Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 59

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 59

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Samuel Walker, the maternal grandfather of James G. Walker, a native of eastern Penn- sylvania, was married there to Mary Litle, and they came to Armstrong county with Alexander Walker and his family, settling on

Mr. Walker moved to West Mahoning town- ship April 6, 1880, and purchased the farm of 214 acres on which he now makes his home. About one half of this land is under cultiva- tion, and improvements are being constantly made, so that the property is becoming one of the most valuable in West Mahoning town- ship. In its management Mr. Walker has shown himself to be an able farmer and an ex- cellent business man, and he has so prosecuted his activities as to gain and retain the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. While a resident of Armstrong county he served as justice of the peace for many years and as supervisor and in other capacities. He has been justice of the peace in Indiana county since 1884, was auditor from 1894 to 1897, and at the present time is a member of the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

county board of supervisors. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and with his family attends the Lutheran Church at Smicksburg.

On Sept. 4, 1864, Mr. Walker enlisted in Company B, 6th Pennsylvania Artillery, at Pittsburg, his regiment being sent into Vir- ginia, where it joined the Army of the Poto- mac. He continued with this organization un- til receiving his honorable discharge, Jan. 17, 1865, the greater part of his service having been in the guarding of railroads, bridges and forts. His record as a soldier was without stain or blemish, his military career always being characterized by the same conscientious faithfulness to duty that has marked all his relations in his life. Mr. Walker has hosts of friends in and near Smnicksburg, drawn about him by his many admirable qualities of mind and heart.

ALBERT HENRY HESS, retired farmer and builder, now living at Gipsy, in Mont- gomery township, is in various connections one of the best known citizens of his part of Indiana county, his active business and pub- lic life having brought him into contact with most of the residents of that section. He was horn in this county Nov. 27, 1843, son of Simon J. and Louisa (Reed) Hess, natives of New York who came here in 1842, settling in Montgomery (now Grant) township. The father was a carpenter and builder all his life, and also followed farming, having a farm of 150 acres. He died at the age of seventy- two years, the mother at the age of sixty-five.

Albert Henry Hess received his education in the public schools, and as soon as he was able began to assist his father in his building operations, being thus engaged until he en- tered the service during the Civil war. On Aug. 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 135th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, serving with that regiment until May 30, 1863. He reenlisted July 1. 1863, joining Company E, 53d Pennsylvania Regiment. Mr. Hess saw field service at the various battles of the Army of the Potomac, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Poe River, Spott- sylvania, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, siege of Petersburg, Ream's Station (where he was wounded in the foot ), White Oak Road, Five Forks, Amelia Court House and Appo- mattox. Entering the service as a private Mr. Hess rose to be sergeant major and was eventually promoted to the rank of first lieu- tenant, being mustered out as such June 30, 1865. He participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C.

Returning to his home in Grant township, Indiana county, Mr. Hess settled down to farming and also followed building, in which line he was in great demand, building nearly all the barns for miles around in his active days. He retired April 1, 1904. He has taken considerable part in local affairs, having served as road supervisor and on the election board at almost every election, and though a Republican in principle and interested in the success of his party he is independent in his support of measures and candidates. In the fraternal circles of this section he is well known, being a past grand in the I. O. O. F., a third degree member in the Knights of Py- thias, and a member of the P. O. S. of A.

On Nov. 10, 1871, Mr. Hess married Mar- gery E. Lydick, of Indiana county, daughter of James and Margaret (McConnahey) Ly- dick, farming people, all of North Mahoning township, this county. Mrs. Hess and her par- ents were all born in Indiana county. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hess : Ray L., who is in business as a hardware mer- chant at Indiana, Pa .; Laura L., now the wife of John T. Kane, a merchant of Glen Camp- bell; Blair D., contractor and builder, of Gipsy, Pa .; Frank W., a foreman on the rail- road, living at Gipsy, Pa .; Bertha M., wife of C. D. Buchanan, a traveling salesman, of Gipsy, Pa .; Howard S., contractor and builder, of Gipsy, Pa .; and Maud, now the wife of Charles Judge, manager of the Burn- side Supply Company, of Glen Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Hess are members of the Christian Church and he is one of its most earnest sup- porters, having held the office of elder for fifteen years.

ISAAC KEENER MILLER, one of the progressive farmers of Blacklick township, In- diana county, is a native of Conemaugh town- ship, this county, born Sept. 19, 1863. The family has been here for many years, his great- grandfather, Samuel Miller, having come hither from Westmoreland county, where he was a farmer. He settled near Jacksonville in Indiana county. He was married twice, his first wife, Margaret, the mother of his chil- dren, dying in Westmoreland county. He married (second) in Indiana county Miss E. Bell. His children were: Ellen married John Taylor; James married Margaret Miller; Sarah; Hugh married Sarah Moore; Samuel G. married Mary Keener; John is mentioned below; Ann married Peter Keener; Martin married Hannah Simpson; Alexander mar-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ried Mary Elder; William married Elizabeth ating at Grove City College. Mr. Miller died Coleman; Richard married Sarah Dillinger ; Jane married James Blakely; Eliza married Samuel Davis; Margaret married Samuel Mc- Curdy.

John Miller, of Conemaugh township, was first a farmer in Westmoreland county, and in the late forties moved to Indiana county, settling in Conemaugh on a farm of 160 acres. It was not only covered with timber, but also rocky, but he succeeded in clearing up much of it; at one period he spent seventeen days hauling stone from one field of this land. He continued on that farm the remainder of his life, dying there in 1872, and is buried in the Ebenezer cemetery in Conemaugh township. He was a member of the Ebenezer Presbyter- ian Church. He was twice married, first to Mary Irwin and afterward to Matilda Mc- Phileney, both of whom died in Conemaugh township and were buried at Ebenezer. There were six children by the first marriage: Mar- garet married Samuel Coleman, of Conemaugh township and is living now near Conemaugh Church; John Irwin is mentioned below ; Mary married William Barkley, of Turtle Creek, Allegheny Co., Pa .; Amanda was next in the family ; one son died in infancy; Mar- tha (Mattie) married Robert Ewing and re- sides in Conemaugh township. There were three children by the second marriage: Wil- liam S., who resides in Lewisville, Conemaugh township; Anna, who married Robert E. Dixon, of Young township; and a daughter that died in infancy.

John Irwin Miller, son of John and Mary (Irwin) Miller, was born Dec. 13, 1832, in Westmoreland county, and was ten years old when he came to Indiana county with his parents. Here he attended school and grew up on the farm, beginning work with his father. Then he began work on his own ac- count, on a ninety-eight-acre tract in Cone- maugh township, on which he farmed for a number of years, moving thence to Blacklick township, where he bought a farm of 204 acres. On this tract he built a large barn and made numerous other improvements, and there he was engaged in general farming and stock raising the rest of his life. He was thrifty and ambitious, and made a success of his undertakings. He took great interest in the welfare of the township, as well as of his own home and property, and was specially active in supporting any movement for the good of the public schools. He gave all his children good educational advantages, six of them becoming school teachers, three gradu-

July 17, 1902, and was buried in the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church cemetery. He was a member and trustee of that church. In po- litical opinion he was a Republican. He served his township as overseer of the poor, and was a good citizen in every way, well liked and respected. His wife, Mary (Keener), daughter of Isaac Keener, died May 2, 1892, and was buried in the Ebenezer cemetery. She was also a member of the Pres- byterian Church. Ten children were born to their union : (1) George Irwin was formerly a practicing attorney in Colorado and is now a resident of San Diego, Cal. (2) Emma C. married J. Stewart Johnson and (second) Harry J. Graff, of Blacklick township. (3) Isaac K. is mentioned below. (4) Sarah Eliza- beth married George Smith Long and (sec- ond) Harry Carson, a well-known farmer of White township. (5) Lillie Bell married John F. Pounds. (6) Thomas Benton is a prac- ticing physician near Pittsburg, Pa. (7) James Herron is a minister of the Presbyter- ian Church and lives at Union City, Ind. (8) Mary Iola married J. Orr Mclaughlin, and lives at Hood River, Oregon. (9) John Har- vey died in infancy. (10) Mattie E. died when two years old.

Isaac Keener Miller, son of John I. and Mary (Keener) Miller, was born Sept. 19, 1863, on the homestead in Conemaugh town- ship, and there attended school. From early manhood he worked under his father, and moved with the family to Blacklick township, where he has continued farming ever since, living on the George Howard farm, where his father settled. He has made extensive im- provements on this tract of 204 acres, making many changes which have added materially to its value. Mr. Miller has made a success of his work, is a man of progressive ideas, and takes deep interest in the growth and progress of the township as well as in the furtherance of his own affairs. He was one of the organ- izers of the Farmers' Telephone Company, of which he is a director ; and served his town- ship as auditor and school director, and is an active member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee. A Repub- lican in politics, he has been greatly interested in the success of the party and has acted as member of the election board.

In December, 1895, Mr. Miller married Jen- nie Harbison, who was born in Center town- ship, daughter of Edward and Rosanna (Car- son) Harbison. Mrs. Miller was educated in the district schools and the State normal

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

school at Indiana, and taught school for two married James White and (second) John years in Center township. Two children have Kerr, and resides at Rockwood, Pa. In po- been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller: John litical faith Mr. George Boyer was first a Harbison, born Jan. 21, 1897, educated in the Republican, but later became a Democrat. Gordon school, passed the common school ex- amination in 1912; Margaret Catherine was born May 25, 1906.

HARRISON BENJAMIN BOYER, a farmer and stockraiser of Armstrong town- ship, Indiana county, was born in Plumcreek, Armstrong Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1865, on the To- bias Kimmell farm, and was brought to Arm- strong township when eighteen months old by his parents, George and Elizabeth (Fisher) Boyer.

George Boyer, his grandfather, was born in Somerset county, Pa., and died in Armstrong county.

George Boyer, son of George Boyer, was twelve years old when the family emigrated from Somerset county to Armstrong county. He grew to manhood like any ordinary coun- try boy, alternating work on the farm with attendance at the local schools, and when old enough began learning the carpenter's trade in Plumcreek township. In 1866 he moved to Armstrong township, Indiana county, where he bought ninety-six acres of land known as the Hershberger farm, and upon it began farming and raising fine horses, cattle and sheep. A man of quiet disposition and hab- its, he lived for his family, continuing his farming until 1885, when he bought the Peelor mill, a chopping mill, and ran it for seven years. His death occurred Sept. 5, 1909, when he was seventy-nine years old.

George Boyer married Elizabeth Fisher, a daughter of Jacob Fisher; her mother's maiden name was Fry. Mrs. Boyer died June 30, 1906, aged seventy years. She was born and reared on Dutch run, in Plumcreek town- ship, Armstrong Co., Pa. The children born to this excellent couple were: Sarah Jane married George Proper, a farmer and stock- man of Coshocton county, Ohio; Jacob mar- ried Jennie Kline; Peter married Jennie Kerr and (second) a Miss Anderson, and resides in Butler county, S. Dak .; Christiana mar- ried John B. Clawson, of White township; Noah married S. Petticord; John died in childhood; Harrison B. is mentioned below ; Susanna, who married L. Valentine, is de- ceased ; Mary is the widow of Conrad Stormer, a farmer of Young township ; Maggie married Banks Kauffman, of Homer City, Pa., and is deceased; William married Amelia Anderson, and resides in Flandreau, S. Dak .; Martha

For many years he was a member of the Meth- odist Church of Shelocta, of which he was trustee for a long period.

Harrison Benjamin Boyer attended the lo- cal schools in Armstrong township, and as- sisted his father while doing so. After leav- ing school he was employed by James A. Mc- Knight of Washington township, to do gen- eral farm work, receiving ten dollars per month for his services. Later he received $145 and then $150 per year, in 1887 and 1888, respectively, and out of this saved $100 each year. Because of his thrift he was able to buy on April 1, 1898, the Jacob Hill farm of 100 acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a splendid example of a self-made man, and owes no one credit for what he has accomplished. His has been no royal road to fortune, his pros- perity being the natural result of unceasing labor, intelligently directed, and a steady sav- ing of small amounts. His excellent habits have been of assistance to him, and it is but natural that he should be a Prohibitionist, for he realizes how much money and energy are wasted by those who indulge in strong drink. It is his firm belief that the salvation of the country depends upon the adoption of a Pro- hibition platform. Feeling as strongly as he does Mr. Boyer is able to influence others, and demonstrates in his own life what temperance will help to accomplish. He is an elder of the Curry Run Presbyterian Church in Arm- strong township, of which he has long been a member, and his family also belong to it. For some time he gave the affairs of the church his supervision as trustee, and at pres- ent he is assistant superintendent of the Sun- day school.

On Feb. 22, 1893, Mr. Boyer was united in marriage with Margaret Hill, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Fleming) Hill, of Armstrong township. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer are the parents of the following children : Herbert William, Clark Franklin and Mur- ray Wilson.

MATTHEW T. RANKIN, of Rayne town- ship, Indiana county, is an up-to-date farmer of his community and has been quite active in local politics, taking an interest in good government and efficient office holders for his township. He was born Nov. 20, 1860, in South Mahoning township, this county, son of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

James B. and Caroline (Adams) Rankin. Ireland, born about 1763. There he grew to The father was born Jan. 16, 1833, in Mont- manhood and married Margaret Campbell, who was born about 1769, and four children were born to them in their native home: John, born about 1797; Robert, born about 1799; James, born March 3, 1800; and Jean, gomery township, Indiana county, was reared there, became a harnessmaker by trade, and also followed farming. He died in October, 1901, aged sixty-eight years, seven months, four days. Mrs. Rankin, who was born in born about 1803. In the early part of 1803 1837, died Sept. 20, 1870. Their children besides Matthew T. were : Hannah M., George A., Bell J., Emma F., Anna E.

Matthew T. Rankin was educated in the country schools near his early home, and was reared on the farm, receiving a thorough training for agricultural work. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty- one, and for a number of years was engaged in sawmill work, as well as lumbering and log- ging in the northern part of Indiana county. He lived in Rayne township during that time, having located there April 1, 1889, and he set- tled on his present farm in that township April 1, 1909, now giving his attention prin- cipally to its profitable cultivation. Mr. Ran- kin is public-spirited and willing to do his share toward securing the advantages of in- telligent government for his home locality, and he has served five years as member of the township election board, having acted as judge, inspector, etc. He was elected to the office of supervisor and filled same for one term.

On Jan. 18, 1883, Mr. Rankin married Mar- garet L. Steetle, of Rayne township, daughter of Jolin and Delilah Steetle, farming people. Four children have been born to this mar- riage: John S., who is engaged as clerk in a general store at Chambersville, this county, married Mae Swan, of Washington township, Indiana county, and they have two children, Margaret and Eva Grace. Linnie Caroline married Fred MeLaughlin, a native of Rayne township, now living at Homewood, Pa., and they have one child, Vada Grace. Harry, who is at present engaged in school teaching, lives at home. Eva Grace is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin attend the Presbyterian Church at Marion Center, of which they have been members since 1884.

JAMES W. MACK, who lives at Johns- town, Pa., belongs to the Mack family numer- ously represented in East and West Wheat- field townships, Indiana county, where it was established over a century ago by his grand- father, Robert Mack.

Robert Mack with his wife and four children left their native home for America. While they were crossing the Atlantic, on a slow- going sailing vessel, their little daughter Jean died and was buried at sea, the body being placed in a sack, weighted at the feet with sand. The burial service was read by the captain. After landing in the New World the family made their way west of the Alle- ghenies, locating in Wheatfield township, Indi- ana county, Pa., where Mr. Mack settled down to farming on a 400-acre tract. He had to erect the log cabin for his family, and began a hard fight for existence in the wilderness which lasted many years. By steady industry and thrifty habits he managed to develop his farm and make many improvements, and he spent the remainder of his life on that place, dying there Aug. 2, 1850. He was buried in Bethel Church cemetery, in what is now West Wheatfield township, and a headstone marks the last resting place of him- self and wife. Mr. Mack in religious prin- ciple was what was known as a Seceder, later joining the Bethel United Presbyterian Church. He was an old-line Democrat on political questions. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying on the farm Nov. 17, 1839, at the age of seventy years, and was laid to rest in Bethel cemetery. She, too, was a member of Bethel United Presbyterian Church. She was the mother of thirteen chil- dren, those born in Wheatfield township be- ing: David; William; Samuel; Armstrong ; George; Jean (2), who married William Me- Lean, and resides in West Wheatfield town- ship; Margaret, who married Hugh St. Clair, and removed to Iowa; and Elizabeth (Bet- sey), who married William Campbell, being his second wife.

David Mack, son of Robert and Margaret (Campbell) Mack, was reared in West Wheatfield township. He always followed agricultural pursuits, owning and conduct- ing a farm of 130 acres, the place now oc- cupied by his son Samuel, and in his later life also operated a sawmill on Germany run. He was one of the prominent citizens of the

Robert Mack was a native of County Down, township in his day, not only active in busi -.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ness but also associated with the administra- Republican party, and he is strongly inclined tion of public affairs. He was a life-long toward the principles of the Prohibition .member of the United Presbyterian Church party. He is a member of the United Pres- and active in all its work. He and his wife byterian Church at Johnstown. are buried in the Bethel Church cemetery. Mr. Mack married Matilda Craig, who died WILLIAM ALEXANDER HAMILTON, a farmer and stock raiser of South Mahoning township, was born near his present home in that township July 8, 1849, son of Hugh H. Hamilton. in 1878. They had a large family, namely : Robert, who married Elizabeth Brantlinger and (second) Sarah Adamson; Jacob, who married Mary Jane Wakefield; John, who married Elizabeth Murphy; David, who mar- ried Mary Jane Kerr; William, who married Sarah E. Marrs, and lives at Armagh, this county ; Tillie, who married Samuel G. Wal- beck and resided at Heshbon, this county; Samuel, who lives on the old homestead in West Wheatfield township (he married Char- lotte Roof and their children are Bart, Charles, Theresa and Irvin) ; Thomas, who married Kate Roof; James W., who married Alice MeCrory Jan. 9, 1884, and has had four children, Mabel M. (born Dec. 29, 1884, died March 18, 1902), Mary E. (born May 3, 1889), Arthur J. (born Oct. 22, 1898) and Gertrude A. (born Nov. 18, 1903).

Few families can equal the record of this one for patriotism. Six of the sons served in the Civil war, Jacob and John in Company E, 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; David in Company K, 177th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; Robert, John and David were in Company H, 206th Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Greer and Col. Hugh J. Brady ; William was in the 6th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery.

James W. Mack was born April 24, 1859, built a fine brick residence and commodious on the old homestead in West Wheatfield township, and began his education in the Germany school near by. Later he was sent to the select school at Dayton, Armstrong county, and then took up school teaching, which profession he followed for six years, in West Wheatfield township. After that he worked for Campbell & Mack, in the general store at Armagh, in East Wheatfield town- ship, H. M. Elliott later buying Campbell out, and the firm name was Mack & Elliott for two years. In 1884 he moved to Johns- town, where he has become established as a contractor and builder. He is a carpenter by trade, and has followed that calling with great success, having erected many fine resi- dences in and around Johnstown, and at var- ious near-by towns. His home and office are at No. 755 Sherman street, Johnstown.

Robert Hamilton, the grandfather of Wil- liam Alexander Hamilton, located in South Mahoning township when it was all a wilder- ness, and buying a tract of land devoted him- self to clearing and improving it. He spent the remainder of his life upon this place, became one of the founders of the church built by the United Presbyterians in that section, of which he continued an active mem- ber until his death, and was a man of in- fluence in the county. He married Rachel Work, born in Cumberland county, Pa., in 1794, daughter of William and Miriam (Seroggs) Work, the former one of the first school teachers in this locality. Mrs. Hamil- ton died in 1878, aged eighty-four years. They had six children: William, Hugh H., James, John, Allen and Miriam.

Hugh H. Hamilton, son of Robert and father of William Alexander Hamilton, was born in 1828 in South Mahoning township, where he was reared and sent to school. He made farming his life occupation, and devel- oped his fifty-acre portion of his father's es- tate into a valuable property, adding to it until he owned 162 acres. On this farm he barn and made other desirable improvements, and engaged in farming and stock raising. Also a carpenter, he found plenty of employ- ment at his trade, and erected a number of barns in East Mahoning township and other sections of the county. Together with that trade he combined a knowledge of mason work, and was called upon for his services in this line of building work as well. Like his father a strong United Presbyterian, he gave the land on which the Smyrna United Pres- byterian Church was built, and he, John Mc- Gaughy and Robert Ross split the stone and reared the structure. This most excellent man died in 1876, and was buried in the Mahoning Church cemetery. First a Whig and later a Republican, he served acceptably as a school director and supervisor, and was

In politics Mr. Mack has adhered to the always interested in securing the best gov-

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 59

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