Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 74

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 74

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

born in 1740; William, born in 1743; John, county, Pa .; Martha and Ellen, twins, the born in 1745, who died in Ohio; Jane, born latter the wife of John Spires; Elizabeth; in 1747, who married William Mann, and Abner and Solomon, twins; Ruth, who mar- died in 1830; and Sarah, born in 1749. ried Samuel Pershing; Caleb, who married Catherine Carnahan and settled in Johns- town, Pa .; Jesse, who married Mary Oakes and settled in Westmoreland county; and Washington. James Butler died in Craw- ford county and is buried at Harmonsville, Pa .; his wife died at Blacklick Furnace, and was buried there. Mr. Butler was a Catho- lie in religious faith, his wife belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which her family were reared.

William Butler, son of James, was born in 1743 in Cookeny, County Wicklow, Ire- land, and was educated in the schools of Dublin. In 1760, at the age of seventeen, he was pressed into the British navy, to take part in the war between England and France then being carried on in America. He was brought on a British man-of-war to what were then the English Colonies in America, but succeeded in escaping and made his way to the interior of the Province of Pennsyl- vania, where he found employment. When the Colonists took up arms against the mother country he enlisted in the cause of freedom, joining a Berks county regiment under Capt. Henry Christ, Pennsylvania Regiment, Rifles and Musketry. He served his full time in that and other companies, under several enlistments. From March 1, 1777, to May, 1777, he served under Capt. Patrick Anderson; in January, 1778, he served for a time in Colonel Patten's regi- ment; again enlisted in Capt. John Mar- shall's company, 2d Pennsylvania Regiment, Continental army; was corporal in John Paterson's company, and was sergeant until the close of the war; in 1780-81 was in the Pennsylvania regiment of artillery under Col. Thomas Proctor and later under Colo- nel Harris, serving until the end of the strug- gle. In 1818 he applied for a pension for his Revolutionary services. About 1823 he settled in Crawford county, Pa., becoming a land owner in Sadsbury township, where he remained to the close of his long life, dy- ing March 1, 1839, at the remarkable age of ninety-six years. He and his wife Eleanor had a family of eight children, all born east of the Allegheny mountains, namely: Sal- lie, Mary, Catherine, James, William, Jean, Nancy and Eleanor.

James Butler, son of William, followed the occupation of iron worker, being a pattern- maker and molder. In 1803-04 he was em- ployed at the old Ross Furnace, in the Al- legheny mountains. He finally settled on Blacklick creek, near the furnace in Wheat- field township, Indiana county, and there spent his life. He married Martha Clark, daughter of George Clark, who was a pioneer on Blacklick creek near what is known as Blacklick Furnace, and they became the par- ents of a large family : William, who mar- ried Mary Sena and settled in Cambria

Washington Butler, son of James and Martha (Clark) Butler, was born Sept. 7, 1830. He learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed throughout his active years, devoting all his time and attention to that line of work until 1872, when he moved to the home in Burrell township where he and his family have since resided. He had previously lived at Armagh, this county. Buying a tract of 152 acres on the pike three miles from Blairsville, he erected a black- smith shop and continued to carry on his trade and iron work in connection with farm- ing, his sons assisting him in the cultivation of the land. Some years ago he gave up ac- tive labor, and is now living retired, making his home with his son George Washington Butler, and enjoying the leisure he has well earned. Mr. Butler served as assessor of the township several years. During the Civil war he enlisted in the navy and served for a period of ten months in the Mississippi squadron as blacksmith and machinist ; he was on the gunboat "Mound City." After com- pleting his term he returned home and re- sumed his trade.

In 1851, Mr. Butler married Caroline Pal- mer, who was born in West Wheatfield town- ship, this county, daughter of Henry Pal- mer, of West Wheatfield, and died Sept. 24, 1907; she is buried in Blairsville cemetery. Mrs. Butler was a member of the M. E. Church, to which her husband also belongs. They had a family of six children, viz. : Henry L., who resided in Knox county, Nebr., where he died; George Washington; Sarah, living in Denver, Colo .; Ida, who married Samuel Nipps, both now deceased ; Ella F., who mar- ried Andrew Porter, of Glassport, Pa .; and Ellzora C., who married John Allen and re- sides in Arkansas.

George Washington Butler, son of Wash- ington Butler, was born in West Wheatfield township and was only a boy when the family

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

settled at the present home in Burrell town- diana county, cultivating the large property ship. He attended public school in the neigh- now owned and operated by his son Archie J. Stewart. Mr. Stewart was born in Center township, this county, Dec. 4, 1824. He was of Irish extraction, his grandfather, Arch- ible Stewart, having come to this country from the North of Ireland just before the outbreak of the Revolutionary war. He came to buy flax and flaxseed, and had no intention of re- maining in America, but changed his plans when the war broke out. He first lived in Center county, Pa., where he married a Miss Allison, and later removed to Center town- ship, Indiana county, where he died. borhood, and in his youth became familiar with both farm work and general blacksmith- ing while helping his father. In the early eighties he was employed on the Pennsylvania railroad for a time as fireman, between Pitts- burg and Altoona, Pa. Since 1902 he has had complete charge of the homestead place, where he carries on general farming, also engaging in blacksmithing, and he was formerly inter- ested in the manufacture of lumber, owning a sawmill at his home place. He has bought other lands in Burrell and the Wheatfields, at one time owning over three hundred acres. His executive ability and thrifty management Archible Stewart, son of Archible, was born in Center township, Indiana Co., Pa., and was reared there. He served in the war of 1812, enlisting when eighteen years of age. He married Jane Cummins and they settled in Cherryhill township, where both died. Their children were: Archible; William, who went to California in 1849 with a party from this section and suffered greatly from the hardships of the journey, dying on the way or just after he reached his destination ; Samuel, who is deceased; Frank, deceased; Margaret, Mrs. E. H. Grumbling, deceased; Milton, de- ceased; James, deceased; Jane, Mrs. W. H. Guthrie, who lives in Kansas. of his various interests have made them prof- itable, and he has proved himself a good busi- ness man, combining good judgment with in- dustry in all his undertakings. Few men in his neighborhood have been more active in town affairs. He has filled most of the local offices, having served as school director, treas- urer (two years), clerk, auditor, tax collector (three years) and assessor (six years), still continuing to hold the last named position. In 1902 he was elected justice of the peace, and after serving as such for five years was reelected in 1907, still serving. In 1910 he was United States census enumerator of Bur- rell township. Politically Mr. Butler has al- Archible Stewart grew to manhood in Cher- ryhill township, and received his education in the country schools. He followed farming and stock raising, and being the eldest surviv- ing son he kept up the homestead, which he finally bought. He added to it as he pros- pered, and it now consists of 300 acres, being ways been a stanch Republican, and a worker for the success of the party, has served as member of the election board, and as judge and inspector of elections. His repeated calls to public service are the best evidence of the satisfaction he has given to all concerned. He has been honorable and faithful in the dis- one of the most valuable properties in the lo- charge of all the responsibilities placed upon him, and is very popular in his township, his efficiency and obliging disposition winning him friends in all classes.

On June 21, 1894, Mr. Butler was married to Ella W. Axe, who was born in Newcastle, Pa., daughter of Reuben Axe, now of Blairs- ville, this county. Mrs. Butler is a woman of keen intelligence and many sterling qualities, and has been a true helpmate to her husband. They are members of the M. E. Church at Blairsville. They have had a family of nine children, all born in Burrell township, namely: Loyal Glenn, Margretta, Washing- ton G., Axie, Reuben, George and Ella (twins), Florence and Albert.

cality. Mr. Stewart was engaged in farming there until his death, which occurred in Jan- uary, 1890. He is buried in Greenwood ceme- tery, at Indiana. He was a prominent mem- her of the Harmony Presbyterian Church in Indiana county, and served for years as one of the trustees. In politics he adhered stanehly to the principles of the Democratic party. One of the most highly respected men of his township, his death was widely mourned and regarded as a public loss by all who knew him.

Mr. Stewart married Elizabeth Johnston. who was born in Cherryhill township, dangh- ter of Robert and Jane (Huston) Johns- ton, and died when twenty-eight years of age. They had three children: Marinda. who now

ARCHIBLE STEWART was during his lives in the borough of Indiana; Archihle J .. who conducts the home farm; and Elizabeth,

lifetime one of the most prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Cherryhill township, In- twin of Archible, deceased.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

FRANK WINSHEIMER, of Center town- ton place in Center township, a tract of 206 ship, Indiana county, is a son of John Michael and Mary M. (Emerick) Winsheimer, for many years residents of this county, and grandson of George Michael Winsheimer, who established the family in this country.

George Michael Winsheimer was born in Neubeuern, Germany, was a farmer by occu- pation, and a citizen of influence in his lo- cality, serving as burgess. In 1837 he and his wife Elizabeth (Kerley), having decided to try life in the New World, took passage with their family on a sailing vessel at Bre- men, and they landed in America eleven weeks later, on New Year's Day, 1838. They had in- tended to proceed westward and locate in Pittsburg, Pa., but instead stopped at Greensburg, Westmoreland county, some forty miles east of that city, and established a home, remaining there some four years. Mr. Win- sheimer then removed his family to Canoe (now Banks) township, Indiana county, where they lived for the next twenty years. When they retired from active life the parents made their home with their son John Michael, then of Indiana, Pa., until they died; they were buried in the Howe cemetery in Cherryhill township, Indiana county. They were mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and in politics Mr. Winsheimer was a Democrat. They had a family of six children, all of whom accom- panied them to the United States, namely : John Lawrence, John George, Margaret, Anna Mary, Augustus Vogel and John Michael.

acres, upon which he resided for seven years. For the next seven years he made his home in the borough of Indiana, thence moving to Montgomery county, Pa., where he lived until his return to Indiana in 1911 on account of poor health, retiring at that time. Mr. Win- sheimer has always been energetic and hard- working, and his business ability and indus- try combined have brought him more than ordinary success. He is a member of the Christian Church and active in all the branches of its work, and has been a Sunday school teacher nearly all his life.

On June 3, 1853, Mr. Winsheimer married Mary M. Emerick, who was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1833, daughter of John Emerick, and died Sept. 26, 1907; she is buried in Greenwood cemetery, Indiana. Five children were born to this union: Ezra E., now a resident of Vandergrift, Pa .; Mary Melissa, who married Ellsworth Dennison, of Blairsville, Pa .; Addie Jane, who married W. T. Myers, of Plymouth Meeting, Montgom- ery Co., Pa .; Frank; and Olive May, wife of Harry Clawson, of Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Frank Winsheimer was born Oct. 22, 1873, in Cherryhill township, Indiana county, and was reared on his father's farm there. He attended school at Sample Run until he ac- companied the family on their removal to Virginia, at which time he was fifteen years old. In 1894-5 he was a student at the Indi- ana State normal school. For one year he was employed in the steel mills at Vander- grift, as crane operator, but with that excep- tion he has always followed farming. Upon his return from Vandergrift he took charge of his father's farm in Center township, of which he has since become owner, and he has occupied that place continuously since 1903. His alert attention to all the details of his work, intelligent interest in improved methods and untiring industry have brought him the success he deserves, and he ranks among the most substantial farmers of his locality. He is a member of the Christian Church at Indiana, and in political connec- tion is a Republican. In 1911 he was elected a member of the Center township school board, of which he is now president.

John Michael Winsheimer, youngest child of George Michael and Elizabeth Winsheimer, was born July 8, 1829, in Bavaria, and was a child when he came with the family to America. What little educational training he received was obtained in the pay schools in vogue at that period near Greensburg. Going with his father into the northern part of In- diana county he followed farming and lum- bering, later becoming a raftsman on the Susquehanna river; he marketed his lumber at Marietta, Pa., in this way. After continu- ing this occupation for a number of years he became engaged in the mercantile business in Canoe township, and when he sold out bought a farm of 500 acres in Cherryhill town- ship, which he operated for a number of years. In 1889 he went to Virginia, locating on a farm near Richmond where he remained two On April 8, 1903, Mr. Winsheimer married Irene Johnston, daughter of Benjamin and Isabella J. (Johnston) Johnston, of Shelocta. Pa. She taught five terms of public school in Indiana and Armstrong counties. They years, at the end of that time returning to Indiana county, Pa. Purchasing the Mc- Callister farm two miles south of Indiana, he lived there for three years, and after sell- ing that property bought the George Johns- have had three children, born as follows:

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mary Isabelle, April 16, 1906; John Glenn, residing in East Wheatfield township.

Feb. 7, 1908; Ruth Irene, April 3, 1912.

JAMES JOHNSON HUTCHISON, who is engaged in farming and stock raising in East Wheatfield township, Indiana Co., Pa., has been a resident of this section all of his life, having been born in the township June 28, 1865, a member of an old family of Eng- lish origin.

Cornelius Hutchison, the great-grandfather of James Johnson Hutchison, the first of the name to settle in Indiana county, was sup- posed to have been a native of England. There is a tradition in the family that he the canal boats, but eventually resigned his · came to this country at a period prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, and that he took part in that great struggle. From Path valley, Huntingdon county, Pa., he made his way to what was known at that time as Wheatfield township, settling among the pioneers and here making his home during the remainder of his life. He married Nellie Maguire, and they had the following children : Robert; Philip, who settled in Armstrong county; Samuel, who also settled in that county ; James, who was also a settler there ; John, who removed to Lockport, Pa .; Ann, who married Robert Brown, and lived at .New Florence, Westmoreland county; and Eliza- beth, who married Richard McGriff, also of Westmoreland county.

Cornelius Hutchison, son of Robert Hutch- ison, and father of James Johnson Hutchison, was born Feb. 4, 1815, in East Wheatfield (then Wheatfield) township, and received a good common school education for his day in the subscription schools. As a lad he was reared to agricultural pursuits, but when the Pennsylvania canal was started he became a water carrier at the salary of twenty cents per day, and so continued until he was made a mule driver along the towpath between Pittsburg and Johnstown. Later he was ad- vanced to bowman and then to steersman on position to take that of stage driver for Mr. Moore, of Ebensburg, driving between that point, Armagh, Blairsville and Pittsburg, a route that carried him through a perfect wilderness of country and made it necessary for him to use the greatest care to protect his passengers and mail. Eventually he es- tablished himself in the hotel business at Kit- tanning, Armstrong county, but in 1856 re- turned to his native township and purchased the Elliott farm, a tract of sixty acres, on which he erected a dwelling and barn and made numerous other improvements, adding to his land from time to time until he had 130 acres. Here he spent the remainder of his life in general farming and stock raising, and achieved success through his industry and perseverance. During the latter part of his life Mr. Hutchison suffered terribly from cancer, and for fifteen years could not eat solid food, death ending his sufferings Jan. 18, 1891; he was laid to rest in the Bethel Church cemetery. He died in the United Presbyterian faith, and he was a Republican in his political views, and for a long period served faithfully and efficiently as supervisor and tax collector of East Wheatfield town- ship.

Robert Hutchison, son of Cornelius Hutcli- ison, and grandfather of James Johnson Hutchison, made his home in Wheatfield township, near the Conemaugh river, where he owned a large tract of land and followed farming. Later he removed to the Philadel- phia and Pittsburg pike, where he had over 200 acres of land, part of which is now owned by his grandson, Alphonse Cunningham. He carried on general farming and stock raising there during the remainder of his life, and was buried in the United Presbyterian ceme- Mr. Hutchison was twice married, his first wife being Susan McElroy, of Allegheny county. They had five children : Agnes, who is unmarried and resides in Pittsburg, Pa .; Margaret, who died at the age of six years; Lila, deceased, who was the wife of Peter Seib; Mary, who married James E. Tomb. and resides at Armagh, Pa .; and Annie, who married John Bateman, and resides at Pitts- burg. Mrs. Hutchison died in East Wheat- field township, and Mr. Hutchison married (second) in December, 1860. Susan Wiley, who was born at Chestnut Ridge, Pa. Mrs. IIutchison, who survives her husband and tery in East Wheatfield township. Mr. Hutchison married Nancy Steele, daughter of George Steele, and they had the following children : Esther, who married William Cun- ningham and resides on the old homestead; John, who removed to Illinois and there died ; Cornelius; William, who was a farmer of East Wheatfield township and is now de- ceased ; Samuel, also an agriculturist of East Wheatfield township, where he died; Ellen, who married Coulter Van Horn, both now deceased; Charlotte, who died when young : Julia Ann, who married Joseph Hunter; and Lucinda, the widow of John D. Tomb, resides with her son, has lost her sight, but is

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

cheerful and patient, bearing her affliction and has taught school at Cramer and the Shel- with true Christian fortitude. Four children were born to the second union, namely : Robert, who died young; George Steele and James Johnson, twins, the former of whom died at the age of seven years; and Charles Andrew, who died when twenty-one years of age.

James Johnson Hutchison, son of Cornelius Hutchison, received a liberal education in the schools of East Wheatfield township, after leaving which he spent two years as an educator. In 1889 he went to Johnstown, Pa., where he secured a position in the steel mills of the Cambria Iron & Steel Company, but after one year, on account of the failure of his father's health, he returned to East Wheatfield township to take charge of the old homestead. He tenderly cared for his father during his last years, and is now prov- ing a devoted son to his mother, who in the evening of life is surrounded by every comfort.

Mr. Hutchison has continued to remain on the home farm, where he is successfully fol- lowing farming and stock raising operations. The property of 130 acres has been brought to a high state of cultivation and produces bumper crops, which find a ready sale in the near-by markets. He is progressive and en- terprising in his ideas, uses the latest ma- chinery and methods in his work, and belongs to that class of farmers who, while following practical lines, are ready to give a trial to any innovation which their judgment tells them may prove beneficial. In political matters he is a Republican, and for thirteen years has been a member of the board of school directors, at this time occupying the position of secretary of the board. With his family he attends the United Presbyterian Church.

bark school in East Wheatfield township; Mabel Marie, who graduated from the town- ship public school at the age of twelve years, under Professor Weaver, and at the age of fourteen years received a teacher's certificate, and, being still too young to teach, is attend- ing the summer normal school; and Winifred Hazel and James Robinson, who are at home with their parents.

CLEMENT LAIRD CAMPBELL, lumber manufacturer, of Heshbon, Brushvalley town- ship, Indiana county, was born in West Wheatfield township, this county, April 5, 1863, son of Christopher and Susanna (Palmer) Campbell.

Christopher Campbell was born in Wheat- field (now West Wheatfield) township in January, 1818, was given a good education for his day and locality, and for some years taught public school during the winter sea- sons. In the meantime he learned the trade of mason, which he followed in both the town of Indiana and at Coketown, near Blairsville, and in addition owned and operated a produc- tive farm in West Wheatfield township. He died on this property, and was buried in the Campbell family's lot on the old homestead. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was a Democrat of the old school, but never sought any public office. Mr. Campbell was married in West Wheat- field township to Susanna Palmer, who was born in January, 1818, in Blacklick township, daughter of David and Jane (Bell) Palmer, a complete record of this family being found on another page of this work. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Johnson, in West Wheatfield township, July 19, 1909, and was buried in the old Campbell family lot. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had nine children : Matthias, a ranchman of Douglas county, Ill .; Margaret and Jane, who died young; Mary Agnes, who married Addison Palmer, of West Wheatfield township; Malinda, who died young; David and Mack, who are both deceased; Clement Laird; and Olive, who married Lawrence Johnson and resides in West Wheatfield township.

On May 18, 1892, Mr. Hutchison was mar- ried to Alice E. Robinson, who was born in West Wheatfield township, daughter of Andrew and Martha (McFeaters) Robinson and granddaughter of Ephraim Robinson and John McFeaters. Mrs. Hutchison was educated in the public schools of West Wheat- field township and summer normal school under Professor Campbell, and for some time Clement Laird Campbell was educated in the public schools of West Wheatfield town- ship, and until he was eighteen years of age worked on the home farm. At that time he went to work in a sawmill, and while there acquired a thorough knowledge of the lum- ber business, in which, after a number of taught school in East and West Wheatfield and Buffington townships and in Bolivar, Westmoreland county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison : Helen Irene, who was educated in the East Wheat- field public schools and the Greenville sum- mer normal school under Professor Weaver, years spent as an employe in mills in both

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

West Wheatfield and Buffington townships, his parents. He began his education in he became engaged, forming a partnership Cherryhill township, and later attended State normal schools, after which for several years he was engaged in teaching public school in Cherryhill township. In 1890 he attended with J. A. Campbell, under the firm style of J. A. & C. L. Campbell. They also conducted a mercantile business at Heshbon, carrying on both enterprises until 1905, when C. L. a business college in Delaware, Ohio, and Campbell brought his partner's interests. In later took his dental course at what was then 1907 he sold the mercantile business to the the dental department of the Western Uni- Auld Run Coal & Coke Company, of Hesh- bon, and since that time has given his entire attention to his sawmill and lumber interests. He resides in a comfortable home in Heshbon, where he also has some farming interests. A stanch Democrat in politics, he has served as school director of Brushvalley for three years, while his religious connection is with the United Presbyterian Church, and his fra- ternal affiliation with the Odd Fellows lodge at Crescent. versity of Pennsylvania, now the Pittsburg Dental College, graduating in 1899. He set- tled that year at Penn Run, Indiana county, where he practiced until his removal to Cly- mer, in 1907. He is the only dentist in the borough, and his patronage is drawn from a wide radius. His thoroughness and skillful work have had their deserved reward, for he has a constantly increasing practice which takes all his time. He has acquired an in- terest in various local concerns, being a stock- holder in the Clymer Water Company and in the Clymer National Bank, of which latter he is vice president. He is treasurer of the Water Company.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 74

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