Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 57

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 57

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All in all, Jacob Frantz and his two sons represent the class of men who have developed this nation, and established its prestige at home and abroad. Their interests are closely allied to the prosperity of their community, for they assist in creating it.

WILLIAM AUSTIN GLASS, agriculturist and member of the board of supervisors of Center township, Indiana county, was born in Brushvalley township. this county, near Mechanicsburg, April 18, 1852, son of William and Jane (Campbell) Glass.

William Glass was born March 4, 1812, and made his home in Brushvalley most of his life. He was a tanner and harnessmaker by trade and one of the first manufacturers of leather in Brushvalley township, his shop be- ing on what is now known as the Hiner farm. He continued in active business there until abont 1860, when he moved to Center town- ship, and made his home on the Thomas Burns farm, although he still continned to work at his trade. He died Nov. 2, 1880, and was buried in Bethel Church cemetery, in Center township. He was well known and highly re- spected, an active Republican, and a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church. He was twice married, his first wife being Jane Campbell, daughter of Andrew Campbell, by whom he had children as follows: Pauline, who married William McBeth; John, who served as a soldier during the Civil war; An- drew, who died March 12, 1912; Esther An- nie; Sarah Jane, who married Harry B. Hawes, of Cherrytree; William Austin; Ben- jamin Foster; Isabelle, widow of Martin Moddy ; Mary Ellen, who married Washing- ton Aultman; and James and Jane, who died in childhood. The mother of the above chil- dren died in 1860, and was buried in Bethel cemetery. Mr. Glass was married (second) to Catherine Burns, who was born in Center township, danghter of Thomas Burns, and she died Sept. 17, 1886, at the age of sixty- five years, one month, twenty-three days, and

united in marriage with Mary Annette Spran- was buried in the United Presbyterian Church

cemetery. One child was born to the second union, a son, Thomas Burns.

home with his mother's sisters until he was nineteen years old. At that time he went to Cambria county and learned the trade of mill-

William Austin Glass was educated in the Sprankle, who is attending school. Mrs. public schools, and was hnt eight years of age Frantz is devoted to her home and family. when he lost his mother by death, making his Mr. Frantz is a fine type of the modern bnsi- ness man and good citizen. While his own affairs occupy his attention, he is never too

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ing with Peter Garman, with whom he worked for seven years, and subsequently continued to follow his trade until 1885. He then came to Center township and purchased a farm of 126 acres, known as the Fulmer farm, near the line of White township, and here he has been engaged in general farming ever since. He erected the present comfortable home. barns and other buildings, and made improve- ments of an extensive nature, through indus- try and faithful effort having made a success of his ventures. He is recognized as an in- dustrious and capable agriculturist, and is widely known and highly esteemed in Center township, where he has many friends. He is a stanch supporter of the principles and candi- dates of the Republican party, and since 1896 has served in the capacity of member of the board of supervisors; he also held the office of school director for one term. He is a con- sistent member of the Baptist Church.

On April 5, 1881, Mr. Glass was married to Cordelia Douglass, and they have one child, Harley Blair, who is engaged in general farm- ing with his father. He and his mother are also members of the Baptist Church. and are well known in church and social circles.

WILLIAM DOUGLASS SHIELDS has been a farmer all his life and since 1884 has been settled in Banks township, Indiana coun- ty, where he is one of the most respected citi- zens of his locality. He was born April 17, 1849, in North Mahoning township, this county, son of Robert and Jane D. (Taylor) Shields, both of whom were natives ,of Penn- sylvania, the mother born in Adams county. Robert Shields was a farmer by occupation.

William D. Shields was given a public school education and trained to farm work. old settled families of Brushvalley township, In 1884 he moved to Banks township, where he has since had his home, on the same farm, owning a fine tract of 118 acres which he cul- tivates very successfully, being regarded as one of the up-to-date agriculturists of his section. He is highly respected by his fellow citizens, who have shown their confidence in his ability and integrity by electing him to the offices of election inspector and township supervisor, which latter he held for seven years. He has always been a Republican on political questions. He is a member of the Evangelical Church.

whom survive. We have the following rec- ord of this family: Delia J., who is deceased, was married to Thomas Black, and had five children, of whom two, Owen and William, are living. James W., a miner of Banks town- ship, married Emma Armenta Airgood, and they have seven children, Monroe, Edward, Susan, John, Bertha, Rosa and Almeda. Anna Bell is deceased. Frank Lester, a farmer, of Clearfield county, Pa., married Anna Uber, of Banks township, Indiana county ; they have an adopted child, Ada Bell. Philip Clyde, a miner, of Dixonville, Indi- ana county, married Jane Black, and their children are Wade, Henry, Guy, Leonard. Howard (deceased), Carl, Della, Clark and Blaine. Ruth is the wife of Frank Cessna. a machinist, of Indiana county, and they have four children, Bertha, William D., Goldie and Minerva Viola. Katherine Maud married Henry Black, a farmer, of Dixonville, and has three children, Harvey, Wilda and Melvin. Clark Wilson, a minister of the Evangelical Church, married Clara Wissinger, of Indi- ana county, and they have one child, Ruth Estella. Daisy Dean married Lester Lockard, a. farmer, of Indiana county, and they have five children, Maud, Lewis, May, Fred and Leafy. Irvin I., a miner, of Indiana county, married Elizabeth Marks, of Indiana county, and has one child, Harry Eugene. Morton Taylor, a farmer, married Mary Dunlap. of . Indiana county, and has one child, Tirza May. Oscar was drowned May 23, 1903. Annie is deceased. Lewis Mckinley and Zella Mary are still attending school.

SNYDER. The Snyder family is well rep- resented in Center township and one of the being widely and favorably known in that section of Indiana county. The Snyders are of German extraction, and the branch to which William H. and Jackson K. Snyder, brothers, both farmers of Center township. helong is descended from Conrad Snyder, who was the first of the family to come to Indiana county. Pa. His early home was in the State of New Jersey, where he married Abby Lombson. At an early period he eame with his family to Indiana county, locating on a farm in White township, where he was engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. He and his wife died on the homestead farm. They had six children : William, Daniel B., Henry, Mary, Caroline and Emily.

On Oct. 27, 1870, Mr. Shields married Su- sanna Amanda Bush, daughter of Philip and Catherine (Sloniker) Bush, farming people, both natives of Pennsylvania. Fifteen chil- Daniel B. Snyder, son of Conrad, was the dren have been born to them, eleven of father of William H. and Jackson K. Snyder.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

He was born in New Jersey, and was in his in Center township, daughter of Levi Stewart, teens when the family came to Indiana county. of that township, and six children have been born to this union : Samuel H. lives at home ; Sarah Allen married Sumner V. Hill and re- sides at Josephine, this county; Mary Ma- tilda married Donald Wetzel, of Brushval- ley township; Henry is at home; Elizabeth died young ; Cora May is at home. He learned the trade of mason in White town- ship, and followed it for some years, doing much work on the blast furnaces of Indiana county. Later he took up farming, operating a part of the homestead in White township, but eventually sold out and moved to Brush- valley township, where he purchased a farm JACKSON KILLIN SNYDER, son of Daniel B. and Mary (Killin) Snyder, was born Aug. 30, 1859, on his father's farm, and during his boyhood attended the schools of the neigh- borhood. He worked at home with his father during his youth and early manhood, and when he attained his majority obtained nine- ty-six acres of the home farm, engaging in farming and stock raising there until 1894. Then he sold out and removed to Buffington township, this county, where he lived and worked on the Barnard Gamble farm for one year. Selling out again, he was employed at the Graceton Coke Works for a year, at the. end of that time settling in Center township, buying a piece of land from the Fritz family upon which he has since made his home. He follows farming to a limited extent, giving considerable time to plastering, at which busi- ness he worked for several years in Indiana, Johnstown and other places. of 400 acres. He made extensive improve- ments there and spent the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was widely known and highly esteemed throughout the township, as a prosperous farmer and as a public- spirited citizen whose activities assisted in the development and progress of this section. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He was married in Wheat- field township, Indiana county, to Mary Kil- lin, who was born in that township, daughter of Samuel Killin and granddaughter of Dan- iel Killin, a soldier in the war of the Revolu- tion. She died on the farm at the age of seventy-nine years, in the faith of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. They had the fol- lowing children: Elizabeth; Tillie; David L .; William H .; Samuel, who is deceased; Abbey ; Richard, who resides in Center town- ship ; Jackson K .; and Sarah.

WILLIAM H. SNYDER, son of Daniel B. and Mary (Killin) Snyder, was born March 2, 1851, on his father's homestead, Center town- ship, and was there reared to manhood. He attended school in both Center and Brush- valley townships, and was thoroughly trained to farm work under the direction of his father, remaining at home with him until his mar- riage. At that time he received ninety-six acres of the home tract, situated in Center township along the Brushvalley line, and there he has since lived and worked. He built a house and barns and made numerous other improvements, added twenty acres to his orig- inal holding, and now with the aid of his sons cultivates a tract of 150 acres. In ad- dition to his farm work, Mr. Snyder was en- gaged in butchering for some time, in partner- ship with his brother David, and he has been general agent in the county for the Perkins National Herb Tablets, made in Washington, D. C. He has been thrifty and industrious. and is a most respected man in his community, a worthy member of a family whose mem- hers are known for their substantial qualities. He is a Democrat, but has never taken any part in politics or public affairs of any kind.

On Sept. 23, 1879, Mr. Snyder married Annie Stewart, who was born at Cherryvalley,

On Jan. 1, 1880, Mr. Snyder married Mar- tha Gamble, who was born in Center town- ship, daughter of Barnard and Harriet J. (Gorris) Gamble. They have had four chil- dren: Abbie Ann is married to William Shelton Marshall and resides at Indiana Har- bor, Ind .; Margaret Elizabeth is the wife of Frank Stiles, of Center township; Martha Gamble is the wife of D. Ralph Mack, of Center township; Harry Dixon is at home. Mrs. Snyder attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Snyder is a Republican in politi- cal sentiment, but he has never sought office and takes no active part in public affairs. He was formerly a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. at Mechanicsburg, Pa. He is a man of high character and regarded by all who- know him as a most desirable citizen.

SAMUEL CRAWFORD, postmaster at Rochester Mills, has passed all his life in that part of Indiana county, and was for many years actively engaged in farming on the place- in Canoe township where he still makes his home. He was born April 27, 1835, in East Mahoning township, and is a member of an old family of this region, his grandfather, Moses Crawford, having come to Indiana county in 1798 and to the Mahoning district

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in 1818. The Crawfords were among the first buried in Covode cemetery. Mr. Crawford pioneers north of the Purchase Line in this county.

Moses Crawford was a member of a pioneer family of Kentucky, where he was born about 1772. He grew to manhood in his native State, and coming to western Pennsyl- vania in 1798 first located in Wheatfield town- ship, Indiana county, near Centerville, where he continued to make his home until 1818. He then moved to what is now East Mahonin? township, settling in the woods on a tract of land where he established a permanent home, dying there in 1831, at the age of fifty-nin- years. He was a carpenter, and followed his trade as well as farming. During the war of 1812 he was in the service of his country as a scout. In politics he was a Whig. He married Samuel McGee; Nancy Ann married was twice married, and by his first wife, James Wilkins; Lucinda died in young wom- anhood. Nancy (Scroggs), had a family of nine chil- dren: Mary, who married James Donald- son; Samuel; Jane, who married William Hartman; Jolın; David; Allen; Ann, who married William Robb; James, and Elizabeth, who married William Matthews. Mr. Craw- ford's second wife, Mary (Jamison), was born in 1790 in Wheatfield township, daughter of Archie Jamison, a Scotch Covenanter, who settled near Armagh, this county, where he followed farming. She died in 1864 in East Mahoning township. Seven children were born to this marriage: Archibald J. T., who married Emily Sprenkle: Rachel, who mar- ried Andrew Spalding; Margaret, who mar- ried John Gourley; William, who married Mary Gourley ; Isabella; Martha; and Moses Scott, who married Rachel Pollock.

Allen Crawford, son of Moses, was born in 1804 in Wheatfield township, Indiana county, and there obtained what education the subscription schools offered. He was four- teen years old when the family moved to the Mahoning section, settling in what is now East Mahoning township, and there he grew to manhood, later moving to what is now North Mahoning township, on a tract of 150 acres where he put up a log house and barn and set to work to make a comfortable home. With the help of his sons he succeeded in clearing his land, upon which he made many improvements, building a frame house and frame barn as prosperity enabled him to bet- ter his surroundings, and adding to the value of the place in various ways. He followed farming and stock raising there throughout his active years, and spent the remainder of his life there, dying there in 1872. He was

was first a Whig in politics, afterward be- coming a Republican, and in religious con- nection was a Presbyterian. In 1826 he mar- ried Nancy Brown, who was born in 1806 in what is now East Mahoning township, daughter of John and Margaret (Wiggins) Brown and granddaughter of John Brown. They had the following children: Margaret married Daniel Rishell, of Punxsutawney, Pa .; Moses died in young manhood; John, who died at Punxsutawney, married Jane Black and (second) Miss Milliron; Samuel is mentioned below; Alexander S., deceased, married Elizabeth Anderson ; James L., a phy- sician, now deceased, married Zermiah Grif- fith and (second) Alice Blinn; Mary Jane

Samuel Crawford attended the subscription and public schools of North Mahoning town- ship, and was reared to farming from early life, following that kind of work until his en- listment for service in the Union army, in 1864, when he joined Company B, 74th Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Wilson, of Punxsutawney, and Colonel Rho- beck. He served until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge in August, 1865, at Clarksburg, W. Va., and was mus- tered out at Harrisburg, Pa. His principal service was in West Virginia, doing guard duty. Upon his return to Indiana county Mr. Crawford commenced farming for himself in Canoe township, on the W. P. Morris tract of 185 acres, where he has followed general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He has erected a substantial house, barn and other buildings, and has made numerous im- provements on the property, which gave every evidence of his thrift and intelligent care dur- ing his management. In 1886 he gave up the active work of farming, his son now operating the place, but Mr. Crawford has continued to make his home there. For the last thirteen years he has served as postmaster at Rochester Mills, having been appointed Feb. 16, 1900, under President Mckinley, by Hon. Emery Smith, of Philadelphia, then postmaster gen- eral. He succeeded H. D. Widdowson, be- coming the fifth incumbent of the office, and has had the longest term of any postmaster there. Mr. Crawford has also filled other local offices, having been assessor of Canoe town- ship eleven years, school director, and a mem- ber of the election board. His political con- nection has been with the Republican party.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

He is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 28, ing, erecting a log cabin. He continued to at Indiana, and in religious association is a make his home in the township the rest of his Presbyterian, belonging to the church at Roch- life, extensively engaged in farming, being ester Mills and serving as trustee of same. A useful and highly respected member of his community, he has become popular with his fellow citizens in a long career of satisfactory public service, and is widely and favorably known in his section of Indiana county.

In 1858 Mr. Crawford married May Rad- clift, daughter of David Radelift, of Banks township, this county. and they have had a family of seven children, as follows: James Robert; Edith M., living on the old farm; Samuel C., of Iowa; Harvey, who is engaged as an oil operator in Jefferson county, Pa .; Clark, also an oil operator of Jefferson county, Pa .; Edith, wife of Harry Pierce. of Punx- sutawney ; and Jennie, wife of IIoward Vite.

a large land holder, owning over 350 acres. Ile died on his farm, near Smith station, while living with his son Samuel, in 1861, aged eighty-four years, seven months, four days, and was buried in Blairsville cemetery. HIe was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics a Democrat. He was a strong, rugged man, active and hard-work- ing, and respected by all for his industrious nature and high moral character. He mar- ried Elizabeth Reed. who was born May 28, 1776, in Conemaugh township. Indiana Co., Pa., and died April 26, 1847, at the ripe age of seventy years, ten months, twenty-eight days. Mrs. McCrea was buried in Blairsville cemetery. She was a member of the Presby- terian Church. To this union the following children were born: (1) Robert Reed, born Feb. 2, 1802, was a farmer in Conemaugh township and later in Saltsburg. (2) Wil- liam Clark was born Sept. 18, 1803, and died

THOMPSON CLARK McCREA. The Mc- Crea family of Blacklick township, Indiana county, the head of which was the late Thompson Clark McCrea, for several years president of the First National Bank of March 1, 1874. (3) John J., born April 2, Blacklick, and in every respect one of the 1805, located in Armstrong county and died April 4, 1865. (4) Thompson, born in 1807, died Nov. 30, 1884. (5) Jane, born Nov. 20, 1809, married David Lintner, of Burrell town- ship. (6) Rachel, born April 23, 1812, mar- ried Samuel Hosack, and died in Blairsville. (7) Elizabeth, born April 13, 1814, died in December, 1841. (8) Acasah, born May 8, 1816, married John Hart, of Conemaugh township. (9) Matilda, born Jan. 21, 1820, married J. Taylor, of Collinsville, Pa. (10) Samuel, born in 1822, died April 16, 1864. most substantial citizens of that section, is one of the oldest and best known families of this territory. The McCreas are of Scotch origin. The first of the name in Indiana county was John McCrea, who located in 1774 on a tract of land near what is now Rugh station, in Burrell township, which was then included in Westmoreland county. He set- tled there when it was a wilderness. He mar- ried Jane Porter. In the early part of 1777 they were forced to flee to Wallace's fort, in Westmoreland county, on account of the In- diaus, Mrs. McCrea carrying her only child, John. She preceded her husband to the fort, he waiting behind to hide the household ef- fects. He was closely pursued by the Indians as he hurried to the fort, and died the next day from the overexertion. His widow re- turned to Franklin county, where she mar- ried (second) William McCrea, by which union she had one child, Samuel Alexander. The family later moved to Uniontown, Fay- ette Co., Pennsylvania.

William Clark McCrea, son of John and Elizabeth (Reed) MeCrea, was born Sept. 18, 1803, in Blacklick (now Burrell) township. He grew up on the farm with his father and his education was limited to what he could ob- tain in the subscription schools of the lo- cality, which were open only a few months in the year. When he started ont in life for himself in Blackliek township, on a farm of 325 acres, owned and occupied by his son. the late Thompson C. McCrea, half of his traet was woods and part of the cleared land was used by the local militia for drilling. He con- tinued the rest of his life on this farm, which he improved extensively. He was one of the

John McCrea, son of John and Jane ( Por- ter) MeCrea, was born in what is now Burrell township Sept. 16, 1776, and was but six months old when his parents had to leave best known men of the township, and took their log home in the wilderness to take refnge a leading part in township and county af- fairs. He was interested in politics first as

in Wallace's fort from the Indians. He lived with his mother and stepfather until 1800, a stanch Whig, later as a Republican. Dur- when he returned to the place of his hirth, ing the Civil war he supported the princi- Blacklick township, and settled down to farm- ples of Abraham Lincoln, and was quite ac-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tive in the township at that time. He filled also bought the Graff farm, of 285 acres, the office of supervisor before Burrell and now operated by his son William Porter Mc- Blacklick became separate townships, and also Crea, and dealt in other land in the town- ship. He was also largely interested in real estate in Ohio. Mr. McCrea was energetic and up-to-date, being considered one of the most progressive farmers of his section of Indiana county, as he was one of the most successful. He had a reputation for keen business fore- sight, having carried his various enterprises forward profitably, and had numerous busi- ness connections besides his agricultural and real estate interests. He was among the first served as justice of the peace. He was county commissioner of Indiana county during the Civil war, having been elected Oct. 13, 1863, and served one term. He was a man univer- sally respected for his high morality, sterling integrity and Christian principles. In relig- ious matter he adhered firmly to the prin- ciples of the United Presbyterian Church, of which he was a ruling elder and trustee. He died March 1, 1874, aged seventy years, five months, eleven days, and was buried in Blairs- directors of the First National Bank of Black- ville cemetery.

On June 3, 1830, Mr. McCrea married Nancy Adams, who was born Oct. 7, 1811, daughter of James and Mattie (McCartney) Adams, and died Dec. 19, 1873; she was buried in Blairsville. Mrs. McCrea was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. occurred July 7, 1913.

lick, and filled the office of president from 1909 until his death, having been elected to succeed Dr. Carson in that position. He was a stockholder in the Farmers' Blacklick Tele- phone Company, and a member of the Indi- ana County Agricultural Society. His death

She was the mother of ten children: (1)

During the Civil war Mr. McCrea volun- John Porter, born Sept. 30, 1831, located in teered for three months in Col. J. Porter's Massahasket, Iowa. (2) James, born Sept. regiment, but served only five weeks. In former years he supported the principles of the Republican party, but of late years, choos- ing to set an example to the youth of the country, he openly adopted the doctrines of the Prohibition party and supported its ticket by vote and voice; he was a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Homer City and one of its foremost work- ers, being one of the ruling elders, a trustee for many years and also Sunday school teacher. Mr. McCrea was a liberal contrib- utor to all good works, but was particularly interested in local and foreign missions. 18, 1833, was a soldier in the Civil war, serv- ing in Company B, 56th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and was wounded at North Anna River May 25, 1864, dying from the effects of his wound May 26, 1864. (3) Eliza- beth, born Nov. 10, 1835, married William T. Rankin, and resided at Atlantic, Iowa. (4) Robert T., born Aug. 3, 1838, died June 6, 1911, was a minister of the United Presby- terian Church, and resided at Fresnold, Ohio. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving in Company D, 206th Regiment. (5) Thompson Clark was born June 15, 1841. (6) Martha, born Aug. 29, 1843, died April 6, 1848. (7) Mary Ann, born April 14, 1846, died Dec. 1, 1866. (8) William M., born July 16, 1849, died in November, 1866. (9) Nancy Jane, born Oct. 6, 1853, died in 1899, in Iowa. (10) Samuel, born Nov. 6, 1856, died in September, 1857.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 57

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