Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 80

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 80

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iff of Indiana county) and Col. Hugh J. Jacob M. Baun. The wilderness was cleared

Brady. He was in the army until the close of the war, and upon his return home went brother Philip, at Bigrun. He has followed blacksmithing ever since, having had shops in different places. In 1902 he came to his pres- ent location at Josephine, in Burrell town- ship, Indiana county, and in the ten years and more of his residence there has built up a fine business and made a respected position for himself among his fellow citizens. Mr. well liked by all who come in contact with him. He is liberal in his views on religion, a firm believer in the golden rule, and a strong ad- Smith, also of that township.

vocate of the doetrines of the Socialist party, whose principles he supports with unwaver-

party in his township, and by his personal popularity is enabled to exert considerable influence in its behalf. Mr. Palmer is a member of the G. A. R. post at Hortons, this county.

Mr. Palmer married Josephine Stiver, of Clayville, Jefferson county, and they had one child, Marilla, who is now the wife of Wil -. liam H. Saltsgiver, of Young township, Jef- ferson county. His second marriage was to Sarah Ellen Saltsgiver, of Jefferson county, and nine children have been born to this union : Leonard J., who is a resident of Can- ton, Ohio; Nora M., wife of Elmer Brickel, of Hortons, Pa .; James, a blacksmith and farmer of Center township; Perdy M., wife of J. K. Woodside, of Canton, Ohio; Joseph M., of Josephine; Hiram D., a miner, who lives at Josephine; Edith A., wife of Joseph H. Pal- mer; Jesse, a blacksmith, living at home; and Martha, who died when five years old.

JOSEPH G. BAUN, a veteran of the Civil war, who is engaged in farming operations on a tract of fifty acres in Canoe township, In- diana county, was born in Butler county, Pa., June 6, 1846, and is a son of Henry and Bar- bara (Strawhecker) Baun.

Henry Baun, the father, was born in Wit- tenberg, Germany, and came to the United States when about twenty-one years of age, locating in Butler county, Pa., where he mar- ried Barbara Strawhecker, who had come to this country with her parents. They con- tinued to reside in that county, conducting a still house, until 1853, at which time they re- moved to Canoe township, Indiana county, where Mr. Baun secured fifty acres of wild land, the property now occupied by his son away by the vigorous hand of Mr. Baun, whose industry and good judgment enabled him to

to learn the trade of blacksmith with his hew out a home from the surrounding timber-

land. IIere he died at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife followed him to the grave when eighty years of age, both dying in the faith of the Evangelical Association. They had a family of eight children, as follows: Fred, who is deceased; Henry. living in Jef- ferson county; Christ, who is deceased ; Jo- seph G .: David, residing on a farm in Canoe Palmer possesses a genial personality and is township; John, who lives near Marchand. Pa .; Jacob M., on the old homestead in Canoe township; and Caroline, who married George

Joseph G. Baun, son of Henry Baun, re- ceived only a common school education, and

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

his opportunities were somewhat limited, as house 16x18 feet, on a place that he had to his services were needed on the home farm. clear first. Later this primitive home was He was there residing, assisting his father to torn down and a more modern structure clear the land, when the Civil war broke out, erected, and in 1895 Mr. Baun built his sub- stantial modern barn. He has put up other splendid buildings, made numerous improve- ments, and now has the greater part of his property cleared. During almost thirty years and in 1863 he enlisted in Company C, 206th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Brown and Col. H. J. Brady. The regiment was sent to a point five miles from Richmond, Va., where Mr. Baun was of this time, Mr. Baun also worked at the engaged in building forts and breastworks, and continued to do general guard duty, faithfully performing all the tasks assigned to him until receiving his honorable discharge, in July, 1865.

Mr. Baun had an excellent record as a sol- dier, and in civil life he has maintained the same high standard. Returning to the home place, he took up farming again, and lived under the parental roof until his marriage, Sept. 12, 1867, to Barbara Piffer, of Canoe township, daughter of Michael and Eva (Fris- come) Piffer, natives of Germany who came to the United States and located in Canoe town- ship at an early date, Mr. Piffer following farming and his trade of stonemason through- out the remainder of his life. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baun, namely : C. W., a farmer and stonemason of Canoe township, who married Annie Miller; Silas S., a carpenter of Punxsutawney, Pa., who mar- ried Julia Smith ; Miles S., a miner of Juneau, Pa., who married Maude Dunmire; Harvey C., also a miner at that point, who married Della Piece; Harry T., proprietor of a livery at Rossiter, Pa., who married Bertha Work; Bert O., a miner of Canoe township, who mar- ried Nora Borts; Sadie, who married Harry Armstrong, of Canoe township; and Levina Nettie, who married George W. Hawk, of Canoe township.

Mr. Baun was possessed of only moderate means at the time of his marriage, and the succeeding years were spent in laborious toil, but he has been ever ably assisted by his faith- ful wife, who has cheerfully accepted and assumed her share of the duties incident to making a home. Endowed by nature with sound judgment and an accurate, discriminat- ing mind, Mr. Baun has not feared that close attention to business so necessary to achieve success, and this essential quality has ever been guided by a sense of moral right which would not tolerate the employment of other than means that would bear the most rigid examination. For some years he went from place to place in Canoe township, but in 1869 purchased his present property, a tract of fifty acres, where he first erected a frame

stonemason's trade in connection with his farming operations. He is a Democrat in his political views, and at times has been the in- cumbent of public office within the gift of his fellow citizens. He is a popular member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Richmond, Pa., and with his family attends the services of the Evangelical Association.

HARRY KENNING BOUCHER, super- intendent of the Indiana Woolen Mills at In- diana, was born in that borough Jan. 24, 1870, son of Alexander and Margaret (Hartman) Boucher. The family is of French extraction.

Henry Boucher, great-grandfather of Harry K. Boucher, was born in Virginia May 15, 1780, and was a cabinetmaker, following an occupation in which many of the family have been engaged. In April, 1802, he married at Hanover, Pa., Elizabeth Wolfe, of that place, born Jan. 6, 1784, and they subsequently re- moved to Frankstown, Pa., on the Juniata, thence to Brushvalley in Indiana county. In 1815 they removed to Rayne township, In- diana county. Mrs. Boucher died here May 31, 1852, Mr. Boucher on Dec. 6, 1853. Their children were as follows: John, born Dec. 17, 1802; Henry, born Oct. 4, 1804; Eliza- beth, born Feb. 6, 1807; Margaret, born March 9, 1809; David, born Aug. 21, 1811; Andrew, born Aug. 31, 1813; Eve, born March 4, 1816; Catherine, born May 19, 1818; Jacob, born July 12, 1820; William, born Oct. 4, 1822; and Susan, born Jan. 22, 1827.

Henry Boucher, son of Henry, born Oct. 4. 1804, at Frankstown, Pa., received his edu- cation in the common schools. He was reared to farm life, and also learned his father's trade, cabinetmaking, for which he had great aptitude, being able to make anything in wood, and under his father's skillful instruc- tion became a fine workman. The father used to make the old-fashioned windmills. Henry Boucher (Jr.) lived in White town- ship and later in the borough of Indiana, where he died Aug. 9, 1865. He married Cath- erine Dodson, of Bedford county, Pa., daugh- ter of Joseph Dodson, and she survived him

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

a few years, dying Aug. 21, 1869. Their chil- section, where he has passed all his life. He dren were born as follows: Elizabeth, Nov. was born in that township March 5, 1865, son 16, 1834 (married Isaac Kenning, and died of Thomas and Mary A. (Bostic) Trimble. in 1870) ; George, April 30, 1836 (died in Oc- tober, 1869 ; he served during the Civil war in Company E, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry) ; Mary C., March 29, 1838 (died March 8, 1857) ; Alexander, mentioned below ; Nancy J., March 29, 1844 (died in 1875) ; Joseph Taylor, Aug. 17, 1848 (a resident of Indiana borough) ; Sarah J., 1854 (died in 1857).

Alexander Boucher, son of Henry and Catherine (Dodson) Boucher, was born May 25, 1841, and died May 29, 1878, in Indiana borough. He followed various occupations, sawmilling, etc. His first wife, Margaret, died about 1872, aged about thirty or thirty-five years, leaving two children. Taylor H. (of Cookport, Indiana county, who married Emma Bash) and Harry Kenning. For his second wife Alexander Boucher married Mary Man- gus, by whom he had one child, Jessie, Mrs. Trimble died Dec. 16, 1896. William Little, of Indiana county.

Thomas Trimble was for many years one of the foremost citizens of Montgomery town- ship. He was born in 1818 in Westmoreland county, Pa., and came to Indiana county in 1850, buying a farm of 160 acres. In his early days he followed lumbering. but farm- ing was his principal vocation, and he at one time owned seven hundred acres of land. He took an active part in politics, belonging to the Democratic party, and served on the election board and as judge of elections in Montgomery township, where he was also honored with election to various offices, serv- ing acceptably as supervisor, assessor, school director and auditor. He married Mary A. Bostic, who was born in 1834 in Lancaster county, Pa., and came to Indiana county in 1850 with her parents. She survives her hus- hand, still residing in Indiana county. Mr.

Felix B. Trimble remained on the farm with his father until he reached his majority,

After the death of his mother Harry K. Boucher went to live with the family of meantime receiving his education at the local public schools. For several years he worked at lumbering, but he has been a farmer prac- tically all his life, and he bought his present home place of sixty acres in 1886, devoting the greater part of his time and attention to turist, and he has also found time to take part in public and church matters, having served his fellow citizens as school director, for three terms as township treasurer and for three years as supervisor. He has acted as inspector of elections, and has been very ac- tive in the interests of the Prohibition party, which he supports and aids in every possible way. He is a member of the Methodist Protes- tant Church, and has served as superintend- ent of the Sunday school, being at present assistant superintendent, as well as class leader, steward and trustee of the church.

On March 27, 1888, Mr. Trimble married May Powell, of Montgomery township, daugh- ter of A. D. Powell, a merchant. They have had seven children, Paul dying when fourteen

Frank P., Porter S., Harry A. and Chester A., all at home.

CHARLES L. BENCE, proprietor of a

was horn in Rayne township, Indiana Co., (Everwine) Bence.

Henry Miller, in White township, with whom he remained until he reached the age of twen- ty-seven. He was sent to the local public schools, and learned the trade of plasterer, which he followed for seven years. In 1897 Mr. Boucher began his connection with his its cultivation. He is a successful agricul- present line of work, becoming foreman in the woolen mill of McElhoes & Findley, where he remained until the mill was burned, in August, 1900. Then he accepted a position as finisher in the establishment with which he is still connected. He was thus employed until 1908, when he became foreman, holding that position two years, until he assumed his pres- ent responsibilities. He is a stockholder in the concern, and is recognized as a valuable associate by all the members of the company. He is a man of upright character and sterling personal qualities, and is respected by all who know him. His political views are those of the Republican party.

On March 28, 1899, Mr. Boucher was mar- ried in Indiana borough to Clara Herron, of Indiana, daughter of Thomas and Mary Agnes months old. The others are: Cora, Nellie,

(Carnahan) Herron. Mr. and Mrs. Boucher are members of the Presbyterian Church. They have one child, Agnes Meredith.

FELIX B. TRIMBLE has held a number general merchandise store at Dixonville, Pa., of public offices of trust and responsibility in Montgomery township, Indiana county, and Pa., Nov. 23, 1876, son of James and Rosina is one of the best known residents of that

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Samuel Bence, the grandfather of Charles L. Bence, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was one of the early settlers of Rayne town- ship, where he owned valuable property and was engaged in farming for many years. He is now retired and living with a sister, Mrs. Lightcap, of East Mahoning township. He has attained the remarkable age of ninety-two years.

James Bence, son of Samuel Bence, and father of Charles L. Bence, was born in Rayne township, and has spent his entire life there, being now actively engaged in farming and stock raising. His wife Rosina, whose pa- rents were natives of Germany, is deceased. She was the mother of a large family, as fol- lows: Elizabeth, who is deceased; one who died in infancy; David; Harry E., who is engaged in farming in East Mahoning town- ship; Laura, the wife of F. B. Longwill, of Indiana ; John L., a resident of Cherryhill township; Charles L .; Luther J., who is en- gaged in farming in Rayne township; Mamie, the wife of F. G. Haer, of Rayne township; Logan C., an employee of the Indiana Hard- ware Company, of Indiana, Pa .; and Gene- vieve, a trained nurse, residing in Pittsburg. By another marriage Mr. Bence had two children: Ivan, who is deceased, and Clar- ence D., who resides with his parents.

Charles L. Bence attended the district schools of Rayne township, and was reared to the vocation of a farmer, but early in life chose a mercantile career in preference to that of an agriculturist, and Aug. 28, 1908, engaged in the general merchandise business at Dixon- ville, in partnership with his brother, Logan C. Bence. The firm of Bence Brothers con- tinued in business until April. 1, 1912, at which time Charles L. Bence purchased his brother's interest, and since that time has con- ducted the business alone. He has a com- plete and well-selected stock of goods and enjoys a large and lucrative patronage, the people of his community appreciating his busi- ness-like methods and honorable dealing. He is interested in fraternal work and is a popu- lar member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Clymer.

JOHN HENRY BUTLER, a merchant at Georgeville, East Mahoning township, this county, was born near Roxburg, Warren Co., N. J., Sept. 3, 1849, son of Holloway Butler. The Butler family was early established in New Jersey, and its representatives have been associated with much of the history of that State.

Robert Butler, grandfather of John Henry Butler, was a cooper, and followed his trade in Warren county, becoming a master at it. His death occurred in that county. He mar- ried Elizabeth (Betty) Worman.

Holloway Butler, a son of Robert Butler, was born in Warren county, N. J., where he learned the coopering trade with his father, and followed it for some time, but later be- came interested in fruit culture, raising fruits and vegetables for the market, and thus con- tinued until his death, which occurred on the farm. He married Margaret Kimple, who was also born in Warren county, N. J., daughter of John and Mary Kimple, and a sister of Capt. William Kimple, a prominent merchant of Chambersville, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. But- ler had children as follows: Mary Elizabeth, Thomas, John H., George, Barnett, Jane, Wil- liam, Anna, Lena, Ida, Sarah and Oscar.

John Henry Butler was educated in the neighborhood schools, but had few advan- tages, for when he was only eleven years old he began to earn his own living, working among farmers. His first employment, which he secured in 1861, paid him $1.75 per month and board. He continued at that rate for nine months, and then, in 1862, he worked eight months on a farm for $3 per month and board. The balance of the year he worked for his board and attended school. In 1863 his eight months' work in season netted him $4.50 per month and board, and in 1864 he commanded $6.50 per month with his board for eight months, and for the remaining four months received his board and $17. In 1865 he re- ceived $12 per month for eight months, and in 1866 he had $16 per month. In 1867 he went to Northampton county, and found work on a farm for Clark DePue at $17 per month, continuing with him for three years. In 1870 he returned home and worked for Richard Hickson, receiving $18 per month.

In 1871 Mr. Butler came to Indiana county, where his grandfather John Kimple and his uncle Capt. William Kimple were living. Set- tling in East Mahoning township with his grandfather, Mr. Butler worked for him dur- ing the winter of 1872-73, and then went to Butler county, where he obtained employ- ment at bridge building, being thus engaged at Parkers Landing and Foxburg. Then he located on the farm of his father-in-law, George Aul, in East Mahoning township, and farmed it for nine years. In 1882 Mr. Butler entered upon his mercantile career as a gen- eral merchant at Georgeville, where for thirty- one years he has conducted a flourishing busi-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ness, being now the oldest established man in his line in that section. In addition to his store, for twenty-five years, Mr. Butler operated the "Union Hotel," which was a popular hostelry, but this he has discontin- ued. During Harrison's administration Mr. Butler was appointed postmaster at George- ville. He is also interested in agricultural matters, and until 1909 operated his home- stead, but in that year turned the property over to his son George H., who is now con- ducting it very successfully. While he is a Republican, Mr. Butler is independent in some of his views. He has served as a school director one term, and collector of the school taxes for several terms. His interest in pub- lic schools has led him to take an active part in securing the establishment at Georgeville of the summer school and normal.

On March 24, 1873, Mr. Butler was married to Margerie Aul, a daughter of George Aul, and they have had the following children : George H., born May 11, 1874, married Zelda Hazelett ; Margaret, born Dec. 31, 1875, died at the age of ten years; Rebecca, born Sept. 9, 1877, died at the age of eight years; Annie, born Sept. 10, 1879, married M. D. Cran- ford, of Smicksburg, Pa .; Frank, born Dec. 24, 1880, died in infancy ; Alice, born Dec. 5, 1882, is at home; Ross, born March 7, 1884, died in childhood; Urbie Claire, born April 9, 1885, died from the effects of a gunshot wound while out hunting in West Mahoning township, Indiana county, Pa., July 29, 1902; Edward Gale, born March 26, 1886, is de- ceased; Bessie, born March 10, 1887, is de- ceased; Bertha, born March 26, 1888, mar- ried Floyd Steer, of DuBois, Pa .; Vesta, born July 25, 1889, was a school teacher, and is now the wife of Prof. Robert Emerick; Miles Putney, born July 20, 1892, is deceased.

Mr. Butler was a member of the Odd Fel- lows, and formerly belonged to the Jr. O. U. A. M. A man of action, he has known how to take advantage of opportunities as they of- fered, and has become one of the substantial business men of his county. During the long years when he worked for a mere pittance he learned valuable lessons of industry and thrift which have served him well in later life. While he endured hardships and had practi- cally to educate himself, he was not willing to have his children suffer likewise, so gave them good advantages, and they have repaid his care and tenderness. The family are highly respected in this section, and their prosperity is deserved.

REUBEN HASTINGS (deceased), for many years a prosperous farmer of the Ma- honing district, Indiana county, was born May 18, 1814, in what is now East Mahoning town- ship, and died Aug. 14, 1875, on his farm in South Mahoning township.

The Hastings family is of English descent, and an old one in the Keystone State, and has produced some of the most substantial men and women Pennsylvania has ever known. John Hastings, the first of the name of whom we have record, died in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1774.

Thomas Hastings, son of John Hastings, died in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1777. His children were as follows: John, Lydia, Sarah, Job and Enoch.

John Hastings, son of Thomas Hastings, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and is sup- posed to have served in the Revolutionary war. He settled in Center county, Pa., re- siding near Bellville, where he died in 1797. He and his wife, Sarah, had the following fam- ily: Enoch, born in 1781, who married Eliza Sutor; Elizabeth, who married George Leech ; Mary, who married Abel Moore; Thomas; Daniel; Madeline, who married John Moore; and John.

John Hastings, son of John Hastings, was born March 14, 1784, in Center county, Pa., and later settled in Indiana county, where he bought a farm in East Mahoning town- ship, and spent the remainder of his life in general farming, dying there July 7, 1865. On Jan. 20, 1803, he married Margaretta Diven, and they had the following children: William W., born July 17, 1804, married Feb. 9, 1829, Margaret Johnson; Thirza, born Sept. 14, 1806, married John Van Horn on March 11, 1824; Joseph J., born March 9, 1808, married Mary Jane Kennedy on Feb. 23, 1837; and Sarah E., born Jan. 11, 1811, married Samuel Foster on April 14, 1834. After the death of his first wife John Hastings married (sec- ond), on Feb. 11, 1812, Isabella Cook, and they had these children: Mary Ann, born Dec. 21, 1813, married John Simpson on April 16, 1835, and they became the parents of Na- thaniel Cook Simpson, of East Mahoning township; Reuben was born May 18, 1814; Isabella, born March 18, 1819, married D. Black on Sept. 12, 1836; John, twin of Isa- bella, died in 1872; Margaretta, born Feb. 21. 1821, married Thomas Rea on July 5. 1853; Agnes, born March 15, 1823, married John A. Work on April 26, 1849; Lucinda, born Feb. 11, 1825, died Aug. 21, 1827; Mar- tha, born June 22, 1827, married Peter B.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Simpson on July 4, 1866; Robert A., who was where he was engaged in farming for several born March 26, 1830, married Jane Keirs on years. In 1809 he came to what is now East Dec. 25, 1853; Lucinda (2) was born March 30, 1832; John Reed, born Feb. 5, 1836, mar- ried Mary Eliza Park on June 25, 1858. The father and mother are buried in Gilgal Church cemetery in East Mahoning township.

Reuben Hastings was educated in the public schools of his native township and worked for his father on the farm in East Mahoning township, the property now owned by the Lightcap family. He was a successful farmer, and carried on his agricultural pursuits prin- cipally on the 140-acre farm in East Mahon- ing township, which he eventually sold, mov- ing to another farm he had bought, in South Mahoning township. There he remained un- til his death. He was a well-known man in his day, being energetic and progressive, hield various township offices, such. as constable, school director, etc., was a Republican in

political association, and in religious connec- tion a member of the United Presbyterian Church in South Mahoning township. On April 11, 1837, he married Margaret Black, who was born Sept. 12, 1809, daughter of James and Jane Black, and granddaughter of James Black, who lived near Fort Duquesne and was killed there by the Indians. Mrs. Hastings died in 1885, in South Mahoning township. Children as follows were born to this union: James B., who married Rebecca Jane Brown (they are mentioned elsewhere in this work); Lucinda, who was the wife of Silas W. Brady, of Indiana; Jane, who mar- ried Allen Hamilton, of South Mahoning township; and Evaline, the only survivor of the family, who is the widow of David C. Leasure.

in East Mahoning township, and was educated principally in the public schools there. She spent one term under the tuition of Mr. Wolf, at Marion Center. She remained at home un- til her marriage, in 1867, to David C. Leasure, and a month later they settled in Canoe town- ship, where Mrs. Leasure still resides.

DAVID C. LEASURE was born Feb. 27, 1837, in Canoe township, son of Solomon and Mary (Kirkpatrick) Leasure. His great-grand- father, Jolın Leasure, the founder of the fam- ily in western Pennsylvania, was an early set- tler in Westmoreland county, and located in the Sewickley settlement.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 80

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