Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 49

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 49

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Elder J. Miller, eldest son of Samuel Brad- dee Miller, is one of the prominent business men of Homer City, Indiana county. He was born in 1860 in Grant township, and grew to manhood on the farm, meantime attending public school. Beginning farm work at an early age, he continued to follow it for some years, and in 1900 became engaged in the butchering business at Homer City. He has since carried on that business, has added other lines to his original one, and is now one of the well-known dealers in meat and groceries in his section of the county. He

Samuel Braddee Miller was born in 1833 in Montgomery township, Indiana Co., Pa .. and received such educational advantages as also has a dairy farm near town which he were afforded by the public schools of Grant manages successfully, marketing the products township, where he grew to manhood. He in Homer City. Other enterprises have en-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

listed his attention and capital. He was one employed in the Westinghouse electric plant of the organizers and first directors of the at East Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs. Miller died July Homer City National Bank, and has served 21, 1891, at Altoona, and was buried in Green- as president since the organization. His ac- wood cemetery, at Indiana. On Sept. 25, tivities in business circles and successful con- 1895, Mr. Miller married (second) Annie duct of everything he undertakes have earned Patterson, daughter of James Patterson, of him the unlimited confidence of his fellow citizens. He is a man of courteous manner, and is liked as well as respected wherever he goes. Mr. Miller has taken considerable in- New Alexandria, Pa., and to this union were born four children : Marie Velma, Anna Florence (who died when three years old), Dorothy Bell and Gertrude Elizabeth. The terest in borough affairs, having served as mother of this family died Aug. 18, 1904. school director and member of the council. On Dec. 20, 1905, Mr. Miller married for his In political matters he is a Republican, in third wife Anna Shields, of Natrona, Pa., religion a Lutheran. His wife, Emma (Ran- daughter of Ralph and Sarah (Streams) kin), is a daughter of N. S. Rankin, of Cen- Shields.

ter township. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children: Wendell, an employe of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company ; Helen, now a student in the Homer City high school; and Edward.

BRADLEY W. WILSON, liveryman and proprietor of a feed store at Glen Campbell, was born in Clearfield county, Pa., near Cher- rytree, Indiana county, Nov. 13, 1849, a son of Robert and Mary (Finck) Wilson.

Samuel McClain Miller obtained his edu- cation in the public schools of Grant and Cen- Robert Wilson was born in the southern part of Indiana county, as was his wife. He was a blacksmith, and followed his trade for some time at his birthplace, later moving to Cherrytree, where he lived until his death, which occurredr in his seventy-ninth year. His wife survived him for three years. They had five children: Bradley W .; Jo- seph, who is a resident of Heilwood, Indi- ana Co., Pa .; George, who is a resident of Cherrytree; Stephen, who is a resident of Cherrytree; and Emma, who is the wife of Robert Plowse, of Cambria county. ter townships, Indiana county. He remained at home with his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he went to Al- toona to enter the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the machine shops at that point. After four years' work there he took a similar position in the shops at Mc- Kees Rocks, Pa., where he lived for some time, being transferred thence to Pittsburg, at which point he was occupied four years. He was then sent to Chicago, where he became an employee of the American Car and Foun- dry Company, turning car axles in the lathe Bradley W. Wilson spent his boyhood in Cherrytree. Early in his business career he began buying and selling horses, thus continu- ing until his removal to Glen Campbell some eighteen years ago, when he established him- self in a transfer business. After fourteen years of successful operations along that line he embarked in the livery business, and in conjunction with same conducts a feed store and buys and sells horses. He was the first policeman of the borough, and during the time he has been in the council he has acted as its president. Fraternally he belongs to the Glen Campbell lodge of the Odd Fellows, and also department for a time. Returning East, to Allegheny, he remained there until 1893, when he purchased part of his father's home- stead farm-the place upon which he has since resided. Mr. Miller has ninety-five acres of creek bottom land in a good state of culti- vation, fertile and well managed, and he has improved the place greatly during his owner- ship. His buildings are substantial and con- venient, and he enjoys all the comforts which the up-to-date farmer has at his .command. He has proved a valuable citizen in his com- munity, having served five years as secretary of the Center township school board. Politi- is a member of the Mystic Chain and the Loyal cally he has always been identified with the Order of Moose. Republican party. He has been a zealous member of the Homer City United Presby- terian Church ever since he joined, in young manhood, and is at present serving as elder.

On Oct. 4, 1891, Mr. Miller married Jessie Mikesell, of Homer City, daughter of the late A. H. Mikesell, of Center township, and they had one child, Herbert McClain, who is now

Mr. Wilson was first married to Julia Long, of Indiana county, who bore him two children, Warren and Sallie, the former of whom is de- ceased, while the latter makes her home with her father. After the death of his first wife Mr. Wilson was married (second) to Mary Crassman, a native of Indiana county, and they also had two children, Lulla and Harry,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of whom the former is deceased ; the latter re- born Nov. 16, 1798, daughter of David and sides at Graceton, Pa. His second wife dying, Mr. Wilson was married (third) to Eliza Ashel, of Clearfield county, who is now de- ceased, and he has since married (fourth) Mrs. Louisa MeCreedy, who has two sons and one daughter by her former marriage: Charles, who was deputy sheriff of Indiana county, and is now a resident of Oregon; Wil- liam, who is a resident of the State of Wash- ington, and Lucy, who is the wife of John Gorman, of Indiana, Pa. Mrs. Wilson be- longs to the Methodist Church.

CAPT. DANIEL KILLIN, who during his born Oct. or Nov. 3, 1833; William, born Dec.

life was a farmer of East Wheatfield town- ship, Indiana Co .. Pa., was born on the old homestead of his family in that township, at the age of five years. in 1833, son of Samuel Killin.

Daniel Killin, a native of Ireland, came to the American Colonies in early manhood, ar- riving here in 1770. When the Revolutionary war broke out, he served his adopted country as a soldier. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary McClatchey, was also a native of Ireland. In 1795 the family crossed the Allegheny mountains into Derry township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., where they lived for some years, and there Daniel Killin died, but his widow moved to Indiana county and spent the remainder of her life with her son Sam- uel, in East Wheatfield township. She was a consistent member of the United Presbyterian denomination, belonging to Bethel Church, so that when she died her remains were interred in the cemetery attached thereto.

Samuel Killin, son of Daniel Killin, and the agricultural pursuits which his army ex- father of Capt. Daniel Killin, was only six- teen years old when he came to Indiana coun- ty, he having been born in eastern Pennsyl- vania, Nov. 17, 1794. Locating in what is now East Wheatfield he worked as a carpenter with his brother James; but later became a farmer on the farm now occupied by his grandchildren. On it he erected a residence built of stone and lumber, and a barn and other ontbuildings, improving his property in many ways. Here he rounded ont his life, dying on the farm in April, 1880. in his eighty-sixth year, having been tenderly cared for during his latter days by his son Daniel Killin. A member of the Bethel Church, his remains were laid to rest in the little ceme- tery where his mother is buried. Politically he was a Democrat, and his efforts were al- ways directed toward securing good govern- ment. In 1817 Samuel Killin was married in East Wheatfield township to Mary Tomb, 24, 1907, at his home, and his remains were

Elizabeth (Dickson) Tomb. Mrs. Killin died on the farm Oct. 3, 1874, and is also buried in Bethel Church cemetery; she was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. The children of Samuel Killin and his wife were: David, born April 21, 1818, married Jane Lewis; Mary, born Jan. 24, 1820, married Daniel Snyder, of Center township ; Elizabeth, born Dec. 18, 1823, married James Dick, of Johnstown, Pa .; Matilda, born Jan. 28, 1825, married Samuel Klinefelter; Jane Ann, born Jan. 30, 1829, married Daniel W. Angus; Delilah was born Dec. 6, 1831; Daniel was

19, 1835, married Nancy McFarland; Sarah married Franklin Horner; and Jackson died

Capt. Daniel Killin's boyhood days were spent on the homestead with his parents and he was sent to the local schools, although his educational opportunities were limited. He made the most of them, however, and was all his life a great reader, keeping himself well informed on current topics. When the Civil war broke out he took a patriotic interest in the issues of the day, and offering his services in defense of his country was made first lieu- tenant of Company K, 177th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Thomas W. Anderson. When Captain Anderson was dis- charged on account of disability Lieutenant Killin succeeded him in command of the com- pany, and so continued until the close of his period of service.

Returning home, Captain Killin resumed perience had interrupted and developed into one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of his township. From the time he took charge of the homestead he began making im- provements, and continued to add to the work- ing equipment of his farm the remainder of his life. He erected a handsome dwelling and other buildings, and took a pride in keeping his premises in first-class order. A man of more than ordinary ability, possessed of a keen insight into conditions, he was an important factor in the public life of his community, being elected to the office of assessor of East Wheatfield township on the Democratic ticket many times, as he acted in this capacity for fifteen years, and was also overseer of the poor for a long period, being specially fitted for the latter position. Always a religious man, he joined the Presbyterian Church in his latter days, and died firm in its faith April

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tenderly laid to rest in Armagh cemetery. In in 1769 to Rachel Wier, who was also a native addition to his heavy agricultural interests, of that county, born in 1738. They came to Captain Killin was the organizer of and a America in 1770 with Mr. Robinson's father, stockholder in the Armagh Cemetery Asso- ciation, and served on its official board.

On Oct. 20, 1862, Captain Killin was mar- ried at Hollidaysburg, Pa., to Nancy T. Pat- erson, who was born at Hartz, Log Valley, Huntingdon Co., Pa., daughter of Carnes and Sarah (Cole) Paterson. Mrs. Killin is a lady of pleasant bearing and genial disposition, whose Christian character has been developed and ripened by the many troubles of her life, not the least among them being the loss of her beloved husband. Her devotion to her invalid daughter Lucy is beautiful, and the bond which unites mother and daughter has been strengthened by the former's many sac- rifices.

Captain and Mrs. Killin became the parents of four children: Clara, who died when eight months old; Mary, who resides at home; Sam- uel, who operates the homestead, also resid- ing at home; and Lucy, whose invalidism has continued for many years.

Not only did Captain Killin carry on an extensive farming and stock raising business, give due attention to his public duties, and keep a firm hold upon his position with regard to local affairs, but he also rendered valuable services in settling up estates and appraising property. His reputation as an honorable, upright and capable business man induced many to name him as executor of their estates, knowing that the trust reposed in him would never be violated. He was also called upon to serve on the election board, and in every way, as soldier and citizen, he fought man- fully the battles against the common enemy, whether in war or peace, and left behind him a name that is synonymous with integrity of living and uprightness in business relations. He but maintained during his long and hon- orable life the high standards raised by his father and grandfather, and brought into his everyday duties the principles instilled by his God-fearing parents.

SAMUEL J. ROBINSON, superintendent for the Bowman Coal Mining Company, at Saltsburg, Indiana Co., Pa., is a native of that place, born July 17, 1861, a son of David and Nancy J. (Galbraith) Robinson. He is a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Indiana county.

Robert Robinson, the founder of the family in America, was born at Mahara, County An- trim, Ireland, in 1739, and was there married

mother, two brothers and two sisters, landing at Philadelphia in July of that year, and subsequently moving to Marietta, Pa., later to Harrisburg. The father died at Lancaster, and was buried there, and the mother passed away in Dauphin county, and was buried at Derry Church. Robert Robinson was a ma- son by occupation, and helped build the "John Harris House," afterward known as the "Cameron House." He moved with his fam- ily to Conococheague (Conikakig) Creek, in Franklin county, where he helped to construct a mill, which was later used as a tub factory. About 1777 Mr. Robinson located in West- moreland county, at what was known as Big Sewickley, where the family lived for several years, later moving to Armstrong township, near the mouth of Lick run, on lands called "York." Here they built a home and cleared up the land and carried on farming until 1820, when they went to the home of the eldest son, John Robinson, who had a farm on the Iconium lands, and there the parents spent the remainder of their days. Robert Robinson died June 23, 1836, of palsy, at the ripe age of ninety-seven years, and was bur- ied in the Robinson River Hill cemetery. His wife passed away thirteen years previous, Oct. 31, 1823, at the age of eighty-five, and was buried in the same cemetery. Their chil- dren were: John, born April 6, 1772, died April 25, 1856; Elizabeth, born April 17, 1775, married Thomas Wier, and died in Al- legheny county Sept. 6, 1862; James, born June 30, 1777, died in 1803; Robert was born Aug. 14, 1780.

Robert Robinson (2), son of Robert, was born at Big Sewickley, Westmoreland Co .. Pa., Aug. 14, 1780, and became a farmer of Conemaugh township, Indiana county, where he made his home all of his life. He died Nov. 17, 1833, and was laid to rest in Edge- wood cemetery. He married Elizabeth Black, the ceremony being performed by Rev. J. W. Henderson, and she lived to the ripe old age of eighty-nine years, passing away Jan. 10, 1874, and was laid to rest beside her husband in Edgewood cemetery. She was a daughter of James Black, who was a Revolutionary soldier and one of the pioneers of what is now Indi- ana county. Robert and Elizabeth (Black) Robinson had the following children: James B., who married Eliza Barnett; Robert S., who married Eleanor Walahan; John H .; Thomas W., who married Elizabeth Johnson ;

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Johnston S .; William C., who married Mar- educational advantages, first attending pub- garet Robinson, (second) Jane Tice and lic school at Saltsburg, and then becoming a (third) Sally A. Wagner; Jane B .; David, and Elizabeth.

Johnston S. Robinson, son of Robert Rob- inson (2), and grandfather of Samuel J. Rob- inson, was born in Conemaugh township, In- diana Co., Pa., and there grew to manhood. He removed to Saltsburg in 1832, and there learned the trades of chairmaker and painter, following those callings until 1853, at which time, with his son David S., he became engaged in the drug business at Saltsburg, continuing his connection therewith up to the time of his death, in 1888. He was buried in the ceme- tery at Saltsburg. Johnston S. Robinson was Mr. Robinson married Jean E. Thompson, one of his community's highly respected citi- of Blairsville, Pa. They have had no chil- dren.

zens, and was the incumbent of a number of public offices, serving as postmaster of Salts- burg from the beginning of the Civil war up to 1869. He was married in 1836 to Sarah S. Shryock, daughter of David Shrock, a pio- neer settler of Salem township, Westmore- land county, and they had two children, David S. and Anne E.

David S. Robinson, son of Johnston S. Robinson and father of Samuel J. Robinson, was born in Saltsburg, Pa., where he received his education. At an early age he became as- sociated with his father in the drug business at that place, the association continuing until his father's death. He was also one of the early coal operators in the vicinity of Salts- burg, having been connected with the Fair- banks & Foster mines as general manager from 1878 to 1892. He established the Salts- burg Bank, of which he was one of the owners and cashier, but eventually disposed of his interests in Saltsburg and removed to Pitts- burg, where he became secretary of the Home- wood Cemetery Association. He continued to make Pittsburg his home up to the time of his death, in August, 1907, when he was laid to rest in Saltsburg cemetery. He was a member of the Preshyterian Church of Salts- burg, was a Republican in politics, and was fraternally connected with the Lodge, Chap- ter, Council and Knights Templar degrees of Masonry, at Greensburg ; he was a member of the Pittsburg Shrine. Mr. Robinson was mar- ried to Nancy J. Galbraith, daughter of Sam- uel and Martha (Kerr) Galbraith, of Holli- dayshurg, Pa., and they had only one child, Samuel J. Mrs. Robinson still survives, and is residing at the home of her son in Salts- burg, where she removed after Mr. Robinson's death.

student in Saltsburg Academy. Immediately thereafter he became a clerk in his father's bank, in which he was engaged for several years, and subsequently became connected with other of his father's business ventures until 1900, when he became interested in and superintendent of the Bowman Coal Mining Company, miners and shippers of bituminous coal, whose mines are at Saltsburg. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belongs. His only fraternal con- nection is with Williamson Lodge, No. 431, F. & A. M., of Saltsburg.

ALEXANDER McNUTT HARBISON is a highly successful farmer of Young township, Indiana county, where he has been promi- nently connected with the administration of public affairs for many years. He is a descend- ant of one of the oldest pioneer families of that section, and was born there, on the Har- bison homestead near what is now West Leb- anon station, Feb. 14, 1841.

The Harbison family is supposedly of Scotch-Irish extraction, and Francis Har- bison, who founded the branch living in Indi- ana county, was a native of Pennsylvania, born near Philadelphia. During the memo- rable struggle of the Colonies for independence he served as a soldier, and was taken prisoner. In 1798 he came to western Pennsylvania, crossing the Allegheny mountains and set- tling with his family in what is now Young township, Indiana county, where he was among the early pioneers who opened up this region. His land was south of West Lebanon, where the station is now located, and he he- came the owner of a large body, having over one thousand acres, then in its primitive con- dition. He built a house of round logs. and also a log barn, and set himself to work to clear his land and prepare it for cultivation. He spent the remainder of his life there, dy- ing on his farm in 1823, at the age of sixty- five years, and is buried in the Ebenezer Church cemetery in Conemaugh township. He was a Presbyterian in religious connec- tion. His wife, Catherine (Hart), lived to the advanced age of ninety years, dying in 1849, and is also buried in the Ebenezer Church cemetery. They had a family of eight children: Joseph, mentioned below ;

Samuel J. Robinson was given ordinary Robert, born in 1785, who married Mary

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Millen, and died in 1855; Mary, who mar- home, dying March 6, 1850, at the early age ried Thomas Cunningham ; Jane, who married of thirty-five years. He was buried in Ridge- James Ewing; Anna; William, who married view cemetery, at Eldersridge. Like his father Sarah Hutchinson; Sarah, who married Wil-

he was a Whig in politics and a member of Mary Heney. liam McNeil; and Matthew, who married the Presbyterian Church, being an elder of the church at Eldersridge. On Nov. 14, 1839, he was married in Armstrong township, this county, to Margaret MeNutt, a native of that township, daughter of Alexander and Eliza- beth (MeKnight) MeNutt. Three children were born to this union: Alexander McNutt, who is mentioned below; Rebecca, born Feb. 12, 1844, who married Albert Jewell and re- sides at Livermore, Pa .; and Elizabeth, born May 31, 1846, who married Alexander Camp- bell, and died in Armstrong township. The mother died Feb. 27, 1877, on the farm, and is buried in Ridgeview cemetery. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Joseph Harbison, eldest son of Francis and Catherine (Hart) Harbison, came with his parents to Young township and became one of the leading agriculturists of his day in that vicinity. He acquired a tract of five hundred acres. His first dwelling was constructed of logs, and he later erected a frame house and barn, also making many other improvements on his property, where he spent his life. The frame residence which he built there in the latter forties is still standing and is in an excellent state of preservation. Mr. Harbison died on this place in December, 1867, and was buried in West Lebanon cemetery. He was a strong antislavery man, a Whig and Republi- can in political sentiment, and a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as elder of the church at West Lebanon, which he helped to organize ; he was originally a member of the church at Eldersridge. He was a man of high Christian character, de- voted to his home, his family and the best interests of the community, and was a desir- able citizen in every sense of the term. His wife, Rebecca (Ewing), was a daughter of John and Sarah (Moore) Ewing and a sister of Alexander Ewing, one of. her nephews be- ing the late Rev. T. R. Ewing. Mrs. Har- bison died on the farm in December, 1864, and was interred in the West Lebanon ceme- tery. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Eight children were born to Joseph and Rebecca (Ewing) Harbison : Anna, wife of Silas Fulton; Sarah, wife of Joseph Cun- ningham; William, mentioned below; Mary, wife of William Cooper, residing at Slippery Rock, Butler Co., Pa .; Francis S., who mar- ried Parmelia Cooper, and resided in Young township; Catherine, who died unmarried ; John, who married Elizabeth Beatty and re- sided in Armstrong township, this county; and Jane, who died unmarried.

Alexander McNutt Harbison attended school in the independent district of West Lebanon and for three terms was a student at the Eldersridge academy, under Rev. Dr. Donaldson. He was only a boy of nine years when his father died, and thus he was early obliged to 'assume responsibilities. From early boyhood he assisted with the work on the home farm, of which he took charge in time, caring for his mother until her death. The house that his father built on the prop- erty was destroyed by fire, and he erected the present residence there in 1873, a substantial frame house which is in excellent condition. He built the frame barn in 1872, and has made numerous other improvements, the entire place showing his painstaking care and in- telligent management. He added to his father's holdings, now owning and operating one hundred acres, and though farming and stock raising have been his principal lines he has also had other interests. In 1868 he be- gan threshing, which he continued to follow for thirty-three years, not only in Indiana county but also in parts of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties. Before the days of steam power machinery for this work he oper- ated an eight-horsepower thresher with separator, and later owned a steam engine. Though past three score and ten Mr. Harbison is still an active worker and just as alive to the needs of his calling and keen about the general welfare as ever.

William Harbison was born in 1814. What education he received was obtained in the pub- lic schools of the home district, at that time conducted upon the subscription plan. He was engaged at farm work all his life, owning Mr. Harbison has always supported the Republican party and its principles and has been active in its interests in his locality, serv- ingas member of the township committee and several years as judge of elections. He has and cultivating the tract of eighty acres now owned and operated by his only son. He put up a substantial frame dwelling house and barn there, and made various other improve- ments, but he did not live long to enjoy his heen elected to several local offices, in all of

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 49

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