Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 50

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 50

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

which he has rendered acceptable service to lectual culture which only a broad-minded his fellow citizens, having been township woman could attain. Her high Christian supervisor two terms, assessor two terms, tax character is typical of the members of. this collector one term, auditor one term, and family.

school director many years. The public school question has always had his particular en- couragement, and he was school director in the independent district of West Lebanon for over twenty-five years, serving much of that time as president of the board and also acting as secretary. In religious connection he is a Presbyterian. Few citizens have done more to promote the welfare of the locality than Mr. Harbison, and he is looked up to and esteemed by the entire community.

On Sept. 7, 1864, Mr. Harbison enlisted at Pittsburg in Company K, 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Capt. D. K. Duff (of Pitts- burg) and Colonel Schoonmaker, and con- tinued to serve throughout the war, seeing active service at Winchester and Harper's Ferry. He was discharged and mustered out at Washington in June, 1865. He is a mem- ber of Foster Robinson Post, G. A. R., Salts- burg, and the I. O. O. F. lodge at Indiana, of which he is a past grand; he is a member of the grand lodge.

WILLIAM WALLACE HARBISON, eld- est of the family of Alexander McNutt and Mary (Craig) Harbison, was born in Young township Jan. 24, 1868. He was reared there, attending the public schools at West Lebanon, and in his earlier years followed farming at home, helping his parents until 1890. That year he went to South Bend, Armstrong Co., Pa., where he was employed by H. Townsend & Son, general merchants, for a period of three years. For one year he worked for A. W. Wilson & Son and in 1894 settled at Shelocta, in Armstrong township, Indiana county, where he has ever since been doing business. He rented a store and embarked in the general merchandise business, in which he has since continued, now having one of the thriving establishments of his section. He re- mained in the rented store until 1909, in that year erecting the larger building which the business has since occupied, and which he owns. He carries a complete and varied stock, "everything from a toothpick to a threshing machine," and his enterprise in catering to the wants of his customers has brought him a large trade, which has shown a steady growth from the beginning. His suc- cess has placed him among the substantial men of the borough, and he is influential in all its affairs, in which he has taken a prominent part, at present serving as school director. In political matters he is associated with the Republican party. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

On Nov. 27, 1866, Mr. Harbison married, in Armstrong township, Mary Craig, a native of that township, who died March 23, 1901, after nearly thirty-five years of happy wedded life. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of West Lebanon, and is buried in the West Lebanon cemetery. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harbison: William Wallace, born Jan. 24, 1868, a general merchant of Shelocta, Pa., married Orpha King; Clara Jane, born Sept. 17, 1869, married David Townsend, of South Bend, Armstrong Co., Pa .; Hugh Craig, born Nov. 2, 1871, died in infancy; James Arthur, born Ang. 26, 1873, On May 20, 1896, Mr. Harbison was mar- ried to Orpha King, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Klingensmith) King, of South Bend, Pa., and they have three children: Mary Catherine, born March 1, 1902; and Alexander Edward and Esther Allene, twins, born Nov. 14, 1909. died in infancy; Jettie Barbara, born Ang. 6, 1874, lives at home with her father; Mar- garet Elizabeth, born Dec. 3, 1876, married Robert Wilson George and resides at West Lebanon; Harry B., born Jan. 13, 1879, mar- ried Flora Wiggons, of Armstrong township, and now lives at Buffalo, N. Y .; Ella A., born Nov. 29, 1882, is unmarried and lives at home ; GODFREY MARSHALL is one of the old- est and most respected business men of the borough of Indiana, where he has resided for over half a century. He has been in business for himself for forty-five years, at his present location since the year 1870. Mr. Marshall was born in Germany in 1839, son of Peter and Magdalena Marshall. His father was a Walter M., born Jan. 21, 1886, is at home. Miss Jettie B. Harbison has from early girl- hood been afflicted with spinal trouble, which affected first one of her lower limbs and later the other. But though she has suffered much she has been very active mentally and has succeeded in acquiring an excellent education, farmer in the Fatherland. Coming to the being well-read and having a degree of intel- United States with his family in 1850, he lived

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

at Pittsburg, Pa., for a short time, and then have one child, Harry B. Mr. and Mrs. Mar- settled in Butler county, this State, where he shall are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

engaged in farming. He was the father of five children, all now deceased but two of the sons.

Godfrey. Marshall attended school iu Ger- many until he reached the age of eleven years, at which time he came to this country with his parents. He worked on his father's farm until he was seventeen years old, when he be- came an apprentice to the harnessmaker's trade at Pittsburg. After completing his ap- prenticeship he remained in Pittsburg some time longer, in 1861 coming to Indiana, Indi- ana county, where he has since made his home. He worked in the harness shop of his brother Philip, with whom he entered into partner- ship, continuing thus until 1866, when he Daniel Risinger, the grandfather, was born in York county, Pa., and coming west with his family to Indiana county settled in Brush- valley township, where he acquired land and followed farming. He was among the first settlers in his section, and spent the remainder of his life there, dying in the early fifties. He is buried in the Fry cemetery at Mechan- icsburg. In religious connection he was a member of the Evangelical Association. He married Susanna Andrews, by whom he had four children: John; George, who settled in West Virginia; Jacob, a veteran of the Civil war, who died in Brushvalley ; and a child that died young. started a shop of his own. In 1870 he moved to his present location. There are few busi- ness men in this section who have kept more thoroughly up to the demands of the times than Mr. Marshall. He has long maintained bis standing as one of the leading men in his line in western Pennsylvania. His store, which is one of the largest establishments of the kind outside of the large cities in the State, is thoroughly stocked with the most up- to-date goods carried in the trade, and lacks nothing that could be found in a first-class store anywhere. Mr. Marshall himself is sat- isfied with nothing but the best the market affords in the line of stock, and the best that can be had in workmanship, of which he is an excellent judge, and the large business he has built up is but the natural result of en- terprising methods and his efforts to give ab- acres which he improved notably, making a

solute satisfaction to all who have dealings with him. As he prospered in his original un- dertaking he became financially interested in other concerns, encouraging and supporting various enterprises which promised good re- sults as well as advantages to the community. He is a director of the Farmers' Bank of Indiana, director of the Robinsteen Collar and Leather Company of Indiana, a stockholder in the Pittsburg Harness Supply Company and a stockholder in the Indiana Electric Street Car Railway Company. He has also acquired valuable property holdings. His career has been creditable and prosperous in every re- spect, and he is deservedly regarded as one of the most substantial men of this locality.

Mr. Marshall was married in 1862 to Kate Wissel, daughter of Conrad Wissel. They

MICHAEL HESS RISINGER, of North Homer, in Center township, contractor and builder and dealer in builders' supplies, head of the firm of M. H. Risinger & Son, is widely and favorably known in his part of Indiana county, where he has lived most of his life. He was born in Center township, near his present home, Oct. 30, 1853, son of John Ris- inger and grandson of Daniel Risinger. He is descended from Hans Nicklaus Risinger, the emigrant, through John Peter Risinger, John Henrich Risinger, Daniel Risinger and John Risinger. A full account of the earlier gen- erations will be found elsewhere in this work.

John Risinger, son of Daniel, was born on the family farm in Brushvalley township and there attended public school. He worked at home until he reached manhood, when he set- tled in Center township, on a tract of 136 permanent home there. He followed general farming. He associated with the Republican party in politics, and though he did not as- pire to office served as school director, dis- playing a public-spirited interest in the gen- eral welfare which proclaimed him a good citizen. In his religious views he was liberal. His wife, Mary (Hess), was born in York county, Pa., daughter of Michael Hess, and died on the farm Jan. 5, 1907, aged eighty- four years. Mr. Risinger long preceded her, his death occurring April 3, 1871, on the farm. They are buried in Greenwood ceme- tery, at Indiana. Mrs. Risinger was a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. They were the parents of these children: Susanna, who mar- ried Edward Chesley and (second) Archi- bald Smitten, and is now a widow, residing in Indiana, Pa .; Elizabeth, who is married to

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Samuel Stewart, of Center township; Cather- Paul, now associated with his father in busi- ine, wife of Joseph C. Long, of Indiana, Pa .; ness, who married Beulah Duncan, and is liv- Michael Hess; Daniel Endrews; Mary, wife ing at North Homer. of Thomas S. Phillips, of North Homer; and Nancy, married to James B. Grover, of Homer City, Pennsylvania.

Michael Hess Risinger, son of John, ob- tained his education in the public schools of Center township, where he grew to manhood on the home farm. He became familiar with farming as his father's assistant, and con- tinued to work on the home place until he was twenty-eight years old, when he became engaged in the lumber business. Then he took a position as car inspector with the Cam- bria Iron & Steel Company, at Johnstown, Pa.,

this county. He was located there for several years, until 1891, building the present M. E. Church edifice, and a number of other struc- tures, public and private, his business grow- ing steadily. He lost heavily by fire, how- ever, while at Saltsburg. In 1891 he moved thence to North Homer, settling on part of the homestead, where he erected a fine brick resi- dence, store and office, having his home and business headquarters there. He carries on contracting and building and deals in build- ers' supplies, and is assisted by his son Paul, with whom he is associated under the firm name of M. H. Risinger & Son. Mr. Risinger has a reputation for thoroughness and reli- ability which creates a steady demand for his services and he has built up a profitable pat- ronage, keeping abreast of the times and giv- ing eminently good satisfaction to all who have had dealings with him. He is an ener- getic man, taking an active part in all move- ments which interest him. He has been school director of his township, and is a leading mem- ber of the M. E. Church, which he served as trustee, class leader and steward; he attended the Sabbath school at Homer city, in the old brick church, for over fifty years. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally he holds membership in the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

GEORGE CALVIN SHIELDS, of North Mahoning township, Indiana county, was born on the Shields homestead there Sept. 10, 1855, son of James G. and Jemima (Hoover) Shields.

James Shields, the great-grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier, with a record that covered eight years of service in the Conti- nental ranks, during which he was wounded seven times. In 1830 he came from the Ligon- ier valley in Pennsylvania to Indiana county, with his son Robert, and they were engaged in farming near Marchand, where James

and subsequently commenced contracting and Shields died at the remarkable age of 107 building on his own account, at Saltsburg, years. He had the following children: Rob-

ert, who married Jane Taylor ; George, grand- father of George Calvin Shields; James, who lived in different parts of Indiana county ; Rebecca, who married William Laughey, and lived in North Mahoning township; Hannah, who married Job Harn, of Punxsutawney, Pa .; Jane, who married Matthew Cochran, and lived in Brookville, Jefferson county ; an- other daughter, Mrs. Foster, of Pennsylvania.

George Shields, son of James, was born in the Ligonier valley, and as a young man ac- companied his father and brother to Indiana county, taking up land in Canoe township, where he became the owner of 177 acres. Mr. Shields bore an active and prominent part in the development and upbuilding of this re- gion, and his name should be among the fore- most on the rolls of Indiana county's hon- ored pioneers. On his arrival this land was all covered with heavy timber, and he erected a small log cabin and settled down to make a home for himself and his family. He was ever an industrious and hard-working man, and at his death, which occurred when he was seventy-seven years of age, the community lost one of its best citizens. At the polls he al- ways cast his ballot with the Democratic party, and took a deep interest in its success. He served as supervisor, school director and in other offices, and had the entire confidence of his fellow citizens. Mr. Shields was a faith- ful member of the Presbyterian Church. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Boyle, who died the mother of three chil- dren: James G .; Robert, deceased, who was a farmer near Marchand, and married Mary

On May 5, 1880, Mr. Risinger married Lydia M. Frew, who was born in Allegheny county, Pa., daughter of John A. and Maria M. (Phillips) Frew. They have had three children : M. Edna, who is married to G. B. Ann Snyder; and Margaret, who died un- Neal, of Pittsburg, Pa .; Llouella Marie, wife married. His second marriage was to Sarah of Dixon Stephens, of North Homer; and Braughler, who died in September, 1865, at

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the age of eighty years, and they had the fol- lowing children: Adam, an extensive farmer of Canoe township; William H., deceased, a farmer and lumberman in Banks township, Indiana county, who married Sarah Martin; Sarah Ann, deceased, who was the wife of David Fleming and lived in Oil City, Pa .; Harriet Jane, the widow of Isaac Wood, living in Clearfield county; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Calderwood, of Canoe township; and Eva, who married Cyrus Wood, and lived in Clearfield county.

provements now on the property have been made by him. He built his barn in 1899 and his house in 1908, and all his buildings are attractive and kept in good order. Mr. Shields has attended strictly to his private affairs, and has never aspired to any public position, though he takes an interest in the success of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Evangelical Church at March- and.

On Jan. 16, 1879, Mr. Shields married Mary Jane Lloyd, of North Mahoning township, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Kinter) Lloyd, the former of whom was born in Ireland and came to America with his parents when five years old. His father, Andrew Lloyd, ob- tained 180 acres of land located in North Ma- honing township, Indiana Co., Pa., then all in its wild state, upon which he made a per- manent home, spending the rest of his active

James Shields, son of George Shields by his first wife, was born on the old homestead in what is now known as North Mahoning town- ship, and there · passed his youth and early manhood, receiving a common school edu- cation. He lived on the old place until his marriage and for some time afterward, sev- eral years later obtaining a farm near March- and which he subsequently sold, buying a years in its clearing and improvement. His farm of 133 acres in North Mahoning township wife's maiden name was Park, and they had two children: Robert, who lived on the old place, and who never married; and Samuel, who also lived and died on the old place, owning that tract of 180 acres, and following farming. To him and his wife Jane (Kin- ter) were born three children: Andrew Park, who lived on the old homestead, and died in 1908; Mary Jane, Mrs. Shields; and William Stewart, a farmer, of Manchester, Maryland. near where his son George now lives. This place was mostly wild land when it came into his possession, and he erected the house and barn, cleared a large portion of the property, and made all the other improvements thereon. He was always a farmer, and one of the most industrious and reliable citizens in his town- ship, where he was highly respected and held some of the public offices. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religious connection a Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George C. Shields : Laura, who lives at home ; Jemima F., who married Roll Mattern, of North Mahoning township; and Grover, of Pittsburg, Pa., foreman for the Pittsburg & Allegheny Telephone Company, who married Pauline Green, of Washington, Pennsylvania. member of the M. E. Church. His wife, Jemima (Hoover), a native of West Mahoning township, this county, survived him, dying in May, 1894; his death occurred in February, 1893. Five children were born to their union : George Calvin is mentioned below; John, de- ceased, married Louisa Carley and lived at Georgeville, Pa .; Hannah M., deceased, was the wife of David Bush; Nancy died unmar- ried ; Hugh J., who died in New York State, was twice married, his first wife being Mary Barnett.

ALPHONSE CUNNINGHAM, a substan- tial and respected resident of East Wheatfield township, Indiana county, where he has been engaged in farming all his life, was born April 28, 1850, on the farm there which he now owns and operates, son of William Cun- ningham.

William Cunningham, the first representa- . tive of this family in Indiana county, was a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and of Scotch extraction. He came west when a young man, locating in Wheatfield township, Indiana Co., Pa., where he made a permanent home. He owned a small farm, and drove stage on the old turnpike between Ebensburg, Armagh and Blairsville for some years, later driving stage between Butler and Pittshurg. He was a patriotic Union man during the Civil war,

George Calvin Shields was given the ad- vantages afforded by the common schools and lived at home until he married. He and his wife then located near Smithport, in Banks township, this county, living there three years, at the end of which time they sold their farm and moved to his father's place, upon which they remained nine years. Mr. Shields then bought his present place in North Mahoning township. known as the Ruff farm, his first purchase consisting of seventy-four acres, to which he has added, now having ninety-seven acres, ahout half of which is under cultiva- tion. All of the substantial and valuable im- and not only gave his own services in behalf

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of the cause but also had five sons who en- tending the Bethel Church in East Wheat- tered the army, one of them falling in battle. field township. They are the parents of eight William Cunningham also gave up his life on children, of whom we have the following rec- the battlefield, dying in an engagement in ord: (1) George Leonard, born May 9, 1872, was employed in iron rolling mills at Chicago, Ill., where he died June 11, 1902. He is buried in Armagh cemetery. (2) Cordelia M., born Aug. 25, 1875, received her education in the public schools and at summer normal taught by Prof. J. T. Stewart and Prof. C. A. Camp- bell, and taught school in East Wheatfield township and in Derry township, Westmore- land county. She resides at home. (3) Es- ther, born March 4, 1878. married Joseph Tinkham and resides at Pern, Ind. They have had three children, Donald (who died in infancy), Madeline and James Wallace. (4) William, born July 11, 1880, is a mill operator at Portsmouth, Ohio. He married Estle Cunningham, of Portsmonth, and they have one child, Carnell F. (5) Martha, born Feb. 8, 1883, was educated in the public schools and at summer normal under Prof. J. T. Stewart and taught school in East Wheatfield and Burrell townships, this coun- ty. She is now the wife of Alfred Gerhard,

South Carolina, at the age of fifty-six years. He was buried there. His wife, Esther (Hutchinson), a native of Wheatfield town- ship, died in February, 1896, in East Wheat- field township and is buried in the cemetery of Bethel Church, in Center township. They were the parents of eight children: Robert fell at Fort Donelson while serving as a mem- ber of the 40th Illinois Regiment during the Civil war, and died of his injuries; John re- sides in Johnstown, Pa .; David, now living retired, had extensive farm interests for many years in Brushvalley township, this county, and later was a merchant at Heshbon for twenty years; Samuel, who also served in the Civil war, is now an attorney in Indiana, Pa .; Joseph, a soldier in the Civil war, is a min- ister of the Evangelical Church; Albert, a soldier of the Civil war, is now a resident of Johnstown, Pa .; James is engaged as a mer- chant at Seward, Pa .; Alphonse is mentioned below.

Alphonse Cunningham was quite young son of Jacob F. Gerhard, of Blacklick, Indi- when his father lost his life in the Civil war. ana county, a full sketch of whose family appears elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Ger- He had the educational advantages afforded by the local public schools, and being the hard live in Burrell township. They have one youngest remained at home with his mother, child, Leroy. (6) Viola Clair, born Sept. assisting in the work of conducting the home farm from a very early age. He continued to care for her until her death, and has always made his home at the old place, engaging in

8, 1885, married Clarence H. Findley, of East Wheatfield township, and has four children, Mildred, Mary, Margaret and Bessie. Mrs. Findley was educated in the public schools general farming and stock raising. He culti- and at summer normal under Prof. C. A. vates a tract of 113 acres, upon which he has Campbell, and taught in East Wheatfield built a fine barn and made various other im- township before her marriage. (7) Robert provements which show his enterprising and was educated in the public schools and the progressive character. Though he gives his at- State normal school at Indiana and is now employed as clerk by the Cambria Iron & Steel Company at Johnstown, Pa. (8) Mar- garet or Madge, born Nov. 30, 1890, is at

tention strictly to his private affairs he takes an intelligent interest in the general welfare, and is public-spirited about encouraging and supporting every movement designed to ad- home with her parents. vance the prosperity and well-being of his township and county. He has filled the of- fice of overseer of the poor for two terms. Mr. Cunningham is a Republican in his politi- cal views, and has always been faithful in his support of the principles of the party.

CLARK B. WIDDOWSON, proprietor of the leading general merchandise store at Penn Run, Indiana county, was born in Cherryhill township, near the town of Dixonville, Pa., July 3, 1863, son of Ebenezer and Susan (Ober) Widdowson.

On April 18, 1871, Mr. Cunningham was married to Margaret Mack, a native of East Joseph Widdowson, grandfather of Clark Wheatfield township, born Feb. 10, 1851, B. Widdowson, was born in Derby, England, daughter of George Mack and sister of Rob- and came to America at an early day, set- tling first in New York City, where he re- ert G. Mack, of East Wheatfield, whose his- tory will be found elsewhere in this work. mained three years, and then coming to the Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of northern part of Indiana county, Pa., near the United Presbyterian denomination, at- the present town of Dixonville. At the time

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

that Joseph Widdowson came to this section til his death at Rochester Mills, where his wife there were only two houses in the town of also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Hess had a Indiana. He had learned the trade of cab- family of ten children, of whom seven are inetmaker in his native country, and this he followed throughout the remainder of his life, in connection with farming on the old home place, where he died.

Ebenezer Widdowson, sou of Joseph, and father of Clark B. Widdowson, was born in 1835, in Cherryhill township, Indiana Co., Pa., and throughout his life was engaged in cultivating the old home place where his father had settled on first coming to this sec- his widow still survives and resides on the home farm. She was born in 1841, in Fay- ette county, Pa., and became the mother of nine children: Clark B .; Harvey D., a resi- dent of Rochester Mills, Indiana county ; Jo- seph A., a resident of Cherryhill township, on the old homestead; Mary A., deceased, who was the wife of Harry Short, a resident of Rayne township; James, a resident of West- minster, Md., dean of the Western Mary- land College, at that place ; Dr. Frank, a phy- sician and surgeon of Philadelphia; Anna, who lives at home with her mother; Olive, a student of Dr. White's Bible Teachers' Train- ing School of New York City, who has been ac- cepted as a missionary in foreign field work; and William, who resides at Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 50

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