Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 71

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 71

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WILLIAM GREINER, who is the pro- prietor of one of the largest bakeries in Indi- ana county, situated at Clymer borough, was born in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., June 1, 1854, and is a son of John A. and Margaret (Hill) Greiner, natives of Germany.

The parents of Mr. Greiner came to the United States in 1852, John A. Greiner being engaged as a coal operator at Miller's Run, of German extraction.

near Pittsburg, until his retirement eighteen years prior to his death, which occurred in 1911. He was very successful in a business way, and at the time of his death had accu- mulated a handsome competency. His wife passed away in 1910. They had a family of eleven children, as follows: John, who resides in Pittsburg; Kate, who is deceased ; William ; Charles, who is deceased; Fred, who is en- gaged in the coal business at Homewood, Pa .; Mary, wife of Fred Studtlander, a druggist of Pittsburg; Louise, wife of Charles Purnell, of Pittsburg; Henry, also of that city; Louis, residing in Allegheny; Edward, who is en- gaged in the insurance business in Pittsburg ; and Carrie, the wife of George White, of Homewood.

William Greiner was educated in the pub- lic schools of Pittsburg, and as a youth learned the baker's trade, having mastered his vocation when he was only sixteen years of age. For several years thereafter he worked at his trade in Pittsburg, and then engaged in business on his own account, being proprietor of a grocery and bakery in his native city until 1889. At that time he removed to Indiana county, where he carried on a business venture for several years, but eventually returned to Pittsburg. A short time thereafter he came to Clymer and estab- lished himself in business, and his recognized ability, sound business judgment and absolute integrity have aided him in making his one of the leading enterprises of its kind in Indiana

Mr. Greiner and the members of his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a popular member of the Knights of Pythias.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LING, one of the oldest citizens of East Wheatfield town- ship, Indiana county, who is now living re- tired at his home at the foot of Laurel Hill, was born in Somerset county, Pa., Sept. 16, 1832, and comes of an old and honored family

Philip Ling, the grandfather of Benjamin Franklin Ling, made his home in Shade town- ship, Somerset county, where he followed farming, but died while still in the prime of life, in 1814, when about forty years of age. He married Elizabeth Manges, who lived to the ripe age of ninety-two years, and died in Bedford county, Pa. She was also of Ger- man descent and a member of an old family.

William Ling, son of Philip Ling, and father of Benjamin F. Ling, was born in Shade township, Somerset Co., Pa., in 1806, and there grew to manhood and made farming his occupation. He was but eight years of age at the time of his father's death, but remained with his widowed mother until he began farm- ing on his own account, and in 1850 came to Indiana county and began farming at the foot of Laurel Hill, in East Wheatfield town- ship, near the Indiana and Cambria county line. Here he purchased a tract of 131 acres, which is still in the possession of the family, made extensive improvements, erected a com- fortable home and other buildings, and con- tinned in farming and stock raising until his death, Oct. 30, 1880, at the age of seventy-four years, seven months, twenty-six days; he was laid to rest in Blacklick Church cemetery. He was a Republican in politics, but never an office seeker. His religious views were those of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was ever a consistent member. On March 14, 1830, Mr. Ling was married to Mary Berkey, who was born Sept. 30, 1812, daugh-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ter of Joseph Berkey, of Somerset county, advantages, and fitted them for whatever and she died May 4, 1888, aged seventy-five position in life they have been called years, seven months, four days. She was upon to fill. A Republican in political mat- ters, he has served for more than a quarter of a century as a member of the township school board, and for several years was over- seer of the poor. He has been active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee, and in every walk of life is esteemed and respected by all who know him. buried beside her husband. The children born to William and Mary Ling were as follows: Elizabeth, born Dec. 11, 1830, died Nov. 18, 1832; Benjamin Franklin is mentioned below ; Mary Ann, born Sept. 9, 1834, married George Washington Tomb, and died Dec. 16, 1866; Chauncey, born Nov. 6, 1836, a black- smith, died Aug. 4, 1866; Rebecca Berkey, born Nov. 16, 1838, married Thomas Wilson Bowen; Reuben H., born Dec. 14, 1840, East married Elizabeth Bolar and is living on a part of the old homestead; Christopher Berkey, born June 5, 1843, was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and died at Gettysburg, July 18, 1863; Emmeline Jane, born July 23, 1845, married Charles Teter, of Johnstown, Pa., and died Feb. 19, 1869; Jeremiah Berkey, born March 20, 1849, married Matilda Clark, and is now engaged in farming in East Wheatfield township; Wil- liam F., born Feb. 24, 1852, died Nov. 4, 1855.

Benjamin Franklin Ling, son of William Ling, was educated in the public schools of his native county and came to East Wheatfield township in 1850 with his parents; continuing as his father's assistant until he was twenty- five years of age. At that time he embarked in agricultural pursuits on his own account, purchasing the Rankin farm of 100 acres, and there, from 1853 until the time of his retire- ment from active life, he followed farming, dairying and stock raising, so industriously devoting himself to his labors as to accumulate a handsome competency and develop an ex- cellent property. He is now the owner of a farm of 161 acres, on which are located a com- fortable residence, substantial barns and com- modious outbuildings, all erected by lim, and numerous other improvements have been made on the property. This farm is now being operated by his son, who is also caring for the productive apple orchard that was planted by Mr. Ling many years ago. Mr. Ling's life has been one of industry and conscientious ef- fort, and now in the evening of life, he may look back over a useful and well-spent career, satisfied in the knowledge that his record is unmarred by stain or blemish. Although he residing at Derry, Westmoreland county, has has passed fourscore years, time has been lenient with him, and he is in the enjoyment of perfect health and in full possession of his faculties. IIe has reared a family of children who are a credit to him and to their com- munity, has given them excellent educational

On July 8, 1858, Mr. Ling was married in Wheatfield township to Elizabeth McFeaters, who was born in Pine township, Indiana Co., Pa., daughter of John and Susanna (Deyarmin) McFeaters, and grand- daughter of William and Margaret (Camp- bell) McFeaters. On July 8, 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Ling celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary, on which occasion were pres- ent ten children, sixty grandchildren, and a number of great-grandchildren. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Ling were as fol- lows: William, born Aug. 16, 1859, married Sarah Stephens, and died in 1902, leaving six children, Robert Henson, Freda Eliza- beth, Walter and Wilber, twins, George and Thomas; Mary married Thomas Jefferson Davis, of Buffington township, and has five children, Norman, Stanton, Elden, Dal- ton and Melvin; Agnes Jane, who was for some years a school teacher, married Robert Elder, of Juniata, Pa., and had six children, Philip, Benjamin L., Roberta, Bryan, Charles and Walter; Teresa Ella (Tessie), widow of Fletcher Bracken, who was killed in a powder mill explosion at Seward, June 19, 1892, has four children, Walter, Homer, Jessie Eliza- beth and Chalmer; Laura Emma, who mar- ried E. G. Neely, of Carlisle, Pa., has six children, Mary Elizabeth, Edith, Margaret, Harry Marlin, Kenneth and Elmer Norman; Lizzie Ida, who married Sanford U. Syster, of Derry township, Westmoreland county, has eight children, Harry, Iva, Frank, Roy, Clyde, Carl, June Rose and Dale R .; Charles Bowen, of Juniata, Pa., married Mary Stutsman and has five children, Minnie, Benjamin L., Hen- son, Alberta and Theodore; Fannie R., who married Albert Plowman, a railroad engineer

three children, Ralph, Mabel and Floyd; Ada C., who married John Stutzman, of Buffing- ton township, has seven children, Hazel Fern, Edward Ling, Pearl E., Benjamin L., Clyde, Gladys and Herman; Edward M., who is en- gaged in operating the home. farm, married

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Martha Plowman, and has two children, Mer- vin Chalmers and Mildred Violet.

SOLOMON BLACK, late of Indiana, was one of the venerable citizens of that borough, where he settled in the fall of 1904. He was a blacksmith, and followed farming as well as blacksmithing during his active years, and was a prosperous business man, highly re- garded in the various communities where he resided. Mr. Black was born Dec. 9, 1830, in Armstrong township, Indiana county, son of John and Catherine (Keener) Black. . John Black was at one time a farmer in Butler county, Pa. After his death his widow mar- ried Moses Wilhelm. Solomon was the only child of her first marriage.

Mr. Black attended public school in Arm- strong township, his first teacher being Wil- liam Miller. Afterward he was under the in- struction of Gust. Reed, David Blakely, John G. Foreman, William . Beatty and Samuel Dowds. He was reared on the farm and re- mained there until the age of eighteen years, at which time he went to Idaho, Armstrong Co., Pa., to commence his apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade with Mr. Truby. After the completion of his term he worked as a journeyman until he started a shop of his own in West Lebanon, Indiana county, where he remained for three years. The four years fol- lowing he was engaged in business in Indiana borough. Then for five years he was at Five Points, this county, spending the next five years in Washington Church, Washington township, thence removing to Rayne town- ship, where he resided for twenty-five years. From there he moved to Shelocta, Indiana county, where he bought a farm of fifty-five acres, also owning a tract of 157 acres in Rayne township, where he resided for twenty- five years. He had previously owned a fifty- acre farm. In the fall of 1904 he retired and moved to the borough of Indiana, where he had his home until his death, his residence being at No. 235 Thirteenth street.

Mr. Black was always a Republican, and during the Civil war entered the Union serv- ice, enlisting March 14, 1865, in Company F, 78th P. V. I., which was attached to the Western Army. He was discharged in the fall of 1865, but did not come home with his regiment, being sick at the time with typhoid fever in hospital at Nashville.

Indiana county. She is a member of the M. E. Church, but Mr. Black had no church connections. On March 7, 1904, they cele- brated the golden anniversary of their wed- ding. Eight children were born to this union, viz .: (1) William W., an attorney in Everett, Wash., married Mollie Niel, of Kansas, and has three children, Bertha, Lloyd and Wen- del. (2) Lizzie Catherine, widow of Harman Adams, had three children, John, Frank (who married Elsie Smith) and Jennie (married Danicl Stephens, who is deceased). (3) Mar- garet Jane married Wesley Brady, of Marion Center, this county. Their children are Min- nie Myrtle and Arlington Augustus, the lat- ter of whom married Bertha Lightcap. (4) Smith M., a farmer of this county, married Sadie Cunningham, and they have had three children, Homer and Roy (both deceased) and Russell B. (5) Lewis, a farmer of Leavenworth, Kans., married Fanny Pike, now deceased, and their children were Harry Augustus, Mary Emma, Clarence Merle, Walter Wilson and Charles Lewis. (6) Nan- cy Bell is unmarried and resides at home. (7) Harry White, of Beaverdale, Cambria Co., Pa., married Ella Boucher, and they have two children, Wilbur and Samuel. (8) Mary Ellen is unmarried.

CAPT. PETER C. SPENCER, a retired farmer and veteran of the Civil war, residing on his farm in South Mahoning township, two miles east of Plumville, was born in that township March 24, 1840.

Zacharialı Spencer, a native of the New England States, founded the family in South Mahoning township, to which section he came in pioneer days, settling on 100 acres of farm land, near the township line between that and Washington township. At that time the land was densely covered with timber, and he settled in the woods and erected a log cabin, in which the family lived until better accom- modations could be provided. A log barn shel- tered the stock, and rails were split from the timber to outline the fields as he developed his land. He died firm in the faith of the Methodist Church, and was buried in the little cemetery in South Mahoning township. Politically he was a Whig, but never sought public office. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Briddle, bore him the fol- lowing children: Andrew; Elizabeth, who was better known as Betsy; William, who died in Canoe township; John, who died in South Mahoning township; Sarah, who married

On March 7, 1854, Mr. Black married Mary A. Russell, who was born April 2, 1832, in Armstrong county, Pa., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Russell, and was reared in John Lewis, of Rayne township; Daniel, who

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

died in Banks township; George, who died in attached to the Army of the Potomac and par- Canoe township; Rachel, who married Sam- ticipated in many hard-fought battles of the uel Stamp, of Banks township; Israel, who lives in Missouri; and Nancy, who died un- married. war. Captain Spencer was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, in his right thigh, and was forced to spend six months in the hospital on David's Island, N. Y. He was discharged in November, 1862, and returned home. However, his patriotic spirit could not rest content, and he reenlisted in 1863 in Company A, 1st Battalion, under Capt. J. J. Moore, of Marion Center, Lieutenant Colonel Lininger commanding. He was made first corporal, and for six months was stationed in West Virginia, and was then discharged. Once more he enlisted, this time in Company B, 7th Battalion, under Capt. John G. Wilson, and was promoted to be captain of his com- pany to succeed Captain Wilson, continuing in command until the close of hostilities. His long period of service was marked by three enlistments and earnest, faithful work that met its just reward in his promotion.

Andrew Spencer, a son of Zachariah Spen- cer, was born Aug. 2, 1801, in Huntingdon, Pa., and came with his parents to South Ma- honing township, where he grew to manhood amid strictly pioneer conditions. His educa- tional training was obtained in the subscrip- tion schools and at the same time he assisted his father with the work of clearing and devel- oping the farm. After attaining manhood's estate he settled on a farm of 106 acres in South Mahoning township, in the Flat school district. On this property he erected a frame house and barn and carried on general farm- ing with marked success. He also engaged in stock raising, but his multiple duties wore upon him, and he died while still in middle life, Nov. 23, 1856, and is buried by the side of his father. The Methodist Church held his membership, and he was in favor of the prin- ciples of the newly organized Republican party when he died.

On Sept. 16, 1824, Andrew Spencer mar- ried Margaret Pierce, born April 20, 1802, who died in Jefferson county, Pa., and her re- mains were laid to rest in the private burial ground of the Pierce family. She belonged to the United Presbyterian Church. The children born to Andrew Spencer and wife were: Mary, born July 19, 1825, married Jesse Spencer, of South Mahoning township; Nancy, born March 27, 1827, married Jehu Montgomery; Margaret, born Jan. 30, 1829, married Edward Pierce; Sarah Harris, born March 14, 1831, married James Niel, of Banks township; Rebecca, born May 2, 1833, mar- ried Ephraim Pierce. of Jefferson county, Pa .; Elizabeth, born July 28, 1835, married Aaron Work, of North Mahoning township; Julianna, born Oet: 2, 1837, married Arr Niel, and is now a widow, of Punxsutawney, Pa .; Peter C. was born March 24, 1840; Sophia, born Aug. 8, 1842, died unmarried; one child was stillborn Jan. 5, 1846; John Miles, born Dec. 11, 1848, is deceased.

Returning home, Captain Spencer resumed his agricultural operations, living upon his farm of 106 acres until 1904, during which time he carried on general farming and stock raising. In that year he sold, and bought his present farm of twenty-five acres, where he and his wife now reside. He spent seven years at Punxsutawney, Pa., but aside from that has been a farmer all his life. Captain Spencer belongs to Capt. Ed. Little Post, G. A. R., of Punxsutawney, Pa., while the Meth- odist Church holds his religious membership.

In 1866 Captain Spencer was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Davis, of South Mahoning township, a daughter of William Thompson and Elizabeth (Ansley) Davis. Mrs. Spencer is a most excellent woman, con- sistent in her religious belief, a devout mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Charitable, a good neighbor and kind friend, she has many warm personal friends in the township.

For many years Captain Spencer has been a Republican, and served ably as supervisor of the township for four years, for one year of which period he was secretary of the board. He was one of the strong supporters of Col- onel Roosevelt, and finds in that remarkable

Capt. Peter C. Spencer was educated in man his model as an ideal citizen and worthy the local schools of his neighborhood, and leader. worked for his father on the farm until his

Captain Spencer has passed through many

enlistment for service early during the changes. He has seen the country in the Civil war, being enrolled as a member of throes of civil conflict, and helped to bring Company F, 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer about peaceful conditions again. Passing through the years of prosperity, he took an

Infantry, in September, 1861, as a private under Capt. Robert Kirk, of Clearfield, Pa., enthusiastic interest in the Spanish-American and Colonel McKnight. The regiment was war, and now views with apprehension the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

threatening cloud of class distinction troubles apprenticeship. For the first year he received upon the horizon of public welfare. However, fifty dollars and his board; for the second as he has seen other difficulties disappear be- year seventy-five dollars and his board, and the cause of the real patriotism of the true Amer- icans, he hopes for the best, and knows that he has borne nobly his own part in conquering the enemies of right living in both war and peace.

EDWARD ANDREW MILLER, justice of the peace and agent for the Hartford Fire In- surance Company of Hartford, Conn., is a blacksmith at West Lebanon, in Young town- ship, where he has resided for over thirty years. He was born in Young township, Nov. 2, 1857, son of Jacob L. Miller, and grandson of Samuel Miller.

Samuel Miller lived for some years in West- moreland county, Pa., but later in life moved to Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county, there buying farming land and operating it. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and a man highly respected in his community.

Jacob L. Miller, son of Samuel Miller, was born in Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong Co., Pa., in 1832, and there grew to manhood, following farming as an occupation. Coming to Indiana county, he rented a farm near Eldersridge in Young township, and was operating it when the Civil war broke out and he enlisted for service, becoming a private in Company E, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded while on picket duty near Winchester, Va., and died May 17, 1863, being buried in the national cemetery at Winchester. The United Presbyterian Church had in him a consistent member.

Jacob L. Miller was married in Armstrong county to Mary Young, born in that county, daughter of John Young. She survives, be- ing now eighty years old, and resides with her son Edward Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Mil- ler had five children : Albert, who died young ; William, who also died young; Edward An- drew; Mary, who is deceased, as is Alexander.

Edward Andrew Miller was only six years old when he had the misfortune to lose his father, but his widowed mother sent him to school in his district, although he had to work hard during the summer months from the time he was seven years old. The child ob- tained employment among the farmers of the neighborhood, receiving five dollars per month for his services in money, besides his board. For ten years he continued to labor for these meager wages, and then he began learning the trade of blacksmith with A. J. Anderson, with whom he served a three years'

same wages continued throughout his third and last year. During the year following the completion of his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman, and then, in 1880, he located in West Lebanon as a general blacksmith with a shop of his own. Mr. Miller still operates his shop, and has continued to do so for nearly thirty-three years, with the exception of eight years when he was interested in a mercantile business at West Lebanon with William C. Fulton, under the firm style of Miller & Ful- ton. During the period he was thus engaged Mr. Miller was postmaster at West Lebanon, but in 1900 he sold his mercantile interests, and returned to blacksmithing. In 1904 Mr. Miller was elected a justice of the peace, se- curing his commission from Gov. Samuel W. Pennypacker. He was reelected in 1909, under Gov. Edwin T. Stewart. For a number of years Mr. Miller was a member of the school board for the independent school dis- trict and acted as secretary of the board while a member of that body. The Presbyterian Church has in him a valued member, and he is serving as trustee, while his Bible class at- tracts attention not only from people of West Lebanon, but outsiders as well. Mr. Miller is a man to whom family and church repre- sent the best there is in life, and he exerts a good influence in his community.

On May 17, 1882, Mr. Miller was married to Ella Miller, daughter of David Miller of Jacksonville. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had six children : Essie E., Paul, Winifred, Hazel, Bruce and Edward Louis. Essie E. was a school teacher before her marriage to William A. Dible, and she and her husband now live at Parkwood, Pa. Paul was educated at Eldersridge academy and the commercial col- lege at Williamsport, Pa., following which he taught school for several terms, and is now bookkeeper of the Vandergrift Bank & Trust Company, of Vandergrift, Pa. Winifred married Howard E. Snyder, of Leechburg, Armstrong Co., Pa .; prior to her marriage she taught school for five years. Hazel is em- ployed as a stenographer and typewriter at Vandergrift, Pa. Bruce aud Edward Louis are at home.

JOHN NEALER, general farmer and stock dealer of White township, has been a resident of that township all of his life, having been born there Feb. 17, 1856, son of John and Margaret (Graff) Nealer.

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His paternal grandparents spent their en- deceased. The Rowe family is of German an- tire lives in Germany, where they were agri- cultural people. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters.

John Nealer, father of John, was born in Germany, and after his marriage came to the United States and settled in Allegheny coun- ty, Pa., there spending three years. Subse- quently he removed to Cars Furnace, Clar- ion county, where he also spent three years, at the end of that time coming to White town- ship, Indiana county, where he purchased a farm, cleared the land and engaged in tilling the soil for many years. On retiring from active pursuits he removed to the town of Indiana, where he purchased the comfortable home in which he continued to reside until his death, in 1890. During his active years Mr. Nealer was extensively engaged in raising heavy draft horses in connection with his farming operations, and in both lines met with uniform success. In Germany Mr. Nealer was married to Margaret Graff, one of five children, all of whom are deceased, and they had three sons and three daughters, as follows: Annie, deceased, who was the wife of Nicholas Hoffman, who now lives in White township; Therese, who is deceased ; Margaret, who was the wife of John Hoffman, now a resident of Indiana, Pa .; Henry, who also lives in the town of Indiana; John; and Andrew, who lives in Indiana.

John Nealer, son of John, was educated in the public schools of White township, and re- mained on the family homestead until his mar- riage, at which time he bought a farm from his father-in-law. He continued to reside on that property until the year 1903, when he bought the farm on which he now resides, in White township. In addition to general farming, Mr. Nealer is greatly interested in raising cattle, hogs and horses, and in this line does a large and constantly growing business. In various ways he has demonstrated his ability as a skilled agricnlturist and judge of cattle, while as a citizen he has rendered his com- munity signal service in various positions of honor and trust. A Republican in his polit- ical views, he has been chosen to fill the offices of supervisor and tax collector of White town- ship, and gave to the discharge of his duties the same conscientious attention that has made him successful in his private affairs.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 71

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