Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 92

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 92

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the work of redeeming his land. At first his holdings consisted of eighty-four acres, but he added to his farm until he had 131 acres, all well improved, when, in 1897, he moved to Smicksburg, which has since been his place of residence. For six years he was postmaster at Smicksburg, and for ten years held the office of school director, while he also served in other capacities. Originally a Whig, he later became a Republican. In addition to his other lines of endeavor, for the past sixty years, Mr. Lewis has worked as a stonemason when there was a demand for his services.

Like so many of the older generation, Cap- tain Lewis has a very interesting war record, having enlisted on Aug. 27, 1861, in Company A, 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Orr, Kittanning, Pa .; he was made second sergeant. The regiment was sent to Louisville, Ky., and he participated in the battles of Nashville; La Vergne, Oct. 2. 1862; Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862, and Jan. 1, 1863; Hoover's Gap, June 24, 1863; Tullahoma, July 1, 1863; Dug Alpine, Sept. 11, 1863; Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863; Chattanooga, Nov. 23, 1863; Lookout Mountain, Nov. 24, 1863 ; Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863: Rocky Face Ridge including Tunnel Hill. Mill Creek. Buzzard's Roost and Snake Creek Gap; Dalton, May 5 to 9, 1864; Resaca. May 13, 1864; Adamsville, May 17, 1864; Dallas, Ga., also called New Hope Church; Burnt Hickory; Pumpkin Vine Creek; Allatoona Hills ; Kenesaw Mountain. June 9 to 30: Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864; Atlanta, July 22, 1864, and Pulaski, in September, 1864. receiv- ing his honorable discharge Nov. 4, 1864. For three months over one year he served as second lieutenant. After his return he served as captain in the Pennsylvania National

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Guard for six years. For years 'Captain pioneer of the family built the "Stone Lewis belonged to the G. A. R. Post at Plum- ville, Pa., having been its first commander. At present he belongs to the Veterans' Society at Smicksburg, as well as the Veteran Legion, Camp No. 29, organized at Smicksburg. Since 1850 he has belonged to the Baptist Church and is active in its good work.

In 1851 Captain Lewis was married to Catherine Keel, of Canoe township, Indiana Co., Pa., daughter of Jacob Keel, a Baptist minister, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., but later located at Plumville, Pa., and still later lived in Canoe township, this county, where he engaged in farming in addition to his ministerial work. His death

was a well-known man in both Indiana and Jefferson counties. By this marriage Cap- tain Lewis had children as follows: Elizabeth married J. H. Colkett, and both are deceased ; Cyrena is deceased; Jane D. married James Stiteler, of Nebraska; Milton K., who is a stonemason, of Smicksburg, Pa., married Edith McCurdy; Addie A. married William Stiteler and (second) George Irwin, of Smicksburg; James N., who is a carpenter of Smicksburg, married Minnie Dinkle; John Newton, who is a stonemason and bricklayer as well as cement contractor of Smicksburg, married Lulu De Lancey ; Elmer and Eleanor are twins; the former married Clara Stiteler and lives in Oregon; the latter married Charles McCurdy and (second) George Min- nick, of Porter township, Jefferson Co., Pa .; Margaret died in infancy ; Susanna May mar- ried Homer Hillbury, of Plumville, Pa .; Mol- lie died in infancy; Myrtle Edith married George Miller, of Johnstown, Pa. The mother of this family died in 1889, aged fifty-four years. The second wife of Captain Lewis was Sarah R. Neff, of South Mahoning town- ship, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Jane Neff. Mr. and Mrs. Neff were early settlers of South Mahoning township, coming from easteru Pennsylvania; he was a farmer, and died when ninety-three years old, his widow surviving until she was ninety-four years old. Four years after marriage Mrs. Sarah R. Lewis died, and Captain Lewis subse- quently married Lydia Work Lewis, of South Mahoning township, a daughter of Ephraim Lewis, a justice of the peace for over thirty

House" now occupied by John B. McCormick in West Mahoning township, and was a man well and favorably known in this locality. Ephraim Lewis and his wife spent their lives in South Mahoning township in the house now occupied by his son Enoch Lewis. He was a man whose probity was unquestioned and he had many friends in his neighborhood. Mrs. Lydia W. (Lewis) Lewis died in Jan- uary, 1902.

Captain Lewis is one of the best examples of the high type of American citizenship Indiana county possesses. True and tried, he proved his patriotism beyond any question on the battlefield and in private life, and al- occurred in South Mahoning township. He though now somewhat advanced in years can still be counted upon whenever his services are needed.

JESSE BENTON WALTEMIRE, a farmer of Pine township, was born in Cherryhill township, this county, Nov. 17, 1869, son of John A. Waltemire, grandson of George Waltemire and great-grandson of John Wal- temire.

John Waltemire was a native of eastern Pennsylvania, and moved with his family to Indiana county, settling in Cherryhill town- ship, where he purchased land. Until his death he operated this property, his youngest son succeeding him in its ownership. Seven of his nine sons served in the Civil war, they being Charles, Adam, Jacob, Henry, George, Daniel (2) and William. The others were Daniel, the eldest, and John, the youngest.

George Waltemire, son of John Waltemire, was born after the family migrated to Indiana county, and when he reached mature years went to Pine township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for many years. After the expiration of his three years' enlistment for service in the Civil war he reenlisted, for another three years, but was mustered out at the close of the war.

George Waltemire married Matilda Fetter- man, a daughter of Philip Fetterman, and their children were: Lydia died in childhood ; John A. became the father of Jesse Benton ; Caroline married Miles Fetterman ; Elizabeth died in childhood ; William is living in Cherry- hill township; Nancy married Luther Buter- baugh ; Frank is living on the old John Walte- years in South Mahoning township; the mire farm in Cherryhill township. The death maiden name of his wife was Farnsworth. of George Waltemire occurred in Pine town- ship when he was seventy years of age, and His parents settled in Indiana county when the four Mahoning townships were in one, his remains were interred in Mt. Zion ceme- and they had only one voting place. The tery, that township.

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John A. Waltemire, son of George Walte- garded as one of the substantial citizens of mire, was born in Indiana county Feb. 20, Pine township. 1848. For a number of years he farmed for others, first for a Mr. Huston, above Huston- STAHL. The Stahl family is numbered among the representatives of good government and desirable citizenship in Indiana county, and has a very interesting record. ville in Cherryhill township. Leaving him, Mr. Waltemire went to the vicinity of Heil- wood, where he remained for a period, and then locating at Twolick spent four years and six months there. Following this he came to Pine township and bought 124 acres of land now the property of his son Jesse Benton Waltemire. For many years he operated this farm, and on retiring moved to Indiana city, where he became the janitor of the East End public school, retaining that position for two years. His death occurred Dec. 6, 1905, and he was buried in Greenwood cemetery, at Indiana.

On Aug. 6, 1868, John A. Waltemire mar- ried Susan Rairigh, a daughter of Peter Rai- righ, and they had children as follows : Minnie, who married James Calhoun of Creekside; Venona, who married H. S. Buchanan, of Indiana, Pa .; Griffith, of Heilwood; and Jesse Benton.

Jesse Benton Waltemire attended the pub- lic schools of Pine township and was reared to healthy young manhood on the farm. For some years he was in his father's employ, working on the homestead, which is located two miles west of Heilwood and recognized as being one of the best agricultural prop- erties in that section. Since coming into possession of the farm Mr. Waltemire has built a new residence and barn according to modern ideas and plans. The property is heavily underlaid with coal, which his father sold to the Heilwood Company. In addition to general farming Mr. Waltemire is now en- gaged as a breeder of fine horses, owning a valuable stallion now two years old, named Max Black "Perclim." This stallion weighs 1,300 pounds and is of registered stock.

Mr. Waltemire was married to Ellen Bow- ers, a daughter of Alexander and Miriam (Steffy) Bowers, of Pine township, and they are the parents of the following family : John A., Alice and J. Blaine.

While Mr. Waltemire has never been will- ing to take any active part in politics, he is a Republican in belief. The family attend the Methodist Church and are faithful mem- bers of that denomination. An excellent farmer and progressive business man, Mr. Waltemire has not only succeeded in better- ing his own condition, but has advanced his community very materially and is justly re- mer, Pennsylvania.

Peter Stahl, the American founder of the family, is recorded as of German birth. He came from his native land when still a young man to the United States, and located in Nit- tany Valley, Center Co., Pa. Later on in life he moved to Indiana county, being one of the early settlers of what is now Rayne town- ship. Still later he pushed further west to the State of Indiana, where he passed away at an advanced age. His family was as fol- lows: John, Peter, Isaac, George, Elias, Wil- liam, Reuben, Samuel, Catherine and Fannie. Although but little has come down to his descendants regarding Peter Stalıl, it is known that he was a man of energy and thrifty habits, who had faith in the development of new sections of the country, and took ad- vantage of the opportunities offered the pioneers of any locality. By braving the hardships of pioneer life he was able to se- cure government land, and became a man of affluence.

Samuel Stahl, son of Peter Stahl, was born in Center county, Pa., and came with his father to Indiana county. His farming oper- ations, which were on a somewhat extensive scale, were conducted in Rayne, Cherryhill and Pine townships, and he died upon his property of eighty-two acres in Cherryhill township when he was seventy-two years old. His remains were laid to rest in the Lutheran graveyard in Brushvalley.

Samuel Stahl married Elizabeth Bence, a daughter of John Bence, and she passed away in 1855, leaving five children: Susanna, who married Caleb Snyder; Mary, who married J. D. Spicher; Catherine, who married Dan Spicher, a brother of J. D. Spicher; William B., who is a contractor of Indiana. Pa .; and Samuel R.

After the death of his first wife Samuel Stahl married (second) Nancy Coy, a daugh- ter of John Coy, and by this union he had seven children: Sarah, who married John Dick; Naney, who married Shemp Gressley; Rachel, who married Henry Coy; Ida, who married Stanerd Loughry: Peter, who is liv- ing in Wisconsin; John, who is living at Ilomer City, Pa .; and Adam, living at Cly-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

SAMUEL R. STAHL, a farmer of Pine town- succeeded in his endeavors, he is often called ship, Indiana county, was born in Rayne upon for advice, and his example is followed township Dec. 13, 1853, son of Samuel Stahl, by many who are less experienced in agricul- mentioned above. Growing up amid the tural matters. healthy and sensible rural surroundings of HARRY D. STAHL, a farmer of Pine town- ship, who is also engaged in teaming for the Heilwood Company, was born in Cherryhill township Oct. 13, 1877, son of Samuel R. Stahl. He attended the excellent schools of his native township, and at the same time learned farming in all its details from his father, with whom he remained until attain- ing his majority. At that time he went to Vandergrift, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and for five years was a boss buckler in the steel mills at that point, proving his value as a man and developing into a desirable citizen. When he was twenty-six years old he decided to return to the soil, and located two miles to the south of Heilwood, Pa., in Pine town- ship, upon a fifty-one-acre farm, belonging to Jackson Lemmon. At the same time he engaged with the Heilwood Company'to do their teaming and hauling in his neighbor- hood, and still continues that connection to the satisfaction of all parties, for he is reliable and trustworthy, and can follow this line of business along with his farming. a farm, he attended the schools of his district during the winter months, and made himself useful to his father in the summertime. He continued with his father until he was twenty- two years old, and then began lumbering in Green township during the winter, continu- ing agricultural operations in the summer for a period of twenty years. By that time his farming interests had grown so large that he retired from lumbering to devote all his time to them. Buying a farm in Cherryhill township of 117 acres, he conducted it so suc- cessfully that he added to his holdings until he now owns 231 acres there. This property had been his home for a quarter of century when he retired to Heilwood, in Pine town- ship. Following this he purchased another farm of 144 acres, but later sold it to the Heilwood Company, and in 1910 bought his present farm in Pine township, consisting of seventy-seven acres, upon which he is now living, renting his Cherryhill farm. He operates his Pine township property him- self with very gratifying results, for he un- derstands his business thoroughly, and in his successful methods sets an example to his neighbors.

Samuel R. Stahl married Maggie Rhodes. a daughter of David and Ann (Duncan) Rhodes, and she died at the age of twenty- two years, leaving one child, Harry D., of Pine township. After her death Mr. Stahl married (second) Nancy Olive Homes, a daughter of George and Elvina (Dinwiddie or Dinwiddy) Homes, and she died in 1891, the mother of five children: Blanche, who married Frank Coy; Clair; Ward; Spear; and Royal, who died in infancy. Mr. Stahl married (third) Hannah Highfield, a daugh- ter of Reed and Jane (Barr) Highfield, and they have eight children : John, Rosie, Goldie,

On June 27, 1906, Mr. Stahl was married to Vianna Lemmon, a daughter of Jackson and Isabella (Allison) Lemmon. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have had four children: Isabella and John, who died in infancy; Roy Ward, and Harry Carl.

In political belief Mr. Stahl, like his father, is a Republican, but as yet has not found opportunity to serve his community in a pub- lic capacity, his time being fully occupied with his private affairs. The Greenville Pres- byterian Church holds his membership and benefits by his generosity. Although still a young man, Mr. Stahl has made his worth felt, and is justly recognized as one of the leading men and successful agriculturists of Pine township.

LEMMON. The Lemmon family originated Earl, Esther Ruth, Ila, Vernie and Murray. in Ireland, and its present-day members have

A strong Republican, Mr. Stahl has been inherited many of the brilliant characteris- tics of the sons of Erin which have placed them in leading positions throughout the sylvania are proud of the fact that they are called upon to serve his township as super- visor of Pine township for four years, and prior to that held the same office for six country. Those of this family living in Penn- years in Cherryhill township. The family belong to the Lutheran Church, to which Mr. of Irish stock. Stahl gives hearty and earnest support. Dur- John Lemmon, the founder of the Lemmon family in America, was born in Ireland, came to the United States when still a young man, ing his useful life he has always favored those movements which he deemed had for their object the advancement of his section, or the and settling in Pine township, Indiana Co., bringing about of needed reforms. Having Pa., began clearing off a tract of land. At

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that time this part of Indiana county was in the wilderness, and the pioneers had to be hardy indeed to survive and prosper under so many hardships. Upon this land John Lemmon built a log cabin near the present farm of Harry D. Stahl, whose wife is John Lemmon's granddaughter. Later, as the needs of his family increased, Mr. Lemmon built a second log cabin, and there he died. Coming of sturdy stock, he enjoyed hard work and did not shirk any duties laid upon him by the pioneer surroundings. He mar- ried Margaret Graham, and these children were born to them: Solomon, John, James, William, Henry, Jackson, Jonathan, Jacob, Sarah Jane and Della.

Jackson Lemmon, son of John Lemmon, and father of Mrs. Stahl, was born in the sec- ond log cabin built by his father, in Pine township. His educational training was se- cured in the local schools, which were crude affairs at that time. However, although the advantages were few, the children attending them learned thoroughly what was taught them, and later developed into a fine class of men and women. As soon as old enough Jackson Lemmon began learning the car- penter's trade, and followed that line of work for many years, building many of the most substantial dwellings and barns in his neigh- borhood. For this and other reasons he be- came a well-known man, and always held the confidence and deepest respect of all who knew him.

Jackson Lemmon married Isabella Allison, who survives him, making her home in Pine township. They became the parents of the and after the death of his father continued to following children: John, who died in his third year; and Vianna, who is Mrs. Harry D. Stahl.

Like the other members of his family, Mr. Lemmon was a Republican, but did not desire office, believing he could accomplish more as a private citizen than in public life. For many years he was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in that faith March 31, 1905. His remains were tenderly laid to rest in the old Harmony cemetery in Cherryhill township, Indiana county.

Jackson Lemmon had a very interesting war record, for he was one of the men who volunteered during the Civil war as soldiers to fight in defense of the Union. He enlisted Sept. 19, 1861, in Company F, 55th Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and reenlisted in the same company on Jan. 1, 1864, serving until the close of hostilities. He participated in the following battles: Edisto Island,

March 29, 1862; Pocotaligo, Oct. 22, 1862; Old Town Creek, May 9, 1864; Proctor's Creek, May 13, 1864; Drury's Bluff, May 14- 16, 1864; Foster's Plantation, May 19, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864; Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864; Cemetery Hill, July 30, 1864; Chapin's Farm, Sept. 29, 1864; Signal Hill, Dec. 10, 1864; Hatcher's Run, March 30- April 2, 1865; capture of Petersburg . and Richmond, April 2-9, 1865; Rieves Station, April 6, 1865; and Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865, being mustered out after a long and gallant service, Aug. 30, 1865. Few sol- diers saw harder service or were braver than he, for he never neglected a duty or shrank from dangerous positions, and he was honored accordingly during the remainder of his use- ful life.

JOHN E. DOUGLASS, who has occupied his fine farm of 160 acres in Green township since 1903, is a son of William and Mary (Mc- Kissick) Douglass, and a grandson of Barn- abas Douglass. The grandparents were na- tives of Ireland. Upon coming to America they first settled in Philadelphia, later mov- ing to Cambria county, Pa., where they re- mained about eighteen years. At the end of that time the family came to Indiana county, purchasing a large tract of land, where Barna- bas Douglass continued to reside until his death. He had a family of five children, all now deceased.

William Douglass, father of John E. Doug- lass, was born in 1808 in Cambria county, Pa., came to Indiana county with his parents,

farm on the place where the family had set- tled until his death, which occurred in 1886. He married Mary McKissick, a native of Indi- ana county, daughter of Thomas McKissick, who was born in Scotland and on coming to America settled in Indiana county, Pa., where he bought land in Green township and farmed until his death. Mrs. Mary (Mc- Kissick) Douglass died in 1865, on the old Douglass homestead. She and her husband were the parents of nine children, the eldest being Jonathan, a resident of Green town- ship, this county; William is deceased; Martha is deceased; Barnabas lives in Green township; Thomas E. is deceased; Joseph is deceased ; John E. is mentioned below; Sadie is the wife of John Baker, of Cambria county, Pa .; Thaddeus lives in Montgomery township, this county.

John E. Douglass was born Jan. 13, 1852, and received his education in the common

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schools of Green township. He has always home. The parents of this family are mem- been accustomed to farming, remaining on bers of the Church of God at Pine Grove. the old home place until after his marriage, when he bought a farm in Green township LEWIS S. WISSINGER, a veteran of the Civil war, now living in White township, Indiana county, is a member of a family which has been established in Pennsylvania since the time of the Revolution. His grand- father, Ludwig Wissinger, a native of Ger- many, served three years in Washington's army during that war. He married and lo- cated in Cambria county, Pa., where he fol- lowed farming, and subsequently lived in Somerset county, this State, where he died. upon which he remained for twenty-eight years, carrying on general farming. From there he came to his present place, in 1903, having a fine tract of 168 acres devoted to general agricultural work and stock raising. He has given practically all his time and at- tention to the operation of this place, which he is cultivating profitably, but he has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of school director. Politically he is a Democrat.

In 1873 Mr. Douglass married Drusilla Garman, who was born in Cambria county, Pa., daughter of Peter and Lucinda (Dunkle) Garman, natives of Indiana county, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Garman was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Douglass was one of seven children born to her parents, viz .: Sadie, a resident of Cherrytree; Eliz- abeth, deceased; Daniel, a resident of Cam- bria county; Mary Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Andrew Trout; Drusilla, Mrs. Douglass; Frank, a resident of Tyrone, Pa .; and Elmira, deceased. By his second mar- riage Peter Garman had six children: Mal- vina, wife of Charles Riddle; Etta, wife of John Daugherty, of Indiana; Emma, wife of Harvey Kirkendolph, of Spokane, Wash .; Harry, a resident of Jeannette, Pa .; Treet, wife of Dr. Charles Burham, a resident of Jeannette, Pa .; and another daughter.

Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Douglass: Harry, who lives at Dallas, Oregon, married Mae Griffith, of Indiana county, and they have six children, Blair, Velma, Gay, Beulah, Drusilla J. and Mildred M. Guy, a resident of Potter county, Pa., married Cora Stackweather, and they have one child, Linus; he had three children by his first wife, Cora Mahan, Loy, Drusilla and

Dora. Sadie is the wife of John Crumley, of Montgomery township, this county, and they have ten children, Edgar, Cecil, Flay, John, Elsie Mae, Hope, Elizabeth, Guy, Loy and Roy. Peter is living at home. Stanley, living in Green township, married Elsie Lloyd, of Indiana county, and their four children are Kenneth, Gideon, Gay and Lil- farm work until his enlistment, Sept. 22, lian. Barnabas M., living in Green township, 1862, for three years or during the war, in the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under the command of Capt. David K. Duff and Col. James M. Shoonmaker. In the fall of 1862 they went into camp at Harper's Ferry, form- ing an independent division under General Averill. Their first battle was at Rocky Gap, married Lucy McDonald, of Indiana county, and they have five children, Loletta, Sheldon, David, Harlie and Martha. Zoella is the wife of Marvin Sommerville, a resident of Cherrytree, Pa., and they have two children, Martha and John E. Charles is living at

David Wissinger, son of Ludwig, was born in 1797 in Somerset county, and there mar- ried Mary Wertz, of the same county. He was a farmer all of his life. In 1839 they came to this part of the State, settling first in Plumcreek township, Armstrong county, and in 1847 moving to Washington township, Indiana county, locating on Dutch run. There they passed the remainder of their long lives, Mr. Wissinger dying at that place in April, 1883, Mrs. Wissinger in 1886. They were Dunkards in religious faith. Mr. Wis- singer was a Democrat until Buchanan's term, when he changed his allegiance to the Re- publican party. Ten children were born to him and his wife: Susie, who married John Johnston, of Armstrong county; Jacob, of Indiana county, who married Jane Adams; Catherine, Mrs. George Orris, deceased; Ellis, deceased, who married a Miss Moore ; Stephen, of Armstrong county, who married Nancy Corney; Margaret, unmarried; Hettie, who married Joseph S. Fry, of Washington town- ship, Indiana county ; John W., who married Margaret Dickinson, and died at Hannibal, Mo .; Lewis S .; and Andrew, who married Ellen Dixon, and died near Seattle, Wash- ington.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 92

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