Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 79

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 79

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On Nov. 15, 1877, Mr. Kinter married Mary Elisabeth Carney, who was born Sept. 15, 1855, in Rayne township, Indiana county, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Cunning- ham) Carney, and'received a common school education. Mr. and Mrs. Kinter have no chil .. dren. They are members of the Presbyterian Church at Marion Center, and in political association Mr. Kinter is a Republican.

SOLOMON BRODY, proprietor of the Clymer Milling Company, has been a resident of Indiana county throughout the compara- tively brief period of his residence in this country, and during most of the time has been settled at Clymer. He has the only flour and feed mill at that point, and has built up an extensive business in his line.

Mr. Brody was born May 17, 1860, in Russia, son of Moses and Mary Brody, both also natives of that country, who are now de- ceased. He came to America in 1908, ar- riving at Philadelphia Dec. 8th, and continu- ing his journey direct to Indiana county, Pa. His first home here was at Starford, where he remained only a short time, however, thence moving to Heilwood, where he embarked in the general mercantile business. After a brief stay there he came to the borough of Clymer, where he bought the flour and feed business which he has since conducted. His son Abraham is now associated with him. They have a large and increasing trade, which Mr. Brody's good business methods and ability have won, and he has become one of the respected citizens of his adopted home, He was a successful man in his native land, and has all the qualities which should insure

On Nov. 12, 1885, Mr. Brody was married in Russia to Suba Chadas, a native of that country, whose parents, Abraham and Louisa Chadas, are both deceased. They have had five children, all born in Russia, namely : Louisa, Sophia, Abraham, Louis and Moses, all of whom are still at home. Abraham is now in partnership with his father.

EDMUND K. ANKENY, farmer, of White township, Indiana county, living one mile from the borough of Indiana, has resided at that place since the fall of 1900. He is a native of Westmoreland county, Pa., born near Derry Sept. 23, 1858, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lichty) Ankeny. The parents were both natives of Somerset county, Pa. They had a family of six children. The father served as a Union soldier during the Civil war. He died when his son Edmund was very young, and the mother subsequently married his brother, J. D. Ankeny.

When Edmund K. Ankeny was but an in- fant his parents removed to Somerset county, this State. He was only seven years old when he lost his father. For a few years during his boyhood he lived in Plumcreek township, Armstrong county, where he attended school, and he was employed at farm work from an early age. At the age of twenty-three years he went out to Waterloo, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for his uncle, Jacob Lichty, and in the fall went to Thayer county, Nebr., being one of a company of eighteen formed at Waterloo to go to that county. He worked at carpentry with a cousin, Frank Kelso, picked and cribbed the corn from a hundred acres, and then went with another cousin, Jacob Whippy. He next went to Atchison, Kans., for eight weeks, at the end of that time going to Brown county, Kans., and from there to Richardson county, Nebr. He then farmed for U. M. Saylor, in Brown county, after which he came back to Pennsylvania and commenced farming on his own account, living near Elderton, Armstrong county, on a tract of 120 acres, for nearly two years. His next change was to the William Watterson farm in White township, Indiana county, where he remained one year, moving from that place to the Kimmel farm in White township, where he followed general agricul- tural pursuits and ran a dairy for nearly eleven years. In the fall of 1900 he came to his present farm, in White township, then

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

known as the Jacob Moorhead tract. At dealer in tobacco and cigars; one that died in that time the principal buildings on the place infancy; and Adam, the youngest, who lives consisted of a one and a half story house and in Green township on the old homestead. a log barn, both of which have been sup- planted by substantial modern structures, Mr. Ankeny having built his barn in 1901 and his house in 1903. He has made num- erous other improvements, has a fine peach and apple orchard, and has the property in creditable condition in every respect. Mr. Ankeny deserves great credit for his present comfortable circumstances, for they are the result entirely of his own efforts, and he is one of the most respected men in his locality. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Indiana, and politically is a Republican in sentiment, but votes independently.

On July 12, 1887, Mr. Ankeny married Mary King, of South Bend township, Arm- strong county, daughter of Daniel and Cath- erine Ann (Klingensmith) King, and they have had the following children: Arthur, who is now attending the normal school at Indiana; Lottie, wife of Earl Fairman, of Apollo, Armstrong Co., Pa .; Olive, who died in infancy ; Roy (a student at the nor- mal school) and Ross, at home; and Jessie, a student at the normal school.

WILLIAM SIDES, of Pine township, Iu- diana county, at present a member of the school board of that township, is a represen- tative of a very early family of this section, founded here by his grandfather, who was a native of Germany.

Adam Sides, father of William Sides, was born in West Wheatfield township, Indiana county, and was a lifelong farmer. Many years ago he settled in Green township, where he bought land which he cleared and culti- vated. He followed farming there for some years, on the farm now occupied by his son Adam, living there until his death, May 12, 1884. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Dickey, was also born in Indiana coun- ty, in Brushvalley township, and died in Green township, Feb. 28, 1897. They were the parents of these children: Elias, who died while in the Union service during the Civil war; John, who is living in Green town- ship ; William, living in Pine township ; Uriah, now a resident of Barnesboro, Cambria Co., Pa. ; Alonzo, living at Pineflats, Indiana coun- ty ; one that died in infancy; Jane, wife of William Wilson, of Johnstown, Pa .; Emma, wife of William Hahn, of Johnstown; Eliza- beth, wife of William H. Strauss, of Johns- town, Cambria Co., Pa., wholesale and retail home and lived retired, though he served as

William' Sides, son of Adam and Mary (Dickey) Sides, was born in Pine township Feb. 5, 1847, and there grew to manhood, at- tending school at Pineflats. He has followed farming all his life, and moved to his present home in Pine township forty years ago. He is one of the most esteemed residents of his locality, where he is regarded as a progres- sive and valuable citizen, one whose influence and substantial worth are factors in the gen- eral welfare. For nine years he held the posi- tion of township overseer, and he is at pres- ent serving his seventh year in the office of school director. In politics he has been as- sociated with the Republican party.

In 1866 Mr. Sides married Rebecca Gra- ham, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Brown) Graham; her father is a native of Indiana county and one of its oldest resi- dents. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sides; Louie is the wife of Simon Johns and lives at Pineflats; Maggie is the wife of Samuel R. Williams, who has a gen- éral store at Vintondale, Pa .; Lona is the wife of Samuel Long, of Barnesboro, Pa. ; Stephen, who is deceased, married Rebecca Kelley.

HENRY PROTHERO, who is now living retired, at Indiana, was for many years a leading merchant and postmaster at Hortons. this county. He is a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Prothero was born in 1839 in Indiana, Indiana county, son of John and Sarah (Clark) Prothero. The father, who was a native of Herefordshire, England, came to the United States when about eighteen years old, landing at New York after a voyage of six weeks in a sailing vessel. Before he came to Indiana he was at Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Hollidaysburg, Philipsburg and Clearfield, in all working at his trade, tailoring, as a jour- neyman. He came to Indiana by canal and on foot, and was one of the early settlers here. He followed his trade about eight years, at the end of that time going to Kelleysburg, this county, where he engaged in the general mer- cantile business, succeeding James Bailey, He was in partnership with James Sutton in this line, and they had a thriving trade. Mr. Pro- thero was in business at Kelleysburg from about 1845 to about 1870, when he moved to his farm adjoining the village of Kelleysburg, for a few years, subsequently returning to the borough of Indiana in 1879. There he built a

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president of the First National Bank of In- Corporal Kuhn, who possessed great powers diana (of which he was one of the original of mimicry, crowed lustily like a cock utter- ing the note of triumph, which inspired the stockholders), up to within a few months of his death, which occurred in 1886. His wife men with renewed zeal to press forward to died in 1888. They were members of the assured victory. Three months later, at the battle of Fredericksburg, this brave soldier was shot, falling dead at Mr. Prothero's feet. At the battle of Antietam Tom Moore, a fine young soldier belonging to the same company as Mr. Prothero, was shot in the breast while the command was engaged in the famous corn- field that was taken and retaken five times that day. The Captain ordered Mr. Prothero to take him from the field. After he had placed the injured man in the ambulance he said, "I believe I will die, but I know I shot down that Rebel flag." Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Prothero served many years as deacon. He was one of the promoters of the Washington Presbyterian Church at Kelleysburg, and contributed lib- erally toward the building of its house of wor- ship. He served several years as postmaster at Kelleysburg. Mr. and Mrs. John Prothero had a family of twelve children, namely : William; Henry; Lavina, wife of Robert Macklehoe; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Laugh- lan; Mary, wife of S. J. Hart ; George; Olive, wife of Michael Woodward; Silas; James; Adda, wife of Judge John P. Elkin; Emma, wife of B. S. Sloan; and Helen J., wife of Dick Hetrick. Three of this family, William, Lavina and George, are deceased.

George Prothero, son of John and Sarah (Clark) Prothero, took an interest in the business at Hortons with his brother Henry in 1867, and under his management the con- cern prospered rapidly. George Prothero died in 1892, and his family then came to In- diana to live. His eldest son, Dr. Harold Ney, now a practicing physician in Jeannette, Pa., married May Clements ; his second son, Harry Lynn, who resides in Indiana, is engaged in the real estate business and also as general manager of the Clearfield & Cush Creek Coal & Coke Company, married Jean Jones; the two younger children, Glennavee and George, reside with their Uncle Henry.

Henry Prothero, son of John and Sarah (Clark) Prothero, received the beginnings of his education in the public schools of Indiana county, afterward attending Glade Run Acad- emy. He began work as a clerk in the general merchandise store of his father, with whom he remained until 1861, when upon the out- break of the Civil war he enlisted in Company B, 11th Pennsylvania Reserves, known as the 40th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served three years, being honorably discharged June 12, 1864, and saw much hard service, the en- gagements in which he participated including the important battles of Bull Run, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Ben- In 1902 Mr. Prothero married Mrs. L. B. Prothero, who died in 1903. tonville, New Hope Church, Bristoe Station (Va.) and the seven days' fight before Rich- Mr. Prothero was a charter member of the Union Veterans Legion at Indiana. mond. He was promoted to the rank of cor- poral. Bates's history of the Civil war re- cords an incident Mr. Prothero well remem- THOMAS CRAIG KERR, postmaster and general merchant at Georgeville, in East Ma- bers : While they were ascending South Mountain, when the battle raged the hottest, honing township, Indiana county, belongs to 76

In August, 1864, shortly after his return from the army, Mr. Prothero embarked in the mercantile business at Hortons, Indiana coun- ty. In 1867, as above related, his brother George became associated with him, and their interests grew steadily, the brothers engaging in several profitable lines, including farming, stock raising (horses, cattle, sheep, etc.) and dealing in lumber and coal. Henry Prothero was postmaster at Hortons for the long period of twenty-eight years, until he sold out in December, 1892. He removed to Hortons and looked after his coal and lumber business un- til 1902, and then came to Indiana, Pa. He has been a director of the First National Bank of Indiana since Jan. 12, 1904, but gives prac- tically all his time to the Clearfield and Cush Creek Coal & Coke Company, of which he is vice president. The mines are at Glen Camp- bell.

Mr. Prothero has had many interesting ex- periences in his long and active life. He crossed the Rocky Mountains in a stage coach in the early days of Leadville, and came through from California over the Southern Pacific road when the road was first opened, when soldiers were stationed on each car to protect the passengers from robbers. In 1870 he visited the home of his ancestors in Eng- land, making another trip to Europe in 1878, when he traveled through England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and visited the World's exposition at Paris.

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an old settled family of this section and was in West Mahoning township; Catherine, who born in West Mahoning township Sept. 11, married A. J. Brewer ; Alfred Clark, deceased, who married Mary Jordan; Thomas Craig; and Ida M., who married Luther Beck, of West Mahoning township. 1861. His great-grandfather, Valentine Kerr, the founder of the family in America, was born in Germany, and was among the first settlers at what is now Eldersridge, in Young township, Indiana Co., Pa., where he spent the rest of his life engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and died at an advanced age. He mar- ried Hannah Barr, and they had children as follows: Joseph married Lydia Pierce; John married Mary Marsh; Samuel is mentioned below ; Hannah married John Barr; Charles ; James married Elizabeth Steer; Thomas mar- ried Mary Steer.

Samuel Kerr, son of Valentine, was born in 1798 at Eldersridge, and in 1820 settled in West Mahoning township, where he first lived in a log cabin. He spent his life on the farm, always following farming, and died there in 1870. His wife, Mary (Polly) Thomas, danghter of Israel Thomas, was born in 1794 in Dauphin county, Pa., and died on the farm. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was originally a Whig, later a Republican. The following children were born to them: Israel T., deceased, who was a farmer in West Ma- honing township, married Rosanna Gurley; Hannah married Griffith Condrom, went West, and died in Iowa ; John is mentioned be- low; one son died in infancy; Valentine, of Jefferson county, Pa., married Sarah Ronsh ; Amos, deceased, who lived in Nebraska, mar- ried Malinda Lenham and (second) Sophia Ruby; Margaret, deceased, married Marion Condrom; Joseph died in Iowa ; William mar- ried Eliza J. Roush ; Thomas joined Company A, 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of Lookout Mountain.

Thomas Craig Kerr received his early edu- eation in the publie schools near his home, and also attended at Saltsburg. He helped at home from an early age, until he went West, where he remained a few years. In 1884 he came to Georgeville, in East Mahoning town- ship, and forming a partnership with T. R. Travis, under the firm name of Travis & Kerr, entered the general mercantile busi- ness. This association lasted for four years, and Mr. Kerr has since been in business alone. He lost his store and stock by fire in 1896, saving nothing, but he rebuilt at onee and has succeeded in placing his affairs on a sound basis in spite of the disaster. He com- mands a wide patronage, his attention to the wants of his customers and sincere desire to please winning and retaining trade. Mr. Kerr was first made postmaster during Cleveland's administration, and was again appointed in 1906, under Roosevelt, having served continu- ously since. He is an enterprising business man and publie-spirited citizen, and is re- garded as one of the substantial members of his community. Socially he is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, belonging to Lodge No. 301, at Punxsutawney, Pa., and in his political preferences he is a Republican, but independ- ent in his support of the men and measures he approves.

In 1888 Mr. Kerr married Lizzie Lemmon, of South Mahoning township, daughter of John Lemmon, and they have had one child, Mary Olive, who lives at home.

ROBERT E. MIKESELL, postmaster and general merchant of Coral, Indiana county. was born in Center township, this county. Dec. 24, 1868, son of Philip and Emily (Kun- kle) Mikesell. His paternal great-grand- father, a native of Germany, came to this country from the Fatherland during the early part of the last century.

John Kerr, son of Samuel, was born on the paternal homestead in West Mahoning town- ship in 1826, and there received an education in the common schools. He always followed farming and stock raising in his native town- ship, and was a successful man, becoming a large land owner. He died on the farm when about seventy years of age. In Mareh. 1865, Adam Mikesell, grandfather of Robert E., came to Center township at an early day, buying by patent 700 acres of land at what is now the site of the extensive coal operations of the Graceton Coke Company and the Jo- seph Wharton Coal Company. The towns of Graceton and Coral are both built on land taken up and improved by Adam Mikesell, numerous and successful. He married Mary Mr. Kerr enlisted in Company E. 103d Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Ile was a Republican in politics, and in religion a member of the Lutheran Church, and was buried in the Luth- eran cemetery at Smieksburg. Mr. Kerr was married to Mary Mogle, daughter of Adam Mogle, and five children were born to them, whose operations along realty lines were very namely : Samuel, who lives on the homestead

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Bricker, a native of Pennsylvania, and their his marriage he moved to Jefferson county, second son was Philip. locating in Perry township, where he pur-

Philip Mikesell was born on the homestead chased timberland and developed a farm in of his father, Dec. 22, 1821. He grew to man- the midst of the forest. He built a hewed log house and barn on his property, and spent the remainder of his life there, dying in 1865, at the age of seventy-three. Besides farming he followed his trade, that of cooper. He is buried in Hopewell cemetery. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a Republican. He was a member of the M. E. Church. hood's estate under the parental roof, and followed agricultural pursuits during his life with a large measure of profit. On May 1, 1860, he married Emily Kunkle, daughter of John Kunkle, of Center township, and both belonged to the Lutheran Church, and at- tended services at the Lutheran chapel near their home, which they had helped to build. They are buried in Greenwood cemetery, in Indiana county. The following children were born to this most worthy couple: Margaret; Robert E .; Oliver, who married Martha Kun- kle, a daughter of Lemuel Kunkle, of Center township ; Simpson ; Carrie, who married Wil- liam Shank, of Coral; Christopher ; Etta, who married W. C. Burke, of Coral; and a daugh- ter who died in infancy.

Robert E. Mikesell, son of Philip Mikesell, after leaving the farm entered mercantile life, and has continued to be a merchant ever since, having been thus engaged for about nine years. Since the town of Coral was or- ganized he has been postmaster, still· holding that responsible office. When the Odd Fel- lows lodge was organized at Bell's Mills, now Josephine, he became a member; this lodge is now known as Blacklick No. 1156, and has a large membership. In religious belief he is a Methodist, while politically he is a Socialist, and a warm and enthusiastic supporter of the principles of his party, leading many other Socialists in the neighborhood because of the study he gives to the subject which lies so near his heart.

MICHAEL HENRY PALMER, of Burrell township, Indiana county, is located in the vil- lage of Josephine, engaged in horseshoeing and general blacksmith work. He is a native of Jefferson county, Pa., born Dec. 15, 1846, in Perry township, son of Isaac Palmer and grandson of Henry Palmer. The latter was a son of Henry Palmer, the emigrant ancestor of this family (who came from Germany), and was one of a family of five brothers. Peter, the eldest, was twice married, and reared a large family and spent his entire life in Indiana county. John married a Miss Enfield, and died in Indiaua county. Charles also married and lived in Indiana county until his death.

Henry Palmer, the grandfather, was born in Bedford county, Pa., and went to Indiana county when a young man. Some time after

Mr. Palmer married Barbara Empfield, who was born in Brushvalley, Indiana county, and died in 1865, the same year as her hus- band, aged sixty-nine years. They became the parents of twenty-four children. We have record of the following: (1) Michael, the eldest, born in Indiana county in 1812, set- tled in Perry township, Jefferson county, and was a lumberman and farmer. (2) Isaac is mentioned below. (3) Henry married a Miss Swisher, and removed to Lewiston, Pa., where he died a number of years ago, leaving a wife and nine children. (4) David was the father of Johnston Palmer and grandfather of Davis A. Palmer, mentioned elsewhere in this work. (5) Sarah became the wife of Peter Depp, and both died in Jefferson county, leaving three children : Isaac M., deceased; Mary Ellen, wife of Joseph Newcomb, of Perry township, Jefferson county; and Henry, who died in Jefferson county. (6) Jane, born in Indiana county, became the wife of James Ross, of Perry township, Jefferson county, and re- sided near her father's farm. Both are now deceased. She died in 1897, at the age of seventy-five years, leaving four children, namely : Madison, who is married and lives with his family in Jefferson county ; Isaac, who follows lumbering in West Virginia; Matilda, wife of Samuel Williams, of Clay- ville; and Jane, wife of Joseph Stewart, of Indiana county. (7) Clement married Ella Rogers, of Jefferson county, and died leaving a wife and one son, Donald. (8) Peter, born in Indiana county, died on the homestead in Perry township at the age of eighteen years. (9) Mary, born in Indiana county, became the wife of Philip Whitsell, and lived on a part of her father's farm until her death. (10) Caroline, born in Perry township, became the wife of Charles Williams, and died at their home near Clayville, Pa., leaving three sons, Henry, William and Clauson. (11) George, horn in Jefferson county, in 1839, lives at Frostburg, Jefferson county. He married Martha Bowersox, and they have had four children: Laura, who first married John

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Tucker (now deceased), of Punxsutawney; ing faith; he is one of the leaders of the Ward; Etta, wife of Patrick Mann, of Punx- sutawney; and Joseph. (12) Martha, the youngest child of Henry and Barbara Palmer, died in early life.

Isaac Palmer, son of Henry and Barbara Palmer, was born in 1813, in Burrell town- ship, Indiana county, and removed to Jef- ferson county with his parents. He located upon a part of his father's farm, and fol- lowed farming and lumbering all his days. He died in the prime of life, in 1855, at the age of forty-two years, and was buried in the Hopewell cemetery. He was a member of the M. E. Church. His wife, Mary (Whitesell), of Armstrong county, Pa., daughter of Philip Whitesell, died in October, 1890, at the home of her son George, at Bigrun, Pa. She was a member of the M. E. Church. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Palmer: Sarah, who married James W. Wachob, of Henderson township, Jefferson county, and lives at Bigrun (he was a lieutenant in the Civil war) ; Michael Henry; Philip, a black- smith, who married a Miss Brown, of Jef- ferson county, and died at Bigrun, Pa. (he served ten months during the Civil war as a Union soldier, and afterward lived at Big- run until his death) ; George, of Bigrun; Barbara Ellen; and Mary, who married George Fetterman, of Punxsutawney, Penn- sylvania.

Michael Henry Palmer was only in his ninth year when his father died. He attended school in his home township and was engaged at farm work upon the homestead until he en- tered the army during the Civil war. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, 206th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving un- der Capt. W. C. Brown (who was later sher-

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 79

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