Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 52

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 52

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from early boyhood helping with the farm labors. When he was fifteen he ran away from his master, joining his mother and step- father in Washington township, Indiana county, and he worked for Mr. Helman as long as the latter lived, after which he con- tinued with his mother, caring for her in her declining years. She died while living with him, and he remained on the farm in Wash- ington township, a tract of 135 acres, a short time afterward. operating it until 1879. when he sold to George Parker. He had made nu- merous improvements on the place, putting up

it into excellent condition. He then bought the Conway farm, in White township, this county, a property of seventy-three acres where for fifteen years he was engaged in gen- eral agriculture and stock raising, selling it in 1894 and buying the old Wilson farm in Cen- ter township. That place comprised 102 acres and he carried on farming and stock raising there for six years, in 1901 selling it and removing to the borough of Indiana. There he built a home on Main street and lived for three years, during which he was engaged in various kinds of work. Returning to Center township he bought the Lytle farm of 152 acres near Center Church, upon which he made his home for the next six years, follow- ing general farming and stock raising. He exchanged this place for a general store prop- erty at Jacksonville, trading with R. H. Cnn- ningham, of that place, and moving to the

John Anthony, father of Simon Anthony, town conducted the store for a time. On Feb. was born in Armstrong county, and there 14, 1907, he sold it to R. M. Stewart, and has since been retired from business activities. Mr. Anthony still owns a farm, having a tract of 100 acres in Blacklick township which he made his home, near Elderton. He died while still in his prime, in 1855, and is buried at Elderton. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church. His wife was Phoebe Smail, has improved considerably and which he rents. of Armstrong county, daughter of John Smail, and they had four children: Elizabeth, who married George Harmon, of Washington township, Indiana county : Simon ; Margaret, who died young : and William, who died when twelve years old. Mrs. Anthony married for her second husband Jacob Helman, and she died in 1878 in Washington township, Indi- ana county, where she is buried, in the Center Church cemetery. All his life he has been a hard worker, and the success which has come to him has been well deserved. He has been enterprising and industrious, has been an advocate of improved methods of work in his line and has adopted them with profit, and has been recognized wherever he lived as an intelligent citizen who would be valuable to any community. He was elected school director in White and Center townships, was supervisor of White township some years, and in 1909 was elected justice of the peace at Jacksonville, holding that of-

Simon Anthony was but six years old when his father died. At that time he was bound out to George Boyer, at Elderton, Armstrong fice at present. Originally a Republican in

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

his political views, he now gives his support vived him many years, passing away in 1902, to the Prohibition party. He has acted as when she had reached the advanced age of clerk of the election board at Jacksonville, eighty-six. They were the parents of the fol- Pa., and in the spring of 1911 was elected burgess of the borough. Mr. Anthony has been an interested church worker, belonging to the M. E. Church, which he serves as class leader. He is also a Sunday school teacher, and for twenty-two years held the position of Sunday school superintendent.

In 1879 Mr. Anthony married Keziah Lewis, a native of Green township, Indiana county, daughter of John Lewis, and to them were born five children: Cora, who is de- ceased; Pearl, deceased; Jesse, at home; Ira G., who lives in Kansas; and Gladys, who was married Aug. 28, 1912, to Alexander Graham. Mrs. Keziah (Lewis) Anthony died Nov. 6, 1902, and on Oct. 7, 1903, Mr. Anthony mar- ried (second) Emma Iseman, daughter of Peter and Barbara (Jones) Iseman. There are no children by this union.

JAMES DUNCAN McKALIP, dealer in live stock and veteran of the Civil war, re- siding at No. 725 School street, Indiana, Pa., was born at New Salem Cross Roads, now Delmont, Westmoreland Co., Pa., March 3, 1842, and is a son of James M. and Eliza (Clark) McKalip.

James McKalip, the grandfather of James Duncan MeKalip, was a farmer in Salem township, Westmoreland county, and died there in 1864, when seventy years of age. He and his wife, who was a Miss Hunter, and who died some time previous to the death of her husband, were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church. They had the follow- ing children: Matthew, who died in West- moreland county, married Elizabeth Cham- bers; Robert, who died in the same county, married Sarah McElroy; John, who died in the same county, married Mary George ; James M. is mentioned below; Martha, wife of Sam- uel Carpenter, died in Westmoreland county.

lowing children: James, who died when six- teen years of age; Margaret, who married Alexander Keppel, of East Liberty; James Duncan ; John Hunter, who served three years in the Civil war, now a resident of Rew, Mc- Kean county (married Looma Iseman) ; Sam- nel, residing at Tiona, Warren county ; Hiram, who died at the age of twenty-nine years; Agnes, who married George Mortz, of Del- mont, Pa .; Elizabeth, unmarried and residing on the old homestead; and Clarke, of Pitts- field, Mass., who married Missouri Masemore.

James Duncan McKalip spent his youth and young manhood at Delmont, attending the public school and academy there, under Rev. Mr. Jackson. He then learned the trade of house painter, which he followed in Delmont until the death of his father, in 1860, at which time he went to Satsburg. The outbreak of the Civil war found him working at his trade at that place, whence he enlisted July 15, 1864, to serve one hundred days, and received his honorable discharge Nov. 14, 1864, by rea- son of the expiration of his term of service. He was a corporal under Capt. J. K. Weaver, 1st Battalion, Pa. Vol. Inf., stationed during most of the time at Cove Gap, in Franklin county. On his return, Mr. McKalip located in the coal fields of Rouseville, Venango county, where he did carpenter work for a time, subsequently removing to Tarentum, Al- legheny county, where he followed his trade. In 1867 he came to Indiana, where he has re- sided to the present time.

Mr. McKalip was married in this borough, Dec. 29, 1869, to Mary E. Gibson, of Indiana, daughter of James and Eleanor (Bruce) Gib- son, and in 1870 they moved into their pres- ent home. Mr. McKalip followed the trade of house painter until 1875, at which time he turned his attention to dealing in stock, and to that he has bent his activities ever since. He and his wife are faithful members of the

James M. McKalip, son of James, and father of James Duncan McKalip, was born on the Presbyterian Church. A stanch Democrat in home farm in Westmoreland county, Pa., his political views, Mr. McKalip was appointed by Judge Harry White to complete the un- expired term of Jerry Wakefield in the office of county commissioner. He is interested in fraternal work, and has numerous warm friends in Indiana Lodge, No. 313, F. &. A. M. and as a youth learned the trade of cab- inetmaker, becoming an expert in his line and noted for his skill in making all kinds of furniture and coffins. He established him- self in business at Delmont and continued there until his death, in 1860. He was a great To Mr. and Mrs. McKalip have been born the following children : Clarke C., residing in abolitionist at a time when the country was in a furore over the impending struggle be- Pittsburg, married Nannie McAdoo. and has tween the States, but did not live to see the two children, James C. and Clarke R .; Harry curse of slavery abolished. His wife sur- Stewart, a mining engineer of Coalwood, W.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Va., married Ruth Rogers, and has two chil- and operated a mill in Minersville, Cambria dren, Gordon Bruce and Dorothy Eleanor ; Walter Brown, who is with the Pennsylvania Railroad System, as an extra agent, is un- married.

Mrs. McKalip was born on a farm in Cen- ter township, Indiana Co., Pa., April 25, its house of worship. He married Mary Overdorff, who was born Jan. 12, 1802, daugh-

1846, and was one year old when her father moved to Indiana, where she attended the ter of Daniel Overdorff, and member of a public schools and the normal school, being taught by Professor Westlake. James Gib- son, her father, was born in Indiana county, and was a farmer and tanner, owning a shop in Center township. He died in 1872, and his wife Eleanor in 1887. By his first mar- riage to Martha Gamble, who died many years ago, he had a family of fourteen children. Mrs. McKalip and her sister Elizabeth were the only children born to the second union.

HUDSON ROWLAND GRUMBLING, gen- eral merchant of Homer City, Indiana county, was born Aug. 11, 1872, at Mechanicsburg, in Brushvalley township, this county, son of Dan- iel Grumbling.

The Grumbling family is of French origin, and the name was formerly spelled Crum- ling. George Crumling or Grumbling, the founder of the family in this country, was born on the river Rhine, between Germany and France, and was only a youth of sixteen when he joined General LaFayette and crossed the Atlantic to aid the Colonies in their fight for independence. He was at the battle of Yorktown. After the Revolution he settled in York county, Pa., in Codorus town- ship, where he followed farming as well as his trade of millwright. Later he came with his family to Indiana county, Pa., settling in Brushvalley township, where he also worked at his trade, and there he spent the remainder of his life. IIe died in that township and was buried there. He was a member of the United Brethren Church. His first wife, whose maiden name was Wallace, died in Codorus township, York county, and he subsequently remarried. By the first union there were two children, John and Catherine. To the second were born: Michael, who settled in York county ; Jacob, who died in Cambria county, Pa .; Christley, who died in Brushvalley ; Adam; Jonathan; and Lydia, who married John Falkner.

county, later returning to Brushvalley town- ship, where he died in the prime of manhood, in May, 1849. He was buried in Brushvalley. Mr. Grumbling was a member of the United Brethren Church there, and helped to build

pioneer family of Brushvalley township, and they had a family of six children: George, who died in Cambria county ; Jacob, a soldier of the Civil war, who died in 1866; William, also a soldier of the Civil war, now living at Pitcairn, Pa .; Adam, a veteran of the Civil war, now living in Brushvalley; Catherine Ann, who died in 1859; and Daniel. Mrs. Grumbling remarried, her second husband be- ing James Peddicord, and she died March 26, 1889, aged eighty-seven years. She was originally a member of the Evangelical Church, but later joined the United Brethren.

Daniel Grumbling, son of Adam, was born Sept. 21, 1848, in Minersville, Cambria Co., Pa., and was only .an infant when brought to Brushvalley, where he was reared. He at- tended common school in the township and also went to the academy at Mechanicsburg. From early boyhood until he reached man- hood he was occupied at farm work, and then started to learn the trade of blacksmith with his brother Jacob, finishing his apprenticeship with James McDonald. For some time he worked as a journeyman at home and in var- ious other parts of Indiana county, and also at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Pa., and after commencing business on his own account was alone until 1868, when he became associated with his brother William under the name of Grumbling Brothers. Later he formed a partnership with William Adams, under the firm name of Adams & Grumbling, and they were together for several years, after which Mr. Grumbling conducted the business him- self until 1878. when he sold out and bought a farm of 115 acres in Brushvalley. He erected a shop on that place and continued to follow his trade in connection with farming and stock raising until 1896, when he removed to Homer City, in which borough he has since made his home. IIe engaged in the retail meat business until 1911, when he sold out, at present living retired. He still owns his home- stead farm in Brushvalley township. The only responsibility he carries at present is the janitorship of the M. E. Church. He held township offices for a number of years, serv-

Adam Grumbling, son of George, was born May 10, 1800, in Brushvalley township, where he grew to manhood. He followed the trade of millwright, and also owned a mill in Brush- valley which he operated ; for a time he owned ing as school director, overseer of the poor,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

township treasurer and supervisor. In pol- and Mrs. Grumbling are members of the itics he is a Republican, in religious connec- Methodist Episcopal Church of Homer City. tion a member of the M. E. Church.

On March 8, 1871, Mr. Grumbling married Harriet Rowland, daughter of John Rowland, of Brushvalley, and they have had one child, Hudson Rowland Grumbling.

Hudson Rowland Grumbling was educated in the public schools and at Mechanicsburg Academy, partly under Prof. J. T. Stewart and partly under Prof. H. P. Lytle. After leaving school he returned to the homestead, continuing to assist his father with the farm work until he started out to make his own way in the world. Not caring for agricultural life he went to Johnstown, Pa., and found work in the rolling mills, being thus engaged for a period of eighteen months. He next went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he was em- ployed by a traction company two years, after which he went to Mckeesport, Pa., and en- tered the employ of J. G. McCrory, the well- known 5- and 10-cent store owner, with whom he remained one year. His next location was at South Fork, Pa., where he became estab- lished in business on his own account and stayed two years, at the end of that time com- ing to Homer City. Here he has ever since carried on a general merchandise store, hav- ing a thriving business. He has erected a store and dwelling house near the Homer City National Bank. Mr. Grumbling is noted for honorable dealing, and the courteous treat- ment accorded all his patrons has brought him a large trade, which he endeavors to hold by satisfactory service and good values.

Mr. Grumbling is at present serving as school director of the borough of Homer City, being particularly interested in the welfare of the public schools. He is progressive and public-spirited in all things pertaining to the general good. In politics he is a Republican, and socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F. (Homer City Lodge) and Knights of the Golden Eagle.

JOHN L. NEAL, one of the well and fav- orably known farmer citizens of East Mahon- ing township, Indiana county, belongs to a family of German extraction which has been settled in Pennsylvania for six generations. He is a native of Armstrong county, this State, born July 16, 1845, in Cowanshannock township, where his parents, William Hunter and Elizabeth (Stutchel) Neal, lived for some years.

Smith Neal, the founder of this family in western Pennsylvania, was a native of Car- lisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., born about 1766, son of Henry Neal, who came from Germany. Although only a boy while the Revolutionary war was in progress Smith Neal enlisted, to- ward the close of that memorable struggle, but he had been in the service only one day when peace was declared, giving the Colonies the freedom for which so many lives had been sacrificed. Later he came west, and for sev- eral seasons was engaged on keel boats on the Juniata river, and he was at Pittsburg when that place consisted of but a few houses. Afterward he settled in Armstrong county, where he was among the early pioneers, mak- ing his home in what is now Cowanshannock township, where he lived to a great old age. He died there in 1865, in his one hundredth year, living to see the successful termination of four wars undertaken by his country, and himself taking part in the war of 1812. He was a man of great enterprise and industrious habits. Besides following farming, he built a gristmill on the Cowanshannock in 1836, and he made coffins out of sycamore trees, hewed with a broadaxe, stained with red alder and cherry, and polished with beeswax. A num- ber of times he had to travel the fifty miles to Pittsburg to get a doctor. His brothers John and William also came to western Penn- sylvania, the former locating in Butler county, the latter in Allegheny county. Smith Neal married Sarah Cochran, who died on the farm in Cowanshannock township in 1863, when eighty-six years old.

Mr. Grumbling was married in Brushvalley township to Cora May Snyder, who was born June 9, 1875, daughter of D. L. Snyder, a well-known merchant of Homer City, men- tioned elsewhere. Mrs. Grumbling was a Robert Neal, son of Smith, born about 1798 in Armstrong county, settled in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, where he fol- lowed farming for years. Later in life he returned to his native county, locating in Plumcreek township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits the balance of his pupil in the academy at Mechanicsburg, in Brushvalley township, under Prof. J. T. Stew- art for a time, and before her marriage taught several terms in her home township. Mr. and Mrs. Grumbling have had two children : Tersa H., born Feb. 27, 1897, now a student in the State normal school at Indiana, Pa .; and life, dying there in 1862, when sixty-four Hudson Virgil D., born Nov. 10, 1908. Mr. years old. He was a good man in all the rela-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tions of life, in religious association a member riage: Stella, born April 20, 1882, married of the United Presbyterian Church. His wife, Mark McMillen, and resides at Indiana, Pa .; Sarah (Love), died in 1857, at the age of William Hunter, born May 10, 1891, also re- sixty. Six children were born to them: sides at Indiana. Smith, who married Margaret Sloan and (sec- ond) Caroline Jewell ; William Hunter, men- tioned below; Mary; Rosetta P., who married Thomas Marshall ; Alexander; and Mary J., who married James Henegan.

John L. Neal, born July 16, 1845, was seven years old when the family moved to Indiana county, settling in East Mahoning township, where he attended 'the Stutchel school. He worked at home until nineteen years old, when William Hunter Neal, son of Robert, was born Sept. 14, 1823, in Slippery Rock town- ship, Butler Co., Pa., where he attended public school. He moved with his parents to Arm- strong county, following farming there in Cowanshannock township until 1852, in which year he came to Indiana county. He located on a tract of woodland in East Mahoning township and built a log cabin for himself and family, and with the aid of his sons succeeded in clearing up his land, where he followed general farming and stock raising. Later he erected a larger house and barn, and by dint of industry he prospered steadily and became one of the substantial citizens of the township, which he served officially as supervisor, school director and overseer of the poor, having the confidence of his fellow citizens throughout the locality. He died on the farm Feb. 23, 1892, and was buried in the Mahoning Church cemetery. His religious connection was with in July, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, 1st Battalion, for one hundred days' service, under Colonel Stewart and Captain Wilson. He served his term and reenlisted, in J. K. Weaver's infantry company, with which he served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Harrisburg in August, 1865. At the close of the war he went West and while there worked for about six months for an Indian chief. Returning home he con- tinued with his father until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he received forty-one acres of the home farm, a brush covered tract which he cleared and upon which he made all the improvements. Then he traded it for a fifty-two-acre tract, the Bates farm, on which he built a house and barn and made other improvements, bringing the land under a good state of cultivation. In time he bought part of the old home- stead, now owning 120 acres, all in good con- the United Presbyterian denomination. In dition and well improved, and he carries on politics he was originally a Whig, later join- ing the Republican party.

general farming and stock raising. He has worked hard all his life, being one of the most industrious of men, and owes all he has to thrift and honorable dealing. His neighbors recognize his ability and trustworthiness, and have intrusted him with the duties of several important public positions, in which he has served faithfully, having been a member and treasurer of the board of school directors, and overseer of the poor. In politics he has always been a loyal Republican.

Mr. Neal's first marriage was to Elizabeth Stutchel, who was born March 11, 1823, in Plumcreek township, Armstrong county, daughter of John Stutchel, and died on the farm Feb. 11. 1878. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was buried in the Mahoning Church cemetery. Five chil- dren were born to this marriage: John L. is mentioned below. Rebecca L., born Nov. 28, 1847, was married May 5, 1868, to Joseph Wil- On Jan. 25, 1868, Mr. Neal married Ruth Annie Horton, who was born at Smithport, Indiana county, daughter of George Horton, and died April 8. 1880; she was buried in Marion Center cemetery. Mrs. Neal was a member of the M. E. Church. She was the mother of four children: Mary E., born in Jannary, 1870, married Sherwood Keslar, of Rayne township; Nora A., born April 28, Dubois, Pa .: Eliza A., born in June, 1874, son, and resides at PIumville, Indiana connty. Sarah E., born Sept. 19, 1850, married April 11, 1876, William Alexander Hamilton, and resides in South Mahoning township. Robert S., horn Jan. 2, 1854, was an engineer, and died Oct. 28, 1884, being killed in an accident in Kansas. Thomas Ormond, born Jan. 29. 1860, married Rachel Potts Feb. 14, 1883, and resides in Buffalo, Kans. On July 28, 1879, 1872, married A. L. Steffey and resides in Mr. Neal married (second ) Mary Harriet Barr, who was born July 25, 1853. and sur- was formerly a teacher in the public schools vives, making her home in Indiana, Pa. After and then became the wife of William C. Grif- Mr. Neal's death she became the wife of Wil- fith, druggist of Marion Center, and died Oct. liam Iluffman, who is now deceased. Two 1, 1906; Osee M., born in August, 1878, mar- children were born to Mr. Neal's second mar- ried Joseph M. White, and died in January,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1910. In May, 1882, Mr. Neal married (sec- Isaac, who married Mary Lewis; and Samuel, ond) Harriet R. Lee, who was born in Bell who married Phebe Lewis. township, Clearfield Co., Pa., daughter of Nathaniel Simpson, son of James Simpson, and grandfather of Nathaniel C. Simpson, was John Fletcher and Jane (Caldwell) Lee, and granddaughter of Rev. Timothy and Eva born in Armstrong county, Pa., Dec. 25, 1779. (Snyder) Lee, the former a minister of the Subsequently he located in what is now East M. E. Church in western Pennsylvania. Rev. Mahoning township, Indiana county, and be- Timothy Lee was born in Pittsfield, Mass., a came an extensive farmer and land owner, accumulating about one thousand acres. He was a pioneer of that section, and from early descendant of one of the oldest families of New England. Mrs. Neal is a member of the M. E. Church. Two children were born to manhood worked faithfully to make a home her and her husband: S. Rose and Martha, the latter (born in October, 1895) still at school.

Miss S. Rose Neal, born in February, 1886, received her early education in the public schools of East Mahoning township, and later attended the State normal school at Indiana, from which she was graduated in 1908. She has taught public school for three years, hav- ing been thus engaged at Dubois, Pa., but her greatest interest has been in dramatic work, for which she has exceptional ability. She has given instructions in dramatic art at Dubois and in different sections of Indiana county, among the plays which she has suc- cessfully staged being "In the Palace of the King," "The Gilded Fool," "Brown of Har- vard," "Our Old Eli," "The Man from Nevada," "His Brother's Keeper," "When a Man's Single." Miss Neal is. a successful elocution teacher.

NATHANIEL COOK SIMPSON, agricul- turist and stockman at Marion Center, and a director of the Marion Center National Bank, was born in East Mahoning township, Indi- ana Co., Pa., Jan. 9, 1848, son of John and Mary Ann (Hastings) Simpson.

James Simpson, the first of the family in of Nathaniel C. Simpson, was born Jan. 27, Pennsylvania, was born about 1750, of Scot- 1812, and his education was limited to the tish extraction, but came to this country from subscription school, which was held for a the North of Ireland, in 1775. He first lo- cated in the Path valley, in Huntingdon county, Pa., later moving to Westmoreland county, where he continued to reside until 1785-86. Then he crossed the Conemaugh river, locating in what is now Cherryhill township, Indiana county, in which section he was among the first settlers. He was mar- ried to Polly Pollock, and they became the winter term of three months. His boyhood was spent in assisting his father, and on com- ing to man's estate he settled on the Little Mahoning, in East Mahoning township, where he took up an uncleared tract of 206 acres, and erected a small log house and barn. After some years a more substantial set of buildings was erected, and here Mr. Simpson spent the rest of his active life, his declining parents of the following children: Charity, years being passed at the home of his son who married Thomas Craven; Robert, who married Mary Shearer; Margaret, who mar- ried Moses Gamble; Nathaniel, who married Catherine Leasure ; James, who married Jane Shearer; John, who married Sarah Kirk- patrick; David, who married Nancy Coulter ; Nathaniel C. and wife, who cared for him tenderly up to the time of his demise, and with whom he passed away the evening of Aug. 1, 1892, when he was eighty years of age. He was buried in Gilgal cemetery. Mr. Simpson was active in mind and body to the

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 52

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