Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 53

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 53

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for himself and his family. His education in boyhood had been somewhat limited, and as a youth he lived in a log cabin in the woods, and he died while in the midst of his struggles to clear his property, at the age of fifty-four years. He was buried in the old cemetery at Gilgal Church, of which he had for many years been a member. He was a Whig in his political views, but cared nothing for public life, being content to round out his career as an honest, industrious and unassuming agriculturist. Mr. Simpson married Cathe- rine Leasure, who was born July 23, 1793, and they had the following children: John, born Jan. 27, 1812; Elizabeth, July 20, 1813; Jane, born Sept. 15, 1815; James, Nov. 18, 1817; David, Oct. 29, 1819; William, Feb. 24, 1822; Nathaniel, March 10, 1824; Solomon, Ang. 22, 1826 ; Catherine, June 15, 1828 ; Mar- garet, July 19, 1832; and Culbertson, June 30, 1833. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Simpson married John Colkitt, and she met her death by blood poisoning following a broken wrist, sustained by a fall from a fence while coming from milking. She also was buried in the Gilgal cemetery. She was long a member of the Presbyterian Church.

John Simpson, son of Nathaniel, and father

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

last and predicted the day, and almost the

On May 5, 1870, Mr. Simpson was married hour of his own death. He was a Whig and to Sophia C. Simson, who was born May 26, Republican, and served as school director, tax 1843, in Mahoning township, daughter of Levi collector, and in various other offices. His and Ellen (Wilson) Simson, her father a death cost his community one of its best cit- soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have had the following children : Annie Maude, born March 15, 1871, married Dennis E. Bell (deceased) and (second) A. L. Pierce, and resides in Indiana, Pa .; John Levi was born June 5, 1873; Edward Newton was born Oct. 28, 1875; Ella Bell, born May 11, 1878, was married Aug. 14, 1901, to Charles L. Morrison, and has two children. Mildred Genevieve, born Aug. 26, 1902, and William Cook, born May 2, 1904; Ebert Tay- lor was born June 7, 1881; and Linus Cook, Sept. 7, 1884. izens. In 1834 Mr. Simpson was united in marriage with Mary Ann Hastings, who was born in East Mahoning township, daughter of John and Isabelle (Cook) Hastings. She died Jan. 9, 1876, and is buried in Gilgal cemetery, having been of the Presbyterian faith. The children born to John and Mary Ann Simpson were as follows: Catherine, who died young ; Isabella, who married Ephraim E. Work; Alexander, who died young; a child that died unnamed; Agnes, who died at the age of seven years; a twin brother of Agnes who died when still an infant; Caroline, who married Silas W. Work, resided in Marion Center, and died April 8, 1913 (she is buried in the Mahoning U. P. cemetery ) ; Nathaniel Cook; Margaret, deceased, who married John C. Laughry; and Elizabeth, who married George W. Jordon, both now deceased.

Nathaniel Cook Simpson, son of John Simp- son, spent his boyhood days on the home farm, continuing to reside with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, in the mean- while securing his education in the public schools. He then took up farming on his own account on his present tract, consisting of 128

acres, which is a part of the home farm. He 1898; Myra Leota, born May 12, 1901; and a

has since purchased other land, being the owner of 550 acres, and is one of the heaviest buried at Marion Center.

taxpayers in the township. He has erected a fine home, large barns, granaries and silos, and his property is considered among the most valuable in this part of the county. He has been a large dealer and shipper of stock and sheep, in partnership with his sons, but is better known as a breeder of mules, raising a large number each year and finding a ready market in the coal regions of Jefferson, Clear- field, Cambria, Clarion, Indiana and West- moreland counties. A thorough business man and excellent agriculturist, while making a success of his own affairs he has taken no undue advantage of others, and his honorable dealing in all matters has gained him hosts of friends. In politics a stanch Republican, he has served his township in the capacity of supervisor, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having been one of the organizers of the church at Covode, Pa. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, belonging to John W. Jenks Lodge of D. degree, and since that time has been enjoy- Punxsutawney, and also holds membership in ing a large and representative practice at But- the lodge and grand lodge of the I. O. O. F. ler, Pa. On Dec. 24, 1905, he married Iva

John Levi Simpson, son of Nathaniel Cook Simpson, received his higher education in the teachers' training schools, and remained at home assisting his father. He has now settled down to farming on his own aecount on what is known as the Milton Stuchill farm, a tract of 110 acres, on which he has made numerous valuable improvements. He is also associated with his father in the mule breeding enter- prise, and is known as a man of excellent busi- ness abilities. On May 12, 1896, he was mar- ried in Rayne township to Clara L. Edwards, daughter of James Edwards, and they have had three children : Ada Mary, born Aug. 3. son, born and died April 10, 1912, who is

Edward Newton Simpson, son of Nathaniel Cook Simpson, attended the select schools and passed his boyhood on the farm with his father. He is now carrying on operations on his own account, having a tract of 127 acres located east of Oak Tree station, where he has put up a fine brick dwelling house and other buildings. Like his father and brother. he is interested in the cattle, sheep and mule business. He was married March 2, 1897, to Cora Lynn Barclay, daughter of Thomas Bar- elay, and they have three children: Walter Cook, born July 30, 1898; Thomas Raymond. Aug. 15, 1900; and Laura Belle, Sept. 27. 1902.

Ebert Taylor Simpson, M. D., son of Nathaniel Cook Simpson, at the age of nine- teen, graduated at the Indiana State normal school, and began the study of medicine at the Western University of Pennsylvania. He was graduated therefrom in 1909 with his M.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

States, and they have had a son, Nathaniel matters, educating his family well and serving Albert, born Sept. 12, 1907, who died Feb. 12, 1908.

many terms as school director of his township. Two of his daughters obtained State certif- Linus Cook Simpson, youngest son of icates and followed the teacher's profession Nathaniel Cook Simpson, was educated in the for a number of terms. He was a consistent public schools, and has always been engaged in farming. He is unmarried, and makes his home with his parents.

MITCHELL. The Mitchell family, well- known and highly respected residents of Center township, Indiana county, have been settled in Pennsylvania since Colonial times.

James Mitchell, Sr., the first representative in this county, was born in 1755 in Philadel- phia, and when a young man became a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving with Gen- eral Washington at Valley Forge. The mus- ket he then carried was in the possession of his grandson, Alexander L. Mitchell, as long as he lived. In 1788 he came to Indiana county, locating on a tract of land along Blackliek creek part of which is now occupied by the Coral coal works. He put up a cabin and began the work of clearing, and after he had lived and worked alone there for a year he married Margaret Montgomery, of York county, Pa. He often served as a scout dur- ing the border troubles with the Indians, and in the spring of 1791 was obliged to move his family to "Allison's Fort" (now the McGee Farm), near Homer City. When the alarm suhsided he returned with his family to the farm and they were not afterward molested. As he prospered James Mitchell erected sub- stantial buildings on the farm, and the house he built is now owned and occupied by Mr. Mack, and is in good condition.

Robert Mitchell, the third son of James Mitchell, Sr., married Elizabeth Lowry, of Rural Valley, Armstrong Co., Pa. The State. Elizabeth's mother was killed by the falling of a tree, as she was riding home from church on a summer Sabbath afternoon.

Lowrys, too, were pioneers in this part of the whence he came to America when a young

Elizabeth, then ten years old, was sitting be- in Westmoreland county, where he spent the hind the saddle and escaped with little injury, remainder of his long life. He died at the as did the husband and father, who, carrying age of ninety. In politics he was a Democrat. his rifle because of the danger from the In- dians, was walking near by.

Alexander Lowry Mitchell, second son of Robert and Elizabeth (Lowry) Mitchell, was born April 18, 1826, on the old Mitchell farm, at what is now Coral. He was a man of in- telligence and well educated for his time, was well read and was considered a good debater. In the early days he taught school, and he own account, being thus engaged until 1880. always continued his interest in educational That year he moved to Indiana county and

member of the United Presbyterian Church. and served as a member of the session of his church at Homer City from 1880 until his death, which occurred Jan. 10, 1895. Polit- ically Alexander L. Mitchell was always a stauch Republican. On Oct. 20, 1841, he mar- ried Sarah McCormick, who was born March 24, 1824, in Brushvalley township, on the farm now known as "Oak Grove," daughter of James H. and Sarah (Wilson) MeCormick, and they had five children: Robert Calvin, born Oct. 10, 1843, died in November, 1845; Richard M., born Jan. 5, 1847. died Dec. 20, 1848; Finetta McCormick is Mrs. Thomas F. Billingslee, of Center township, Indiana county ; Margaret Jane is Mrs. W. S. Law- rence, of Blairsville, Pa .; Elizabeth Lowry married Harvey Trimble, of Home, Pa., and has three children, Harvey McCormick (born Nov. 30, 1891, a member of the class of 1913 at Indiana State normal school), Horace Ham- ilton (born May 14, 1894, a student of the same school), and Lois Mitchell (born April 27, 1899, a pupil of the public schools of Rayne township). Mrs. Sarah (McCormick) Mitchell died March 30, 1909, and though eighty-five years of age retained the full use of all her faculties to the end.

THOMAS F. BILLINGSLEE, farmer and stock raiser of Center township, Indiana county, was born Oct. 22, 1861, near Murrys- ville, in Franklin township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., son of Robert J. Billingslee and grandson of Thomas Billingslee.

Thomas Billingslee was a native of Ireland.

man. His first location was in Allegheny county, Pa., where he followed farming for a time, later removing to near Harrison City,

Robert J. Billingslee, son of Thomas, was born March 4, 1834, in Penn township, Alle- gheny Co., Pa., and received his education in the public schools of that county. After lo- cating in Westmoreland county, near Greens- burg, he operated the farm of Attorney Stokes for five years, at the end of that time renting the place and beginning its cultivation on his

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

settled on the farm in Blacklick township has established a fine business. He also has a where he has ever since resided, being now engaged in general farming in partnership with his son Matthew B. Billingslee. On July 4, 1856, he married Sarah Jane LaCock, who was born in the Ligonier Valley, in Westmore- land county, Pa., July 12, 1837, and died May 22, 1910. She is buried in Greenwood ceme- tery, at Indiana, Pa. Mrs. Billingslee was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. She was the mother of five children: Annie Rosetta, born July 28, 1857, is the wife of Edward Kunkle; William Joseph, born Dec. 17, 1858, died Sept. 28, 1860; Thomas F. was born Oct. 22, 1861; Eliza Catherine, born April 12, 1865, died young; Matthew Bright, born March 21, 1868, resides on the homestead with his father.

Thomas F. Billingslee attended public school in Westmoreland and Indiana counties, principally at the McCrea school in Blacklick township. Between school terms, when of proper age, he worked for neighboring farm- ers, receiving nine dollars a month, and after his marriage he settled on the Mitchell farm in Center township, his wife's old home, where he still continues to reside. This fine tract of 150 acres is under excellent cultivation, and Mr. Billingslee's thrift and industry are ap- parent in every detail of his surroundings. Besides general farming he makes a specialty of raising fine draft horses and Holstein cat- tle, in which line he is very successful. He gives all his time to his own affairs, taking no part in public matters, though he unites with the Democratic party on political issues.

furniture factory at Glen Rock, York Co., Pa. Mr. Hoover is a man of ability and energetic disposition, and has had various important in- terests besides his lumber operations. He was one of the organizers of the Clearfield & Cush Creek Coal & Coke Company, one of the first coal companies in Indiana county, which car- ried on operations at Glen Campbell. Mr. Hoover married Elizabeth A. Turner, whose 'father, John Turner, was a native of York county, Pa., coming thence to Huston town- ship, Center county, where he engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have had a family of ten children: John Turner, men- tioned below; Edward, who is deceased ; Gustavus, deceased ; Eva, living at home ; Mar- garet, wife of Henry Putney, of Brookline, Mass. ; George W., a resident of Williamsport, Pa .; Esther, at home; Malcolm, a. resident of Glen Rock, Pa .; Elizabeth, deceased; and one that died in infancy.

John Turner Hoover obtained his early edu- cation in public schools at Philipsburg, grad- nating from the high school there, and in 1885 attended the State normal school at In- diana, Pa. Later he was a student of Ulrich's preparatory school at Bethlehem, Pa., and then took a course in Lehigh University, at South Bethlehem, graduating from that insti- tution with the class of 1891. When he en- tered business life he was engaged in lumber- ing and contracting for several years, follow- ing those lines at Philipsburg and in West Virginia until 1897, in which year he came to Indiana connty and became connected with JOHN TURNER HOOVER, of Heilwood, Indiana county, chief engineer of the Penn- Mary Coal Company, was born April 19, 1868, at Julian Furnace, in Center county, Pa., son of George W. and Elizabeth A. (Turner) Hoover. His paternal grandfather was a na- tive of Georgia. the Clearfield & Cush Creek Coal & Coke Com- pany, as superintendent and mining engineer. He continned with that concern until it went out of business, in 1903, since when he has been engaged as mining engineer in Indiana, Clearfield, Cambria and Fayette counties, Pa., and in West Virginia. In 1909 he came from Uniontown, Fayette county, to Heilwood to take his present position with the Penn-Mary Coal Company, being chief engineer. Mr. Hoover is thoroughly fitted for the duties and responsibilities of this position, both by educa- tion and experience, as well as native ability, and he enjoys the unlimited confidence of his resident of Philipsburg, Center county, where superiors and universal respect from the men in his charge. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum at Philipsburg and is a high Mason, belonging to Indiana Lodge, No. 313, F. & A. M., to Williamsport Consistory, and

George W. Hoover was born in York county, Pa., where his father first settled upon coming to this State, later removing to Center county, where he followed farming. George W. Hoover has been engaged in the lumber busi- ness for many years. In 1869 he became a followed the lumber business for over twenty years as a member of the firm of Hoover, Hughes & Co. After this concern dissolved. in 1893, Mr. Hoover continued in the same line at Philipsburg until 1904, when he re- to Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Al- moved to Williamsport, Pa., at which place he toona, Pennsylvania. is engaged as a wholesale lumber dealer and

On June 27, 1900, Mr. Hoover was united

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in marriage with Mary Barclay, who was born lance of his corps and did considerable guard in Tioga county, Pa., daughter of James Bar- duty. Returning home after being mustered clay ; her mother's maiden name was Wood. ' ont he engaged in farming and lumbering, was Mrs. Hoover's parents are now deceased. One engaged to some extent in rafting, and in addi- child, J. Barclay, has been born (Nov. 3, 1901) to Mr. and Mrs. Hoover.

ROBERT F. TEMPLETON, now a resi- dent of Indiana, Pa., was until recently en- gaged in general farming in Green township, owning and occupying one of the most attrac- tive farms in Indiana county. He formerly followed other lines of work as well as agricul- tural pursuits, and has been a prosperous man, doing well in his various undertakings. Mr. Templeton was born in Center township, this his private affairs he has given his fellow county, July 30, 1843, son of William F. and citizens acceptable service as a member of the school board of Green township, and he is an elder in the Nebo Presbyterian Church near Grisemore, to which he and his wife belong. He is a member of the Union Veteran Legion. Eliza (Hamilton) Templeton and grandson of Walter Templeton, who lived for some time near Brookville, in Jefferson county, and later moved to near Atwood, Armstrong county, remaining there until his death. By occupa- tion he was a farmer.

William F. Templeton came to Indiana county many years ago, making his home in Center township, where he lived to the end of his days. He died when a comparatively young man, when his son Robert was but fif- teen months old, leaving his wife, who sur- vived him many years, dying May 25, 1889, Roberta, Donald, and Pauline. (3) Charles

at the age of seventy-four years. They had two children, one dying in infancy. James Hamilton, the father of Mrs. Eliza (Hamil- ton) Templeton, came to Indiana county at an early day with his father and settled in the southern portion. He married Margaret Sample, a member of a pioneer family of the county, and Robert F. Templeton was born on the old Sample farm.

From the time of his father's death until he Mabel C. Reade, and they have three children, was eight years old, Robert F. Templeton lived within a mile and a half of the borough of Indiana, in 1851 moving to the place in Green county where he made his home until his removal to Indiana, and where he was engaged in agricultural work all his active JOHN CALVIN ROSE, a farmer of Cone- maugh township. this county, was born near Murrysville, in Penn township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Jan. 11, 1861, son of George Rose, and grandson of John Rose. years. The second year of the Civil war he enlisted, Aug. 19, 1862, in the Union service. joining Company I, 67th Pennsylvania Regi- ment, under Maj. Harry White (one of the · compilers of the history of Indiana county John Rose was born in Penn township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and was a carpenter and farmer. He moved to Irwin station. Westmoreland Co., Pa. He was married to Jane Katz, and their children were: George: Jennie, who married Rev. John Boyd, of Illi- which appears in this work), and was in the · army for three years, receiving his discharge June 27, 1865, at Harrisburg, Pa. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and took part in several battles under General Grant, among the engagements in which he saw active serv- nois; Sarah, who married John Sowash, of ice being the Wilderness. He drove the ambu- Claridge, Pa .; Amanda, who married Will-

tion to general farming raised sheep for the eastern markets, buying and shipping hogs, cows and sheep. Of late years, however, he confined his labors to the work about his home place, which he had in an excellent state of cultivation and noticeably well looked after. About April 1, 1913, he sold his farm to G. M. Joiner, of Grisemore, disposed of his per- sonal property, and moved to Indiana, where he expects to reside the remainder of his life. Though he has given most of his attention to

An April 2, 1867, Mr. Templeton married Keziah N. Patterson, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Dunkle) Patterson, of Green town- ship, and they have had nine children : (1) Jessie Mae is deceased. (2) Laura E. mar- ried Harry A. Moorhead, of Pittsburg, Pa., and they have had nine children, Jean E., Murray, Kenneth, Walter, Nellie, Dorothy, died when twenty-four years old. (4) M. Myrtle is the wife of A. Scott Harris, of Bis- bee, Ariz., and has one child, Nannie A. (5) Lucy L. died when twenty-seven years old. (6) Ralph E., who lives in New Jersey, mar- ried Ida Ford, of Conemaugh, Pa., and they have one child, Margaret. (7) William N., who lives at Clymer. Pa., where he is asso- ciated with the A. F. Kelly store, married Caroline Leone, Ruth and Robert R. Mr. W. N. Templeton is an elder in the Clymer Pres- byterian Church. (8) Norris died in infancy. (9) One died in infancy unnamed.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

George Rose was born on his father's home- stead in 1833. He served his country as a faithful soldier in Company C, 205th Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, for a year, en- listing at Greensburg, Pa. Owing to disability contracted while in the service he was sent to Vienna hospital, and was eventually dis- charged. Coming home in 1864, he bought rector and overseer of the poor, to which offices he was elected on the Republican ticket. He was a member of the Grange, and in religions connection was a member of the Presbyterian ` Church, giving that body his earnest and conscientious support.

George Rose married Lucinda Alter, a daughter of Jacob and Jane (Bratton) Alter, and she survives her husband, making her home in Saltsburg. She is now (1913) seventy- eight years old. Children as follows were born to this worthy couple: 'Jacob Alter, who married Daisy McConnell, of Conemaugh township, grandniece of Judge Harry White, of Indiana, Pa., resides at Harrisburg, Pa., where he is connected with the Huber Manu- facturing Company (their children are Titian J. and Margery M.) ; John C. is mentioned be- low; George Nevin, who married Minnie Mahan, of Indiana, Pa., resides at Bridge- ville, Del., where he is engaged in farming (they have one son, Joseph Theodore) ; Sarah is the wife of Dr. S. E. Nowry, residing at Wilberdeen, Pa., and has one child. Rose Lucinda; Mary Elizabeth married Sidwell Getty, of Conemaugh township, Indiana Co., Pa., and they have five children, Anna May, Sarah Rose, Mary Elvira, Alice Glyndon and Thelma Theodora ; Nannie E. married Elmer E. Riggs, of South Dakota, at present residing in Jonesboro, Ark., where he is engaged as a carpenter, and they have one child, Rose L.

iam Morrow, of Irwin, Pa .; and Rebecca, who At the expiration of this period he felt the call married Joe McWilliams, and lives in of the soil, and bought 106 acres of land in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania.

Conemaugh township which he cultivated. Later he sold at a profit and moved to Salts- burg, where he became a traveling salesman for the Deering Harvester Company and the Huber Manufacturing Company, thus con- tinuing for a few years. Leaving the road, he located at Wilberdeen to enter the employ of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company, and remained with that concern for eighteen the Robert Henderson farm of 235 acres in months. Once more he returned to Cone- Conemaugh township, Indiana Co., Pa., in maugh township, buying in 1911 the M. G. 1866, and began farming, following this occu-

Sandles farm, situated a half mile from pation the remainder of his life, dying May. Clarksburg, Pa., 167 acres on which he is car- rying on general farming and dairying, ship-

2, 1890. He was a man prominent in all township affairs and served as a school di- ping milk to Saltsburg.

Mr. Rose married Jennie E. Nesbitt, a daughter of Samuel and Agnes (Fulton) Nes- bitt, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Nellie Agnes, a graduate of the Indiana normal school, class of 1912. was formerly a teacher in Conemaugh and is at present engaged at Thornburg; Mary Lu- cinda, who is a graduate of the Saltsburg high school and North Washington Institute, is now teaching in Conemaugh township. and is also a student and teacher of music; George Nes- bitt, born Oct. 18, 1897, is a student at Elders- ridge Academy, and after attending the State College of Agriculture expects to be a scien- tific farmer ; Janet Elizabeth is attending puh- lie school and studying music.

For many years Mr. Rose has been one of the stanch supporters of Prohibition in Cone- maugh township, and has been often called upon to serve the people ; he has acted as town- ship auditor and member of the election board. The Presbyterian Church of Salts- burg has long had in him one of its most effi- cient members, he having served as elder for nine years ; since moving to Clarksburg he has been an elder and superintendent of Sunday school. A man of action, he has accomplished much, and has many plans for future useful- ness, for he is not one who stands still, but believes in exerting himself to improve exist- ing conditions in every possible way.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 53

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