Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 87

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 87

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(I) Edward Doten or Doty, a native of Eng. land, was a youth when he came to America with the little band of Pilgrims which crossed the Atlantic in the "Mayflower" in 1620. landing on Plymouth Rock, in what is now the harbor of Plymouth, Mass. He was in the service of Stephen Hopkins, and he was one of the signers of the solemn compact made in Cape Cod harbor Nov. 11, 1620, on board the "Mayflower." He married Jan. 6, 1634- 35, Faith Clarke, born in 1619, daughter of Thurston and Faith Clarke. In 1652 Mr. Doty was one of the purchasers of Dart. mouth, Mass., but later removed to Cape Cod. locating in the town of Yarmouth, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died there Aug. 23, 1655. His widow married (second) John Phillips, of Duxbury. Children: Ed- ward, John, Thomas, Samuel, Desire, Eliza- beth, Isaac, Joseph and Mary.

(II) Samuel Doty, son of Edward and Faith (Clarke) Doty, born in Plymouth, in 1643. became quite prominent in the affairs of Ply- mouth and Cape Cod. Later he removed to New Jersey, locating at Piscataway, Middle- sex county, where he was well known. In 1675 he was commissioned lieutenant of the military company of New Piscataway, of which Francis Drake was captain; this com- mission was received in 1678. He became a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, which was formed in 1700. He died about October, 1715. In Piscataway, N. J., he mar- ried Jeane Harman, of that town.

(III) Jonathan Doty, son of Samuel and Jeane (Harman) Doty, was born in Pisca- taway, N. J., Feb. 24, 1687-88. About 1717 he married Mary, and they became the par- ents of eight children: William, born Sept. 11, 1719; Jonathan, born about 1724; Daniel. born about 1727; Joshua, born about 1730; Joseph, born about 1735; Mary; Jane, who married Oct. 21, 1747, John Johnson; and Elizabeth.

(IV) Jonathan Doty (2), son of Jonathan and Mary Doty, born about 1724, in Piscata- way. N. J., removed with his parents to Bask- ing Ridge, N. J., where he was a farmer and where he died. He married Patience Sutton. and their children were: Jonathan, born about 1754; Zebulon, born about 1758; Nath- aniel, born Oct. 19, 1761; Joseph, born Aug. 31, 1764: William, born Oct. 8, 1767; and Rebecca, who married and settled in Penn-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

(V) Nathaniel Doty, son of Jonathan (2) Church cemetery, in East Mahoning town- and Patience (Sutton) Doty, was born at ship. She was a member of the Presbyterian Basking Ridge, N. J., Oet. 19, 1761, and like Church. Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doty: Mary Jane, born July 19, 1829, married Theodore White, and died Jan. 27, 1850; Nathaniel, born June 26, 1831, enlisted for service in the Civil war, was wounded at the battle of Winchester, and died from the effects of his injuries at Fred- ericksburg, Md .; Rebecca, born Nov. 23, 1832, married McLean Sutton, of Westmoreland county, and is deceased ; Phebe, born June 13, 1834, is the widow of Samuel Stuchel, and resides in East Mahoning township, this coun- ty; Robert, born July 7, 1836, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; Jonathan, born July 14, 1838, died at Burnside, Pa., Dec. 12, 1911 (he was a Civil war soldier and was wounded in the thigh at Fredericksburg) ; Elizabeth Hannah, born March 21, 1840, mar- ried D. J. Broughler, and died in 1898; John is mentioned below; George Sylvester, born April 28, 1844, died young; Jesse Alexander, born Aug. 31, 1846, died Dec. 9, 1852. his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at Morristown, N. J., and con- tinuing in the service for eight months. Part of the time he was under Captain Carter, part under Captain Hathaway, being a pri- vate in the Morris county militia. Hle re- ceived a pension from the government. Set- tling in Westmoreland county, Pa., he farmed there, living and dying in Derry township. His death occurred March 24, 1848, and he is buried in Salem Church cemetery. In 1790 he married Jane Brockoven or Brockover, a native of Morris county, N. J., daughter of Lieut. George Brockoven, who was an officer in the Revolutionary army. She died June 13, 1850, and is buried in Salem Church ceme- tery. Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Doty: Phoebe, born in 1792, who married John Hartley; Jonathan, born in 1794, who married Sarah Hartley; Mary, born Sept. 27, 1796, who married Alexander Henderson McCurdy; George, born Aug. 20, 1800; and Patience, born March 26, 1806, who married Daniel Dunlap.

(VII) John Doty was but three years old when the family moved to Grant township, In- diana county, where he grew to manhood amid (VI) George Doty, son of Nathaniel and Jane Doty, was born Aug. 20, 1800, in Derry township, Westmoreland county, and there grew to manhood. He made his home near New Salem, where he followed farming, and continued to live there until 1844, when with his wife and children he crossed the Cone- maugh river and came into Indiana county, locating in what is now Grant township, then a part of Montgomery township. Here he settled on 150 acres of land which was primitive surroundings. His educational op- portunities were limited to a few months' at- tendance in the winter season, but he has be- come a well-informed man by observation and in his varied experiences. Working at home with his father until he entered the Union army for service in the Civil war, he enlisted Aug. 13, 1864, in Company A, 206th Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the fighting Col. Hugh J. Brady and Capt. Thomas J. Moore. His command was attached owned by Newton Hastings, known as the to the 24th Army Corps, Army of the Poto- old Black farm, in the northern part of the mac. Mr. Doty was mustered into the United States service Aug. 26, 1864, and remained in the army until the close of the war. His regiment was the first to enter Richmond, and did guard duty in that city until the war was over. He was mustered out June 26, 1865. Returning home, he took up lumbering the following year, in the timber regions of Clear- field county, and was engaged in that line thirty years, handling hard square timber. He rafted down the Susquehanna river to Lock Haven and Marietta, and during his career in the business handled millions of feet of lumber. Meantime he also farmed in Burn- side township, that county, and conducted a small farm near the paternal homestead, hav- township. On this tract is what is known as "Doty's Round Top," one of the highest points in Indiana county. Here Mr. Doty settled down to pioneer life in what was then a wilderness, built a log house and log barn, and made many improvements on the land. As prosperity came to him he built a frame dwelling and barn, and he spent the remainder of his life on the farm, following general agri- culture and stock raising. He died there in 1879, and was buried in Gilgal cemetery. In politics he was originally a Whig, afterward a Republican. He was a man of upright life and character, highly esteemed by all his neighbors. In Westmoreland county he mar- ried Hannah Jelleson, who was born there, ing in 1873 purchased the Leonard Bates prop- daughter of Robert Jelleson, and she died on erty, a tract of sixty-two acres upon which the farm in 1877 and was buried in Gilgal he made extensive improvements. building a

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

fine large barn and substantial dwelling. Indiana State normal, and has taught public This place is now operated by his son Robert school for seven years. Clark Doty, justice of the peace. In 1898 The Stanley family, to which Mrs. Doty belongs, is of English and Scotch extraction. John T. Stanley, her father, was born April 1, 1809, in Adams county, Pa., son of William Stanley. He was a blacksmith by trade. Com- ing to Indiana county when a young man, he located at Kelleysburg, in Rayne township, where he followed his trade, later moving to East Mahoning township, where he established a shop north of Marion Center, on the place now owned by Benjamin Rochester. Later he moved to another location in East Mahon- ing township, near Ambrose, on the place now owned by Mr. Hopkins, and there followed general blacksmithing and horseshoeing. He was a thorough mechanic, known as an expert in his line. Selling out to James Bovard he moved to Richmond, in what is now Grant township (then part of Montgomery), and bought eighty acres of land from Thomas B. Allison, now owned by Frederick Smith. Here he settled down to farming and passed the remainder of his life, dying Nov. 27, 1887. He is buried in the Richmond cemetery. In politics a Whig and Republican, in turn, Mr. Stanley never took any active part in party affairs or public matters, and never would hold office ; he was elected justice of the peace, but would not qualify. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Doty bought his father's homestead. He continued lumbering until 1901, since which year he has given the principal part of his time and attention to stock raising and gen- eral farming, and although past the threescore and ten mark he is still active in both mind and body, in spite of the fact that he has worked hard from boyhood, undergoing many hardships in the course of his long career. He has made many improvements on the home- stead since settling there, and is not only en- terprising in the management of his own af- fairs but also interested in the general wel- fare, being a good citizen in every sense of the word. He is a strong believer in the pub- lic school system, has served one term as school director, and has also been township su- pervisor one term. Loyal to every cause he espouses, he is a valued and faithful worker for any movement with which he becomes as- sociated. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, at the time of the martyred presi- dent's second election, and he has been a con- sistent Republican ever since. He is a mem- ber of the G. A. R., belonging to Frank M. Brown Post No. 266, of Richmond, this coun- ty, has filled all the chairs in that body, and has been commander for the last five years. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., holding membership in the lodge at Marion Center, of which he is a past grand. and he belongs to the grand lodge of the State. His reli- gious connection is with the M. E. Church at Richmond.

In 1865 Mr. Doty married Ruth S. Stan- ley, who was born Feb. 18, 1845, daughter of John T. and Jane (Shields) Stanley. She, too, is a member of the M. E. Church. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doty : Robert Clark married Alice Avers and they have two children, Hilda and Wendell; Kate Iola married Forest B. Work, of Grant town- ship, and has two children; Hannah Jane married George O. Richardson, a merchant of Richmond, and has two children, Floyd L. and Joyce Iola; John Stanley is at home; George, now of Nebraska. married Elizabeth Whaley and has two children, Robbin Lester and Royal Clark; James Marshall, twin of

On March 21, 1842, Mr. Stanley married Jane Shields, a native of Washington town- ship. this county, born June 12, 1821. daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth (Speedy) Shields, old settlers of that township. She died March 6, 1901, at the home of her danghter, Mrs. Doty, who cared for her tenderly in her old age. and is buried in the same cemetery as her husband. She was also a member of the Pres- byterian Church. They had the following children : William Henry, born March 7. 1843; Ruth S., born Feb. 18. 1845, who mar- ried John Doty; John Shields, born Jan. 27, 1847. who is engaged in fruit growing at Sel- ma, Cal .; Clarissa Jane, born Jan. 23, 1849, who married William Huey, and died June 30, 1887; James Marshall, born April 27, 1851. who resides at Walla Walla. Wash .; and Edgar Cowan, born Sept. 17, 1854, who lives in Nebraska.

William Henry Stanley, the only brother George, also resides in Nebraska; Clar- Mrs. Doty has living in Indiana county, is a issa died when two years old; Pearl died in farmer and stock raiser of Grant township, where he owns a farm. He was a soldier in the Civil war. having enlisted Aug. 21. 1861.

infancy ; Iva N. lives at home; Elda Elezda was educated in the public schools, summer normals at Marchand and Richmond, and the in Company A, 61st Pennsylvania Volunteer

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Infantry, under Col. O. H. Rippey and Capt. wife of Joseph Lydick, a resident of Indiana; Jacob Creps and served over three years, be- George, who makes his home at Gettysburg; ing mustered out Sept. 7, 1864. He cast his Nancy, the wife of Dr. Rankin, of Ridgway, Pa .; Belle, who is unmarried; James, a resi- dent of Montgomery township; Samuel J .; and John, a resident of Indiana. first vote for Lincoln and has been a Repub- lican ever since, having voted for Taft in 1912. In 1890 he took the census in Grant township. For forty years he has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church, has also served as clerk of the session, and is deeply interested in the Sunday school, in which he is teacher of a class and superintendent. He was one of the organizers of the G. A. R. post at Richmond, and served ten years as com- mander of that body.

On Sept. 21, 1868, Mr. Stanley married Rachel Hammel, who was born in Center town- ship, Indiana county, Jan. 5, 1850, daughter of Robert and Jane (Tremmell) Hammel, and they have had children as follows: Desse Jane, born April 7, 1870, is married to Daw- son Knox, of North Mahoning township ; Rob- ert Gill, born Dec. 2, 1871, married Jennie Mills, and resides at Yonkers, N. Y .; John Meade, born April 6, 1875, died June 10, 1903, was an artist of ability (he was a mute) ; Otto Forbes, born June 30, 1876, is engaged as a lumberman in the western part of the State of Washington; Linus Shields, born Oct. 17, 1878, resides in Nebraska; James Ernest, born Sept. 22, 1881, resides in Chi- cago, Ill .; Bertha Bell, born Dec. 4, 1882, died in 1897; Hervey Gibson, born Oct. 11, 1884, is engaged in farming; Ida, born Jan. 3, 1887, lives at home; William Edgar, born April 11, 1890, is at home.

SAMUEL J. GETTY, whose well-cultivated farm is situated in White township, was born in Montgomery township, Indiana county, Jan. 27, 1861, son of Matthew and Nancy (McCartney) Getty.

Matthew Getty was born near Chambers- ville, in Rayne township, Indiana county, and there for some years conducted a general store. Subsequently he went to Montgomery township and founded the town of Gettys- burg, being engaged in merchandising at that place for a number of years, but later con- ducted a farm of 164 acres in White town- ship near the town of Indiana, residing, how- ever, in Indiana borough until his death, which occurred in 1893. Mrs. Getty passed away in 1896. She was the daughter of George McCartney, an early settler of Indi- ana, who lived on the present site of the State normal school in that town. Seven children were born to Matthew and Nancy (McCart- ney) Getty, namely: Margaret, who is the

Samuel J. Getty, son of Matthew Getty, attended public school at Gettysburg, and as a youth was reared to agricultural pursuits on the farm of his father. He also followed lumbering for a number of years, but in 1894 resumed farming, on his present property, which he has brought to a high state of cul- tivation. Mr. Getty has made numerous im- provements on this tract, and the substan- tial buildings, sleek and well-fed cattle, and general air of prosperity that pervades the place, speak eloquently of the presence of thrift and good management. General farm- ing has occupied his attention and his oper- ations have been deservedly successful.

In 1894 Mr. Getty was married to Cecilia Spicher, who was born in Montgomery town- ship, daughter of Samuel and Anna (Mc- Guire) Spicher, who still survive and reside in Montgomery township. Two children have been born to this union, Courtney and Ralph, both residing at home. Mr. Getty has always been a stanch friend of education and good citizenship, and at this time is serving in the capacity of school director of White township.

SHARP S. LANGHAM, lumber dealer of Dixonville, Indiana county, who is also en- - gaged in farming in Green township, this county, was born in that township, Aug. 21, 1874, son of Josiah and Susan (Conrath) Langham.

William Langham, the grandfather of Sharp S. Langham, came from eastern Pennsylvania to Indiana county in 1836, settling in Green township, where he took up timbered land, cleared it, and engaged in farming there throughout the remainder of his life.

Josiah Langham, son of William, and father of Sharp S. Langham, was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents to Indiana county in 1836. Like his father he was an agriculturist all of his life, and his death occurred in 1901. He married Susan Conrath, also a native of eastern Penn- sylvania, and the daughter of an early set- tler of Indiana county, and she died in 1905, the mother of six children, namely: Mary Ann, who married S. F. Baker, of Purchase Line, Indiana county; James W., who lives in Garrett, Ind .; Maggie, who married P. E. Decker, of Green township; Jennie, who mar-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ried Stephen T. Gibson, of Clymer, Pa .; Joseph A .; Mary A., deceased, who was the Harvey B., a lumber and coal dealer of Love- wife of Harry Short, a resident of Rayne joy, Pa .; and Sharp S.

Sharp S. Langham was educated in the public schools of Green township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, still being the owner of the old Green township family homestead. He continued under the parental roof until 1900, in which year he embarked in the lumber business, and for the last thirteen years has conducted mills in different lo- calities, having built up a large and flourish- ing business in that line.

On March 21, 1903, Mr. Langham was united in marriage with Dellie Kelly, who was born in Mechanicsburg, Brushvalley township, Indiana county, Jan. 15, 1884, daughter of James and Ida (Williams) Kelly, both of whom are living at Mechanics- burg, Mr. Kelly being engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Langham have two children, Effie and Ruby. Mrs. Langham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH A. WIDDOWSON, general farmer of Cherryhill township, who is en- gaged in cultivating the old Widdowson homestead, was born in that township Jan. 15, 1867, a son of Ebenezer and Susan (Ober) Widdowson.

Joseph Widdowson, grandfather of Joseph A. Widdowson, was born in Derby, England, and came to America at an early day, first settling in New York City, where he remained three years, and then coming to the northern part of Indiana county, Pa., near the present site of Dixonville. At the time that he came to this section there were only two houses in the town of Indiana. He had learned the trade of cabinet-maker in his native country, and this he followed throughout the remain- der of his life, in connection with farming on the old home place, where his death oc- curred Oct. 28, 1871.

Ebenezer Widdowson, son of Joseph, and father of Joseph A. Widdowson, was born in 1835 in Cherryhill township, Indiana Co., Pa., and throughout his life was engaged in cultivating the old home place where his father had settled on first arriving in this section. His death occurred July 25, 1910; his widow still survives and lives on the old homestead. She was born in 1841, in Fay- ette county, Pa., and became the mother of nine children, as follows: Clark B., who is proprietor of the leading general merchandise store at Penn Run, Pa .; Harvey D., a resi- dent of Rochester Mills, Indiana county ;

township; James, a resident of Westminster, Md., and dean of the Western Maryland Col- lege at that place; Dr. Frank, a practicing physician and surgeon of Philadelphia ; Anna, who lives at home with her mother; Olive, a student of Dr. White's Bible Teachers' Train- ing School, New York City, who has been accepted as a missionary in foreign field work; and William, who is residing at Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

David Ober, the maternal grandfather of Joseph A. Widdowson, was born in Fayette county, Pa., and during the early days came to Indiana county, where he engaged in work- ing at his trade of plasterer and bricklayer, being so employed until his death, which oc- curred in Cherryhill.

Joseph A. Widdowson spent his childhood on the home farm, and attended the district schools of the home vicinity, acquiring a good education and being trained in body and mind at the same time. His whole business career has been devoted to farming, and at the pres- ent time he has full charge of the old home- stead, which he has developed into one of the fine tracts of his section.

Mr. Widdowson was married, in 1897, in Green township, to Caroline Brilhart, who was born in Grant township, Indiana county. daughter of J. C. Brilhart, an old resident of Indiana county, where for many years he has been engaged in farming and lumbering. He now resides with his wife on the farm in Grant township. Of their six children, five still survive: Mrs. Widdowson; Harry, a resident of Grant township; Matthew, a resi- dent of Grant township; Belle, the wife of Robert Plowse, of Grant township; and Peter, who lives on the old homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Widdowson have had five children, all of whom are living at home: Harry, Glen, Max, Bessie and Jacob Panl. Mr. Widdowson and his family attend the German Baptist Church.

LOWRY C. KUNKLE, who is operating the Prof. J. T. Stewart farm, consisting of 110 acres, situated in Center township, Indi- ana Co., Pa., was born at Plumcreek, Arm- strong Co., Pa., Feb. 21, 1867, son of Michael and Amanda (Fry) Kunkle, and a grandson of Michael Kunkle.

Michael Kunkle, the grandfather, spent his life near Creekside, in Washington township, Indiana Co., Pa., where he owned and culti- vated land. He was a member of the Metho-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

dist Church. He married Elizabeth Ander- as a dealer in implements, sewing machines, son, who also died on the home farm, and to pianos, organs, etc., for a number of years, them the following children were born: Mar- and was one of the best known men in his garet, who married Thomas Stuchel; Eliza- line in this part of Indiana county. His upright life commanded respect wherever he was known. beth, who married Adam Carnahan; Chris- tina, who married Simon Fisher; Lavinia, who married John Patterson; Susannah, who married William McIntire; Mary, who mar- ried William J. Johnson ; Henry, who married Nancy Steer; Michael; Barbara; and John C., who married Sarah E. Dixon.

Michael Kunkle (2), son of Michael, was born in 1836, on the home farm in Washing- ton township, and later followed farming there until he removed to Armstrong town- ship, still later settling on the Taylor farm, in White township, where he spent some years before moving to Ohio. At the present time he is engaged in the livery business at Colum- bus, Ohio. He married Amanda Fry, daugh- ter of John Fry, and they had five children born to them, as follows: Annie, who is de- ceased; Agnes, who married B. R. Peelor; Lowry C .; Elizabeth, who married Thomas B. Glass, of Center township; and Minnie, twenty-eight battles and many skirmishes, who resides at Indiana.

Lowry C. Kunkle obtained his education in the public schools, and as he remained on the home place with his father lie was well instructed in general farming methods, in- cluding crop raising and stock breeding. He was only twenty-one years old when he be- borough; Mrs. Emma Cameron lives in Lans-

came manager of the horses raised on the Ortondale farm, belonging to A. D. Sutton, in White township, where he spent six years. From there he went to Indiana, and became foreman at the J. M. Cunningham livery stable, continuing there for six years. Mr. Kunkle then returned to the country, and for the following six years operated what was then the Johnston farm of 110 acres, in Center township, continuing there after the farm changed ownership, having been pur- chased by Prof. J. T. Stewart, a well-known educator and historian, in 1905. Mr. Kunkle has full charge of all the farm industries and has made his management satisfactory to the owners.

Mr. Kunkle married Lydia Johnston, a daughter of John S. Johnston, and they have three children: Margaret, Dale John and Thomas Paul. Mr. Kunkle and family are members of the Baptist Church. In his polit- ical views he is a Republican.

Mr. Moorhead was born July 13, 1846, son of David Moorhead. The father was born in 1816 in Hagerstown, Washington Co., Md., and there followed farming. Selling his farm, he engaged in the tanning business in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and in 1870 he moved to Cherryhill township, Indiana county, settling at Taylorsville, where he bought a farm and resumed agricultural pursuits. He lived there until his death, which occurred Sept. 21, 1900. On Aug. 15, 1839, he married, in Franklin county, Pa., Lydia Hahn, who sur- vived him, dying Jan. 25, 1906. Mr. Moor- head was a member of the M. E. Church for forty years. In politics he was a Republican, and during the Civil war he was a Union sympathizer, enlisting for service in the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves. He took part in and was once wounded, receiving a bullet in his left hip which he carried with him to the grave. Mr. and Mrs. Moorhead had a family of eight children: Samuel N. is mentioned below; Robert lives in West Virginia; Mrs. Annie McFetters is a resident of Indiana

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 87

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