Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 58

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 58

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On Nov. 12, 1874, Mr. McCrea was married at Homer City, Pa., by Rev. H. Q. Graham, to Margaret Ellen Wineman, who was born Aug. 26, 1847, daughter of Jacob and Elea- nora (Stewart) Wineman, who were old set- tlers of Center township. Mrs. McCrea is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. She is a woman of strong Christian spirit, and bore with fortitude the great trial she and her husband had some years ago, when

Thompson Clark McCrea, fifth child and fourth son of William Clark and Nancy (Adams) McCrea, was born June 15, 1841, in Blacklick township, on the homestead. He at- tended the old brick school known as the six of their children were taken from them McCrea school, and grew up on the farm, within six weeks. They had a family of eight children : William Porter, born Nov. 27, 1875, is mentioned below ; James Quincy, born July 26, 1877, died Jan. 4, 1892; Ethel Eleanor, born Dec. 31, 1878, died Nov. 28, 1891; Harry R., born Sept. 5, 1880, died Dec. 1, 1891; Robert McClellan, born March 18, 1883, died Nov. 29, 1891; Elizabeth, born Dec. 11, 1887, where he worked with his father from early boyhood, engaged in farming. He continued to reside with his parents, and they died at his home. After the death of his father he remained on the old homestead, which con- tains over 300 acres, on which he made numer- ous improvements, including the erection of a substantial dwelling house and barn. He died Dec. 8, 1891; Martha M., born Jan. 6, 69

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1892, died Jan. 17, 1892; Frank Clark, born throughout his active years, retiring in 1899. July 1, 1893, resides with his mother on the He was an enterprising and ambitious worker, homestead farm.

WILLIAM PORTER MCCREA, son of Thomp- son Clark and Margaret Ellen (Wineman) McCrea, was born on the homestead farm Nov. 27, 1875. He was educated in the public schools of his home town and in the high school at Homer City, and remained on the home place with his father until 1903, when he settled on the 285-acre tract of land which was formerly owned by Henry Graff, known as the old Dixon farm. Here he has since followed farming, in which he has been highly successful. He has made numerous improve- ments on the property, his home and sur- roundings telling their own story of his in- telligent interest and practical thrift. They show artistic taste as well as industry and are a distinct credit to his efforts. In politics Mr. McCrea is a Republican, and he lias served as school director for three years. He was one of the organizers and first directors of the First National Bank of Blacklick, and has been a member of the board of directors ever since. He belongs to the United Presby- terian Church at Homer City, where he serves as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a typical member of the enterprising family from which he comes, and is thoroughly in sympathy with all good movements.

Mr. McCrea married March 25, 1903, Mary Melissa Wilson, who was born Dec. 17, 1877, daughter of Robert M. and Sarah Louisa (Fair) Wilson. Mrs. McCrea is also a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church. Four children have been horn to this union: Clair Wilson, born Sept. 25, 1904; John Thompson, Oct. 28, 1907; Margaret Louisa, May 11, 1909, and Alice Martha, June 17, 1911.

WILLIAM BARBOUR, who died March 13, 1913, was a venerable citizen of Montgom- ery township, Indiana county, living retired at the time of his death, which occurred in his eighty-sixth year, his birth having taken place Sept. 12, 1827, in Westmoreland county, Pa. His parents, John and Eliza Barbour, came to this country from Ireland.

and made many, improvements on his prop- erty, clearing the land and bringing it under excellent cultivation. He also engaged in lum- bering. For years he filled the office of school director in his township. In August, 1864, he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a mem- ber of Company C, 206th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and served until- the close of the war, being mustered out July 3, 1865.

In December, 1848, Mr. Barbour married Elizabeth Lee, of Burnside, Clearfield Co., Pa., who was born Sept. 19, 1824, daughter of Timothy and Eve Lee, the former a minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Of the children born to this union four survive : Harriet Jane, now the wife of Dr. H. Benja- min Pittman, of Hillsdale, Pa .; Alwilda Lee, wife of Fred Dunlap, a farmer, of Blooming- ton, Pa .; Augustus F .; and William W., an attorney, of Ridgway, Elk Co., Pennsylvania.

AUGUSTUS F. BARBOUR was born Oct. 6, 1856, and obtained his education in the pub- lic schools of Montgomery township. He worked with his father on the farm and also at lumbering, and at the age of twenty-one began clearing land for himself. He now owns the old homestead, and has also acquired other land, having 136 acres in all. Farming has been his principal business in life, and he has made a success of his undertakings, being a substantial and much respected citizen of his district. He has been actively inter- ested in various movements which appealed to him as promising to benefit the community, belonging to the Patrons of Husbandry (Shry- ock Grange) and supporting the Prohibition party at the polls. He is holding the office of school director, in which he has already served nine years, and in 1911 was elected for six years more.

In the year 1877 Mr .- Barbour married Sarah A. Lydic, of Taylorsville, Indiana Co., Pa., daughter of Moses and Eliza P. (Hens- ley) Lydic, farming people, and they had one child, Arthur L. Mr. and Mrs. Barbour are members of the M. E. Church.

ARTHUR L. BARBOUR, only child of Augus- tus F. and Sarah A. (Lydie) Barbour, was

When seventeen years old William Barbour began to learn the trade of blacksmith, at that born April 29, 1878, and received his edu- cation in the public schools of Montgomery township and at Marion Center 'and Glen Campbell, this county. He has worked at the carpenter's trade to some extent, but farming has been his chief vocation, and he

time going to Clearfield county, Pa. In his boyhood he had lived for seven years, from 1837 until 1844, at Dixonville, Indiana county, and in 1858 he settled in Montgom- ery township, buying a farm of 110 acres to the cultivation of which he devoted himself is now engaged in general agriculture with

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

his father in Montgomery township. On Nov. man. Four children have been born to Mr. 19, 1904, he married Sarah A. Rush, of Glen and Mrs. Brickell, two of whom survive, Campbell, and they have three children : Sarah Ethel and William Augustus, who are in school; and Elizabeth Lee, at home. namely : Laura Inez, now the wife of James H. Smith, a miner, of Gipsy, Indiana county ; and George Ray, who lives at home. Clar- ence Edison died when seven years old, and another child died in infancy.

GEORGE A. BRICKELL, farmer and miner of Banks township, Indiana county, is a member of the third generation of his fam- ily to reside there. His father, George A. Brickell, came to Indiana county with his father in 1838 and settled in Banks township, the present George A. Brickell occupying his homestead of forty acres which has been in the family about seventy years. The grand- father lived there too, dying Oct. 5, 1873, at the age of seventy-three. They were "York State" people, from Rockland county. The old stock of Brickell came from Ireland.

George A. Brickell, the father, was a farmer and lumberman by occupation. He became a prominent man in this section, holding a num- ber of township offices, including those of tax collector, overseer of the poor, and super- visor, in all of which he proved an efficient public servant. Mr. Brickell died April 7, 1893, at the age of seventy-two years. His widow, Ann Eliza (Baird), who was born May 21, 1825, near the town of Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pa., is still living, now aged eighty-eight years, and came to Indiana county in 1835. She has been a professing Christian since she was thirteen years old.

George A. Brickell was born Nov. 4, 1858, in Banks township, and there received his edu- cation in the country schools. He and Hon. John P. Elkin, who became United States senator from Pennsylvania, were boys to- gether,and Mr. Brickell has often taken part in school debates with him. He assisted his father in his farming and lumbering oper- ations, and at the age of twenty-six years took up lumbering on his own account, devoting himself to that work for several years. Dur- ing the summer season he always followed farming, which he still continues, and for the last fifteen years he has also engaged in mining. He has not only been energetic in the management of his own affairs, but has also taken part in politics and local govern- ment, having served several times on the elec- tion board of the township and two terms as overseer of the poor. He is independent on political issues.

ERASMUS R. COOPER, who carries on general farming in Rayne township, Indiana county, and has been an official of that town- ship, was born June 26, 1846, in Somerset county, Pa., whence his parents, John F. and Leigh (Cable) Cooper, moved, to Indiana county not long afterward, settling in Rayne township. The father was a native of Somer- set county, and died in 1854, at the age of forty-five years.

Erasmus R. Cooper was reared in Rayne township and attended public school. He is now engaged in farming there, owning his farm, which consists of 105 acres. He has taken an active part in local affairs, served seven years as overseer of the poor, and for three years as member of the board of school directors, his work in both positions being efficient, and satisfactory to his fellow citi- zens.

On Dec. 23, 1876, Mr. Cooper married Mar- garet Bell, who was born in Rayne township, daughter of J. J. and Catherine (McHenry) Bell, and granddaughter of John F. Mc- Henry; the latter's father, who came from Scotland, had a family of five children. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Bell had seven children, viz .: Thompson M. died while serving in the Civil war; W. W., a physician, of Chicago, Ill., married Catherine Corning and has five chil- dren, Madie, Catherine, Flossie, Victoria and Lottie; Samuel; M., a physician, living at Homestead, Pa., married in November, 1883, Anna McKee, of Rayne township, and they have two daughters, Lizzie and Daisy; Jo- seph M. died unmarried at the age of forty- seven years; Mary Jane married John T. Cathcart, of Rayne township, and has had six children, three of whom are living; Ma- linda C. died at the age of thirteen years; Margaret is the wife of Erasmus R. Cooper.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper : Effie is the wife of F. B. Speedy, an electrician in the employ of the Westing- house Company, and they have two children, twins, Harold and Grace, born Oct. 17, 1904; Bessie B. is engaged in teaching school at Cherrytree, this county; Willetta A. is a teacher at Pitcairn, Pa .; Iva M. is a stenog-

On Feb. 15, 1885, Mr. Brickell was married to Sarah C. Weaver, a native of Banks town- ship, daughter of William and Nancy Weaver, the former of whom is a farmer and lumber- rapher employed in Philadelphia; Jennie,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

born May 21, 1888, and Flossie, born Sept. held firmly to the principles of his party, and 16, 1890, are at home. The family are Preshy- gave it substantial support for many years. terians in religious association, attending the old Washington Church in Rayne township.

MARTIN WASHINGTON BEST, a farmer of Grant township, was born near Alum Rock, Clarion Co., Pa., July 24, 1845, son of John S. Best, and grandson of Michael Best.

Michael Best made his home in Westmore- land county, Pa., and early records show that the Best family came originally from Hol- land, but at so remote a date that definite data are not forthcoming relative to the exact lo- cation here of the immigrant ancestor. For a number of years Michael Best resided in Westmoreland county, and then moved to Clarion county, at a time when that section was still a wilderness, so that he had the dis- tinction of being one of its pioneers, and to him belongs a portion of the credit for its early development. He became an extensive landowner and farmer and died full of years and wealthy in land and stock. He was a man of prominence in his community, and earned and retained the confidence of all who had any dealings with him.

John S. Best, son of Michael Best, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., and was brought to Clarion county in childhood, there growing to manhood. He received a local school education, and at the same time was taught farming from the bottom up. After attaining his majority Mr. Best began farm- ing on his own account, continuing to reside in Clarion county until 1849, when he moved to Indiana county with his family, and bought 120 acres of land in Grant township. This property was then owned by Judge Thomas White, of Indiana, Pa., a distinguished jurist, father of Judge Harry White. It was still in a wild state, and the family settled in the woods at Deckers Point. From then on there was plenty of hard work for all, but as Mr. Best was not only an industrious man, but A Democrat of firm principles, he has given valuable and hearty support to the candidates of his party and has been a successful candi- date himself for the office of school director of Grant township, which position he has held for some years. He has also served very acceptably as constable for one term, tax collector for one year, and has been inspector of elections. Brought up in the Methodist faith, it is but natural that he should unite with that church, and he has always given it generous support, now conserving its interests a good manager, he succeeded in clearing his land and putting it under cultivation. He built a comfortable dwelling house, substan- tial barn and other necessary outbuildings, making a valuable property and desirable home. Here he resided until death claimed him, in 1892, when he passed quietly away on the farm he had reclaimed from the wil- derness, and his remains were laid to rest in the family lot on the place. Although in his younger years he was a Lutheran, he later united with the Methodist Church, and died as trustee, while in the Sunday school he is firm in that faith. An old-time Democrat, he an honored teacher. For some years he be-

While still living in Clarion county Mr. Best married Catherine Sterner, a native of Berks county, Pa., daughter of John Martin Sterner. Mrs. Best died on the farm aged eighty-seven years, and is buried by the side of her husband. Like him, she was a consist- ent Methodist. The children born to this worthy couple were: Francis Emanuel, who is deceased; Martin Washington; Rebecca, deceased; Mary Olive, who married George Coalman; Martha Elda, who married J. C. Sherry and lives at St. Louis, Mo .; Joseph W., deceased; Delilah, who married Thomas Burkett; and Isaiah Wesley, who died young.

Martin Washington Best, son of John S. Best, was only five years old at the time of the family migration to Indiana county, and so grew to manhood in this locality, attending the local schools for a few months each year. At the same time he gave valuable assistance to his father in the work of the farm. After attaining his majority Mr. Best went into the oil fields of Clarion county, and later was en- gaged in lumbering in Clearfield county, thus continuing for four years, when he resumed his agricultural pursuits, feeling that he was better fitted for that kind of work than any other. In 1896 he took charge of the home- stead, to which he added twenty acres, now owning 130 acres of as good land as can be found in Grant township. While he is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising, of late years he has found it profitable to spe- cialize in raising produce, which he sells in the mining towns of Clymer and Dixonville and throughout neighboring sections. A man of unusually progressive ideas, he has had the ability to carry them out, and is reaping the profit therefrom. In addition to increasing the fertility of his land, Mr. Best has made many material improvements, and is very proud of his property.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

longed to the Jr. O. U. A. M. and the Grange. the degree of M. D. The following year he was

Mr. Best married Lavina Schreckengost, resident physician at St. Francis hospital, who was born in Armstrong county, Pa., daughter of Daniel and Mary (McAfoos) Schreckengost. Mr. and Mrs. Best have one son, John D., who is at home. Mrs. Best be- longs to the Methodist Church and takes a lively interest in the good work of that or- ganization. She is an intelligent Christian woman, and is beloved not only in her own home but throughout the neighborhood, where her many virtues are known and appreciated.

WILLIAM JOHNS, M. D., now engaged in the practice of medicine at Mechanicsburg, in Brushvalley township, Indiana county, is a native of the county, born Sept. 18, 1880, in West Wheatfield township.

Wilson P. Johns, his father, was born in 1844 in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., and about 1867 came to Indiana county, making his home in West Wheatfield township, where he followed lumbering and farming through- out his active years. For the last twenty years he has been a resident of Wilkinsburg, Pa., where he removed upon his retirement, in 1892. He is a member of the United Breth- ren Church, and in politics is a Democrat. On April 15, 1820, Mr. Johns married Amanda Hall, who was born in 1853 in Westmoreland county, daughter of John Hall, and they have had a family of ten children, as follows: Cath- erine married William Watterson and resides at Charleroi, Pa .; Mary is a nurse in the West Pennsylvania hospital, at Pittsburg; Ida is the wife of A. S. Moorhead, editor of the In- diana Progress ; Myrtle is married to Henry Van Ryan; William is mentioned below ; John H. has charge of the plant of the National Bis- cuit Company at Fairmont, W. Va .; Jennie was graduated from the State normal school at Indiana and is engaged in teaching public school in Wilkinsburg; Edna graduated from the Pittsburg commercial college and is now employed as a typewriter and stenographer; Marvin is studying medicine; Golden is a high school student at Wilkinsburg.

William Johns obtained his primary educa- tion in the common schools and later went to taught for two terms in West Wheatfield township, after which he entered the Westing- house electric works at East Pittsburg, Pa., where he was employed for three years. Meantime he took a scientific course at night school in Pittsburg, and subsequently entered the University of Pittsburg, where he pursued the medical course, graduating in 1908, with

in Pittsburg, meantime taking a special course in surgery, and in 1909 located at Homer City, Indiana county, where he was in practice a short time, thence coming to Mechanicsburg, where he has since followed his profession. Dr. Johns' high personal character and prac- tical ideals have already brought him recog- nition as a most desirable citizen in the com- munity, and as a physician he has gained the confidence of a circle of patients which is steadily widening. His work is thoroughly creditable to his attainments and ambition. He is a member of the Indiana County Med- ical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Associ- ation.

On Sept. 6, 1910, Dr. Johns married Mary Bell Waddell, daughter of James E. and Margaret (Elrick) Waddell, of Tunnelton, Pa. They are popular members .of the M. E. Church. In political matters the Doctor is independent.

JAMES G. WALKER, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising on a well- cultivated property in West Mahoning town- ship, Indiana county, was born in Burrell township, Armstrong Co., Pa., Oct. 10, 1845, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Walker) Walker.

Alexander Walker, the paternal grand- father of James G. Walker, was a native of Ireland and the first of the family to come to the United States. He first located in eastern Pennsylvania, later being one of the pioneers in Burrell township, Armstrong county, and drove packhorses across the mountains at a time when there were but forty houses in Pittsburg. Later he became the driver of a six-horse train, handling freight between Pittsburg and Philadelphia, and finally ac- quired a large tract of land in Armstrong county, there building the first gristmill erected west of the mountains, on Crooked creek. He made flour which he took to Pitts- burg in a canoe, thus doing business for a number of years. He became widely known

summer normal at Greenville, this county. He and highly esteemed, was a prominent Whig

and Republican and one of the first county commissioners of Armstrong county, and do- nated two acres of land, on which was erected the old log building of the Congregational Church. He was twice married, having two sons by his first wife: One who died at the age of twenty-five years; and Robert.

Robert Walker, son of Alexander Walker,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ,

and father of James G. Walker, was gener- a farm on Crooked creek. He was a prominent ally known as "Robert of A." He received and progressive farmer, and raised the first wheat west of the mountains. His children were: Mary, the mother of James G. Walker; Robert, a surveyor by profession, who lived at home; Margaret, who married Samuel Cook; Samuel, who married Jane Espy (he was a farmer, went to Missouri and there died) ; and John, deceased, who married Elizabeth Iseman (he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits). only a meager education in the subscription schools of his day and locality, having to jour- ney four miles through the woods to reach the little log schoolhouse. He was reared to agri- cultural pursuits and also taught the business of milling, and in 1830 erected a gristmill on Crooked creek which he operated for a long period. In order to make a mill run he was obliged to dig a tunnel three hundred yards long through a stone hill, a task that to many James G. Walker, son of Robert Walker, received his education in the common schools, and remained at home until he was sent to Eddyville to conduct the mill, which he op- erated successfully until 1871, in the mean- while being also profitably engaged in farm- ing and lumbering. On Feb. 15, 1867, he was married to Susanna Smith, of Eddyville, born Sept. 22, 1842, daughter of George Smith, a farmer of Eddyville. To Mr. and Mrs. Wal- ker there have been born the following chil- dren : O. P., chief of police of Vandergrift, Pa., and also for many years at Punxsu- tawney, married Della Stear; Myrtle married Davis Lindsley, of Punxsutawney, and has six children; R. S., of Salmon, Idaho, an electri- cian in the line of mining machinery, married Nellie Girtley and has four children; Annie married M. Gahagan, of Mckean county, and has two children; Maggie married Clark Laughry, of Goodville, Pa., and has three children ; Bessie married Charles Stephenson, of MeKean county, and has three children ; Clara married Ed. Dickey, of Smicksburg, and has three children; Florence married A. F. Pfeiffer, of Plumville, Pa., and has three children ; G. R., who is carrying ou operations on the old home place for his father, married Lulu Lewis, and has two children. a man might have seemed almost impossible. He devoted his 1,700 acres of land to general farming and stock raising and became wealthy and prominent, being a supervisor and leading Republican. Mr. Walker moved to Eddyville in the spring of 1858 and there purchased a gristmill, which he conducted until the spring of 1871, then returning to the old home place. His death occurred at Tunnelville, Pa. He passed away in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which he had for many years been an elder. He married Mary Walker, who died in April, 1859, and is buried at Tunnelville, and they became the parents of the following children : Alexander, deceased, who was a farmer of Armstrong county; Samuel, de- ceased, who lived on the old place in Arm- strong county ; Margaret, deceased, who mar- ried James Kerr; Caroline, deceased, who married George Crownover and lived in Arm- strong county; Robert, deceased, who was a resident of Burrell township, Armstrong county ; John, who met his death in the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, as a member of Company D, 62d Pennsylvania Infantry ; Sarah, widow of James Altman, living in Burrell township, Armstrong county; Mary Ann, who died at the age of two years; Matilda Jane, widow of O. H. Nod- strom, living at Punxsutawney, Pa .; and James G. In April, 1864, Mr. Walker married (second) Naney Butler, who survives him and is still living on the old homestead. By this marriage there were two children: Almira, married to Rev. Harry Calhoun, now living in the State of Indiana; and Andy Gregg Curtin, who lives at Tunnelville, Pa. Of the 1.700 acres Robert Walker owned at the time of his death all but one hundred acres is still owned and farmed by his chil- dren and grandchildren.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 58

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