Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 54

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 54

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NESBITT. Robert Newton Nesbitt, a farmer of Conemangh township, was born in . that township Nov. 15, 1872, son of Samuel Nesbitt and grandson of Samuel Nesbitt.

John Calvin Rose was brought to C'one- maugh township, Indiana county, when he was but five years old, and grew up in the town- ship, attending the common schools here as well as the Saltsburg academy, Beaver high Samuel Neshitt, the grandfather, was one of the early farmers of Conemangh township. where he owned 180 acres of land. He died at the extreme old age of ninety-six years. His school, and Indiana normal, and taught school for fourteen terms in Conemangh township, two terms in Allegheny county, one term in Westmoreland county-seventeen terms in all. wife Jane (McConnehey) died at the age of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

eighty-five years. Their children were: Mar- it did that of his father, the latter having garet, Malinda, Nancy, Evelyn, Bell, Robert, been one of its presiding elders for half a Harry and Samuel.

century. Mr. Nesbitt conserves its interests Samuel Nesbitt, son of Samuel Nesbitt, be- as a trustee, having held that responsible of- came one of the leading agriculturalists of fice for three years. His father's services Conemaugh township, owning 180 acres of are still remembered in Conemaugh township land, the old Nesbitt homestead, on which he with reference to the school board, which he carried on general farming and stock raising, specializing in the latter line. He was a promi- nent citizen of his day, holding the office of county treasurer for one term of three years, during which time he lived at Indiana. He was a jovial man, and beloved by the many who knew him. His death occurred at his home in Saltsburg when he was seventy-two years old.

assisted in bringing to its present efficient state as one of its directors, and also in con- nection with his work as overseer of the poor. The Nesbitt family, like the Rose family, is a very prominent one in this part of the county, and its representatives are living up to the high standards raised many years ago by honored ancestors.

During the Civil war, Samuel Nesbitt proved his patriotism by enlisting in Com- and farmer of East Mahoning township, was pany C, 206th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- born in South Mahoning township, this fantry, and serving for four years. He had county, Dec. 17, 1848. the misfortune to be wounded in the neck and thigh. Among the treasured possessions of his son, Robert Newton Nesbitt, is the coat of his father's uniform, which is riddled with holes made by bullets.

Samuel Nesbitt married Agnes Fulton, a daughter of Moses Fulton, of Livermore, Pa., and the children of this union were: Jennie E., wlio married John C. Rose; Samuel Moses Fulton, who married Maud Stranahan, and lives in Dennison, Ohio, where he has charge of a church, being a Presbyterian minister (their children are Agnes, Lucile, Maude and Euphema) ; and Robert N.

For his second wife Samuel Nesbitt married Miss Elizabeth Lowman, and to this union was born one child, Alexander Gilmore, who graduated from Grove City College and later from business college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and is now a practicing attorney at Pittsburg.

Robert Newton Nesbitt attended the com- mon schools of his neighborhood and Grove City College, spending one year at the latter institution. Returning home, he began farm- ing, and found that line of work so congenial that he has continued it ever since, now own- ing the homestead farm of 180 acres in the fertile Conemaugh district. Mr. Nesbitt car- ries on general farming and stock raising and when occasion demands acts as auctioneer, his services in that capacity being highly appre- ciated by those who have need of him.

SAMUEL L. ROWE, justice of the peace

George Rowe, the founder of the family in Indiana county, was born in Ligonier, West- moreland Co., Pa., and located in Rayne town- ship among the pioneers of that section. He settled on 125 acres of land which he cleared, and developed a good farm, upon which he died. His wife, Mary (Cooney), who was born in Cumberland, Md., also died on the farm. Both are buried in Washington ceme- tery in Rayne township. For years they were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. The children born to this excellent couple were: James, who died in Rayne township; Jacob H .; George, who died in Rayne township; Maria, who married Robert Walker, and died in Montgomery township; Elizabeth (Betsy), who married Jacob Stumpf, of Rayne township; and Catherine, who married Benjamin Walker, and died in Rayne township.

Jacob H. Rowe, son of George Rowe, was born in 1805 in Westmoreland county, Pa., and was only two years old when his parents came to Rayne township. He had but few opportunities for acquiring an education, but became a well-read man and an excellent pen- man. After attaining manhood's estate he settled in South Mahoning township upon rented land, and spent ten years there, later moving to the vicinity of Ambrose, where he operated the James Bovard farm of 110 acres. After six years there he came to East Mahon- ing township, where he acquired a small tract of land near Marion Center, and there he died in 1879, aged seventy-four years. His remains were buried in the Marion Center cemetery,

Mr. Nesbitt married Nora Kennedy, a daughter of Daniel and Eveline (Fleming) Kennedy. Since casting his first vote he has been an ardent Republican, and for eight ' years has been the township auditor. The his wife, who died in 1884, lying by his side. Presbyterian Church holds his membership, as She was Jane Walker prior to her marriage,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

being a daughter of Robert Walker. Mr. is with the Westinghouse Air Brake Com- Rowe was not connected with any religious pany; George G., who is at home ; and a child denomination, but governed his life accord- who died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Rowe ing to the Golden Rule. The following chil- married for his second wife Clara B. Work, a dren were born to him and his wife: Mary, daughter of the late William Work, a full who married Joshua Lydick, is a widow, re- sketch of whom is to be found elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have had two children: John Wilson, who died in childhood; and Mary, who is at home.

siding at Marion Center ; John W., who served in Company B, 61st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, died at Mar- ion Center; Robert Walker, who was a soldier in the 2nd Pennsylvania Light Artillery, is deceased ; Catherine resides in Westmoreland county ; Samnel Lewis is mentioned below.

Samuel Lewis Rowe attended the schools of South and East Mahoning townships and worked with his father and also for neighbor- ing farmers, receiving from twenty-five to thirty cents per day for his services, as well as hoard. When he was seventeen years old he began learning the carpenter's trade with John W. Weston, of Marion Center, and spent two years with him, receiving sixty dol- lars for the first year, and seventy-five dol- lars the second year, including board for the entire period. Mr. Rowe worked as a journey- later going to Allegheny, where he spent three years, and then he located in East Mahoning township, where he began contracting. He built a number of houses in various sections, the last one being the St. Clair Thompson residence, in Rayne township. In 1881 he settled on the John Hamilton farm in East Mahoning township and began farming the 100 acres contained within its confines. He made improvements on this property and now car- ries on general farming and stock raising, hav- ing met with a gratifying measure of success. In 1891 Mr. Rowe was elected justice of the peace, and was reelected successively in 1896, 1901, 1906 and 1911, now serving his fifth term. Mr. Rowe has made a remarkable record, for during all these years but one appeal has been taken from his decisions and the upper court sustained his ruling on that. Originally a Republican, he later became a Greenbacker and is now an enthusiastic Pro- gressive. Like his good father, he believes that if a man does unto others as he would be done by, he lives up to the highest form of religious life. Mrs. Rowe is a consistent mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church at Richmond, Pennsylvania.

HARRY AUSTIN BOGGS. senior member of the firm of Boggs & McGregor, of Indiana, Indiana Co., Pa., was born in White township, this county, June 21. 1861, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Adams) Boggs.

The Boggs family is of Irish origin, and Alexander Boggs, grandfather of Harry A. Boggs, was born in Ireland. coming to Amer- ica when eighteen years old. Landing at New York City, he remained there a short time and then came westward to Pittsburg. where he also made a brief stay. His next location was in Redbank township, Armstrong county, where he followed farming for three years, at the end of that time coming to Indiana man in both Indiana county and Pittsburg, county and settling four miles north of the town of Indiana, in White township. He pur- chased a farm of 160 acres, now owned by Robert Mabon, and lived and died on this place. His first dwelling there was a log house which he built, and which he later replaced with a frame house. His death oc- curred Feb. 22, 1864, when he was in his sixty-seventh year, and his wife, Mary (Daugherty), died March 16, 1865, in her sixty-eighth year. They are buried in Oak- land cemetery at Indiana. Mr. Boggs was a Presbyterian in religious faith. Six children were born to this couple, viz .: Caroline, who died Jan. 27, 1865, aged thirty-one years ; Sarah N., who married D. L. Ralston : Martha, who married Read Adams; Mary Jane, who married Logan Odair; Pauline, wife of John Hathway; and Joseph.

Joseph Boggs, only son of Alexander Boggs, was horn Feb. 2, 1830, on the farm in White township, and was there reared to agricul- tural life. Eventually he purchased his father's homestead, and continued to make his home there until four years before his death, when he moved into the borough of Indiana. He married Elizabeth Adams, who was born June 22, 1829. daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Nesbit) Adams, and died Feb. 16, 1888. aged fifty-eight years, seven months,

Mr. Rowe was married in 1880 to Elizabeth Hamilton, a daughter of John Hamilton. She died Dec. 30, 1892, and is buried in the Ma- twenty-four days. Mr. Boggs died June 8, honing Church cemetery. There were three 1894, aged sixty-four years, four months. six children by this marriage: Charles A., who days. They are buried in Oakland cemetery

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

at Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Boggs were mem- value. He married Margaret Altimus, and bers of the Presbyterian Church. They had they became the parents of six children : children as follows: Clara, Mrs. Irons, who resides at No. 1002 Church street, Indiana ; Harry Austin; Carry C .; Frank A., de- ceased ; and Jennie V., deceased.

Harry Austin Boggs was educated in his native place and there grew to manhood's estate. In 1878 he took charge of the home farm, operating it until 1889, on Nov. 4th of which year he moved to Indiana, and for four years thereafter was interested in operating the stage route from Indiana to Punxsu- tawney. As an outcome of this he developed a livery business. In 1903 he firm of Boggs & McGregor was organized to conduct a first- class livery, sell oil and lightning rods, and they do a big business in the several lines.

On Dec. 14, 1887, Mr. Boggs was united in marriage with Florence M. Mclaughlin, of Indiana county, who was born Jan. 10, 1863, daughter of James K. and Sarah Belle Mc- Laughlin. Mr. and Mrs. Boggs became the parents of the following children : Clara May, its cultivation for some time, eventually sell- born Dec. 2, 1888, was educated at the public schools and the Indiana normal school, from which she was graduated in 1910, and is now teaching her third term at Heilwood; Grace Miriam, born Sept. 4, 1898, died April 13, 1903.

Mr. Boggs is justly numbered among the life, improving the farm greatly. He died live, progressive men of his city, and his suc- cess in life has been attained through his in- dustry and ability to grasp opportunities as they came his way.

JOHN KUHNS MIKESELL, who owns a beautiful 200-acre farm in Blacklick township, stead. She is buried in the cemetery of the Indiana county, belongs to a family which has Lutheran Chapel at Coral. Mr. and Mrs. Mikesell were members of the Lutheran Church, and he was quite active in church work. Politically he was a Democrat. They were the parents of ten children: Julia Ann, who died unmarried in 1909: John Kuhns; Solomon, who died from the effects of wounds received while serving in the Civil war; Abraham, who died in Altoona, Pa .; Christo- pher, also deceased; Jonas, Jr., deceased ; Augustus, who died in boyhood; Isaac, de- ceased; Jacob, twin of Isaac, who died in in- fancy ; and Philip, who resides in Illinois. been settled in these parts for several genera- tions. The Mikesells are of German descent, John Mikesell, the founder of the branch in Indiana county, having been a native of Ger- many. He spent his early life there, coming to America when a young man, in the early part of the last century, aud first settling in Bedford county, Pa. Thence he came to In- diana county, making his home in Center township, on the Ridge near the line of what is now Burrell township. He became the owner of 300 acres in what was then an un- settled region, erected a small log dwelling and set to work to clear his land for cultiva- tion. The rest of his life was spent at that place, farming, and he made many improve- ments on the property, building a stone resi- dence and substantial barn, and in various other ways adding to its appearance and

Adam, who settled in Center township; Eliza- beth, who married Peter Bowman; Peter, who settled in West Wheatfield township; Joseph, who died in Michigan; John, who died in Iowa; and Jonas. Mr. and Mrs. Mikesell died on the farm and are buried there. They were members of the Lutheran Church, which he served as elder, and in politics he was an ad- herent of the Democratic party.

Jonas Mikesell, son of John, was born March 7, 1804, on the Ridge farm in Center township, and there received such educa- tional advantages as the subscription schools afforded. However, he became a well in-' formed man in spite of his lack of early op- portunities, and was well read in both Ger- man and English. Working at home until he reached manhood, he then removed to Clarion county, locating near Salem, on a farm owned by his father-in-law, Christopher Rugh. It was a tract of 123 acres, and he carried on ing out and returning to Indiana county. Settling at his parents' old home on the Ridge in Center township he cared for his widowed mother in her declining years and operated that place, which comprised 180 acres of fine land. He lived there the remainder of his Jan. 16, 1854, and was laid to rest in the family burying lot on the farm. He married in Center township, Catherine Rugh, who was born at Rugh Station, in what is now Burrell township, daughter of Christopher and Eliza- beth (Best) Rugh, and died at the old home-

John Kuhns Mikesell was born March 4. 1833, near Salem, in Clarion county, Pa., and was but two years old when his parents re- turned to Indiana county. He attended school in Center township, and acquired his knowl- edge of farming under his father's tuition, working with him upon the home place until

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

he died and subsequently cultivating that dying in July, 1896. In 1834 he married tract on his own account for a number of Margaret Sleppey, who was born in 1810, years, until the land and coal were sold, in daughter of Abraham and Ann Sleppey, and 1890, to the Graceton Coal & Coke Company. they had a family of nine children, three sons He then moved to Blacklick township, buying and six daughters, one of the latter being the wife of John Kuhns Mikesell. the Alexander Gordon farm, a tract of 224 acres which he has since occupied. He follows general farming and stock raising: Mr. Mike- sell considers no detail of his work too trivial for attention, and his home and surroundings show his taste and thrift. He has erected

JOSEPH HENRY BURGESS, for several years chief clerk and paymaster for the Pitts- burg Gas Coal Company at their Iselin plant in Young township, was born in Erie, Pa., buildings and made other notable improve- Sept. 22, 1873, son of John and Mary (Pilling) ments on the property during his ownership, and few farmers have their work on a more systematic and orderly basis.

Mr. Mikesell was married in Center town- ship June 2, 1870, to Keraenhappuch (Carry) Coy, a native of Pine township, this county, daughter of Lewis and Margaret (Sleppey) Coy, and they have had a family of five chil- dren, namely : Augustus Babb, who resides on the homestead, working for his father, and at present acting as a director on the school board of Blacklick township, being secretary of that body; Laura May, who married Ed- ward Berkley and lives in Middletown, Ohio; Ira B., now living at Steubenville, Ohio; Christopher, who died on the farm; and Mary, unmarried, who lives at home.

Mr. Mikesell is a member of the Lutheran Church at Coral, which he helped to organize, and he is at present serving as elder and su- perintendent of the Sunday school, being one of the most efficient workers of that congrega- tion. In politics he was originally a Demo- crat, but now supports the Republican party.

The Coy family, to which Mrs. Mikesell be- longs, is also of old settled Center township stock. John Coy, the founder of the family in Indiana county, came hither from Bedford county, Pa., settling in Brushvalley township in 1820 and later moving to Pine township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He married Sarah Bowers, and they had a large family, viz .: Lewis; Franey ; John B., who married Margaret Empfield; Adam, who married Rachel Lyda; Sarah, who married George Empfield; Peter, who married Mary Stevens: Nancy, who married Samuel Stall; Elizabeth, who married William Fowler; and David, who married a Miss Dick.

Lewis Coy, son of John and Sarah (Bowers) Coy, was born in 1812 in Bedford county, Pa., and was a boy when he came with his parents to what was then known as Brushvalley town- ship, Indiana county. Later he moved with JOE J. CAMPBELL was born in West Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Sept. the family to Pine township, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming, 15, 1865, son of Robert M. and Margaret

Burgess, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Manchester, England, and died at Erie, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Henry Burgess attended the local grammar and high schools of his native city, and after finishing his educational training be- came clerk for a hotel in Erie, retaining this position for several years. He then engaged with the Rochester & Pittsburg Coal & Iron Company, at Punxsutawney, Jefferson Co., Pa., as clerk, in the fall of 1903 leaving that concern to become chief clerk and paymaster for the Pittsburg Gas Coal Company, at Iselin, and has been thus retained ever since. As the plant was in its infancy at Iselin when Mr. Burgess assumed his present responsibilities, he has seen it grow and assisted in its material advancement. The employees on the payroll have increased from 200 to 1,600, and instead of the few houses in the village that Mr. Bur- gess found upon his arrival there are now over three hundred good residences. Having seen all this progress, Mr. Burgess was naturally interested in the village, and was one of the men who organized the Union Church of that place, serving on the building committee, and subsequently as a trustee. He is a strong Re- publican, and was postmaster of Iselin from the establishment of the office until 1911. when it was changed from a fourth-class to a third-class office, and his assistant, Mr. Rhoads, succeeded him. He now makes his home in the borough of Indiana.

Mr. Burgess was married in Erie, Pa., to Elizabeth Walter, who was born in that city, daughter of G. A. Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess have had four children, Richard Wal- ter, Alice, Frederick and Jane. Mrs. Burgess is active in church and Sunday school work. ably seconding the efforts of her husband along these lines, and both of them stand high in the public estimation.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

(Mack) Campbell, and grandson of David Donald) Mack, of West Wheatfield township, Campbell, the first American ancestor of this branch of the family.

where he engaged in farming; Mr. Mack was a native of Indiana county. Mrs. Campbell Toward the end of the eighteenth century Wheatfield township embraced all the terri- tory south of the Purchase Line. Sixteen townships have since been formed within her original boundaries. The first settlers in this district were emigrants from Ireland, from the Counties of Antrim and Armagh, they land- ing in America July 21. 1792. Stories of the New World soon attracted others left behind, and David Campbell came some time later to join this colony in Wheatfield. Leaving his native home he took passage on a sailing ves- sel to America, and after a stormy voyage of more than six weeks found himself on the shores of the New World. He proceeded west- ward over the Allegheny mountains to the Conemaugh valley and finally located on died Feb. 21, 1889. Nine children were born to this union: (1) Margaret Jane, born July 31, 1844, was married Sept. 16, 1860, to Sam- uel M. Palmer, of Josephine, Pa., and died Feb. 12, 1872. (2) Amanda E., born Oct. 31, 1845, was married Sept. 2, 1869, to John Sidman Lamoreaux, and for her second hus- band married Jesse Fee. (3) James McCluer, born June 1, 1849, married Martha A. Mack April 16, 1872. He lives at Garfield, Pa. (4) John Gilbert is mentioned below. (5) Alexander Hail, born Oct. 27, 1854, died Nov. 28, 1855. (6) William Piatt, of Latrobe, born Nov. 16, 1856, was married Nov. 25, 1880, to Violet C. Mack. (7) David Albert, born Jan. 28, 1860, died Oct. 9, 1865. (8) Martha Emma, born April 29, 1862, was mar- Blacklick creek, near the present site of the ried May 1, 1884, to Christopher C. Fisher, village of Heshbon. About the year 1800 he of Garfield. (9) Joe Johnston, born Sept. 15, purchased by patent 219 acres of land on 1865, is mentioned below.

Blacklick and here he spent the remainder of his life. Assisted by his sons he cleared the land and erected buildings, and his farm became one of the most productive tracts in the locality. Mr. Campbell was laid to rest in the Campbell graveyard on the homestead place.

Mr. Campbell was married to Margaret Mahan, and their children were: John, Christopher, Robert M., David, Porter M., Alexander (who died young) and Jane (who married William Palmer).

Robert M. Campbell, the third son of David, born Aug. 7, 1819, received his education at the subscription school of the neighborhood. For a time he worked as boatman on the Pennsylvania canal and later helped in the construction of part of the stone pike from Pittsburg to Philadelphia. In about 1840 he bought a farm of 127 acres in West Wheat- field township, on which he resided until his death, which occurred Oct. 30, 1883. He was a man of upright character and temperate in all his habits, and held the respect of all who knew him. He was an earnest member of the United Presbyterian Church, and for a num- ber of years served as superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a Democrat in his political views and a leading party worker in his day, and held a number of township offices, serving as school director, supervisor, overseer of the poor and auditor.

JOHN GILBERT CAMPBELL, M. D., late of Homer City, Indiana county, was born March 1, 1852, near Armagh, East Wheatfield town- ship, this county. He attended public school in his native township and later studied at Eldersridge Academy. For eleven years he taught school in Pennsylvania. In 1876 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. R. J. Tomb, of Armagh, later attended medi- cal college at Cleveland, Ohio, for a short time, and then entered the Baltimore School of Medicine, from which he was graduated March 1, 1879. Immediately afterward he opened an office of his own at Clyde, Pa., and some time later removed to Homer City, where he built up a large practice, following his pro- fession until his death, which occurred in that borough Oct. 10, 1907. He was a promi- nent member of the United Presbyterian Church, which he served as elder and trustee, and he also took an interest in public mat- ters, holding various borough offices. In his political views he was a Democrat. But his practice received the greater part of his time and attention, and he had a high reputation as a conscientious, faithful physician, one who never neglected his duty to his patients even under the most trying circumstances. He erected a beautiful home on Main street, one of the finest in the borough.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 54

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