Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 96

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 96

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Samuel S. Lucas, son of William B. Lucas, obtained his early education in the public schools of Washington township, and later took a course in the select schools. In 1894 he went to Pittsburg, Pa., where for the three years following he was engaged in clerking in a store, and on his return to Indiana be- came associated with W. H. Clawson, with whom he continued for. three years. At the end of that time Mr. Lucas was married and came to his present farm, where he has since carried on general farming, stock raising and dairying, and in addition conducts what is known as the Littster Mineral Springs, hav- ing the only business of its kind in the county. He sells his goods in Indiana, Pa. A man of enterprise, ambition and progressive ideas, he has won success through the medium of his own efforts, and his operations have been carried on in such a manner as to gain and retain the respect and esteem of his fellow-

On May 14, 1896, Mr. Lucas married Katie M. Littster, who was born in the town of Indiana Feb. 4, 1879, daughter of Alex- ander and Emma (Snyder) Littster, and three daughters have been born to this union : Gladys Roselda, Garnet Eldora and Sarah Margaret.

William Littster, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lucas, came with his family to In-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

diana county, Pa., from Scotland, and settled engaged in the manufacture of shoes for on a farm near the town of Indiana, being eight years. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union engaged in agricultural pursuits during the army, serving with Company F, 206th Regi- remainder of his life. ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as-

Alexander Littster, son of William Litt- sisted in building Fort Brady, and later was ster, was born in Scotland, and as a lad sent up to Richmond, Va., where he was on learned the trade of blacksmith. For some guard duty, etc., for five months, being thus years he followed his trade in the vicinity of. engaged until the close of his service. He Indiana, but eventually turned his attention was mustered out July 1, 1864. Having been to farming, purchasing the property on located with his regiment in the City Hall at which Mr. and Mrs. Lucas now live, where he Richmond he had the opportunity of meet- carried on operations until his death in 1906. ing many of the noted men of the day, includ- He and his wife had only one child, Katie M. ing Lincoln, Grant, Lee and Stanton.

George Snyder, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Lucas, was one of the early settlers of Indiana county, and for a number of years conducted the "West End Hotel" in the town of Indiana, subsequently turning his attention to the meat business and eventually living in retirement until his death, which occurred in the town of Indiana. His daugh- ter Emma, the mother of Mrs. Lucas, died Sept. 4, 1883.

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are consistent mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and are known for their liberality and their willing- ness to support all movements of a worthy nature. Both have many friends in Indiana Mr. Churchill was united in marriage June 19, 1856, with Elizabeth Rank, daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann Rank, farming people, and they have had a large family, of whom Albert, Edward, Clara Ann (Mrs. Stevens), Jesse D. and Bertha are deceased. The six county, drawn about them by their admirable traits of character. As a citizen whose intelli- gence and public spirit lead him to take part in those activities which commend themselves to his good judgment, Mr. Lucas is a recog- nized leader in everything that promises to be who survive are: (1) Mary Almeda married of benefit to his community, and as such is entitled to place among Indiana county's rep- resentative men.

PHILANDER CHURCHILL, a leading citizen of Hillsdale and all that part of In- diana county, proprietor of the principal store and postmaster, has been in the general mercantile business there continuously since 1865. He is one of the most successful men of his section, and one of the most highly respected. Mr. Churchill was born March 22, 1832, in Montgomery township, Indiana county, and was an adopted son of John L. and Maria (Hazlett) Churchill, the former of whom was from New York, the latter a native of Bellefonte, Pa. John L. Churchill was a shoemaker and farmer. He came to Indiana county in 1831, and later moved West, where he died in 1891. Mrs. Churchill died in 1880 in Armstrong county, Pennsyl- vania.

' Philander Churchill was educated in the public schools. When a young man he was

Returning to his home at Hillsdale, in Montgomery township, Indiana Co., Pa., he opened the general store in that town, in 1865, which he has ever since carried on, at present commanding a large patronage, drawn from a wide radius of territory around that center. In 1873 he became postmaster at Hillsdale, and with the exception of four years has held that office continuously since, his efficiency and generally satisfactory serv- ice making him a highly desirable incumbent of the position. He has served two terms as secretary of the Montgomery township school board.

James Weaver, of Burnside, Pa., who died leaving five children, Olive, Della, Samuel, Lyle and Herbert. . Mrs. Weaver remarried, being now the wife of Wesley Standish, of Brownsville, Oregon. (2) Sarah Frances is the wife of James D. Ake, a farmer at Hills- dale, this county. (3) William T., now en- gaged in farming in Montgomery township, married Elva Spicher, and they have had five children, of whom Ruth, Edward and Paul survive; John and Elkin are deceased. (4) George R., a dentist, of Indiana, this county, married Ollie Hazlett, who died leaving chil- dren, Winona, Donald and Martha. This second marriage took place in October, 1911. (5) Dr. M. E., a dentist, at Arcadia, Indiana county, married Pearl Wissell, of Indiana county. (6) John S. married Maud McEl- hinny, of Mahaffey, Pa., daughter of James P. and Lora M. McElhinny, and they have one child, Helen Ruth. John S. Churchill works in the store with his father and also conducts a barber business. Of the deceased, Bertha married D. Ford Rankin, who was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

killed by a horse, and later became the wife

served about fifteen months when he was of James A. Smith. Jesse D., who was a killed, May 20, 1864, in the battle of the merchant at Cookport, Pa., married Alice Wilderness. James, born Jan. 30, 1833, made Houk, and left two children, Valjean (who is his home in Worth county, Mo., and died in a clerk in his grandfather Churchill's store) and Ivan (at home) ; he died March 10, 1903.

Mr. and Mrs. Philander Churchill have had a married life of over fifty-six years. They are members of the Wesleyan M. E. Church at Hillsdale, which Mr. Churchill formerly served as trustee.

ALLEN S. GRAHAM, a prominent farmer of Buffington township, Indiana county, is on the homestead originally settled by his great- grandfather. It has never been out of the family name since. Mr. Graham engages in general farming, truck gardening and stock raising, is an extensive dealer in live stock, and has taken an active part in the adminis- tration of public affairs in the township.

John Graham, the pioneer of the family in this region, was an early settler in what is now Buffington township, Indiana county, locating on a tract of 200 acres, upon which he made the first improvements, and which has since been occupied by his descendants. Here he married Ann Henry and they had children as follows: James; Samuel, who married Mary Marshall; John, who married Rebecca Stephens; Jane (Jennie), who mar- ried William Duncan; Ann, who married John Duncan; Mary, who married Maj. James Stewart; Margaret, who married John Lemon; William; and Sarah, who married Joseph or Samuel Duncan.

William Graham, son of John and Ann (Henry) Graham, was born July 22, 1805, in what is now Buffington township, and other public offices, and was prominent in here followed agricultural pursuits, in which all local affairs. In politics he was a Repub- lican, in religious connection a member of the M. E. Church at Strongstown, in Pine town- ship. He died on the farm Aug. 3, 1903. In the fall of 1861, Mr. Graham enlisted in Com- pany K, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry. he prospered, acquiring the ownership of five farms, with a total area of over seven hun- dred acres. He raised a large amount of stock. His home was always on the place settled by his father, now occupied by his grandson Allen S. Graham. He was one of the influential citizens of the township in his day. His wife, Mary (McFeaters), born Nov. 27, 1808, died Feb. 23, 1871, surviving him a number of years, his death having oc- curred June 8, 1853. They were buried in the McCartney cemetery in Buffington town-

On Jan. 7, 1868, Mr. Graham married Mrs. Annie (Davis) Hanna, who was born March 15, 1838, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Rainey) Davis, and widow of Thomas Hanna, who died in Andersonville prison. Mrs. Graham died Sept. 11, 1911. She had ship. We have the following record of the two children by her first marriage, viz .: ten children born to them: John, born July 18, 1829, died Nov. 13, 1829. William, born Aug. 21, 1830, married Jane Duncan ; during the Civil war he enlisted in Company I, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and had

1906; during the Civil war he served nearly. three years in Company I, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was captured, being held prisoner at Belle Isle for eight weeks; he married Zilla Lydie, and they had children, William S., John W., Harry S. and Robert. John (2) is mentioned below. Andrew, born Nov. 27, 1837, died Feb. 1, 1838. Samuel, born Feb. 4, 1839, married Sarah Ann Blade (or Blades), and died July 7, 1908. Nancy Jane, born Dec. 20, 1841, married William H. Robertson, and died in 1872. A daughter died in infancy in June, 1847. Robert S., born June 28, 1847, served during the Civil war in the 2d Battalion, Pennsylvania six months' volunteers; he now resides in Worth county, Mo .; he married Jemima Empfield, and they have children, Chalmers D., Edward and Minnie ; a son born in 1868 died the same year.

John Graham was born Oct. 12, 1835, on the farm in what is now Buffington (then Pine) township where he passed all his life. He attended subscription school, but began work at an early age, and as his father died when he was a youth the management of the home place fell to him when he was only a young man. On this place-the tract of 1211% acres which has always been called the Graham homestead-he lived and worked with the exception of the time he was in the army during the Civil war, following general farming, lumbering and stock raising. He served three terms as township assessor, held

Emma V., born March 8, 1859, who married Tobias How and resides in Ohio; William E., born in September, 1860, who died May 29, 1895. Six children were born to her union with Mr. Graham: Harry White, born Oct.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

19. 1868, was a dentist at Johnstown, Pa., and died July 24, 189 -. Thomas Davis, born Feb. 10, 1871, died Dec. 19, 1901; he married Gertrude Engler, and they had a son John Harold. Allen S. is mentioned below. Elbert Stewart, born June 22, 1875, died Oct. 14, 1899. Mabel Pearl, born Dec. 7, 1876, mar- ried George Duncan, and died Sept. 29, 1901; they had one son, Russell. Anna Bertha, born June 1, 1880, died July 30, 1898.

Allen S. Graham was born Feb. 1, 1873, in Buffington township, and there attended the Duncan school. He followed farming as his father's assistant, and also engaged in lum- bering and sawmill work, and for one year, 1899 to 1900, was a fireman on the Pennsyl- vania railroad. Returning home he settled down to farming on the old place where the family has been settled since the time of his great-grandfather-the 1211/2-acre tract-now owning and operating 350 acres. Along with general farming and stock raising he has established an extensive trade as a dealer in live stock. The original homestead has been well taken care of under his management and he has a comfortable home there. His par- ents resided with him until they died. With all his private affairs he has also taken an interest in matters of importance to the com- munity generally, and has given efficient serv- ice as supervisor of roads, holding that office at present. In political association he is a Republican.

Mr. Graham married Cora Bennett, daugh- ter of Abraham and Margaret (McAdams) Bennett. She was born May 24, 1876, and died April 22, 1897, leaving one child, Harry Clement, born April 9, 1897. Mrs. Graham was interred in Strongstown cemetery.

MATTHEW B. WYNKOOP, a well and favorably known resident of Rayne township, Indiana county, where he has served sixteen years as school director, was born Feb. 14, 1841, son of Matthew B. and Mary (Vanlier) Wynkoop. His paternal grandparents were of Holland Dutch and Scotch descent, respec- tively. They had a family of eight children.

Matthew B. Wynkoop, Sr., was born Jan. 13, 1795, in Indiana county, and followed farming all his life, meeting with substantial success in his chosen calling. He became the owner of the farms now owned and operated by his sons Matthew B. and James S., which he bought from Thomas White, the father of Judge White. He died in 1878, in his eighty- fourth year. By his first wife, Elizabeth (Work). Mr. Wynkoop had four children,

namely: Agnes, John W., Jane F. and Eliz- abeth J. His second marriage was to Mary Vanlier, by whom he had eight children: Robert C., Lucinda V., Matthew B., William M., James S., George S., Emily and Gerardus.

Matthew B. Wynkoop, son of Matthew B. and Mary (Vanlier) Wynkoop, served in the Civil war under two enlistments, the first time June 26, 1863, for six months, in the 2d Battalion, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was in Company A, under Capt. Thomas More, and saw no field service, being engaged in guarding the railroad in western Virginia, from Baltimore to Cumberland City. He was discharged Jan. 21, 1864, at Pittsburg, by reason of expiration of his term. On March 9, 1865, he again enlisted, for one year, becoming a private in Company B (under Capt. Samuel McHenry), 67th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, but was never sent to the front, the fighting ending about that time. He was discharged July 14, 1865, at Halls Hill, Va., by order of the war depart- ment dated July 7, 1865.

Mr. Wynkoop has long been engaged in farming in Rayne township, and is one of the most respected citizens of his locality, where he has taken a useful part in public affairs. He was a member of the agricultural board for sixteen years, and has been school director for sixteen years. In political asso- ciation he is a Republican, and he has served as judge of the election board. He attends the Presbyterian Church at Marion Center.

On March 10, 1864, Mr .- Wynkoop married Ellen Lydick, a native of Green township, this county, daughter of Samuel Lydick by his first wife, who was the mother of two children. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wynkoop: Amanda A. died in in- fancy; Ida M. married Harvey Lightcap, a farmer in East Mahoning township, this county, and has five children, Bertha, Clark, Bud, Esther and Sloan; Edgar C., a farmer of Clearfield county, Pa., married Ada Grif- fith and has two children, Lucy and Alta May; Harry C., now an undertaker in New York City, married Anna Grieves, of Marion Center, this county. Mrs. Wynkoop died Sept. 4, 1906.

MOSES KANARR. of the borough of In- diana, Indiana county, retired farmer and surveyor, belongs to a family of Holland Dutch descent which was founded in this section many years ago by his grandfather, Andrew or Andreas Kanarr, who moved from

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Lehigh county, Pa., to Westmoreland county. the M. E. Church, to which Mr. Kanarr also His wife was Salome Musick.

John Kanarr, only son of Andrew, was born Sept. 4, 1807, at Grapeville, Westmore- land county, and there grew to manhood. He went to school very little, obtaining his education mostly through his own efforts, and learned the trade of cabinetmaker. In November, 1838, he married Anna Mag- dalene Bruder, who was born Dec. 6, 1811, and to them was born a family of seven chil- dren: George A., born Aug. 14, 1839, who served one year during the Civil war as a member of Company G, 206th P. V. I .; Moses, born Dec. 14, 1840; Jacob; Aaron, born June Civil war, in Company F, 206th P. V. I .; John, Jr., born Feb. 12, 1847; Henry, born Aug. 9, 1849; and Elizabeth L., born May

belongs, and he is counted among the useful members of the congregation. In politics he is independent, voting for the candidates and measures which please him most regardless of party.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kanarr: Mary Anna, born in 1869, married Frank Stormer, and died in Indiana April 22, 1897; Clara May, born Feb. 2, 1871, mar- ried Charles A. Nichol and lives in Indiana county ; Harry M., born Aug. 31, 1876, now chief engineer of the Rochester & Pittsburg Coal & Iron Company and three allied con- cerns, was married May 17, 1905, to Mary 21, 1845, who served one year during the Elinor Reed, and they live in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

10, 1854. The father of this family died Marion Center, Pa., and veteran of the Civil July 1, 1879, in Grant township, Indiana war, has resided in Indiana county for many years. He was born Aug. 15, 1845, at Shav- ers Creek, Huntingdon Co., Pa., a son of John and Mary (Work) Lang. Co., Pa., and the mother died Dec. 5, 1880. They are buried in Shiloh's cemetery at Deckers Point, Indiana county.

Moses Kanarr, son of John Kanarr, was twelve years old when brought to Indiana county, and he grew to manhood in what is now Grant township. He attended public school in both counties, and was a pupil at the Purchase Line Academy in Westmoreland county. He studied surveying near Greens- burg at a school conducted by A. L. Allman, who was subsequently made surveyor of Westmoreland county, and after completing his course was engaged in teaching school for three terms, in Indiana. In time he began to farm in Grant township, thence moving to White township, where he carried on farm- ing for over twenty years, cultivating the tract of 140 acres which he owned. Upon came the parents of children as follows: his retirement Mr. Kanarr sold the surface Mary, who married William Steward; Jane, of this farm, but he still holds the coal rights. From March, 1873, he followed his profession of surveyor in addition to looking after his farm work, and he has become widely known over this region in that connection. He moved to the borough of Indiana in 1906.

During the Civil war Mr. Kanarr enlisted at Indiana, Aug. 10, 1864, becoming a private in Company F, 206th Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, under Capt. John A. Kinter and Col. H. J. Brady, his command serving with the Army of the James.

On Feb. 27, 1868, Mr. Kanarr married, in Grant township, Martha J. Hamilton, of that township, daughter of John and Mary A. Aaron W. Lang, son of John Lang, was reared in Jefferson county, and from the age (King) Hamilton. Mrs. Kanarr passed away June 18, 1909. She was an active member of of six years divided his time between attend-

AARON W. LANG, pension attorney at

John Lang was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., of Scotch ancestry, and learned the woolen trade in his youth, subsequently be- coming a manufacturer of woolen goods of all kinds. Later he sold his property in Huntingdon county and purchased the John Robinson tract of over 600 acres in Beaver township, Jefferson county, on which he built a woolen mill as well as a gristmill, and in addition to conducting these, also engaged in farming and timbering. He was a stanch Republican, and died in the faith of the Presbyterian Church in 1880, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Lang married Mary Moore, of Huntingdon county, and they be-

who married John Barry; Charles M., who married Belle Brown; William, who married Eliza Boyington; John, who married Caro- line Barclay; Kate, Mrs. Simpson; Lizzie, Mrs. Green; Ann, who married S. T. Gourley ; Jerusha, who became Mrs. William Trout; and James, twin of Jerusha, who married Edna Marsh.

Mr. Lang's second marriage was to Mary Work, daughter of Aaron Work, of Hunting- don county, and they had three children: Aaron W .; Hannah Rebecca, who married Alvin Davis; and Juniata, who married David Brosius.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ance at the district schools and work in his fortunes with the new Progressive party and father's mills. The outbreak of the Civil voted for Colonel Roosevelt. His fraternal connection is with I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 105, of Marion Center, of which he is a past grand, and he also holds membership in John Pollock Post, No. 219, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been commander for ten years. His religious faith is that of the Pres- byterian Church.

war aroused his boyish patriotism and several times he ran away from home to enlist, hav- ing failed to obtain his parents' consent to become a soldier. He finally succeeded in enlisting in Company B, 103d Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry (Capts. G. W. Gilles- pie and Joseph Rogers, Col. T. F. Lehman), which was attached to Kenn's Brigade, Casey's Division, Keyes' (5th) Corps, Army of the Potomac. Mr. Lang's army experiences were severe and arduous. He shared the fortunes and misfortunes of his regiment in numerous engagements, including Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Walnut Hill, Kings- ton, Little Washington and Plymouth, and at the last-named place, on April 17, 1864, he was desperately wounded in the left hip and captured by the Confederates. He was first sent to Charleston and then to Anderson- ville, and later to the prison at Florence, being confined until Feb. 26, 1865. At that time he was exchanged, and he eventually received his honorable discharge at Pittsburg, Pa., July 5, 1865, having spent some time in the hospitals at Annapolis, Baltimore and Pittsburg. When he had left home he was a sturdy lad of 190 pounds ; his awful expe- riences in the army and in the Southern pris- on holes left him a mass of skin and bones that weighed but seventy-nine pounds. While he was at Andersonville a fellow prisoner who had been wounded in the feet begged him to amputate them and thus relieve his suffering, gangrene having set in. Finally Mr. Lang succeeded in sharpening an old jackknife to a point where this prisoner, J. W. January, was able to cut off his own feet. This was only an incident in Mr. Lang's military life, but it serves to show why the veterans of the Civil war are still held in such reverence even after the passing of a half century of time.

On Jan. 30, 1866, Mr. Lang was married, at Marion Center, Pa., to Matilda Jane Park, who was born at Marion Center April 6, 1843, daughter of Robert and Margarette (Thompson) Park, and granddaughter of John Park, who built the first house in Mar- ion Center. Mrs. Lang was given excellent educational advantages, attending the Marion Center public schools and Professor Wolf's summer school, and at the age of eighteen years entered upon the profession of teacher, spending four years in the schoolrooms in Indiana county, and one year in Somerset county. Mr. and Mrs. Lang have had a fam- ily of ten children, namely : Margaretta, who died in infancy; Mary, who also died in in- fancy ; Robert Park, of Arkansas, who mar- ried Margaret Lowmaster; Martha Eaton, who married Harry C. Emmett, of Leadville, Colo .; Bessie, deceased, who was the first wife of Mr. Emmett; Jennie Myrtle, who married Andrew Baker, of Pittsburg, who died Dec. 9, 1912 (she resides in Marion Center) ; Ln- cretia, who married Perry H. Craig, of Phil- adelphia; John, a student in the Western Theological Seminary, at Pittsburg; Eliza- beth A., at home; and Aaron Linton, of Mc- Keesport, who married Mona Kirk. The members of this old and honored family are all well known in Marion Center, where they have associated themselves with educational and religious movements. As a soldier Mr. Laug was brave, cheerful and faithful in the performance of duty ; as a citizen he has made as honorable a record.

Mrs. Lang is a prominent local worker in the W. C. T. U., having served as president of the Marion Center organization for seven

When he was again able, Mr. Lang took up work in the woolen mills of his brother Charles M. Lang at Marion Center, where he also worked in a foundry business. In years, and she is now serving as legislative 1870 he went to Jefferson county, where he superintendent and press superintendent. She is a charter member of the Woman's Re- lief Corps of Marion Center. was engaged in selling sewing machines. Later he served as deputy sheriff of Clarion county, but in 1878 returned to Marion Cen- ter, which has since been his home. Since JAMES H. DONAHEY, of Green town- ship, Indiana county, is one of the well-known residents of his section, having served in var- 1903 he has served as a pension attorney, and he has also been constable and tax collector at different times. Until 1912 he gave his ious local offices, the duties of which he has support to the policies and candidates of the discharged efficiently. He is a farmer by Republican party, but in that year cast his occupation.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 96

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