable knowledge of the property he handled came to be re- garded as an authority in his line. His death occurred April 22, 1909. Though an inde- pendent voter, not identifying himself with any party, Mr. McHenry was chosen to va- rious township offices while living in White township, being elected solely on his personal merits, and his services justified the confi- dence his fellow citizens reposed in him. He held membership in the Presbyterian Church of Indiana, and fraternally was a member of the Elks and of Post No. 28, G. A. R., of Indiana.

Mr. MeHenry married Elizabeth Wolf, and SMITH M. McHENRY, late of Indiana, to them were born eleven children, namely: was a native of White township, Indiana George, Samuel, Robert, Kate, Mary, John, Oliver, Paul. Arthur and Elizabeth (twins) and Clair. The mother died in May, 1889. On July 30, 1891, Mr. McHenry remarried, his second wife being Clara Long, of White township, who was born April 13, 1864, in Cherryhill township, daughter of Benjamin and Susanna (Burnham) Long, who had a family of five children. Nine children were born of this union: James, Fern, Margaret, Bertha, Ralph, Louise, Howard, Edwin and Martha. Mrs. McHenry resides at No. 628 Water street, Indiana, in the home her hus- band planned and built in the summer of 1906.

CARL BERNARD CRANMER. M. D., physician and surgeon for the Pittsburg Gas Coal Company, at Iselin, Pa., was born in Bradford county, this state, at Monroe bor- ough, May 15, 1873, son of Bernard A. and

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Ashabel Cranmer married Mary Griggs, and Newport News, also teaching oratory and elo- is now deceased. His widow survives and cution. Mrs. Cranmer is a lady of unusual makes her home at Monroe borough, and de- talents, possessing an artistic temperament spite her years, she having attained to the venerable age of ninety-six, she is very active in mind and body. and tastes, and her beautiful home shows the effects of her culture. Like her husband she takes a deep interest in the affairs of the vil- Bernard A. Cranmer, son of Ashabel Cran- mer, is a farmer near the village of Monroe borough, operating 200 acres in the vicinity. At one time he owned a tract of 300 acres, a portion of which is included in what is now Monroe borough. lage, and tries to bring some of her own hap- piness into the lives of those about her. Her influence is constantly exerted to bring about a higher moral tone and better conditions of living, and she is a powerful factor for good. Believing in the power of the Sunday school Carl Bernard Cranmer attended the local high school at Monroe borough and then en- nected with the Union Church, and is one in any community, she organized the one con- of its most effective teachers, as well as its superintendent.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 45

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