Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 46

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 46

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).

tered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadel- phia, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in the spring of 1898. Fol- lowing this he began the practice of medi- cine at Dubois, Pa., as assistant to Dr. Lee,

Dr. and Mrs. Cranmer have had three chil- dren, Josephine, Carl and Ralph. Highly educated, cultured and intelligent, Dr. and physician and surgeon for the Jefferson & Mrs. Cranmer are working together to benefit the people placed in their charge. They are not content to minister alone to their bodies, but seek to raise them and bring them into better condition by elevating their thoughts

Clearfield Coal & Iron Company, continuing thus until 1901, when he was appointed resi- dent physician for the company at Rathmel, Jefferson Co., Pa., and besides acting as the company physician had a general practice at and teaching them how to live in a healthful, that place and at Wishaw until 1904, when he normal way. In every way Dr. Crammer is was appointed resident physician and surgeon seconded by his wife, and they are not only most highly esteemed but beloved by the many whom they have so greatly benefited. at Iselin, where the Pittsburg Gas Coal Com- pany had established a plant. He has 350 families under his charge at Iselin and sev- enty-five families at Whiskey Run, also known HERMAN H. MILLER, who is devoting his activities to the tilling of the soil in White township, was born in Indiana county, Jan. 1, 1866, and is a son of Henry and Sushanna (Marsh) Miller. as Iselin No. 3. Dr. Cranmer is ably assisted by Dr. C. F. Dixon. Both physicians take a deep interest in their work. A strong Re- publican, Dr. Cranmer has served as school director of the village for two terms, and has showed a warm, public-spirited interest in

Herman Miller, the paternal grandfather of been chairman of the board, and otherwise Herman H. Miller, was a native of Germany, from which country he came to the United local affairs. A man of religious tendencies, States in young manhood and settled in Pine he helped to organize the Union Church, and township, Indiana Co., Pa., there purchasing land and engaging in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. is now acting as trustee. In addition, he or- ganized the men's Bible class, of which he is teacher. Professionally Dr. Cranmer belongs to the Jefferson County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society. In fraternal matters he belongs to the Freema- sons, being a member of Garfield Lodge, No. he is still actively engaged in farming, al- 559, F. & A. M.

In June, 1902, Dr. Cranmer was married to Estelle Magee, a native of Clearfield county, Pa., daughter of Henry Magee. She was educated in the public schools and high school of her neighborhood, later attending Dickin- son Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa., where she was trained in music. For one year after com- pleting her musical course she was instructor of music in that institution, and then accepted a similar position in the female seminary at

Henry Miller, son of Herman Miller, and father of Herman H. Miller, followed farm- ing in Pine township for many years, but eventually moved to Cambria county, where though he has reached advanced years. . His second wife passed away many years ago, when Herman H. Miller was but an infant, he being the only child of that union. By a former marriage Henry Miller had two chil- dren, William and Henry, both residing in Cambria county, and to his third marriage were born five children: Stewart, Thomas, Jackson, Alfred and George, all living in Cambria county.

Herman H. Miller, son of Henry Miller,

1028

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

passed his boyhood days in Pine township, and residing on the old homestead; and Frank, when still a lad was taken to Cambria county, living with his mother at Greenville, Pennsyl- where he received his education and remained vania. until attaining his majority. At that time he David H. Dick was reared on the home came back to Indiana county and followed farm, obtained his education in the district schools, and has followed farming in Cherry- hill township ever since. In early manhood he was married, on March 16, 1873, to Rachel Ann Long, who was born in Cherryhill town- ship July 7, 1852, a daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Engle) Long. Mr. Long was born in Cherryhill township and followed farming there all his life, dying May 28, 1904. farming as a hand until 1905, in which year he purchased his present valuable land in White township, where he has since carried on farming and stock raising. Mr. Miller has been successful in his operations because he has used intelligence and good judgment in , his work. He fully understands the business of farming, is an excellent judge of stock, and his property gives eloquent evidence of the ex- ercise of thrift and good management.

On December 25, 1892, Mr. Miller was mar- ried to Lucetta Shultz, of Pine township, daughter of William and Mary Jane (Coy) Shultz, natives of Indiana county who are both now deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, namely : Milton, who is deceased; Martha; Clinton, deceased ; Benton; Goldie, and Viola. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Evangelical Church of Indiana and have been liberal in their sup- port of its movements. Holding the esteem and regard of his fellow citizens, Mr. Miller has been called upon to fill various township offices, including that of school director, and has at all times proved his good citizenship by the faithful manner in which he has dis- charged the duties connected with such re- is the wife of J. Ward Houck, postmaster at sponsibilities.

DAVID H. DICK, general farmer, residing in Cherryhill township, Indiana county, was born there April 2, 1849, son of Jacob P. and Elizabeth (Hoover) Dick.

John Dick, the grandfather, came to Indi- ana county at an early day and bought land which he cleared and cultivated and resided on until his death, which occurred when he was aged forty-four years.

Jacob P. Dick was born in Blair county, Pa., their parents. Good health has prevailed in

but was reared in Indiana county, followed this large, united and vigorous family, no break having occurred in its ranks. farming all his active life in Cherryhill town- ship, and died in 1900. In 1863 he was mar- Mr. and Mrs. Dick are members of the Bap- ried to Elizabeth Hoover, and the following tist Church. For many years Mr. Dick has children were born to them: Margaret, who is now deceased; David H .; George, who re- sides near Greenville, Pa .; Andrew and John, both of whom are deceased; Nancy, who is the wife of Benjamin Bowers, of Martins- SYLVESTER C. WELCHONCE, who for thirty-five years has been the proprietor of a blacksmith shop at North Point, Indiana county, was born in Porter township, Jeffer- burg, Pa .; and Martin, who lives in Cherry- hill township. By his second marriage seven children were born to Jacob P. Dick, the sur- vivors being : William, living in Iowa; son Co., Pa., April 23, 1855, and is a son of James, living at Johnstown, Pa .; Jacob M., Austin and Margaret (McHenry) Welchouce.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dick the following chil- dren have been born: Jeremiah lives in Okla- loma; Richard, who moved to Oregon, was married there to Lucy Scranton, and they have two sons and two daughters, Lois, Harold, Warren and Ruth; Emma is the wife of Ed- ward H. Stephens, living near Greenville, Pa., and they have eight children, Louie, Lawrence, Enola, Rachel, Ila, Clyde, Mary and Ruth; Charles, who resides in Cherryhill township, married Elda Finley, of that town- ship, and they have five children, Ellis, Ford, Len, Mary and Theodore; Nellie is the wife of Harry F. Ackerson, of East Mahoning town- ship, and they have three children, Violet, Arthur and an infant; Weston, who is a resi- dent of Oklahoma, married Imo Houser, of that State, and they have one child; Blanche

Clymer, and they have one child, Marion; Homer, who resides at Clymer, married Grace Short, of Indiana county, and they have one daughter, Margaret; Carrie is the wife of Logan G. Ober, of Rayne township; Blaine, who is an educator in Indiana county, has taught one term in Rayne township, two terms at Diamondville and one term at Spruce Grove, proving very acceptable, and when not otherwise engaged assists his father on the home farm; Ethel and Seward reside with served on the school board, and he has also been register and assessor of Cherryhill township.

1029

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mathias Welchonce, his paternal grandfather, at Porter, Jefferson county. Mr. and Mrs. was a native of Germany.

Austin Welchonce, son of Mathias, and He was born at North Point, Pa., in 1884, father of Sylvester C. Welchonce, was born was educated in the home schools, and at the age of sixteen years went to Hicksville, Ohio, to learn the trade of telegrapher. Finishing his course, he returned to his home and soon secured a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as operator at Indiana, going thence to Avonmore, Pa., where he spent one year, and then to Saltsburg, where he was stationed for three months. He was next connected with the B. R. & P. Railroad Company at Butler, Pa., for one year, went thence to North Point, and then became con- in Westmoreland county, Pa., and when a lad of fifteen years moved to West Mahoning township, Indiana county, accompanying his father to the old Good mill, which they con- ducted for several years. Later they went to Porter township, Jefferson county, and se- cured a farm, and there they both passed away. Mathias Welchonce married Susan Ambrose, and they had six children: John, who is deceased; Alexander, of Clearfield county, Pa .; Austin; Lavina, deceased; Martha, a resident of Illinois; and Claranna, nected with the Bessemer & Lake Erie Rail-

living in Jefferson county. Austin Welchonce was engaged for some time in burning char- coal in Porter township, but later removed to the Stewardson furnace, near the mouth of Mahoning creek, in Armstrong county, work- ing at the furnace. He returned to his farm some time later, and in 1862 came to West Mahoning township, purchasing the Crusman farm, on which he spent the rest of his life, and where his wife is still living at the age of eighty-two years. He was a Democrat in politics, and an active member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Syl- vester C .; Alvy M., a blacksmith at Homer City, Pa., who married Mamie Blose; Sarah, who married Scott Chambers, of Ambrose, Pa .; Elizabeth, who married Rev. C. H. Frampton, of Oil City, Pa .; Frank, a farmer on the old home place, who married Lavina McHenry; and Ruth, who married Wallace McMiller, living at Ambrose.

Sylvester C. Welehonce, son of Austin Wel- chonce, received his education in the old Gamble school, in North Mahoning township, and at the age of sixteen years commenced to learn the trade of blacksmith in the shop of John C. Stear, at North Point. He continued in his employ for two years, and then went to Elk City, Pa., for a short period, but re- turned to North Point, and in 1878 opened his present establishment, which he has continued to conduct to the present time.

Mr. Welchonce was married in 1880 in Jef- ferson county, Pa., to Joanna Lettie, of West Mahoning township, Indiana county, daughter of George and Hannah (Mottern) Lettie, of Northumberland county, Pa., pioneers of Jef- ferson county, who settled near Worthville. In 1860 they located at North Point, where Mr. Lettie conducted a gristmill for many years, but he is now retired and living quietly

Welchonce have had one son, Harry Monroe.

road Company, at Greenville, where he was a dispatcher for two years. At that time Mr. Welchonce began playing baseball as a pro- fessional, being one year as an outfielder in the Ohio and Pennsylvania League, from which he went to the Philadelphia Nationals. After one season he was sent to the Central League, where he played with Grand Rapids, but was traded by the latter team to South Bend, Ind. He returned to the Philadelphia Nationals in 1910, but was sold to Nashville, in the Southern League, with which team he played for one season, and then went to the New York Americans and later was secured by draft by the Washington team of the American League, with which he played dur- ing the season of 1912, and of which he is still a member. He spends the winter months at home. He has demonstrated that he has inherited much of his father's mechanical skill, being able to perform almost any piece . of difficult work in his father's shop. In 1904 he married Daisy Stone, of Greenville, Mercer county, Pa., at which place he makes his winter home, being employed by the Bessemer Railroad Company during the winter months, as telegrapher in their main office.

Sylvester C. Welchonce is a valued member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, with the members of which he has always been popular, as he has, indeed, with all who have met him. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as postmaster of North Point, and as a mem- ber of the school board, and he and Mrs. Wel- chonce are consistent members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He has always been an industrious and persistent worker, and the success which has attended his efforts is but the natural result of a long and useful life, filled with earnest endeavor and marked by the highest integrity. His skill as a horse- shoer has brought him considerable renown,

1030

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and though fifty-eight years old he was able county, daughter of William and Mary recently to set sixty shoes in one day, keeping Cooper. She is still living at the age of eighty- it up for several days at a time. He has horses coming to his shops from a radius of twenty-five miles, and is one of the leading horseshoers of Indiana and Jefferson coun- ties. having been very successful in the shoe- ing of racehorses, and of all kinds of crippled and deformed feet.

eight years, and a devout member of the Pres- byterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Harbison had the following children : Joseph Wilson; Paulina, born Nov. 14, 1848, who married A. W. Ewing, and both are deceased; William, born Feb. 14, 1853, who married Emma Hart, and died in Young township; and Armelda M., born July 8, 1856, who died unmarried.

JOSEPH WILSON HARBISON, retired

Joseph Wilson Harbison attended the public farmer of Young township, Indiana county, schools of West Lebanon during a short time where he still owns 140 acres of land, and now a member of the implement and feed firm of Harbison & Gibson, at Indiana, was born on a farm in Young township May 16, 1847, and is a son of Francis S. and Parmelia (Cooper) Harbison. in the winter terms, but the greater part of his education came in the school of hard work, he being the eldest of the family and it being necessary for him to assist his father with the homestead duties from the time when he was so small he could barely reach the plow handles. When still but little more than a

Joseph Harbison, the grandfather of Joseph W. Harbison, left the State of Maryland with, lad he enlisted for ninety days' service in the his brother for western Pennsylvania, but in some manner they became separated, and the brother was never heard from afterward. The grandfather came on to Indiana county, where he settled in what was then Conemaugh (now Young) township, and accumulated property until he had over 500 acres of land, continuing to reside in that section during the remainder of his life. He and his wife were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Harbison was a Whig, serving as justice of the peace for many years. He mar- ried, March 15, 1810, Rebecca Ewing, and they had the following children: Annie, born Feb. 11, 1811, married Cyrus Fulton, and both are deceased; Sarah, born Nov. : 20, 1812, married Joseph Cunningham, and botlı are deceased; William, born Oct. 24, 1814, mar- ried Margaret McNutt; Mary, born Jan. 16, 1816, married William Cooper; Francis S. was born May 28, 1818; Catherine, born Dec. 2, 1819, died unmarried ; John, born Aug. 24, 1822, married Elizabeth Beatty, who survives him at the age of eighty years and lives in Armstrong township; Jane, born Nov. 13, of the James, occupying the Bermuda front 1826, died unmarried. Civil war, becoming a private in Capt. Samuel Anderson's Company H, 54th Regt., P. V. I. Subsequently he reenlisted, June 24, 1863, in the regiment commanded by Col. Thomas F. Gallagher, and was assigned to the Depart- ment of the Monongahela, commanded by Gen. William F. H. Brooks. On the 29th day of July following, the regiment was sent on guard, at the time of Morgan's raid. After the capture of that daring officer the regi- ment, being no longer needed, was mustered out of the service, Aug. 17, 1863. Mr. Har- bison reenlisted in Capt. William C. Gordon's Company D, 206th Regt., P. V. I., for oue year, the regiment being mustered into the service of the United States at Camp Rey- nolds, near Pittsburg, Sept. 8, 1864, with the following field and staff officers: Col. Hugh J. Brady, Lieut. Col. John T. Fulton, Maj. Josiah B. Ferguson, Adjt. James L. Crawford, Q. M. John Lowery, Surg. Thomas M. Lowery, and Chap. John C. High. After its organiza- tion, the regiment left the State and was as- signed to a provisional brigade in the Army and attached to the 18th Corps. On the 4th of October it was ordered to duty with the en- gineering corps and put to work on a fort north of Dutch Gap. So promptly and well was the work done that in compliment it was

Francis S. Harbison, son of Joseph and father of Joseph Wilson Harbison, was born in Young township, and there spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. He was active in the work of the Presbyterian Church, of named Fort Brady, in honor of the colonel. which he was a trustee for many years, and On Oct. 26th the regiment was assigned to was also prominent in Republican politics. the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army After his marriage he settled on a tract of Corps, and on Dec. 3d the 10th and 18th land given him by his father, and there his Corps were merged in the 24th Corps. On death occurred Oct. 29, 1890. Mr. Harbison April 3, 1865, the order was given to advance was married to Parmelia Cooper, who was on. Richmond, but it was found that the city born Sept. 3, 1825, at Slippery Rock, Butler had been evacuated by the Confederates, and

1031

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Harbison's regiment was the first to enter who married a Mr. Mullen, and moved to the the Southern capital and display the stars and West; Joseph, who married Catherine Ful- stripes. It performed provost duty there and mer ; and Ann, who married William Bash. in Lynchburg until its services were no Thomas Shirley, son of Robert, was born during the Revolutionary war, in 1776, and was a young man when he accompanied his parents to Conemaugh township, where he subsequently followed agricultural life until he retired. He died in 1875, at the age of ninety-nine years. He married Mary Miller, who was born in 1787, and died in 1875, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their children were as follows: Margaret, born in 1809, was married to John Lampkin and (second) a Mr. Altman; Barbara, born in 1811, married Jacob Long; Robert, born in 1813, married Eliza Kelly ; Christopher, born in 1815, is men- longer needed. Mr. Harbison did his full duty as a soldier, faithfully performing every duty that fell to his lot, and was honorably discharged June 26, 1865. On his return; he resumed work on the old property, which he inherited from his father, and which he con- tinued to operate until 1889. In that year he came to Indiana and engaged in the feed and implement business with J. J. Fiscus, under the firm name of Harbison & Fiscus, a connection which continued for two years. The firm was then dissolved and Mr. Harbison continued in business alone until 1909, when he formed a business connection with I. W. tioned below; Susan, born in 1818, married Gibson, his present partner.

Ezekiel Gray; John, born in 1821, married Ella Rosborough, as his first wife, his second being a widow named Marshall ; Thomas, born in 1825, married Ellen Fairman ; and Mathias, born in 1829, married Rachel Longwell.

Christopher Shirley, son of Thomas, was born in Conemaugh township, Indiana county, in 1815, and passed a quiet, busy life on his farm there, where he died in 1900. He mar- ried Mary Douthett, and they had seven chil- dren, namely: Thomas, who lives at Ontario, San Bernardino Co., Cal .; James P., who lives at Connellsville, Pa .; George, who resides at Clarksburg, Pa .; Anna, who lives at Collins- ville, Pa .; Martha, who married Elgin Rhea; Margaret, who married John Walton; and David.

David Shirley; son of Christopher, was born THOMAS ELGIN SHIRLEY, educator, Dec. 20, 1856, in Conemaugh township, and who resides on the homestead farm in Center was reared and educated there. He followed township, Indiana Co., Pa., was born in farming and also lumbering, in different sec- Brushvalley township, this county, Dec. 26, 1887, son of David and Eliza (Douthitt) Shirley.

tions of Indiana county, being a farmer in Conemaugh, Washington and Brushvalley townships prior to moving to Center township, where he bought seventy-seven acres of land, known as the C. A. Smith farm, and there he is still interested in farming and stock raising. He was married Oct. 4, 1883, to Eliza Douthitt, daughter of Samuel Douthitt, of Homer City, Indiana Co., Pa., and they have the following children: Orville Earl, who taught school for some time in Indiana county, and is now a clerk in the Agricultural Depart- ment at Washington, D. C .; Roy Walton, who resides in southern California ; Thomas Elgin ; Effie Ann, who is engaged in the millinery business at Oil City, Pa .; and Mary Olive, David Blair and Emma Belle, all of whom

Robert Shirley, the founder of the family in Indiana county, was born in eastern Pennsyl- vania in 1735, and was married there to Susan Baker, who was of German descent and was born in 1742. Robert Shirley served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. In 1792 he came to Indiana county, from the Conoco- cheague valley, and located in Conemaugh township, on Blacklegs creek, about two miles from Saltsburg. He became a farmer, and lived in that section until he was ninety-nine years of age, dying in 1834. His widow sur- vived to be 101 years of age, her death occur- ring in 1843, and their eldest son, John, lived to the age of 103, all of the six children at- reside at home. David Shirley and his wife taining old age. They were: John, who mar- are members of the United Brethren Church. ried Elizabeth Taiser; Robert; Thomas; Jane, He is one of the representative citizens of

Mr. Harbison was married (first) in Octo- ber, 1865, to Mary A. Hart, of Young town- ship, daughter of Robert Thompson and Nancy (Grey) Hart, and she died on the farm May 19, 1872, the mother of two children: Alva V., of Niagara Falls, N. Y .; and Ella May, who died Oct. 3, 1907. In 1876 Mr. Harbison was married (second) to Sarah Galbraith, of Salzburg, Pa., who died April 10, 1899, without issue.

Mr. Harbison is a Prohibitionist in his political views and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He is interested in the work of the Grand Army of the Republic, and continues a popular comrade of Indiana Post, No. 28.

1032

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Center township, one whose influence is bene- the hardships of pioneer life in the forest, but ficial in all directions, and as such he is hearty lived to see it give place to beautiful farms in the support he gives to the Prohibition and residences, among which his own is promi- party. nent. * * * He was converted at the

* Thomas Elgin Shirley, third son of David Shirley, attended the public schools in White united with the Methodist Protestant Church, * Soon after this he age of nineteen. * and Center townships and later studied at the but in about two years afterward, in company State normal school at Indiana, Pa. After thus thoroughly preparing for his chosen pro-

with his father and mother, he withdrew from it on account of its complicity with American fession he began to teach school, in 1907 be- slavery. For a time this conscientious family coming the teacher of District No. 10 school, in Center township, and proved so satis- factory that he was retained during 1908. In 1909 he became the teacher at Brush Hollow, and then accepted the position of principal of the Risinger school, at North Homer, where he has been located since 1910. He is a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church.

stood aloof from church fellowship because they did not know of any church that was free from the blood of human slavery. Afterward the Rev. R. S. Ensign came to their neighbor- hood and organized the first Wesleyan Methodist Church of that part of the country, and they gladly became charter members and continued faithful until called, one by one, into glory. Brother George was an abolition- ist of the John Brown type. In the days when it was a crime to 'harbor, aid or abet' a slave who was attempting to escape from his so-called master he, in company with the now

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 46

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