Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 5

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 5

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Mr. Frech has attained all his prosperity through natural ability and a willingness to work. No labor was too hard for him, and he always saved his money, so that when oppor- tunity offered he was able to invest wisely and profitably.

JAMES G. FISHER, M. D., of Indiana, has but recently settled in that borough, com- ing from Rossiter, Indiana county, where he had been in practice for several years. He was born April 16, 1875, at Plumville, this county, son of Samuel R. and Maria (Me- Ganghey) Fisher.

Samuel R. Fisher was born and reared in

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Westmoreland county, Pa., and followed farm- Ireland, and came to the United States with ing. His death occurred in January, 1911. his parents when he was two years old. The He was a prominent and active member of the family first settled at Philadelphia, where the Baptist Church. Nine children were born to him and his wife: Two died in infancy, the survivors being Josiah, Miles, John, Mary, Charles, Effie (wife of Samuel Buchanan) and James G.

James G. Fisher attended the common schools in Mahoning township and the borough of Indiana, and then took a course at the State normal school at Indiana, graduating in 1899. He then (1899) went to St. Louis and there took charge of the geological survey under Professor Thompson, following this work for a period of four years. Entering the medical department of George Washington University at Washington, D. C., he was graduated from that institution in 1904, after which he spent about one year traveling in the South, being mainly at St. Louis, Mo. He began the prac- tice of his profession at Dixonville, Indiana Co., Pa., in February, 1905, remaining there until October of the same year, when he re- moved to Rossiter, having become physician for the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company at that point. In addition to his work in that capacity he attended to a large private prac- tice, having established a reputation for skill and devotion to his patients which drew a large patronage. Perhaps few physicians of his years and length of practice have exceeded his success and popularity, and he gained a variety of experience which cannot fail to prove valuable to him in the coming years. He remained at Rossiter until March 1, 1912, when he changed his location to Indiana, the wider field appealing to one of his ambition. He is a hard worker, conscientious and untir- ing, and has every prospect of a very active and useful career. He is a member of the Medical Society of Indiana county, the Penn- sylvania State Medical Society and the Ameri- can Medical Association.

On April 5, 1905, Dr. Fisher married Amy Frothingham Kane, daughter of Rear Admiral James I. Kane, U. S. N., retired, of New York. They have had four children : George, Samuel, John (deceased) and Peter Wright.

RAY McKELVY ALEXANDER, M. D., practicing physician in West Wheatfield town- ship, Indiana county, with office at Garfield, was born May 7, 1879, in that township, son of William and Margaret (Liggett) Alex- ander.

father, a carpenter by trade, met an acciden- tal death, falling from 'a building, and the family subsequently moved to West Wheat- field township and settled on a 200-acre farm, this property now being owned by the Lynn heirs. William Alexander followed the trade of stonemason, and became well and favorably known in his community. He was a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he died in 1880, in West Wheatfield. His wife, Martha Jamison, was born in Scotland, and died in West Wheat- field township, and both were buried in the United Presbyterian cemetery there. They had the following children: Margaret mar- ried Thompson Lynn; Elizabeth married Wil- liam Crawford; Jane married Rev. D. Reed; Mary was married to William Hutchinson; Moses died at the age of thirty years; Jami- son died in infancy ; William was the father of Dr. Alexander.

William Alexander, son of William, was born Feb. 25, 1834, in West Wheatfield town- ship, and there attended public school and worked with his parents until he was twenty- one years of age. At that time he purchased a farm of 100 acres, on which he resided for one year, when he sold out and moved to Cherryhill township, where he remained for five years, cultivating a tract of 105 acres. On his return to West Wheatfield township he bought the Reed farm of 153 acres, and there built a large house and barn and took up farming, but later this house was torn down to make room for the right-of-way of the Pennsylvania railroad, and Mr. Alexander erected the substantial residence which is still occupied by his widow, son and daughters. He was a member, elder and trustee of the New Florence United Presbyterian Church, and served on its building committee, and also acted as school director. He was origi- nally a Whig and subsequently adopted the views of the Republican party. A man of temperance and probity, he led an honest, God-fearing life, and when he died, Sept. 23, 1907, the community felt the loss of one of its best and most highly respected citizens. Mr. Alexander was married Jan. 11, 1859, to Margaret Liggett, who was born July 29, 1838, and is now living with her son on the home- stead. They had the following children : Mary, born Oct. 7, 1859, died June 24, 1860; Elmer Ellsworth, born July 23, 1862, mar-

William Alexander, the paternal grand- father of Dr. Alexander, was born in 1793 in ried Mary Vinnie Vance, May 21, 1890, resides

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IHISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

at Irwin, Pa., and is employed on the Penn- son, while he makes his home at Bolivar, in sylvania railroad; Martha Elizabeth, born Westmoreland county. Jan. 31, 1865, married Anderson Fowler, May 6, 1891, and has one child, Clyde Alexander ; JAMES C. DAVISON, contractor and builder, of Clymer, Indiana county, is one of the leading citizens of that borough, being prominent in its public life as well as in busi- ness. He is a justice of the peace and notary, and is at present serving as president of the borough council. Mr. Davison was born June 13, 1851, in Blair county, Pa., and is a son of John Armstrong and Ellen (Dunlap) Davi- son. Samuel L., born Jan. 18, 1867, is unmarried and conduets the homestead farm : William J., born March 3, 1869, died Sept. 2, 1870; Mag- gie Wilhelmina, born July 16, 1871, married Oct. 31, 1905, Harry W. Wakefield; Julia A., born Feb. 14, 1874, and Lulu M., born Dec. 4, 1876, are both unmarried and residing with their mother on the old homestead; and Ray M. is the youngest of the family.

Ray McKelvy Alexander attended Indiana public school No. 9, and then went to the New Florence school, following which he took in- struetion under Prof. J. T. Stewart at Ar- magh and Prof. C. A. Campbell. At the age of sixteen years he commenced to teach, at which ealling he was engaged for three years in West Wheatfield township and two years in Derry township, as well as one year in New Florence. At that time he went to Pitts- burg and there entered the University, from which he was graduated in 1905 with the de- gree of doctor of medicine, and immediately located in West Wheatfield township. He has built up a practice that extends throughout this part of the county as well as into West- moreland county, and is known as a skilled, able and sympathetic physician. His reputa- tion is high among his professional colleagues, as one who recognizes and respects the un- written ethics of the profession.

On Feb. 24, 1909, Dr. Alexander was mar- ried to Essie DuShane, daughter of Joseph and Addie ( Eberhardt ) DuShane, and grand- daughter of Andrew DuShane, who was a blacksmith and pioneer settler of Westmore- land eounty, where he had his home near Boli- var. Dr. and Mrs. Alexander have one daugh- ter, Margaret DuShane.

Dr. Alexander was made a member of the National Geographic Society Feb. 9, 1910, and also belongs to the Alumni Association of the University of Pittsburg, the grand chapter of the Phi Chi fraternity, the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Publie Instruction and the State of Pennsyl- vania Board of Health. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons (holding member- ship in Acacia Lodge, No. 355, Blairsville, Pa.), the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Maccabees. IIis well-appointed offices are eral Sherman; and James C. situated at Garfield, with postoffice at Robin-

John Armstrong Davison, his great-grand- father, was born in Scotland and from that country went first to Ireland, settling in Ty- rone, where he was interested in the great iron industries of that region. He eame to America some time during the eighteenth century and passed the remainder of his life in Maryland, engaging in the iron industry throughont his residence there. During the Revolution he raised a militia company in Maryland, of which he became captain, serv- ing as sueh under General Washington.

John Armstrong Davison, the second of that name in this country, was born in Maryland. Like his father he carried on business as an ironmaster. He served in the war of 1812.

John Armstrong Davison, son of John Arm- strong Davison 2d, was born in the State of Delaware. He, too, became associated with the iron business, being a machinist and ax- maker. When a young man he came to Penn- sylvania, settling in Blair county, where he spent the rest of his days. In his later years he purchased a farm and engaged in agri- eultural pursuits. He married Ellen Dun- lap, who was born in Pennsylvania and be- longed to a family which came originally from Ireland, and they had nine children, namely : John Armstrong, who lives in Ty- rone, Pa. (he served a short time during the Civil war) ; Mary, wife of Major Bell, who served as a major during the Civil war (both are now deceased) ; Martha, wife of George Traister, who served during the Civil war (both are deceased) ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Sarah, widow of Daniel Wesley, residing at Tyrone, Pa. ; Emily, Mrs. Van Scoyoc, of Ty- rone; Capt. George C., now living at Tyrone, who served throughout the Civil war, in which he held the rank of captain ; Robert, deceased, who served during the Civil war in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry and was under Gen-

James C. Davison passed his early days in

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Blair county, where he attended school. At Walter, who is in the employ of T. C. Stan- the age of seventeen he went to Philipsburg, ley at Clymer; Lula, wife of Robert G. Wil- liams, of Ernest, this county (they have four children, Beatrice, Hobart, Ruth and Ber- nice) ; Russell, at home; and James. Center Co., Pa., where he learned the car- penter's trade, remaining there for about four years. After that he traveled over Penn- sylvania for a time, working at his trade, and for a time was located in Clearfield county, en-

LEVI YOUNG, late of Indiana, passed his gaged in contracting. Leaving that county he latter years in retirement in that borough. He returned to Tyrone, Blair county, where he was born at Morrisons Cove, Bedford Co., Pa., remained for a period of five years, when the Dec. 29, 1820, son of James and Catherine town of Clymer, in Indiana county, was (Metz) Young, both of whom died in Bed- ford county. He was a charcoal burner by occupation. They had five children: Henry, Andrew, Peggy, Harriet and Levi. After the father's death the mother became the wife of James Kirkland, an Englishman, and in 1835 the family moved to Indiana borough, set- tling in White township, where they followed farming. started coming to that place. There he has since carried on a most successful business as a contractor and builder, also including the lines of heating and plumbing. He has put up many residences and business struc- tures in the borough and has built up a sub- stantial custom, his thoroughly reliable work, good management and up-to-date ideas gain- ing him many patrons who appreciate the advantages of first-class work.

When the borough was organized Mr. Davi- son had his share in the initial work, and he has continued his interest in its good govern- ment and development to the present time. He is now serving as president of the coun- cil, is a member of the Board of Trade, and is also acting as justice of the peace, to which office he was elected three years ago. He is also a prominent church worker, he and his wife belonging to the Methodist Church, and he is holding the presidency of the commit- tee board. Mr. Davison was formerly a member of the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.

On Jan. 12, 1872, Mr. Davison was married to Martha E. Strong, a native of Clearfield county, Pa., born Sept. 2, 1855, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Strong, both of whom were natives of Clearfield coun- ty, and both are now deceased. Mr. Strong was extensively engaged in the lumber busi- ness. His family consisted of eight children : Joseph A., the eldest, who lives in Clearfield county, Pa .: Martha E., late wife of James C. Davison ; Mary, widow of Harvey H. Swan, living in Clearfield county; William C., a merchant of Clymer; Charles S., who has a meat market in Clearfield; Harvey L., also of Clearfield county; Calvin V., a farmer on the old homestead in that county; and Edith, a professional nurse, who is in Tennessee.

Levi Young was given a good education and taught . for a time in the old subscription schools. At the age of seventeen he became clerk in the store of James MeCannon, at the corner of Sixth and Philadelphia streets, In- diana, where Mr. William R. Loughry is now established. After his marriage he and his wife moved onto the farm of her uncle, Alex- ander Bartley, in Conemaugh township, In- diana county, and later bought that place, farming it for seven years in all. Selling this property, they removed to the farm of Rev. Mr. Lewis, in the same township, upon which they remained four years, and then bought the Turner farm in Center township, Indiana county, a large and valuable property of 272 acres, improved and with good buildings. They made their home there for twenty-five years, at the end of which time they sold it to a Mr. Campbell, and then bought the Judge Clark farm at the edge of Indiana borough. They lived there for the next seven years, sell- ing that property to Mr. Bath, and in April, 1890, moved into the borough of Indiana. There Mr. Young continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1907. He was a man of the highest standing and one of the venerable citizens of the place. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion adhered to the M. E. Church.

On July 4, 1842, at Greensburg, Pa., Mr. Young married Jane Dixon, who was born Dec. 12, 1824, in Blacklick township, Indiana county, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Bart- ley) Dixon. Though advanced in age she still reads the daily paper and is very active. Nine children were born to this union: Al- bert, who died of fever in a Rebel camp while

Mrs. Davison died March 1, 1909. She was the mother of eight children: Avonia, who is the wife of Harry L. Witherell, a farmer of Clearfield county, and has three children, Amy, Henry and Paul; Clyde, residing at home; Harvey A., who is a teacher in Indi- ana county ; Willard F., a carpenter, at home; serving in the army; Margaret Ellen, Mrs.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Harrison Kauffman, of Indiana; Frank, of ton township, Indiana Co., Pa., and there Chicago; Nancy Jane, Mrs. William Gilmer, passed his early years. He has been a farmer of Blairsville; Clara, Mrs. Benson Lewis, of all his active life, and after commencing on Chicago; George, M. D., of Evansville, Ind .; his own account lived and farmed in Arm- strong township, this county, for a period of sixteen years, owning sixty-five acres there. In 1908 he returned to his father's farm in Center township, where he is now successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. Ella, Mrs. Alexander Graham, of Conemaugh township; Lizzie, Mrs. George Ray, of Arm- strong township, this county; and Foster Bartley, now living in Canada, where he has taken up a homestead.

JAMES BOTHEL, the oldest living resi- dent of Center township, Indiana county, has been settled at his present home there for a period of forty years and is a highly esteemed citizen of his neighborhood. He was born in Armstrong township, this county, Oct. 8, 1822, son of John and Mary (McCrea) Bothel, the latter a native of Wilmington, Del. John Bothel was drowned in the Allegheny river.

Mr. Bothel followed farming throughout his active years. After living in Washington township, Indiana county, for a time, he came to Center township, in 1872, locating on the David Fleming farm, a tract of 112 acres where he has since continuously made his home. He retired some years ago from ar- duous labor, the farm being now cared for by his son Nelson M. Bothel, with whom he makes his home. But though past ninety Mr. Bothel retains all his faculties, and he has a remarkable memory. During the Civil war, though past the age limit, he offered his ser- vices in behalf of the Union cause, in 1862 en- listing in Company I, 135th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Andrew Kin- ter and Colonel Porter. He served nine months, twenty days, and took part in numer- ous engagements, among them the battle of Chancellorsville. He has been a stanch Re- publican since the party was founded, always upholding its principles, and is a great ad- mirer of Roosevelt. In religious connection he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, which he has served as trustee.

On Jan. 12, 1865, Mr. Bothel married Mrs. Mary J. Campbell Dickson, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., near New Alex- andria, and was the widow of John Dickson. She had two children by her first marriage, Sarah and Samuel. To her marriage with Mr. Bothel were also born two children, Nel- son McCrea and Edith (married to William Anthony). Mrs. Bothel died Jan. 14, 1909, and was buried in Greenwood cemetery at Indiana. She was a member of the Crete United Presbyterian Church.

NELSON MCCREA BOTHFL, only son of James Bothel, was born June 25, 1867, in Washing-

Like his father Mr. Bothel has always been a Republican in his political principles, but is independent when it comes to choosing can- didates for any office. While living in Arm- strong township he served his fellow citizens for six years in the office of school director, and was secretary of the board during that time. He is particularly interested in church work, being a leading member of the United Presbyterian Church, which he has served in an official capacity for many years, having been elder, trustee, Sunday school teacher and superintendent.

Mr. Bothel was married in December, 1890, to Lottie Carnahan, of Armstrong township, this county, daughter of David and Levenia (Berkebile) Carnahan, and four children were born to them: Florence (who is now the wife of William Anthony, and has one daugh- ter, Edith M.), Esther, Lavinia and Bessie. Mrs. Bothel died Jan. 13, 1906, and is buried in Greenwood cemetery, at Indiana.

EDWARD M. ANSLEY, county commis- sioner of Indiana county, lives in Rayne township on the farm where he was born and which was bought by his father in 1854.

John Ansley, his great-grandfather, served as a soldier in the American army during the Revolutionary war, and his brother com- manded a company in the British army. John Ansley came from New Jersey to Westmore- land county, Pa., in the early days of the set- tlement of that region. He was a farmer by occupation.

Daniel Ansley, son of John, was born in Westmoreland county in 1798, and followed farming there until 1837, when he removed to Indiana county. He died in 1858, at the age of sixty.

James Ansley, son of Daniel, was born in 1825 and died Feb. 23, 1895. He was a far- mer throughout his active years, being ex- tensively engaged in general agriculture and stock raising in Rayne township, and was not only a successful business man of his locality but also active in public life, serving as jus- tice of the peace of his township and as audi- tor of Indiana county. He was a Republican

E. M. amaley

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in political sentiment. He married Sarah a few years after the close of the Revolution- Spencer, who was born near Johnstown, in ary war. Cambria county, and she survived him, pass- ing away April 13, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Ans- ley were members of the Baptist Church, which Mr. Ansley served officially for many years in the capacity of deacon. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James Ansley : Louisa, who married J. F. Mclaughlin, and is now deceased; William B., a physician ; and Edward M.

Edward M. Ansley was born Feb. 20, 1858, and attended the local public schools in his early boyhood, later going to the Reidsburg Academy, in Clarion county. Some time after he commenced to work he became a traveling salesman for a wholesale shoe house of New York and Philadelphia and was thus engaged continuously for a period of thirty-one years, becoming one of the expert salesmen in his line while he remained on the road. In fact, his long connection with the one concern is sufficient evidence of the value of his services. After his father's death, in 1895, he managed the home farm in addition to looking after his interests as salesman.

Mr. Ansley has long been connected with public affairs. He served his township as school director for twelve consecutive years, and for three years was chairman of the county convention of school directors. In November, 1911, he was elected on the Repub- lican ticket to the office of county commissioner by the largest majority received by any man on the county ticket, and he assumed the duties of the office in January, 1912. His popularity has been well deserved, for he has given satisfaction in every position to which he has been chosen. Like his father he is a prominent member of the Baptist Church, of which he has been a deacon for more than fifteen years.

In March, 1888, Mr. Ansley was married to Ella M. Chambers, daughter of James Cham- bers, of Library, Allegheny Co., Pa. On her mother's side she is related to the Philips family, one of the noted families of Allegheny county. Mr. and Mrs. Ansley have had three children, namely : Arthur B .; Edward W., who died when one year old; and Paul Ansley.

William Mathews, the first of the line in this State, was a native of Ireland and there mar- ried Martha McLain. In the early part of 1786 the family crossed the Atlantic, coming to Pennsylvania and first locating in Somer- set county, where they remained for six years. In 1792 they moved to Westmoreland county, making a home in Fairfield township where Mr. Mathews passed the rest of his life, fol- lowing farming. He died between 1812 and 1814, his wife a few years later. Their chil- dren were as follows: Mary, who married Matthew Ray; William, who married Eliza- beth Snodgrass; Archibald; James, who mar- ried Nancy Hammill; Jane, who married James Lemon; Sarah, who married Thomas Trimble; Margaret, who married Archibald Johnson ; Samuel, who married Mary Pollock; Ann, who married John Nesbett; John, who married Nancy Trimble; and Martha, who married Hugh Knox.

Archibald Mathews, son of William, was born in 1784 in Ireland and was two years old when brought to America. He passed his first years here in Somerset county, coming with the family to what was then Westmore- land county, and received such education as the subscription schools of the day afforded. But there were few in this section, and his assistance with the farm work was necessary. When he settled in what is now East Wheat- field township, Indiana county, he located on the farm of George Findley, the first white settler in the county. Mr. Mathews was a man of advanced ideas for his time, and he had the enterprise to carry out his projects. Thus he was the first in the county to erect a woolen factory, which stood near the Baker furnace. He spent the remainder of his life in the township, engaged in farming on the Findley place as well as manufacturing and milling, and died in 1851, at the age of sixty-seven. He is buried on the farm, in the family lot re- served for burial purposes. Mr. Mathews was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. On June 12, 1806, he married Elizabeth Findley, who was born Jan. 28, 1784, at Hagerstown, Md., daughter of George Findley, of whom a complete account may be found elsewhere. She survived him many years, dying in 1881, at the advanced age of ninety-seven. Like her husband she was a member of the Presby- terian Church. They had a family of eleven children, namely : Jane, born April 26, 1807,

MATHEWS. One of the oldest settled families in East Wheatfield township, Indiana county, is that of Mathews, which is of Irish extraction and has lived in Pennsylvania since married Dec. 22, 1827, Thomas Chapman, and 52

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

died Feb. 10, 1828 ; Martha, born Jan. 9, 1809, Buffington township, a tract of 186 acres which married Feb. 14, 1834, Isaac Rogers; Isabelle, he eventually sold to the Lackawanna Coal born Jan. 24, 1812, married July 23, 1838, William Lapsley; Eliza, born in 1814, mar- ried May 19, 1836, Joseph Kennedy; George Findley was born Aug. 19, 1815; Mary Ann, born Nov. 22, 1817, married April 23, 1840, James Taylor, and died Jan. 14, 1843; Sarah, born April 8, 1820, married Feb. 10, 1842, Samuel Noble, and died Oct. 11, 1846; Wil- liam and Archibald, twins, were born Aug. 15, 1822, the latter dying July 23, 1824, the former Oct. 12, 1847, in the city of Mexico, while serving in the United States army ; James, born Oct. 2, 1825, died Feb. 13, 1830 ; Archibald (2), born Feb. 2, 1828, married Matilda J. Mitchell.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 5

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