Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 48

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 48

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JOSEPH CULBERTSON STEWART, proprietor of the Arcadia Hardware Store, at Arcadia, Indiana county, has been con- nected with that business ever since he came to the town, in 1903, and for several years has been sole owner. He was born Feb. 3, tine and Mary (McVitty) Stewart, farming people.

John Andrew Fennell was born Feb. 5, 1862, in Franklin county, Pa., son of Valen-

1854, in Washington township, Westmore- land county, and was educated in the public schools there. He worked with his father on

After receiving the advantages of the pub- the farm until he became of age, when he lic schools Mr. Stewart attended the Excelsior took charge of the place, conducting it suc- normal school at Mahaffey, Pa., and then for cessfully for a number of years. After leav- eight years followed teaching in the winter ing there he lived on a farm in Bell town- season in Jefferson county, Pa., during the ship, Westmoreland county, for ten years, at the end of that period, in 1892, coming to Indiana county. Locating on the William Henderson farm in Armstrong township he remained there for fifteen years, thence re- moving to Center township, where he bought the Robert Johnston farm of 125 acres. Here he carries on general farming, and he has established a reputation for substantial qual- ities which commands the respect of all his neighbors. summers working at his trade, that of tan- ner. In 1903 he came to Arcadia, Indiana county, and for the next four years ran the hardware store he now owns for L. D. Gard- ner & Bro. He then bought out that firm, and has since conducted the business as pro- prietor. He has built up a thriving trade among the residents of the town and sur- rounding country, being a practical business , man, with the faculty of keeping abreast of While living in Westmoreland county Mr. Fennell served six years as tax collector, and served his fellow citizens in Armstrong town- the demands of his trade and up-to-date in stocking his establishment, carrying a very satisfactory line. His fellow citizens have honored him with election to the office of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

auditor of Banks township (in 1904), in which velopment of the country. He owned a tract position he served one term of three years, and of three hundred acres, which was first sur- on July 13, 1912, he was appointed justice veyed on an application order dated April 3. of the peace by Gov. J. K. Tener, to succeed George H. Curfman, deceased. However, he has devoted practically all his time and at-

1769, issued to James MeConnell. The deed to Allan MeComb is dated 1790. the consider- ation being £174. The patent was issued to tention to his hardware business, and has him in 1828, the consideration being $217.06. come to be regarded as one of the substantial merchants of the town.

On Sept. 26, 1892, Mr. Stewart married Rhoda M. Powell, of Montgomery township, Indiana Co., Pa., daughter of Wilson and Maria (Rank) Powell, the former of whom was a farmer and one of the early lumber- men of this region; he rafted on the Susque- hanna river many years ago. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart: V. Emerson, who clerks for his father; Joseph Carl, also a clerk in his father's store; Mary Laura, who is still at school; Martha Wini- fred, and Anna Margaret. Mr. Stewart is a worthy member of the United Evangelical Church at Arcadia, which he is at present serving as trustee, and he is the teacher of the adults' Bible class in the Sunday school, which has about twenty-five members. In his political views he is a Republican.

McCOMB. The McComb family of Young township, Indiana county, came to this region in pioneer days, and from that time to the present its members have ranked among the representative citizens of the locality. They have been prosperous farmers, and all through their long residence here prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church, which has counted them among its most valued supporters.

Allan McComb, the founder of this family here, was a native of Scotland, and coming to America when a young man first located in the Cumberland valley in Pennsylvania. He served his adopted country faithfully for six years as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and also became noted as an Indian fighter. Coming west to Indiana county, Pa., he set- tled near the Armstrong county line, at El- dersridge, where he became a large land owner and extensive farmer. He built a blockhouse in that neighborhood as a protec- tion against the Indians, who were still troublesome. His own honse, built of logs, was provided with portholes, as it was neces- sary at times to keep a lookout when there was danger on account of the savages. As one of the first settlers in his section and a a native of Ireland. In his day John Me- man of active character and intelligence. he Guire was a well-known violinist, and while had considerable influence in the early de- crossing the Atlantic on his way to America

A member of the Presbyterian Church. he first attended at Ebenezer Church, and he gave part of his land for the site of the first Presbyterian Church at Eldersridge, where he lived. It was a log structure, and he helped to build it, having been active in or- ganizing the congregation. Part of the Ridge- view cemetery was also land which he owned and gave for cemetery purposes. He died on his farm in 1829, and was buried in the Ebenezer Church cemetery in Conemaugh township. He married Hannalı Bovard, of the Cumberland valley, who died on the farm and is also buried in the Ebenezer cemetery. They had a family of seven children : Robert, who died young; Charles; David, who mar- ried Nancy MeKalip, and died in 1873; Al- len, who married Annie Patton; Jane, who married Alexander Wilson, and lived to be 105 years old; Hannah, who married William Cochran. a soldier of the war of 1812; and William, a farmer at Eldersridge, where he died.

Charles MeComb, son of Allan, came with his parents to Eldersridge and there grew to manhood. He settled down to farming on the homestead place, at first building himself a house and barn of logs. He cleared his land and continued to follow agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of his section, and he passed all his life on the homestead. In time he erected a brick house, the first of its kind in the vicinity, the brick for which was made on the farm. Ile took considerable interest in local affairs, particu- larly the welfare of the Presbyterian Church, being one of its organizers and first members, and like his father, donated land for the cemetery. When the brick church was erected the brick for same was made on his farm, and he aided the work in every possible way. He died on his farm July 29, 1868. a highly re- spected Christian man, and was laid to rest in Ridgeview cemetery at Eldersridge, where his wife is also interred. He married Mary McGuire, who was born in December, 1793, at Chestnut Ridge, in Derry township, West- moreland Co., Pa., daughter of Jolin McGuire,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

he made a violin which remained in the family a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, for years. Mrs. McComb died on the farm taught Sunday school for thirty years, and local and foreign missionary societies, serving as president and treasurer of both societies. Feb. 6, 1876. She was a member of the Pres- was one of the most valuable members of the byterian Church. In politics Mr. MeComb was originally a Whig, later becoming a Re- publican. They were the parents of four

children : Mary, born June 11, 1820, who married Andrew Ewing, and died in South Bend, Armstrong Co., Pa .; Allen, born Nov. 11, 1823, who died Nov. 3, 1826 ; Hannah Janc, born June 11, 1829, who still resides on the homestead with her niece, Mrs. Hart; and John, born June 23, 1834.

STEPHEN B. GRIFFITH was born Nov. 16, 1839, in what was then Green (now Pine) township, Indiana county, and there passed the greater part of his life, in 1900 moving into the borough of Indiana, where he has since lived in retirement. Mr. Griffithı is of Welsh descent, the family having been found- ed in this country by his great-grandfather, a native of Wales. Isaac Griffith, his grand- father, was a well-to-do farmer and miller, and died on his farm in Brushvalley town- ship, Indiana county.

JOHN McCOMB, son of Charles, was born June 23, 1834, on the home place at Elders- ridge, in Young township, and received his education in the public schools of the locality. He made farming his life work, and always lived on the old homestead where he was born, Evan Griffith, father of Stephen B. Griffith, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and though he died in his prime, at the age of forty-nine years, had long been one of the most progres- sive, intelligent farmers of his section. He learned farming and milling under his fath- er's instruction. When he married he rented the Stevens farm (his wife was a Stevens) in making many improvements on the property during his ownership. He built the present house and barn, and was one of the most pro- gressive farmers of the district in his day, highly respected in the community for his upright character and many sterling qual- ities. He died on his farm May 24, 1909, and is buried in the Ridgeview cemetery at El- Blacklick township, and thence moved to dersridge. Mr. McComb was a stanch ad- Green township, buying 300 acres, all then herent to the principles of the Republican party, but took no active interest in politics and never sought office. Like his family gen- erally he was an earnest member of the Pres- byterian Church, and he taught in the Sun- day school for some years.

in the woods. He first built a small cabin, later a hewed log house, which was the best in all that region, and which is still standing. Before his death he succeeded in clearing a considerable part of his tract, and he was a leader in his neighborhood in adopting new methods and advanced ideas on agriculture. He owned the first threshing machine in the vicinity. When he settled on his farm there were but half a dozen families in the locality,

Mr. McComb was married in Armstrong county, Pa., to Nancy Baxter, who was born in that county, daughter of William and Mary (Crawford) Baxter, and died Feb. 27, 1871; she was interred in Olivet cemetery. She was . but he lived to see its development well begun. the mother of one child, Jennie, born Feb. 12, Mr. Griffith married Sarah Stevens, who was born in Brushvalley, daughter of Samuel 1871, who grew up on the homestead, being reared by her aunt, Hannah McComb. She Stevens, a well-known man of that section in received her education in the local public his day. Mr. Stevens was married three schools and at Eldersridge academy, and on April 19, 1900, became the wife of John Alex- ander Hart, son of Robert and Martha (Pat- terson) Hart. Mr. Hart is engaged in the planing mill business at West Lebanon, Indi- ana county. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have an adopted son, Gilbert McComb. Mrs. Hart is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, a member of the home and foreign missionary societies and of the Christian Endeavor So- ciety.

times and was the father of twenty-seven chil- dren, all of great height and build. He him- self weighed 250 pounds. The men of this family were great hunters, and brought down enough game with their guns to furnish them with venison and other meat all the year' round. Mrs. Griffith lived to the age of sixty- three years. She and her husband were Bap- tists in religious connection. They had chil- dren as follows: Samuel, who is deceased; Isaac, who is also deceased; Sarah, Mrs. years old; John, who went West; Bendigo and William, twins, both deceased; Marion,

Miss Hannah MeComb, now one of the R. E. Roberts, who died when eighty-seven oldest residents of Eldersridge, though past eighty, is still quite active and continues her interest in church work. She has always been who married John Ober and (second) John

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Duncan, and who still survives, living in Pine fellow citizens in the performance of the du- township, Indiana Co., Pa .; Martha, deceased, ties of the various offices to which they have who was the wife of Richard Williams; Samp- chosen him. son, deceased; Mary, Mrs. J. T. Thomas, of Indiana; Stephen B .; and Jane, Mrs. John Roberts, of Indiana county.

Stephen B. Griffith was but five years old when his father died. He grew to manhood on the home place, and attended the old log school near by, his first teacher being David Taylor. When old enough he began to help with the work of clearing the farm, and he eventually succeeded to the ownership of the place, upon which he continued to reside throughout his active years, carrying on farm- ing with the success which was but the nat- ural reward of his industry and good man- agement. In 1900 he retired from arduous work, removing to Indiana, where he has since made his home. He lives at No. 421 old; Mary died in infancy. Water street.

In September, 1863, Mr. Griffith married Ann Catherine Griffith, who was born Oct. 13, 1837, in White township, Indiana county, daughter of Joseph Griffith, at one time a farmer in White township, who subsequently moved out to Kansas, and there died. Mr. Joseph Griffith married in Indiana county Lydia Row, daughter of George Row. Before her marriage Mrs. Ann C. Griffith taught school for eleven years, under Superintendents Bonman and Wolf. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffith: Lottie, now Mrs. Willis W. Tolles; Annie, Mrs. Thomas Ray; Ida, Mrs. Smith, deceased; Frank J., of Indiana county; and Steven G., at home.

Mr. Griffith has not taken any special part in politics or public affairs, but he is a pub- lic-spirited citizen and interested in good gov- ernment. He is a Republican in party con- nection, and a member of the Christian Church in religious connection; for many years he served as elder of this church, of which he is a liberal supporter.

Dr. Peterman belongs to a family of Ger- man extraction, and is a grandson of Michael and Sarah (Fisher) Peterman. His grand- father came to this part of Pennsylvania at an early day, being a pioneer of Somerset and Armstrong counties, and took up land in the latter county, remaining there throughout his active years. Some time before his death he came to live with his son Jeremiah in Indiana county, where he died in 1881. His other children were: Michael married Jane Wig- gins; Jacob married Margaret Beer; George never married; Elizabeth married John C. Weaver; Harriet married Samuel Groft; Mar- tin married Susan Ross; Sarah married Peter Menges; William died when twenty-two years

Jeremiah Peterman, father of Dr. Peter- man, was born in Somerset county, Pa., Nov. 18, 1829, came to this region with his father, and in 1857 settled on a farm near Chambers- ville, in Rayne township, Indiana county, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying there July 25, 1900. In 1864 Mr. Peter- man enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a member of the 206th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. Polit- ically Mr. Peterman was a Whig until the origin of the Republican party, which he sup- ported ever afterward until his death. From 1864 until the close of his life he was a member of the Washington Presbyterian Church near his home, and his wife united with that church at the same time; for a num- ber of years previous she had been a mem- ber of a Presbyterian Church in Armstrong county.

On April 6, 1854, Mr. Peterman married Mary Clark, like himself a native of Somerset county, Pa., born April 23, 1827, daughter of Noah Clark, who settled in Armstrong county over sixty years ago and there spent the rest of his days; he was of English an- cestry. Mrs. Mary (Clark) Peterman died April 11, 1900. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterman: Eliza is the widow of Albert C. Smith, who died in 1890, and she makes her home with her brother, Dr. Peterman, at Cherrytree; she has one child, Carl Edgar, now a practicing dentist in Balti- more, Md. Noah C. died July 2, 1864. Jesse L. died March 15, 1864. Clara A. is the wife of John Nesbitt, of Niagara Falls, N. Y., and

JAMES H. PETERMAN, M. D., of Cherry- tree, Indiana county, engaged in private prac- tice and as surgeon for the New York Central Railway Company, has been settled there for almost eighteen years, during which period he has become one of the most valuable citi- zens of the community. His professional ac- tivities have given him the opportunity to acquire an intimate knowledge of local re- quirements in the way of public administra- tion and general advantages, and he has turned this information to the benefit of his has a family of seven children, Janet N.,

IN. Peterman

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Charles C., Harry, Mead, Ella, Frank and six months at Andersonville and four months Edith; one is deceased. James H. is men- at Florence. Mr. Wilhelm was wounded at tioned below. Harry E., of Baltimore, Md., the battle of Frazier's Farm, his skull being is a physician and surgeon, specializing in fractured, was taken to Bellevue hospital, the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.

James H. Peterman was born Aug. 24, 1869, near Chambersville, in Rayne township, Indi- ana county, and grew up on the farm, assist- ing with the work at home during his earlier years. He was given excellent educational advantages, attending the Hawthorne school, select schools at Marion Center and Plum- ville, and the Indiana State normal school. In his young manhood he was engaged in teaching in Indiana county for four years, in Rayne and Burrell townships, and for two terms taught in the select school at Haw- thorne. He then entered Baltimore Medical College, to prepare for his profession, and was graduated from that institution in 1895, taking fourth prize for his work in college. The year of his graduation he commenced practice at Cherrytree, Indiana county, where he has since been settled. Since locating there he has been surgeon for the New York Cen- tral Railroad Company in addition to look- ing after his private practice, and he has been very successful, having established him- self thoroughly in the confidence of a wide circle of patrons. He is a member of the Indiana County and Pennsylvania State Med- ical Societies, and of the American Medical Association. He has led a busy life, but has found time to take part in local activities, being a member of the school board of Cherry- tree borough at present, and a member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church, to which he and his wife belong. Socially he is a Mason, holding membership in the blue lodge at Ebensburg, in the consistory at Wil- home; and Maxwell M. liamsport, and in Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Altoona.

New York, and after his recovery returned to the army. He and his wife had a family of six children, viz .: Mary, Mrs. Lydick, of Indiana county ; Melissa, wife of R. F. Getty, of Creekside, Pa .; Emma J., Mrs. Peterman ; Harry, a resident of Rayne township, this county ; Stephen, living in Washington town- ship, this county; and Clay, who lives in the borough of Indiana.

Dr. and Mrs. Peterman have had four chil- dren: Eugene Paul, born Aug. 17, 1896, who died in infancy; James Elmer, now at- tending Baltimore City College, at Baltimore, Md .; Marguerite; and Helen Louise.

JAMES WARD HOUCK, postmaster at Clymer, was born in Green township, this county, April 13, 1885, a son of James N. and Margaret E. (Gibson) Houck.

George Houck, the American founder of the family, came from Germany to Bedford county, Pa., at an early day. He was a farmer and merchant, and also conducted a tavern for a number of years. Later he moved to Indiana county, where his son James N. was born.

James N. Houck conducted a general store in this county for twenty-six years, and for the last few months has been living in Indi- ana borough, where he is still engaged in merchandising. His wife, also a native of Indiana county, bore him four sons and three daugliters, the eldest of whom is James Ward Houck, the others being: Floda M., wife of Blaine Sharp, of Dixonville, proprietor of a meat market; Ralph S., of Dixonville; Golda V., at home; Paul G., deceased; Myrtle, at

James Ward Houck first attended the Rayne school, and later studied elsewhere. Upon going to work he began as clerk in his father's store, but later taught at the Bookamyer and Cribbs schools in Washington township, and Tanoma and Rayne, in Rayne township. He last taught at the school he had first attended in boyhood. In all he taught four terms, and then, in February, 1906, receiving his appoint- ment as postmaster of Clymer, assumed charge of the office. Mr. Houck was reappointed under President Taft, and so far has been the only postmaster at this point.

On April 25, 1895, Dr. Peterman was mar- ried to Emma J. Wilhelm, who was born Sept. 5, 1872, in Armstrong township, Indiana county, daughter of Augustus and Margaret (Riley) Wilhelm, who are now living in White township, this county, where he follows farm- ing. Mr. Wilhelm was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in the 63d Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, which was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and serving from 1862 until the close of the struggle. He was cap- tured and taken to Libby prison, and after On Sept. 14, 1910, Mr. Houck was married his exchange was again taken prisoner, at the in Indiana to Blanche A. Dick, born in battle of the Wilderness. He was confined Cherryhill township, June 1, 1884, daughter 66

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of David H. and Rachel Dick, both of whom was reared on his father's farm and re- were natives of Indiana county. The father mained with his parents at the homestead is a farmer, and he and his wife are both until they died. In the year 1882 he bought the Samuel Cummins farm, which contained living, residing on their homestead in Cherry- hill township. Mr. and Mrs. Houck are the 320 acres on Twolick creek, in Center town- parents of one child, Marion E. Mr. Houck and his wife are Presbyterians. They both belong to old and well-known families whose members have been connected with the early history of Indiana county. ship, and the same year moved thither with his family. Here he engaged in general agri- cultural work and stock raising, and made many improvements which increased the value of the property. He showed good judgment in the management of his work, and had the aid of his capable sons, and the farm became

SAMUEL McCLAIN MILLER, an enter- prising farmer of Center township, Indiana one of the best in the county. Mr. Miller county, was born April 24, 1865, in Grant township, that county, and is a son of Samuel Braddee Miller.

The Miller family is one of the oldest es- tablished and best-known in this section of Pennsylvania. Samuel Miller, grandfather of Samuel McClain Miller, was born in Cone- maugh township, Indiana county, and later, in 1838 or 1839, settled in Montgomery town- ship, part of which eventually became Grant township. At that time Montgomery town- ship was a wilderness. The magnificent pine forest was as yet untouched by the hand of man. Mr. Miller purchased three hundred acres of land and began the work of clearing it preparatory to cultivation. Building a rude log cabin, this hardy pioneer and his devoted wife laid the foundation for a home of their own in what was then a lonesome forest. Wolves, bears and deer and other wild animals were then so plentiful in the region that they found it difficult to protect their live stock, and there were many other draw- backs amid such primitive surroundings. But in time, through the persistent efforts of Mr. Miller and his family, a farm was cut out and a comfortable living and home assured. Here Samuel Miller lived and died, reaching the age of eighty-four years. He was buried in Taylorsville cemetery. His wife, Mary (Rankin), a native of Indiana. county, Pa., died in the year 1870, at the age of eighty. They had a family of seven children: Mary married Hugh Colgan; Sarah was twice mar- ried, first to a Mr. Lydie and afterward to Samuel Streams; John died on the homestead place ; Margaret married Peter Leasure ; Wil- liam, of Brushvalley, is deceased; Jane mar- ried William Smyers; Samuel Braddee was the youngest.

spent the remainder of his life on that place,. dying there July 7, 1905, and he was buried in Greenwood cemetery, at Indiana. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and an exemplary man in all the relations of life, served his township officially in many capacities, and as neighbor and friend was respected by a large circle of acquaintances in his locality. Mr. Miller married Jane Pol- lock, a native of Ireland (daughter of Andrew Pollock), who at the time of her marriage, July 7, 1859, was living in East Mahoning township, this county. Mrs. Miller survived her. husband, dying Feb. 24, 1910, and was buried by his side in Greenwood cemetery. She was a member of the Covenanter Presby- terian Church. A large family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Braddee Miller: Elder J. is mentioned below; Mary Martha died in infancy ; J. Sloan, M. D., is a resident of Cly- mer, Pa .; Samuel McClain is mentioned be- low; Tirzah Bell married D. C. Rankin, of Wilkinsburg, Pa .; Myra is living in Berkeley, Cal .; Zella J. married J. E. McCreary, of Berkeley, Cal .; Ida M. died in infancy ; Georgia Alice married Alfred Bell, of Wil- kinsburg, Pa .; Sarah M. married Milton Mike- sell and is living in Taft, Cal .; Argyle Irwin is on the old family homestead.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 48

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