Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 55

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 55

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In February, 1885, Dr. Campbell married Belle Boyd, daughter of David and Mary . (McCarty) Boyd, of Homer City, and they had three children: Frank Boyd, now the

On Aug. 3, 1843, Mr. Campbell married Margaret Mack, who was born Oct. 27. 1820, eldest daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Mc- wife of Milton Brandon, of Homer City, Pa .;

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

school; and John G.

reached the age of nineteen years, when he went to Benton county, Iowa, and worked on a farm there for nine months. He then went to Ashland, Wis., to work at dock building, railroading and bridge construction for the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad Company, following this for a period of two years, after which, in 1887, he came to Homer City, Pa., and engaged in the lumber business with the Two Licks Lumber Company. He

Margaret, a graduate of the Homer City high engaged in farming near Marchand, where the grandfather died at the remarkable age

Joe J. Campbell remained on the old home- of 107 years. He married Jane Duglass, and stead, working with his father, until he they had the following children: Robert, who married Jane Taylor; George, the father of Adam Shields; James, who lived in different parts of Indiana county; Rebecca, who mar- ried William Laughey, and lived in North Mahoning township; Hannah, who married John Ham, of Punxsutawney, Pa .; Jane, who married Mathew Cochran, and lived in Brook- ville, Jefferson county; and a daughter who married a Mr. Foster, of Pennsylvania.

George Shields, son of James, and father was with this company for four years, and of Adam Shields, was born in Ligonier Val- since that time has been employed as mine superintendent of the Fearing Run Mines, near Homer City, now owned by the Townsend Coal Company, where he holds a position of trust and responsibility.

Mr. Campbell married Aug. 5, 1890. Mary I. Kier, daughter of Squire Martin Kier, of Homer City. They have had a family of nine on the rolls of Indiana county's honored children, eight of whom are living, as fol- lows: Hugh Kier, who died in infancy ; Robert Martin ; Paul G .; Helen M., a student in the Indiana State normal school ; Mary E .; Margaret I .; Joe H .; Murray Glenn, and Bessie M. Mr. Campbell is an elder of the Homer City United Presbyterian Church: He when he was seventy-seven years of age, his

is a supporter of the Democratic party and a firm believer in its principles. He served the borough of Homer City as burgess for one term and as school director for four years. He has been road supervisor of Center town- ship for eight years, and for five years has been school director of the township. Mr. Campbell was one of the organizers and is now a director of the Homer City National Bank. He is well known and highly respected, a citizen whose worth is well appreciated by his community.

ADAM SHIELDS is carrying on extensive farming operations in Canoe township, Indi- ana Co., Pa., the fine place on which he re- sides being known as Shady Grove Hospital- ity. He is a veteran of the great Civil war. Mr. Shields was born July 28, 1832, at Locust Lane. Pa., son of George and Sarah (Braugh- ler) Shields.

James Shields, the paternal grandfather of Adam Shields, was a Revolutionary soldier with a record that covered eight years of service in the Continental ranks, during which time he was wounded seven times. In 1830 he came from Ligonier Valley, Pa., to Indi- ana county, with his son Robert, and they

ley, Pa., and as a young man accompanied 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 region, and his name should be among the foremost

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 July 4, 1856, community lost one of its best citizens. At the polls he always 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 en- tire confidence of his fellow citizens. Mr. Shields was a faithful member of the Presby- terian Church. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Boyle, who died in 1810, the mother of three children: James, deceased, who was a farmer in North Mahon- ing township, and married Jemima Hoover; Robert, deceased, who was a farmer near Marchand, married Mary Ann Snyder; Mar- garet died unmarried. He married for his second wife Sarah Braughler, who died in September, 1865, at the age of eighty years, and they had the following children: Adam; William H., deceased, a farmer and lumber- man 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 .; Hannah 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. Adam Shields, son of George Shields, was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

reared to farm life and educated in the com- resumed farming on the home place, which mon schools, remaining on the home farm and he has developed into one of the finest farms tenderly caring for his parents during their of the township. It has many improvements, declining years. He was married Feb. 2, 1858, is supplied with good and substantial build- to Hannah Williard, of Canoe township, a ings, and is very conveniently located. daughter of David and Sarah (Tawney) Wil- Like his father, Mr. Shields is a stanch and active Democrat, and has been elected to a number of leading township offices, including those of constable, school director, supervisor and overseer of the poor, in all of which he has rendered signal service to his community. With his family he attends the Rock Bridge Presbyterian Church. The members of the family are all well known and highly es- teemed, and no man in the township has a wider circle of friends than Mr. Shields. liard, the latter of Gettysburg, Pa., and the former of Westmoreland county. Mr. Wil- liard made the first shingles for the courthouse at Greensburg, Pa. Mrs. Shields was born Aug. 10, 1844, in the spring of which year her parents had come to Indiana county and settled in the northern part of Canoe town- ship, where they secured a farm in the woods. There they spent the remainder of their lives in the development and cultivation of the soil, Mr. Williard passing away when eighty- nine years of age and his wife when eighty- HARVEY C. EMERICK, assessor of Canoe township, was born June 7, 1867, on the old Emerick homestead in that township, a son of John Emerick, and grandson of John and Eva (Graff) Emerick. six years old. They were the parents of the following children: Betsy, Jacob, John, Jo- seph, David, Polly, Esther, Isaac, Hannah, Sarah Jane and Fred, all of whom are de- ceased with the exception of Mrs. Hannah Shields.

Mr. and Mrs. Shields have had eleven chil- dren, namely: George, engaged in farming in Forest county, Pa., married Ann Henry ; David M. died in 1865; Sarah Jane passed away in 1865; Samuel, farming on a part of the old homestead, married Blanche Stoops; Aaron is unmarried and lives with his father, farming the homestead and dealing in live stock, also acting as agent for the Johnston Harvester Company and the Leroy Plow Com- pany ; Lillie May married Harry Bewes, a carpenter, of Perrysville, Jefferson county ; Evelyn W. married Dan Kline, foreman for the Bowman Lumber Company, of Williams- port, Pa., and resides at St. Albans, Kanawha Co., W. Va .; Willis M. died in 1872; Nora Belle married Elmer Weaver, a frescoer and decorator for the Myers Company, at Steuben- ville, Ohio ; Mary Maud married Jess Thomas, a liveryman at Clymer, Pa .; Martha Ann married Charles Thomas, a farmer, of Rayne township.

74th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at In- diana, Pa., whence he was sent to Harrisburg for one month, and then on to Clarksburg, W. Va., where he continued to do scouting and guard duty until receiving his honorable discharge, Oct. 1, 1865. On his return he

John Emerick, a native of Hesse Darm- stadt, Germany, came to America, and for eight years worked as a merchant tailor in Baltimore, Md. He then went to Franklin county, Pa., where he farmed from 1832 to 1840, in the latter year coming to Indiana county and continuing his agricultural opera- tions in Canoe township. There he died in 1878, aged ninety-four years, while his wife died in 1874, aged eighty-five years. Bothı were Methodists. Their children were: John; Henry, who married Mary Hoover and lived in Canoe township, where he and his wife both died; Elizabeth, who married John Hef- flick and lived in Canoe township, where both died; and Mary, who married Michael Win- shimer and lived in Indiana county and Mary- land (both are deceased).

John Emerick, son of John Emerick, Sr., and father of Harvey C. Emerick, was brought by his parents to Indiana county and helped his father to clear a farm in Canoe township. He secured fifty acres of the homestead and lived on it until his death, in 1894, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife died in 1892, aged sixty-seven years. Both worked hard to make their farm a good one. Mr. Emerick was also a tailor, and worked at his trade occasionally. A Republican in politics,

Adam Shields has always been engaged in farming and has always resided on the old home place in Canoe township, with the ex- ception of the time that he spent as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. On March 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, he confined his public activities to casting his vote for the candidates of his party. The Lutheran Church of Trade City held his mem- bership, and he was a most excellent man in every respect.

John Emerick married Barbara Wortman, who was born in North Mahoning township,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

this county, a daughter of Casper Wortman. They had the following children: John, who owned a farm in Canoe township, married Margaret Lowry, and died in 1892 (his chil- dren were Robert L., who is a teacher and farmer of Canoe township; Orrin, who is on his father's homestead in Canoe township; Anna B .. who married Jacob McFarland, of Canoe township, and Cecil B., who married Harry Dunmire, of Canoe township) ; Kate married James Colkitt, of Punxsutawney, and has four children, Charles, Alfred, Mary and Ralph; George, who is living with his brother Harvey C., is a huckster and farmer; Harvey C. completes the family.

Harvey C. Emerick and his brother re- ceived very limited educational advantages, but they are intelligent men and are making a success of their work. They own 160 acres of land, of which 120 are in a good state of cultivation, and they carry on general farm- ing, raising horses, cattle and hogs. Harvey C. Emerick is a member of the Odd Fellows, belonging to Alert Lodge, No. 936, of Rich- mond, Pa., and to Silva Rebekah Lodge, No 349, of Richmond.

George Emerick is a Republican of some local note, having served on the election board. and as auditor for twelve years. His brother, also a Republican, has served on the election board, and is at present assessor of Canoe township. These young men take a good deal of interest in politics, and are very highly respected. The family is an old and honored one in Indiana county, and they are fully sustaining the high reputation borne by those of their name who have gone before them.

PETER ZEHNER, a farmer, of White township, was born at Pittsburg, Pa., June 1, 1859. son of Peter and Harriet (Dill) Zehner.

done by him, and he was always a hard-work- ing, thrifty man. His wife, Harriet (Dill), was born in Somerset county, Pa., daughter of John Dill. The Dill family came to Indi- ana county at an early date and continued to make their home here until death claimed them, John Dill and his wife dying at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Zehner. The latter died April 11, 1904. Peter Zehner and his wife had five children: Jane married John Baker, of Indiana; Philip is a farmer of Kansas; John is a resident of Indiana; Peter is mentioned below: Charles is a resi- dent of White township. All are a credit to their parents.

Peter Zehner, Jr., was educated in the local schools, remaining on the homestead. When his father died he took charge of the property, and has always lived upon it, now devoting it to general farming and stock raising.

On June 2, 1880, Mr. Zehner married Belle Warden, born in North Mahoning township, this county, daughter of John and Anna (Streams) Warden, both of whom were natives of North Mahoning township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Zehner have had two children : (1) Laura Bell married Thomas Huber, of Indiana. Pa., who now lives in Rayne town- ship and runs a sawmill and threshing ma- chine. They have one child, Leroy. (2) Le- roy is living at home, assisting his father in the farm work. Mr. and Mrs. Zehner are consistent members of the Lutheran Church. They are excellent people, who command well- merited confidence among their neighbors.

Robert Warden, the grandfather of Mrs. Zehner. was also born in North Mahoning township, where he became a farmer and miller, conducting a gristmill in that town- ship for some years.

John Warden, son of Robert Warden, and father of Mrs. Zehner, was also a farmer. He enlisted for service during the Civil war from Indiana county, in Company A. 61st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the conflict, participating

Peter Zehner was born in Germany, and left his parents at the age of fourteen years to come to the United States. They never left their native land, dying there. Upon his arrival in the new country Peter Zehner made in the battles of Gettysburg and the campaign his way to Pittsburg, Pa., and there learned of the Wilderness as well as other activities the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked of less importance. Following the war he until coming to Indiana county, in 1866. Up- came to Rayne township, where he died Aug. 14, 1905. Ile carried the mail on rural route No. 2 until the fall of 1904. on his arrival he bought a farm in White township. comprising fifty-five acres, to which additions were later made until the property The Streams family came to Indiana county at a very early day. Mrs. Warden, who be- longed to that family, survives and makes her now comprises 133 acres. Here Peter Zchner lived until his death, which occurred April 19, 1890. Much of the hard work incident home in Indiana, Pa. Mrs. Zehner was one to placing the land under cultivation was of five children born to her parents: Belle,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mrs. Zehner; Alexander, who is a resident Covode summer school. Until 1873 he con- of Creekside, Pa .; Robert, twin brother of Maggie (she is deceased), residing at Greens- burg, Pa., where he is a substantial citizen ; and Hattie, who died when fifteen years old.

tinued to help at home, and then took charge of the property, now owning one of the three farms into which the original Beatty tract was divided. In addition to carrying on farm- JAMES A. BEATTY, a general farmer and ing and stock raising Mr. Beatty operates a coal bank, known by his name, which he coal operator, of East Mahoning township, opened in 1884. Since then he has taken out was born in that township June 9, 1856, son of Josiah Beatty. many thousands of bushels of coal, and sold the product at his bank. He has also in- terested himself in the lumber business in conjunction with his sons, and from 1886 to 1908 operated a threshing outfit in different portions of Grant, East Mahoning and other townships, meeting with more than ordinary success in his undertakings.

James Beatty, the founder of the family in East Mahoning township, came from what is now Armstrong township to the present East Mahoning township, settling on 300 acres of land. He was a pioneer of that section, and made a good home in the wilderness, spending his life on the farm, which he im- proved very materially. It is now divided in- to three farms, one being owned by the mother of James A. Beatty, one by James A. Beatty and the third by another grandson, Robert S. Campbell. James Beatty died on his farm, and his remains were laid to rest in Gilgal cemetery. He was a Presbyterian in reli- gious faith and always lived up to his creed. Politically he was a Democrat. James Beatty married Nancy Stewart, who also died on the farm and is buried in the same cemetery as her husband. The children of this good couple were: Nancy, who married Seroggs Work; Sally, who married John Work; Ann, who married Ralph Walker; Rebecca, who married Adam Campbell; Polly, who died un- married ; James, who died unmarried ; Joshua, who died on the homestead; Robert, who died unmarried; John, who died on the old home- stead; and Josiah.

Josiah Beatty was born in East Mahoning township, in 1830, and grew up on the home- stead, alternating farming with attendance at the local schools. Inheriting the homestead, he further improved it, but died in 1859, aged twenty-nine years, and he was buried in the same cemetery as his parents. Like his father he was a Presbyterian and Democrat. Josiah Beatty married, at Jacksonville, Pa., Eliza- beth Cunningham, daughter of Horace Cun- ningham, and they had two children, James A. and Horace D., the latter living at Pitts- burg. Mrs. Beatty married (second) John Hopkins, and now resides in East Mahoning township. She is a member of the Preshy- terian Church.

In September, 1873, Mr. Beatty was mar- ried to Isabelle Hunter, a daughter of James Hunter, and she died in 1882, the mother of the following family: Clarence, who mar- ried Isabelle Colnell, of East Mahoning town- ship, is a farmer of that township; Roy, who married Susan Judy, is a farmer of North Mahoning township. Mr. Beatty married (second) Susan Heshbarger, a daughter of Robert Heshbarger, and their children are: R. N., who handles lumber and operates a saw- mill at Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa .; Harry M., who also deals in lumber and conducts a sawmill; Carl, who is in partnership with the others; Birdetta and Mamie, attending school; Jesse; Olive; and J. Dewey. Mr. Beatty is a Republican, but has never sought office. He does not belong to any church or lodge, but lives up to the principles embodied in the Golden Rule. A man of efficiency, skilled in his several lines, he has hecome one of the leading farmers and business men of his township and deserves the prosperity that has come to him.

DENNIS ROSER, farmer of Pine town- ship, Indiana county, has lived at his present home from childhood. He was born in Pine township (on the Gallagher farm) Nov. 24, 1854, son of George Roser, and belongs to a family of German extraction, his grandfather, George Roser, having been a native of Ger- many. The latter settled in Brushvalley town- ship, Indiana Co., Pa., over one hundred years ago, buying land near Mechanicsburg. It was then in its wild state, and he had to clear it before he could begin farming, which he fol- lowed the remainder of his life, dying on the homestead. He married Elizabeth Fry.

James A. Beatty was only three years old when he had the misfortune to lose his father, and he was reared by his mother and step- George Roser, son of George and Elizabeth father. He attended the local schools and (Fry) Roser, was born Feb. 23, 1808, in York those of Marion Center, later going to the county, Pa., and moved with his parents to

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Indiana county. Settling in Pine township, publican. His grandmother Brown was taken he lived there until his death, which occurred captive by the Indians and held among them people. Sept. 28, 1892, when he was eighty-four years for eleven years, when she was returned to her old. He married Christina Fetterman, who - was born in 1814, in Indiana county, where her father, Philip Fetterman, located in pio- EDGAR J. WELCH, a grain and feed dealer of Plumville, Indiana county, was born in Plumville Jan. 8, 1876, son of Lewis A. Welch. George Welch, his grandfather, married Elizabeth Hartshorn. neer times. She died Feb. 5, 1884, at the age of seventy years. Children as follows were born to George and Christina (Fetterman) Roser: Samuel, who died in infancy ; Peter, deceased ; Lawrence, deceased ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Thompson, deceased; Fry, of Pine township; George, deceased; Martin, who lives in Clin- ton county, Pa .; Dennis, living on the old family homestead in Pine township; Lydia. Mrs. Waltemire, residing in Cherryhill town- ship; and Sarah, deceased.

Lewis A. Welch, son of George Welch, and father of Edgar J. Welch, was born in Clear- field county, Pa., in 1838, and grew to man- hood in that county. He received only a limited education, learned the trade of shoe- making, and in 1859 moved to the village of Plumville, where he was a shoemaker for about a quarter of a century. In 1883 he began

Dennis Roser was educated in the home district, and commenced work with his father, farming in South Mahoning township, Indi- ana county.

remaining at home to assist him until sixteen years old. After that for several years he worked out among other farmers, meanwhile helping his father from time to time, until

he commenced operating a farm on his own account, in 1884, when he settled on the home place. He has a valuable tract of fifty acres, the old place which his father cleared and improved. George Roser erected a log cabin and barn, roofed with clapboards. The substantial dwelling now on the property was erected in 1901. Mr. Roser carried on general farming, and is a thrifty, successful man, his industrious life winning him the thorough respect of all his neighbors. He has served his township as school director one term. In politics he is a Republican, in religious con- nection a member of the Mount Zion Lutheran Church.

Mr. Welch had an enviable record as a soldier, having enlisted in Company E, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered into the service Sept. 2, 1862, under Capt. John Sutton and Col. James A. Beaver, of Center county, and after a varied experi- ence extending over three years, during which he proved his bravery and gallantry, was honorably discharged. A member of the Union Veteran Legion, he took an active part in the reunions, and it was while at one of these, held at Bellefonte, Pa., in 1902, that he died of heart failure. His remains were taken back to his old home and interred in the Ma- honing cemetery. He was a Republican, but never cared for office. For many years he was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and died firm in its creed.

On Nov. 20, 1873, Mr. Roser married Eliza In 1860 Lewis A. Welch married Anne Jane Brown, who was born Oct. 25, 1851, in Elizabeth Spargo, a native of Cambria county, Cherryhill township, and they have two chil- dren : Albert Francis, born April 15, 1877, married Reba D. Singer, of Greenville; Cora Blanche, born Oct. 25, 1883, married G. R. Waltemire, of Indiana.

Pa., daughter of James and Mary (Jones). Spargo, who were of English and Welsh de- scent. James Spargo was a miner and sank the shaft into the third coal mine opened west of the Allegheny mountains. Mrs. Welch died in December. 1907, and was buried by the side of her husband. She, too, was a men- ber of the Baptist Church. They had the fol-

Daniel Brown, Mrs. Roser's father, was a native of Bedford county, Pa., born Feh. 15, 1811, and died Feb. 23, 1878, in Cherryhill township, Indiana county. He is buried in lowing children : Mary, who married Andrew the Manor graveyard. His occupation was P. Cuningham, resides at Dayton, Pa .; Eliza B., who married Wilson M. Bowser, resides in West Mahoning township, this county ; Charlotte Ann (Lottie), who married John Sims, resides at Farson, Wyo .; Myrtie mar- ried Harry Rowland, of South Mahoning township; George L. is a business man of Dayton, Pa .; Edgar J. is mentioned below ; Alamanda married Edgar Nolf, of South Ma- farming. He married Barbara Putt, who was born May 8, 1818, in Bedford county, and they had a family of five children: Mary; Catherine, deceased ; Nancy ; Eliza Jane, Mrs. Roser; and Sarah. The mother died March 4, 1882, in Cherryhill township. The father was a member of the Mount Zion Lutheran Church, and on political questions was a Re-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

honing township ; J. L. Curbey is a liveryman Edgar, born in November, 1910; and Nellie at Dayton, Pennsylvania.

Edgar J. Welch was educated in the schools of South Mahoning, and when only eighteen years old began teaching in that township. For the next six years he was so engaged, and then took a course at the Indiana State nor- mal school. In 1901 he was given a school of an advanced grade at Plumville, and taught it for one year, and then during 1902 taught a summer normal at Plumville with remarkable success. Having been made prin- cipal of the Homer City public school, he taught same for three years during the school year, and during the summers, in conjunction with William P. Risinger, opened a school at Homer City, which he conducted for three seasons. In addition he was assistant super- intendent of schools under Prof. J. T. Stewart. The close confinement told upon his health, however, and in 1906 he established himself in business as a flour and feed merchant at Plumville, where he has since been extensively engaged in handling grain, flour and feed. So successful has he been that in 1910 he felt justified in erecting his present place of business, which is near the depot and very conveniently located for his purposes. He has always taken a deep and intelligent interest in the affairs of the borough, and has given efficient service as a school director, being par- ticularly fitted for such office by reason of his long connection with the educational af- fairs of the county. While on the board he acted as its treasurer. He is at present a member of the council. Fraternally he be- longs to the Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 803, which he joined at Smicksburg, and is a past grand of that lodge, also belonging to the Rebekahs, in which his wife holds membership. The Baptist Church has in him a consistent and faithful member and he has been very active in Sunday school work both as a teacher and superintendent. Politically he is a Re- publican.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 55

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