Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 61

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 61

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Enoch F. Lewis obtained a public school education, partly under his father's tuition. He worked at home with his father during his younger manhood, and farming has always been his occupation. The 102 acres of the homestead place which came into his posses- sion have been greatly improved under his intelligent care, his labors in the line of gen- eral agriculture and stock raising being quite successful.

Mr. Lewis is a veteran of the Civil war, having entered the service as a member of Company I, 102d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 6th Army Corps. He was promoted to corporal and · later to sergeant. Wounded in the right thigh by a minie ball in the battle of Cedar creek, Oct. 19, 1864, when discharged from the U. S. General hospital, Pittsburg, Pa., he returned to his regiment in front of Peters- burg, March 27, 1865, taking part in all sub- sequent engagements until the close of the war.

On Jan. 15, 1867, Mr. Lewis married Mary Jane Shields, of Plumville, this county, daughter of James and Margaret (Getty) Shields, and they had children as follows:

WILLIAM HAMILTON KINTER (de- ceased), who during his life was engaged in farming in Grant township, and was a sol- dier in the Civil war, was a native of Rayne township, Indiana Co., Pa., born March 26, 1844, son of Peter and Agnes (Craig) Kinter.

The Kinter family is of Dutch extraction, the founder of the family in this country, Philip Kinter, the great-grandfather of Wil- liam Hamilton Kinter, having been born in Holland in 1700. His wife, Margaret (King), was born there the same year. On coming to this country they settled in what was then Lancaster (now Dauphin) county, Pa. They had seven sons (daughters also), and all the sons served in the Revolutionary army under Washington; two, John and Peter, remained together, and all trace of the others has been lost by the branch of the family here under consideration.

John Kinter, son of Philip, and grand- father of William Hamilton Kinter, moved in 1808 to Indiana county, locating in what is now Rayne township, then a part of Wash- ington township, near what is now known as Kintersburg; and Kinterhill, the highest point in the township, was named in his honor. Here he continued to reside, engaged in agricultural pursuits, during the remain- der of his life, and died at the age of eighty- two years. During the Revolutionary war he served under three enlistments of two months each in the Continental army, and he was ever a patriotic and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Kinter married Isabella Finley, daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Todd) Finley, the latter a sister of Gen. Eli Todd and daughter of Robert Todd, of Trappe, Pa. Eli Todd had a son Robert and a daughter Mary, the latter hecoming the wife of Abraham Lin- coln. Mrs. Isabelle (Finley) Kinter lived to

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the advanced age of ninety years. She and 1874, in that year selling out to turn his at- her husband became the parents of six sons tention once more to farming. At that time and three daughters: Margaret, who married he located on the Allison farm in East Ma- William Borland; John, who married Sarah Ross, and died in 1866; Henry, a soldier dur- ing the War of 1812-14, who married Chris- tina Heater; Catherine, who married James Coulter; Sarah, who married Judge Peter Dilts; William, who married Mary Speedy ; Peter, the father of William H. Kinter; Finley, who married Catherine Heater; and Isaac, who married Hannah Myers.

Peter Kinter, the other son of Philip men- tioned, married Mary Finley, sister of his brother John's wife.

Peter Kinter, son of John, and father of William H. Kinter, was born in 1800 in the valley of Spruce creek, in Center county, Pa., and in 1808 came to Indiana county with his father, the family settling on Crooked creek, at Kintersburg. He spent his entire life in farming in Rayne township, where he

property, and died honored and respected by all who knew him. Both he and his wife passed away on the homestead farm, and were buried in the old Washington cemetery. Peter Kinter married Agnes Craig, who was born in 1800 in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of Robert Craig, and was brought to America the same year, the family landing at Phila- delphia, the home of her grandfather Young. That year they came on to Indiana county and settled on the Young land, on a farm now occupied by S. Wetzel, one mile south of Marion Center. Mrs. Kinter had a brother Robert, and a sister who married H. Robin- son, of Clarion county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Kinter became the parents of a large family, among whom were: Henry, Evans, Isaac, William Hamilton, Robert, Martha and Helen.

honing township, but three years later moved to Punxsutawney with his family, and for three years was engaged in the manufacture of shingles and other lumber in Canoe town- ship. At the end of that period he settled on a 200-acre tract of land in Grant township, known as the old Craig farm, where he made his home during the remainder of his life, being engaged in general farming and stock raising, and where he died Oct. 23, 1904, at the age of sixty years. He was laid to rest in Gilgal cemetery in East Mahoning town- ship. Mr. Kinter was a stalwart Republican and served as auditor of his township for several years. The Golden Rule was his motto in life, he was a devoted husband and kind father, and was honored and respected by all with whom he came into contact.

On July 16, 1875, Mr. Kinter was married,

made numerous improvements on the home in East Mahoning township, to Sophia A. Allison, a sister of Dr. Alexander Hamilton Allison, of that township, in whose sketch, in another part of this volume, a full history of the Allison family will be found. Mr. and Mrs. Kinter had the following children : Margaretta died in young womanhood; Roy, who is foreman for the Saven Coal Company, residing at Deckers Point, married Eva Nupp, daughter of George Nupp, and she died Sept. 30, 1911, leaving three children, Purl, Bernard and Ivan; Clair resides in the West; James makes his home in the State of Indiana; Maisie and Daisy, twins, are at home; Tim and Zim, twins, died in infancy.

WILLIAM EVANS ACKERSON, a farmer of Blacklick township, was born May 27, 1867, in Brushvalley, son of George Sny- der and Martha (Tyson) Ackerson.

William Hamilton Kinter, son of Peter Kinter, attended public school in Rayne township, and continued to remain on the home farm and work for his father until he joined the Union army during the Civil war. In March, 1865, he enlisted for one year in Company F, 74th- Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Capt. John Kinter, and was made sergeant of his company, with which he served until receiving his honorable dis- er of William Evans Ackerson; James P., born charge, Aug. 29, 1865, the war having closed. William Ackerson was born April 13, 1813, in Sussex county, N. J., where he was reared. On Feb. 7, 1839, he married Sarah Ann Snyder, who was born Feb. 1, 1822, and died Sept. 19, 1884. She, too, was reared in Sus- . sex county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ackerson were: John W., born Feb. 7, 1841, resides in Blacklick township with William Evans Ackerson ; George Snyder was the fath- Aug. 30, 1846, married Amanda Hazlett. of On his return to the pursuits of peace he lo- Brushvalley; Emma Elizabeth. born in Feb- cated in Cookport, Green township, Indiana ruary, 1858, married George W. Badgley. county, where he became engaged in the mer- When he was three years old William cantile business, and was subsequently made Ackerson was brought to Indiana county, postmaster, a position which he held until Pa., by his parents. In time he bought the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Reed farm of 240 acres, now owned by Joseph that he went to work with his father in the D. Dickie of White township, and developed coal mines, and thus continued for three into one of the substantial agriculturists of his day and locality. During his lifetime he brought nearly all of his land under the plow, and raised a large amount of cattle, sheep and hogs, specializing on thoroughbred horses. Although he received but few edu- cational advantages, he was a shrewd business man and became wealthy. A Democrat in politics, he did not aspire to public life. Bethel Church had in him a faithful mem- ber, and his remains were laid to rest by the side of his wife in Oakland cemetery, at Indi- ana, Pa. The death of this excellent man oc- curred at Mores Station, near Philadelphia, where he was living with his daughter Mrs. George W. Badgley.

George Snyder Ackerson, son of William Ackerson, was born July 21, 1844, in White township, where he was reared. He remained with his parents until married, on Aug. 26, 1866, in Brushvalley township, to Martha Tyson, who was born June 17, 1837, daughter of Harman and Annie (Murphy) Tyson, of Brushvalley township, Indiana Co., Pa. On Dec. 25, 1888, Mr. Ackerson was mar- ried at the "Hotel American," in Indiana, Pa., to Mary Hulda MacElhaney, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Hess) MacElhaney, of Indiana, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Ackerson have had children as follows: Samuel Augustus, Their children were: William Evans, whose name heads this review; John Ernest, born Oct. 27, 1868, who married Mrs. Eldora Em- monds (he is an engineer and resides in Apollo, Pa.) ; Harold A., born Nov. 8, 1869, who resides in one of the Western States; born Feb. 10, 1890, is working for the Penn- and Clair Murphy, born May 18, 1879, who died in September, 1879.

After his marriage Mr. Ackerson went to Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he worked at teaming for about five years, and then moved to Blairsville, where he bought the small tract of land on which his widow now resides. Later on he was employed by the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company on the repair train, and as brakeman. Still later he went to work in the coal mines at Homer City, Pa., and spent the remainder of his life as a coal miner, meet- ing his death in the mines, where he was crushed by a falling wall of coal. His re- mains were interred in the Blairsville ceme- tery. For years he was a devout member of the Methodist Church, and his wife still be- longs to that denomination, both having connected themselves with the organization at Blairsville. In politics Mr. Ackerson was a Republican ; he never held an office.

William Evans Ackerson attended the local schools and those of Blairsville until he was twelve years old, when he went to the vicinity of Mount Pleasant, Fayette Co., Pa., and for a short time was employed there. Following

years, doing a little farming at the same time. Later on Mr. Ackerson worked for himself as a coal miner at Oakville, Homer City, Blairsville, Smith station and other points. All the while, however, he was sav- ing to buy a farm, and was able to accom- plish this in April, 1903. At that time he bought the George property of 140 acres from Sophia Williams, in Blacklick township, where he now resides with his family. He is one of the progressive farmers of his town- ship, and has a large dairy and raises stock as well as carrying on general farming. Al- though prominent in the affairs of his town he is not an office seeker, but has served on the election board several times. In addition to other interests, he is a stockholder in the Blacklick Telephone Company. After giving full consideration to the issues of the day, Mr. Ackerson has come to the conclusion that only through practical Socialism can a rem- edy be found, and he has been identified with that party for the last sixteen years.

sylvania Railroad Company and living at Pitcairn, Pa .; John Albert, born Nov. 21, 1891, a school teacher of Blacklick township, was married Feb. 27, 1913, at the "West Indiana Hotel," in Indiana, Pa., to Lulu Edith Johnston, daughter of James Harvey and Mary Elizabeth Johnston, of Ross- moyne, Pa., Rev. W. S. Sturgeon, of Elkin, Pa., performing the ceremony (Mrs. Acker- son, like her husband, has been a well-known educator in Indiana county) ; Emma Viola was born July 28, 1893; Vera Elberta was born Nov. 18, 1896.

Mr. Ackerson is a hard-working, thrifty man, and his success in life has come of his industry and economy.

DANIEL J. ORNER, a retired farmer of Pine township, Indiana county, was born near Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pa., Dec. 18, 1836, son of Daniel Orner, and grandson of Felix Orner.

Felix Orner, the American founder of the family, was born in Germany, but left his native land, and in company with his brother came to the United States on a sail-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ing vessel. After landing he went direct to and has since been enjoying the fruits of Adams county, Pa., and became one of the his years of labor. prosperous men of his locality, dying on the During the Civil war Mr. Orner was one

property he had secured. His children were: of the men who gave material proof of Jonas, Felix, David, George and Daniel.

Daniel Orner, son of Felix Orner, and father of Daniel J. Orner, was a native of Adams county, and farmed there for many years, but finally left Adams county with his brother George and located in Indiana county, the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Army Corps, buying a large tract of timberland in what was then Pine township. The brothers con- tinued in partnership for some years, and then Daniel Orner bought another farm, cleared it, and conducted it until he went to Nebraska, where he spent three years with his daughters Phoebe and Nancy. Return- ing to Indiana county, he joined his son Daniel J. Orner at Strongstown, where he lived in retirement until his death, in his seventieth year, from cancer. He was laid to rest in the Strongstown cemetery.

Daniel Orner married Sarah Fohl, a daugh- ter of George Fohl, and their children were: Sophia married George Holby, and both are now deceased; George A. died in the vicinity of Johnstown, Cambria Co., Pa .; Lucy, de- ceased, who married Finley Cameron, is buried in the Strongstown cemetery; Daniel J. is mentioned below. After the death of his first wife Daniel Orner married (second) Mrs. Eliza (Cameron) Neff, the widow of Jacob Neff. The children of this marriage were: Elizabeth, who married Stewart Campbell, resides at Morrellville, Cambria Co., Pa .; Phoebe married Scott Steffy and resides at David City, Nebr .; Nancy mar- ried a Mr. Volk and resides near David City, Nebr .; John P. married Susan Boring, and both are now deceased; Amos D. married Joan Bracken, and resides at Dubois, Pa .; Emanuel died in one of the Western States.

Daniel J. Orner was brought to Indiana county when twelve years old by his father, and completed his educational training here. Until he was eighteen years of age he as- sisted in the domestic lumbering and farm- ing, and made shingles, both lap and joint, all of which were cut with a drawing knife. For the next seven years Mr. Orner worked among neighboring farmers, until he was able to buy fifty acres of land in Pine township. This he cleared of the timber, built a small house on it, and began farming for himself. Later he added to his holdings until he had acquired 130 acres. Until 1909 he continued to conduct his farm, but in that year retired,

patriotism by enlisting (joining from Indi- ana county Nov. 4, 1862), in Company K, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing under Captains Reed and Clark and Col. J. F. Stanton. The regiment was assigned to

Army of the Potomac, and participated in important battles and operations, being on guard duty along the Baltimore & Ohio rail- road until February, 1863; in the operations about Winchester and the battle on June 15, 1863, when Mr. Orner had the misfortune to be captured by the enemy, and was first im- prisoned in a tobacco warehouse. He was then transferred to Belle Isle, for thirty- nine days, when he was exchanged. At the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, he was wounded by a gunshot in the right arm, and again captured May 6th, but escaped ; took part in the battle of Franklin Station, June 11 and 12, 1864; Petersburg, June 15 to,30, 1864; Reams Station, June 23, 1864; Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Sept. 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864; second battle of Petersburg, April 2, 1865, and the final scenes at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. On June 9, 1865, Mr. Orner was promoted to corporal, and was honorably discharged July 14, 1865, having served his country for two years, eight months, ten days.

Daniel J. Orner was married to Martha E. Rhoads, a daughter of William and Mar- garet (Lower) Rhoads, and they have be- come the parents of the following children : Sadie J. married William W. Cramer, and both are now deceased, she dying in Johns- town, Pa., but is buried in Strongstown; William Sylvester, who married Maude Stoph- el. is living on the old homestead; Maggie M. married Albert Whitmore, of Pittsburg; Henry Sheridan married Catherine Gillespie, of Strongstown; Laura Etta married Ben- jamin Duncan, of Vintondale; Daniel Grant married Mary Olive Bracken, the daughter of Henderson Bracken, of Belsano, Cambria Co., Pa .: Lizzie Morrell married John Dunean, of Vintondale, Cambria Co., Pa .; Martha Belle married William G. Bracken, of Buf- fington township; Tillie Roselle died at the age of eight years; Harvey Wilmer, an engi- neer on the Pennsylvania railroad, married Ella Bracken, and resides at Youngwood, Westmoreland Co., Pa .; Ira Bert, who is a

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad, mar- were: Hannah, who married John MeBrier, ried Olive Harman, and lives at Conemaugh, and lives in McCalmont township; Isaac C., Cambria Co., Pennsylvania.

William Rhoads, father of Mrs. Daniel J. Orner, moved from Williamsburg, Hunting- don Co., Pa., to Indiana county when Mrs. Orner was only two years old, so she was practically reared in this county. Settling in Pine township, he became a prosperous farmer, and lived to be eighty-eight years old. He was interred at Strongstown, Pa. Wil- liam Rhoads married Margaret Lower, of Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., Pa., and their chil- dren were: George W., David H., Mary C., Daniel Alexander, R. R., Jesse M., William L., Samuel L., Sadie, Margaret, Jane and Mrs. D. J. Orner.

Mr. Orner is a Republican in political faith, and gave his party efficient and valu- able service as a school director in his dis- trict for a period extending over eighteen years. For six years of this time he was treasurer of the board. Upon many occasions he was a member of the election board, and served on juries thirteen times in the county court. In addition to all his other duties, Mr. Orner was an auctioneer from 1867 to 1910, and during that long time cried many sales. Formerly of the United Brethren faith, in 1909 he united with the Methodist Church at Strongstown and gives that body faithful service. Few men can look back over so full a life as Mr. Orner with so few regrets. He has never failed to do his full duty as he has seen it, and has proved himself a real man in every emergency which has arisen. Needless to say he is held in the highest regard by his associates and in the neighborhood where he has spent the greater portion of his life, and all of his mature years.

JOSEPH A. JORDAN, a farmer of North Mahoning township, was born in McCalmont township, Jefferson Co., Pa., Sept. 14, 1852, son of Robert G. and Elizabeth (Fitterhoff) Jordan.

Samuel Jordan, a native of Scotland, served in the American Revolution after coming to the Colonies at an early day. He lived for a long period in McCalmont township, Jeffer- son county.

who married Leanna Stiffy, and lives in Mc- Calmont township; Sarah, who married a Mr. McPherson and (second) a Mr. Carey, and lives in Clearfield county, Pa .; John, who married Nancy Bell, and lives in Perry town- ship, Jefferson county; William A., who mar- ried Mary Reed, and lived on the old home- stead in Jefferson county; James B., who married Annie Smith, and lived in Punxsu- tawney, Pa .; Joseph A .; and Robert G.

Robert G. Jordan was born in McCalmont township, Jefferson Co., Pa., and died July 31, 1876, aged fifty-five years, nine months. His wife, born in Huntingdon county, Pa., died Feb. 22, 1901, aged seventy-four years, two months, eighteen days. In 1861 they came to North Mahoning township, this county, where they bought a farm of eighty- six acres on which he died, his widow passing her declining years with her son, Joseph A. While he had but a limited education, Robert G. Jordan was a naturally smart man, and made the most of his opportunities. A Re- publican, he supported his party without seeking office. For many years he was an elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and gave it faithful support. He and his wife had children as follows: Joseph A. is mentioned below; John S., who married Minnie Wachob, lives in Jefferson county ; Mary M. is the widow of Eli White, of Canoe township, this county; Scott, who is deceased, was a teamster of Independence, Oregon, where he died (he married Laura Sparks) ; Annie, who is deceased, married Edward Wise; James is living with Joseph A .; Will- iam is a baker by trade.

Joseph A. Jordan attended the common schools of this neighborhood, having been brought to North Mahoning township by his parents. He was married June 17, 1875, to Wilhimina Sutter, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Steele) Sutter, natives of Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan became the parents of the following children: Mary Leila, horn July 8, 1877, married · Plumer Graham, of Butler, Pa., and has children, Alta and Joseph; Elizabeth L., twin sister of Mary L., died Nov. 8, 1877; Orpha Bell, born Oct. 15, 1881, died April 3, 1884; Harry E., born Ang. 3, 1887, a farmer, married Minnie Peffer, of North Mahoning township, and has one child, Laird.

Samuel Jordan, a son of Samuel, was one of the pioneers of McCalmont township, Jef- ferson county, securing wild land from the government in that locality from which he made a good home. He was a great hunter After his marriage, Mr. Jordan lived on a portion of his father's estate, and on Feb. and gained celebrity as such. Both he and his wife died on their farm. Their children 9, 1887, bought the John McHenry farm,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

where he still resides. This consists of 101 citizens of Clymer, was one of the town or- acres of well-improved land, eighty acres of ganizers and is considered one of the repre- which are under cultivation. He carries on sentative men of the place. He is serving as general farming and is an experienced agri- a member of the school board. culturist, having devoted his life to his work. For some years he has served on the school

On April 16, 1910, Mr. Strong was married to Edna Dillon, who was born in Wyoming board, as well as held other township offices, Dec. 25, 1889, a daughter of Wilson and and in politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Della (Owen) Dillon, and they have one daughter, Dorothy.

Mrs. Jordan are consistent members of the Methodist Church of Valier, and previously belonged to the church at Covode, of which he had been treasurer for ten years, and trustee for eleven years. He is now a steward, and for seven years has been super- intendent of the Sunday school. A man of strong principles, he lives up to them and his religious creed, and exerts a powerful in- fluence for good in his community. Al- though past his sixtieth milestone, Mr. Jordan is a well-preserved man, active and interested in all current matters. The family is very well and favorably known throughout Jefferson and Indiana counties, where he has many warm, personal friends, many of whom have benefited through his generosity, al- though he would be the last man to tell of his kindness of heart.

WAYNE P. STRONG, who conducts a general store at Clymer, Indiana county, a member of the firm of W. C. Strong & Son, was born in Clearfield county, Pa., March 26, 1882, a son of William C. and Mollie C. (Halton) Strong.

William C. Strong and his wife were born in Clearfield county and their lives have been mainly spent there. In early manhood he engaged in lumbering, later going into mer- chandising, and for the last twenty-two years has conducted a general store in the town of Gazzam, Clearfield county. Seven sons and one daughter were born to William C. Strong and wife, namely : Paul V., who is deceased ; Wayne P .; Bessie, deceased; Clarence, who is deceased ; Lawrence W., who lives at Clymer ; Ray, who is deceased; Dell, who is engaged in business with his father; and Donald, who resides at home.

Wayne P. Strong obtained a common school education in his native county and then en- tered his father's store, where he gained a practical business training adequately pre- paring him for a mercantile enterprise of his own. In 1907 he came to Clymer and opened the general store which is operated under the firm style of W. C. Strong & Son, William Ramsay was ten years old when the family removed first from Shafton to Wayne P. Strong heing the junior partner. Mr. Strong is one of the vitally interested Houtzdale, where he attended school, and as

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 61

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