Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 82

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 82

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On Sept. 10, 1902, Mr. Bostic married Pearl Findley, daughter of Edward and Sarah (Murdock) Findley, and they have four chil- dren: Sarah Isabella, Ruth, Emma Pauline. and Edward Findley, the last named born June 30, 1912.

JACOB KANARR, retired farmer, has made his home in Indiana since the spring of 1905. He was a prosperous agriculturist throughout his active years. Mr. Kanarr was born March 31, 1843, in Hempfield town- ship, Westmoreland Co., Pa., son of John and Magdalene (Bender) Kanarr. He received his education in the common schools, and was familiar with farm work from early boyhood.

In 1853 the family left Westmoreland coun- ty, settling in Montgomery township, Indiana county, where Jacob Kanarr grew to man- hood. In 1864 he was drafted for service in the Union army, being assigned to Company B. 101st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge May 6, 1865. Re- turning home, he resumed farm work. Within a few years he located on a place of his own in Grant township, this county, which he bought from his father-a tract of seventy- four acres where he resided for some time.

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Later he bought his father-in-law's place of began work early, in his boyhood following 180 acres in the same township, which he sold the towpath. Farming was his principal three years afterward, buying a farm of 127 acres in Rayne township upon which he re- mained until the spring of 1905, when he re- tired. He sold this property to a coal com- pany, the land being underlaid with valuable coal deposits. Mr. Kanarr has since made his home in the borough of Indiana, living at No. 229 Philadelphia street. Mr. Kanarr has de- voted most of his time to his private affairs, but he is a public-spirited citizen and his sup- port can be relied upon in movements affect- ing the welfare of the community. In politics he is an independent Republican. His re- ligious connection is with the Lutheran Church.

In 1869 Mr. Kanarr was married to Martha Jane King, of Indiana county, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Caldwell) King, and they have become the parents of eight chil- dren, namely: Simon T., who lives in Indi- ana county ; Eliza Clara, Mrs. John P. Lydick, of Indiana county; Nancy C., Mrs. Clem. Henry, of Indiana; Hester J., who is unmar- ried ; Mary M., unmarried; Ira Guy; Morti- mer ; and Carrie, Mrs. Robert T. Helman, who lives on the home farm in Rayne township.

work in life, however. After his marriage he located on a farm of sixty-nine acres in Cherryhill township, and by exchange he owned several farms. In 1859 he moved to a farm in Green township upon which he spent the remainder of his long life-a period of about fifty years, his death occurring there Jan. 5, 1909. He was married to Mary Brown, who died Nov. 27, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Fer- rier are interred in the Manor graveyard in Cherryhill township, this cemetery being lo- cated on her father's farm. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are deceased, namely: David, who died when twelve years old; Susanna, who died aged six ; Theodosia, who died aged four; and Mary Amanda, Mrs. Simon Mock, who died in 1894 in White township, when thirty-five years old. The survivors are: Amos S., now a retired farmer, of Windber, Somerset Co., Pa .; Andrew C .; Robert L., of Leard, Green township, this county; Margaret Catherine, Mrs. Judson Muma ; and Minerva, unmarried, a trained nurse, who lives at Pasadena, Cal. Mr. Ferrier served his country as a soldier in the Mexican war.

Andrew C. Ferrier was born Sept. 27, 1861, on the old Ferrier homestead in Green town-

ANDREW C. FERRIER, head of the firm of A. C. Ferrier & Son, of Indiana, pro- ship, this county, and there attended the com- prietors of the Point Store, is a descendant of an old settled family of Indiana county, his great-grandparents having settled here many years ago. Andrew Ferrier, his great-grand- father, was a native of Scotland. Coming to America, he located in the Kishacoquillas valley in Pennsylvania in 1777 and later came to Indiana county. He was a farmer by occupation. mon schools. He acted for some time as a substitute teacher in the home school and afterward taught two terms in Clearfield township, Cambria county. During the sum- mertime he worked in the woods in Cambria, Clearfield and Indiana counties. Leaving home when twenty-four, he commenced to work in 1887 as a driller, following that occu- pation in different oil fields until 1892. He John Ferrier, son of Andrew, was six years old when brought to Brushvalley township, Indiana county, where he grew to manhood. There he married Mary Worton, after whose death he removed to Virginia, where he then went to Kansas for a time, returning to Pennsylvania. After his marriage he located on Seventh street, in the borough of Indiana, and for the next six years was engaged in the draying business, after which he served the

passed the remainder of his life, dying in borough one year as street commissioner. His that State. He was a local preacher in the next business venture was in the general con- M. E. Church, and used to hold services at tracting line, which he continued to follow the different homes in his neighborhood. His successfully for a period of eight years, since children were as follows: Samuel, born 1814; which time he has been engaged in the gen- Thomas, born 1821; Amos W., born Jan. 9, 1829; and two daughters who died shortly after marriage.

the establishment is well known in the eral mercantile business in Indiana. He lo- cated at his present store, Seventh and Wayne streets, in September, 1910. The firm of A. C. Ferrier & Son, formed March 1, 1911, carries

Amos W. Ferrier, son of John, and father of Andrew C. Ferrier, was born Jan. 9, 1829,. groceries and deals in country produce, and on the old homestead near the Evans Round Top, in Brushvalley township, and learned borough of Indiana and vicinity, its patrons the trades of wheelwright and carpenter. He being drawn from a wide territory. Mr. Fer-

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IIISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

rier is a highly respected citizen, having Amanda Cameron, like himself a native of served three terms in the borough council Green township, daughter of Daniel and from the Second ward, and he is a prominent Drusilla Cameron, farming people, who set- worker in the local ranks of the Republican party. In religious connection he is identified with the Zion Lutheran Church, of which he is a devout member, and he is one of the teachers in the Sunday school.

On April 12. 1894, Mr. Ferrier was mar- ried to Sadie Shearer, daughter of Samuel and Mary Shearer, of White township, Indi- ana county. They have two children, Mary Lila and Charles Andrew.

SAMUEL B. LEASURE, register and as- sessor of Green township, Indiana county, and one of the substantial farmer citizens of that section, was born at the place where he still resides. The farm has been in the family since 1850. His grandfather, John Leasure, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a very early settler in Indiana county, living in South Mahoning township. He farmed all his life.

Peter Leasure, father of Samuel B. Leasure, was born in South Mahoning township, and in 1850, when a young man, came to Green township, making his home on the farm now occupied by his son Samuel. After giving up active work he moved into the borough of Indiana in the fall of 1894, and there lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1904, when he was aged eighty years. He married Margaret Ann Miller, who was also born in Indiana county, and who survives him, living with her eldest son, J. C. Leasure; she is now (1912) eighty-eight years old. Her father, Samuel Miller, settled in Indiana county in his early life. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Leasure: J. C., ex-treasurer of Indiana county; Samuel B .; Samantha, wife of Frank Oatman; Miranda, deceased, and Ida, deceased.

Samuel B. Leasure was born Feb. 28, 1853, and was educated in the public schools of his native township. He has always farmed, and in addition to his agricultural work has en- gaged in lumbering and milling. He carries on general farming, and keeps his land in ex- cellent condition, making the most of its ad- vantages. Though he gives his personal af- fairs all necessary attention, he has found time to take part in the management of local public matters, has given capable service in the offices of assessor, supervisor and school director, and is at present register and as- sessor of the township.

tled early in Indiana county. By this union there were three children, of whom Vernie and Ernest are deceased. The only survivor is Zella, the eldest, who graduated from the Indiana State normal sehool and taught for one term. She is now the wife of C. R. McAdoo and has children, Margaret, Robert, Paul, Meredith and Hilda. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Adoo are living with her father. Mrs. Amanda (Cameron) Leasure died in August, 1881. In 1884 Mr. Leasure married (second) Jennie Wynkoop, who was born in Indiana county, daughter of John and Lucinda (Van Leer) Wynkoop, the former of whom came to Indiana county many years ago and settled in Green township, where he followed farm- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Leasure have had one child, Grace, who lives at home ; she graduated from the Indiana State normal school and has taught four terms. Mr. and Mrs. Leasure are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN S. LONGWILL, retired farmer and merchant and veteran of the Civil war, resid- ing at Dixonville, Indiana county, was born in Derry township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Jan. 24, 1831, son of Thomas and Sarah (Beamer) Longwill.

Matthew Longwill, the paternal grand- father of John S. Longwill, was a resident of Clarion county, Pa., for many years, fol- lowed farming during the greater part of his life, and died at the remarkable age of one hundred.

Thomas Longwill, son of Matthew Long- will and father of John S. Longwill, was born in Mifflin county, Pa., whence he came to Indiana county in 1835 and first settled in Blairsville, where he conducted a cooper shop until 1846. In that year he removed to a farm east of Blairsville, and five years later went to Conemaugh township, where he spent a like period, then coming to Green town- ship. Eventually he located in Dixonville, where his death occurred. He married Saralı Beamer, the daughter of Samuel Beamer, of eastern Pennsylvania, and they had six chil- dren, namely: Elizabeth J. and Christian B., who are deceased; John S .; Rachel S., widow of Rev. Mathias Shirley, residing at Utica, Venango Co., Pa., and Sarah E. and Cordelia A., deceased.

John S. Longwill was given good eduea- tional advantages in the schools of Blairsville,

On Oct. 26, 1876, Mr. Leasure married and when a young man adopted the profes-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

sion of educator, teaching school for three ing the war of the Revolution. He spent the terms in Young township, and subsequently rest of his life in farming and died at an following the same profession in Conemaugh, advanced age in Berks county. Rayne and Green townships. He later turned John Shaffer, son of the founder of the family, and grandfather of Joseph Shaffer, was born in Berks county, Pa., and in 1803 went to Huntingdon county, where he secured a large tract of land, on which he and his wife, Eva (Thomas), died. Their children were five in number, as follows: Jacob is mentioned below; John and Adam died in Huntingdon county; Peter spent his entire life on the old Shaffer homestead; William lived near Williamsburg. his attention to agricultural pursuits, but in 1871 opened a mercantile establishment at the present site of Dixonville, which he con- ducted for four years. He then returned to his farm in Green township, and until his retirement a few years ago was engaged in tilling the soil. In March, 1865, he enlisted in Company F, 74th Regiment, P. V. I., under Captain McClain, of Indiana, Pa., and con- tinued to serve with that company until August, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge.

On Oct. 16, 1855, Mr. Longwill was mar- ried in Conemaugh township to Sarah R. Henderson, who was born in that township Sept. 4, 1832, daughter of Robert and Mar- garet (Graham) Henderson, natives of Ire- land who came to the United States as young people and settled in Indiana county. Mr. Henderson, who followed farming throughout his active career, died at Saltsburg, and his wife passed away in Conemaugh township. They had the following children : Eliza, Mary Ann, Jane, Isabelle, Joseph, Margaret, Lu- cinda and Sarah. To Mr. and Mrs. Longwill have been born eight sons and one daughter, as follows: Harmon H., Joseph A. and John A., all living in Indiana, Pa .; Robert, who is deceased; Abraham L., living in Heilwood; Frank, a resident of Indiana, Pa .; Harry W., who is engaged in the milling business at Dix- onville; Nicholas B., a resident of South Sharon, Pa .; and Anna B., wife of Enos Widdowson, residing at Niagara Falls, New York.

Mr. Longwill and his wife and children are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. a family of nine children, as follows: Eva A Republican in his political views, he has been called upon to serve his community in public office, having heen assessor and school director for several terms, and also the second postmaster of Dixonville.

JOSEPH SHAFFER, pioneer, Civil war veteran and able agriculturist of North Ma- honing township, Indiana county, was born March 23, 1832, in Huntingdon county, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fetter- hoff) Shaffer.

Jacob Shaffer, son of John, and father of Joseph Shaffer, was born in Berks county, and was about seven years of age when taken to Huntingdon county in 1803. There he was reared to manhood, the greater part of his education being secured in the school of hard work. He was engaged in farming, and also conducted a freighting business, carrying goods to Pittsburg. In 1838 he brought his family to Indiana county, coming through with a wagon and four-horse team, and lo- cated on the land which Joseph Shaffer now operates, here purchasing 238 acres for $1,700. On this property were located a log cabin and barn, and about one hundred acres was cleared, and here he continued to work until his death, which occurred in 1882, when he was eighty-seven years of age, his wife sur- viving him two years and being eighty-nine years old at the time of her demise. For ten years Mr. Shaffer was a justice of the peace, and also held various other offices, to which he was elected on the Whig and Republican tickets. With his wife he was an active mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and both were well known and highly respected. They had

married Charles Wilhelm, and both are de- ceased; Michael, deceased, who married Martha Thomas, lived in West Mahoning township; John, deceased, who married Mary Ann Means, lived in North Mahoning town- ship; George died unmarried in 1852; Eliza- beth, deceased, married Samuel Beck, and lived in North Mahoning township; Joseph is mentioned below; Albert, who served nine months as a member of Company B, 206th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and now lives at Covode, Pa., married Mary Chambers and (second) Sarah Varner; Margaret Ann has always lived on the old home place and is now keeping house for her brother Joseph; Jacob, deceased, married Minerva Fraupton,

The great-grandfather of Joseph Shaffer was a native of Saxony, Germany, and came to the United States in 1755, settling in Berks county, Pa., whence he and two of his sons enlisted for service in the Colonial army dur- and lived in North Mahoning township. 77

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Joseph Shaffer, son of Jacob Shaffer, re- and is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Fisher) ceived, like his father, only a limited school- Fisher. ing. In 1868 he removed to Clearfield county, Pa., where he spent two and a half years, and for a like period was in Jefferson county, in the Beechwoods settlement. On the death of his wife, which occurred Dec. 16, 1873, he returned to the old home place, and there he has resided to the present time.

In 1860 Mr. Shaffer was married to Mary Snyder, of North Mahoning township, daugh- ter of John A. and Caroline Snyder, of Saxony, Germany. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer, namely : George S., a mill and lumber man, is carrying on opera- tions in Jefferson and Indiana counties, and living on the home farm; he married Martha R. Grove, and they have four children, Mary R., Lura R., Joseph W. and Jacob G. Luther died at the age of thirteen years, six months. John, living in Indiana borough, married Margaret J. Wachob, and has one child, Floy L. William H., a farmer of North Mahoning township, is also engaged in mill- ing and Inmbering in Indiana and Jefferson counties ; he married Ollie M. Moore, and has three children, Joseph B., Clay M. and Mabel D.

Andrew Fisher, father of Henry A. Fisher, was born in Germany, was there educated and reared to manhood, and married Margaret Fisher, who, although she bore the same name, was not a relative. Not long after their marriage they emigrated to the United States, both being still young people, and first located in Cambria county, Pa., where they took up land and engaged in farming. In later years they removed to Rayne township, Indiana county, where they spent some years on the Glasser farm, and then went to the timber section of Jefferson county, Mr. Fisher being engaged in lumbering for some time. Finally they came to Grant township, Indiana county, and here Mr. Fisher passed away, and was buried in Gilgal cemetery, in East Mahoning township. He was a Republican in his polit- ical views, and a faithful member of the Lutheran Church. He was married three times, and by his first wife, Margaret, had sixteen children, of whom six sons fought as soldiers during the Civil war, five in the Union army and one as a Confederate. It was one of the fortunes of war that the son in the Southern service was subsequently captured by the regiment of Federals of which his brother Henry was a member, and was con- fined in Fortress Monroe. Of the children born to Andrew and Margaret Fisher two died in infancy in the old country ; John died in Rayne township; Charlotte and Sophia both died unmarried; Lewis served as a sol- dier in the Union army; David met his death by drowning in Little Mahoning Creek; May became the wife of William Buchanan; Catherine married David Meyers, of Rayne township; William became a property owner- in Alabama, and was the Confederate soldier

On Ang. 12, 1864, Mr. Shaffer enlisted in Company C, 206th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at Indiana, Pa., and was sent to Baltimore, and then on to City Point, helping to build Fort Brady. He went into winter quarters with his regiment near that place, and April 3, 1865, was in front of Richmond, his regiment being the first to enter the former Southern capital. There he did guard duty for a time, and was subsequently sent to Lynchburg, but eventually returned to Richmond, and received his honorable dis- charge June 26, 1865. A brave and faithful soldier, he earned alike the admiration of his heretofore mentioned; Henry A. is mentioned comrades and the respect of his officers. He later; George and Jacob were soldiers in the was formerly a member of the Grand Army post at Punxsutawney, but now belongs to Joseph Shields Post, No. 638, at Covode, Pa.

Union service; Caroline married John Pal- iner, deceased, and now resides at Richmond, Pa .; and Joseph, a veteran of the Civil war, In politics Mr. Shaffer is a Republican, and is now residing at Deckers Point, Grant town-

has held numerous township offices, giving to each his faithful devotion to duty. With his family he attends the Lutheran Church at Trade City.

ship. Mr. Fisher's second wife bore the maiden name of Betsy Foust, and she died without issue. He was then married (third) to Sarah O'Harra, and they became the par- ents of three children: Sarah and Andrew, Jr., who are both deceased; and Archibald,

HENRY A. FISHER, veteran of the Civil war, who is now living retired in Grant town- who is now a resident of Kansas. ship, Indiana county, after a long and active Henry A. Fisher, son of Andrew Fisher, received but meager educational advantages career in various lines of endeavor, was born Feb. 28, 1838, in Cambria county, Pa., half in his youth, his training being limited to way between Johnstown and Hollidaysburg, what he obtained in attendance at the dis-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

trict schools during the short winter terms, and later to Belle Isle, and continuing in the while his summers were spent in assisting his hands of the Confederates for three months. father and brothers in the work of the home At the end of that time he was exchanged and rejoined his regiment, with which he served until the close of the war, being hon- orably discharged after nearly three years of brave and faithful service. Although he is a man of quiet disposition, domestic in his tastes and temperate in his habits, he was always known as a hard-fighting soldier, win- ning alike the admiration of his comrades and the respect of his officers. In his political views Mr. Fisher has been a Republican, but has never sought public preferment, having given his whole attention to his private in- terests as a farmer and business man. He has not been indifferent, however, to the wel- fare of his community, at all times being ready to join other earnest and public-spirited citizens in promoting movements tending to- ward progress and advancement along all lines. He has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, and has served as elder of the church at Antioch, where he has been 'an active worker in religious and charitable movements. farm. He was an observant and intelligent youth, however, made the most of his oppor- tunities, and succeeded in securing a good, practical education, which in later years has been supplemented by experience and read- ing, so that to-day he is a well-read man, with a wide fund of information and a thorough knowledge of important subjects. At the age of twenty-three years he embarked in farm- ing operations on his own account, and for some years carried on agricultural pursuits in Grant township, then running a sawmill for John C. Rochester, which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he located in Deckers Point, where he built a house and again settled down to farming, but in 1869 he went with his family to Tennessee, and there spent one year in the sawmill busi- ness. Conditions in the South at that time did not attract Mr. Fisher, however, and he again came to Deckers Point, where he be- came engaged in shookmaking, later spend- ing one year at Indiana, Pa., in the same line of work. He then spent two years in that line at Deckers Point, and succeeding this took up house and barn building, to which he gave his undivided attention for several years, erecting over a dozen houses and barns in Grant township, and in the meantime also following farming. In 1904 Mr. Fisher re- moved to Jefferson county, where he cul- tivated a small tract of land and also followed the carpenter's trade. In 1910 he returned to Grant township, where he and his wife are living retired, at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sheesley, their post office address being Marion Center.

On Nov. 7, 1861, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage with Sarah Jane McAdoo, of Indi- ana county, daughter of James and Sarah (Palmer) McAdoo, and she has proved a faithful and loyal helpmate to her husband and a woman of many sterling qualities. To this union there have been born children as follows : One son who died in infancy ; Horace, who met his death at the hands of a ferryman in Mckean county in 1891; John, who is a resident of Deckers Point; James, a resident of Punxsutawney; Callie, with whom her parents reside, the wife of Peter Sheesley, living on a farm in Grant township (she is the mother of one child, Paul) ; and Charles, who follows the painter's trade and makes his home at Deckers Point. Mr. Fisher has had a long and useful career, and in what- ever community he has found himself has so conducted his affairs as to maintain the good will and confidence of his neighbors and asso- ciates. Now, in the evening of life, he may

On Aug. 5, 1862, Mr. Fisher enlisted in Company I, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war, but the company was so small that it was later merged with Company F, being under command of Col. J. F. Stanton, Maj. Harry White (since congressman and judge of In- diana county), Lieut. Col. Horace B. Burn- ham, and Captains Cornwell and Fleck. Mr. enjoy the comforts that his years of fruitful Fisher participated in all the movements of labor have won for him, satisfied in the knowl- his regiment, faithfully attending to his edge that no stain or blemish mars his record. duties and bearing cheerfully his share of the . hardships and dangers incident to army · life,

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 82

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