Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 97

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 97

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

James Donahey, grandfather of James H. born in Ohio. Mr. Myers was a farmer all Donahey, was a native of Blacklick township, his life, and resided for some time in Green Indiana county, and in his early life became a farmer, cultivating land which he owned and upon which he lived until his death, as did also his wife. She was of the same family as Richard B. Clawson, mentioned elsewhere. township, where he and his wife died. Mr. and Mrs. Donahey are members of the Breth- ren Church. They reared one child, Mollie McAlester, who lived with them from girl- hood and is now the wife of Harvey Mumau; she has four children, Vera J., Helen, Carl and Donald. Another girl, Elsie Reed, lived with them from the age of ten until seventeen and a half years old.

William J. Donahey, son of James, was born Sept. 23, 1825, in Blacklick township, where he remained until 1865. He then re- moved with his family to Green township, and in 1868 settled on the farm there where his son James now lives. There he died Sept. 22, 1889. He married Margaret Davis, who was born in Blacklick township Feb. 22, 1829, and died July 31, 1900. Her father, David Davis, was a native of Indiana county, lived at Blacklick township, where he engaged in farming, and died Jan. 31, 1855, on the old farm. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Donahey : Benjamin F., born Feb. 9, 1849, lives in Green township; Martha Jane, born March 3, 1851, is deceased; Sarah Ellen, born April 2, 1853, is the wife of William Beck Rice, of Green township; James H. is

Frank D., born June 26, 1860, is a resident of Starford, Indiana county; Anna Mary, born May 30, 1862, died Feb. 26, 1865; Rachel Emma, born Dec. 6, 1864, is the wife of Wil- bert Kidd, of Indiana county; William A., born March 4, 1867, lives at Wilkinsburg; Richard M., born Oct. 7, 1869, is a carrier in the rural free delivery service and lives at Lovejoy.

James H. Donahey was born Aug. 26, 1855, near Hopewell Church, in Blacklick township. He came with his parents to the farm in Green township where he now lives, and helped his father to clear the land. When a youth of eighteen he began to learn the trade of mason and plasterer, which he con- tinued to follow for sixteen years. For three years he lived near Taylorsville, this county, returning in 1897 to the home farm, where he has since lived. He has been a successful farmer, and is considered one of the most sub- stantial and reliable residents of his locality, being well and favorably known to his neigh- bors and fellow citizens generally, where he has served as supervisor and in other public positions.

On Jan. 1, 1889, Mr. Donahey married Lizzie Jane Myers, who was born in Green township, April 11, 1857, daughter of John and Sarna (Pifer) Myers, the former a native of Rayne township, Indiana county, the latter

MAX CRAWFORD, postmaster at Cook- port, Indiana county, where he also carries on the blacksmithing business, was born in that vicinity, in Green township, Feb. 20, 1867, son of Abraham and Clarissa (Bash) Craw- ford.

Abraham Crawford, the father, was a na- tive of Armstrong county, Pa., and came to Indiana county in his early life, buying land in Green township which he cultivated. Later he also operated a sawmill for several years, and subsequently bought a farm in Cambria county, Pa., upon which he settled, remain-

mentioned below; Edmund, born Nov. 25, ing there until his death, which occurred in 1857, lives in Grant township, this county; October, 1902. He married Clarissa Bash,

who was born in Indiana county, and survives him, being now (1912) seventy-nine years old. She lives at the home of her two sons in Cambria county. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Crawford, namely : Walter, who lives in Cambria coun- ty; Viola, the wife of Porter Laney, of Cam- bria county ; Cordelia, wife of Joseph Grumb- ling, of Somerset county, Pa .; Thomas, a resident of Cambria county; Sarah, wife of William Wentsel, of Westmoreland county ; Matilda, wife of Gilbert Davidson, of Mon- tana; Max; William, a resident of Cambria county ; three who died in infancy ; and Har- vey, the youngest, a resident of Cambria county.

Max Crawford obtained his education in the public schools of Green township. Dur- ing his boyhood he began to work on the farm, where he remained until he was past thirty years of age, working with his father until twenty-three years old. Later he went to Ebensburg to learn the trade of black- smith, at which he continued to work in Cambria county after completing his appren- ticeship, conducting a shop there for some time. Returning to Indiana county in 1910, he settled at Cookport, opening a shop there which he still carries on, having built up a good business even in that short period. In 1910 he was appointed postmaster at that

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

THOMAS HARVEY AUL, who lives in Rayne township, Indiana county, owns his home place of 110 acres there and another farm in South Mahoning township. He is a native of West Mahoning township, this county, born July 14, 1855, son of Henry and Margaret (Riddle) Aul.

Henry Aul, the father, was born in Indiana county July 13, 1826. His father was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, of German extraction. In August, 1861, Henry Aul entered the Union service, becoming a member of Com- pany A, 105th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, in which he served as a pri- vate. At the close of the war he settled at Georgeville, Indiana Co., Pa., where he en- gaged in farming and stock buying, and he became quite a prominent man in that sec- tion, serving as justice of the peace there for some years. From Georgeville he removed to

Plumville, this county, where he built the min Gifford, of Arkansas; Jacob, now of hotel, conducting same successfully. He died at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Aul mar- ried Margaret Riddle, who was born Jan. 24, 1832, and died at the age of seventy-two.

Thomas Harvey Aul was associated in busi- ness with his father for a number of years, and was subsequently interested in the stock business with his uncle Peter Riddle. As he went into business on his own account he con- tinued farming and stock buying, and in 1901 he removed to the farm of 110 acres in Rayne township which he owns and upon which he has since resided. He has done so well in his business operations that he has been able to acquire another tract, in South Mahoning township, this county. He is one of the re- spected citizens of his township, and has been elected to the office of road supervisor, which he filled efficiently.

On Jan. 26, 1881, Mr. Aul married Armenta

place, his wife and daughter assisting him with the work in the office, which is in the Bell, of East Mahoning township, this county, fourth class. He is a trustworthy and re- daughter of Thomas J. and Jemina (Sunder- spected citizen, and is ranked among the sub- stantial residents of his section. land) Bell. Mr. Bell was a native of Mifflin county, Pa., of Irish descent, was a weaver In 1889 Mr. Crawford married Lillian Cook, who was born in Green township, daugh- ter of Andrew J. and Belle (Repine) Cook, both also natives of that township; Mr. Cook died in Green township, his wife, who still survives, living at Cookport. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have become the parents of fifteen children, twelve of whom are living, namely : Grace; Guy; Esther, wife of Ford Gregg, of Cookport; Edna; Benjamin; Belle; Rose ; Ruth; Minerva; Nellie; Olive, deceased; Ora and Dorothy; and twins who died in infancy. by trade and in his later years followed farm- ing. He died at the age of seventy-five years, his wife at the age of seventy-eight. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Aul : Anna Margaret, Mrs. J. K. Repine, of South Mahoning township, who has three children, G. M., Thomas N. and Anna May; Essie A., now wife of G. R. Wetzel, of East Mahoning township, where he is engaged in farming; Clark E., of Indiana borough, a log scaler ; Thomas C., who lives at home, assisting his father with the work on the farm; Rosa Myrtle, Edward J. and May Jemima, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Aul are members of the Rayne Presbyterian Church.

JOHN S. BOWERS, formerly for over thirty years a farmer of Pine township, In- diana county, now living retired in the bor- ough of Indiana, was born Jan. 3, 1842, in Cherryhill township, on the home farm of his father, John Bowers.

John Bowers was born at Morrisons Cove, Blair Co., Pa., and was twenty years old when he came to Indiana county; where he engaged in farming the rest of his life, set- tling in Cherryhill township, and later mov- ing to Pine township. He was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Hemp- field, and there were ten children by each union. Those by his second marriage, to Mary Fisher, were as follows: Harrison, who lives in Indiana county; Mary, Mrs. Benja- Johnstown, Pa .; John S .; Maria, Mrs. Alex. Dearmin, of Cambria county, Pa .; William, of Indiana county; Nancy, Mrs. Emanuel Dearmin, of Pine township, this county ; Amos, of Johnstown, Pa .; Jemina, Mrs. Sam- uel Barr, of Altoona, Pa .; and Charles, of Johnstown, Pa. The parents both died in Pine township, the father when seventy-four years old, the mother when seventy-seven. He retired before his death and passed his declining years in that township.

John S. Bowers received his education in the country schools near his boyhood home in Cherryhill township, where he grew to manhood, and was seventeen years old when he moved with the family to Pine township. He became familiar with farm work assisting his father, and was thus engaged until he enlisted in the Union army, until he was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

eighteen working at home, and afterward among other farmers. In 1863 he enlisted at Pittsburg, becoming a private in Company E, 2d Battalion, Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, for six months' service, and did his duty faithfully while in the army. In 1864 he bought a small farm in Cherryhill town- ship, which he occupied and cultivated for a few years, in 1869 buying and moving to the tract of 106 acres in Pine township on which he continued to live until his retirement. This farm is now the site whereon Heilwood is built, and Mr. Bowers sold his farm to the company which projected the town. It was a valuable and well cared for property, and he operated it successfully until he sold it; he Buterbaugh married Elizabeth Learn, a daughter of John Learn, and to them thirteen children were born, seven daughters and six sons, as follows: Mary, who was the wife of John Cook, both now deceased; Elizabeth, who married A. K. Reed, both now deceased ; Henry L. and Levi, deceased; Simon, a resi- dent of Indiana, Pa .; Sarah A., the widow of D. P. Reed; Susan, who married Franklin Nupp, a veteran of the Civil war, residing at Windber, Pa .; Isaac, living in Cherryhill township, Indiana county; Catherine, de- ceased, who was the wife of N. W. Baker; Ella, deceased; Amariah N .; Andrew, a resi- dent of Indiana ; and one who died in infancy. After coming to Indiana the father of the moved to the borough of Indiana in 1901. above family engaged in the milling business, His home is at No. 244 Church street.

In 1862 Mr. Bowers was married to Sarah Jane Dearmin, of Pine township, who was a strict observer of the Sabbath, and no in-

born Feb. 11, 1844, in Brushvalley township, Indiana county, and was but six weeks old when her parents, William and Margaret (Waltermyer) Dearmin, moved to Pine town- ship, where she lived until she removed with her husband to Indiana. They have had six children, two of whom, William and Clara E., are deceased. The survivors are : Edward, of Cambria county, Pa .; Frances, Mrs. David Mike, of Indiana county; Charles, who lives at home; and Rosie Diana, Mrs. William Holmes, of Charleroi, Pa. Mr. and Mrs.

Bowers are members of the Zion's Lutheran no town organization. Mr. Buterbaugh con- Church, in which they have taken au active part. He is a Republican on political ques- tions, but has not taken any active interest in such matters. ducted a store here for several years and was appointed the first postmaster, an office which he has since held. On Nov. 2, 1871, he was married to Sarah Houck, who was born in Green township Oct. 13, 1851, daughter of HARRY R. BUTERBAUGH, for several years a contractor in the town of Lovejoy, Indiana county, was born Oct. 21, 1872, in Green township, and is a son of Amariah N. and Sarah (Houck) Buterbaugh. Henry and Elizabeth (Myers) Houck. Mr. and Mrs. Buterbaugh have had the following children: Harry R .; Elizabeth Ollie, who is the wife of T. H. Fleming, has two children, James Amariah and Beatrice, and lives at William Buterbaugh, great-grandfather of Harry R. Buterbaugh, was born in Mary- land, from which State he moved to Pennsyl- vania and settled first in Huntingdon county, later moving to Indiana county. He was the father of eight children. Windber; Agnes, who is the wife of S. A. Fridler, of Starford; John Henry, who mar- ried Mary Kimmel, of Bedford county, and has five children, Alta M., Chalmer L., Sarah M., Henry C. and Elmer E. (Mr. Buter- baugh is manager of the Dixon Run Lumber Company) ; and Louie Bertha, the youngest member of the family, who is now the wife of M. L. Mckeown, of Josephine, Pa., and has three children, Robert Wallace, Louise Ulrica and Sarah Pauline.

John Buterbaugh, son of William, and grandfather of Harry R. Buterbaugli, was born in Maryland in 1799 and lived to the age of ninety-six years. He accompanied his father to Pennsylvania and lived for several years in Huntingdon county, later settling in what is now known as Pleasant Valley, Green township, Indiana county, the family acquir- ing 300 acres of land. In October, 1831, John

erecting a saw and grist mill. He was a shrewd and successful business man, but was ducement could be brought to bear that would lead him to operate his mills on Sunday. He was fond of hunting and was a fine shot.

Amariah N. Buterbaugh, son of John, and father of Harry R. Buterbaugh, attended the schools of Green township and lived on the farm settled by his father until he was fifty years of age. In 1900 he moved to Windber and there embarked in the mercantile busi- ness, conducting a store for four years. In the fall of 1903 he came to the present site of Lovejoy, although, at that time, there was

Henry Houck, the maternal grandfather of Harry R. Buterbaugh, was born in Germany, and was seven years of age when he was brought by his parents to the United States.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

They settled in Pennsylvania, securing land Mrs. Stephens he married Nancy Hempfield ; first in Rayne township, this county, and mov- there were no children by this marriage. ing later to Green township, and there Henry Alexander Stephens ran a gristmill and was an extensive agriculturist in Green town- ship. His mill bore his name and was widely patronized, for in those days the farmers had to depend upon the local mills for all their meal and flour. Houck continued to follow farming and stock raising until the close of his life. He died about 1898, near Purchase Line, in Green township. He married Elizabeth Myers, who was born in Pennsylvania, of German ances- try, and they had the following children : David R., William H., George F., Joseph, Sarah, Hannah and Henry H.

Harry R. Buterbaugh was educated in the schools of Green township, and as a young man learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for several years, subsequently en- gaging in the flour and feed business and con- ducting a mill in Lovejoy, as a member of the firm known as the Buterbaugh & Krider Co. Later he sold his interest to S. A. Krider, and with his brother, John H., engaged in con- tracting and carpenter work, building up a successful business. He has come to be re- garded as one of his community's progressive at Pitcairn, Pa., where she was stationed for and enterprising citizens. He is now located at Starford.

On Jan. 21, 1897, Mr. Buterbangh was mar- ried to Minerva Fleming, who was born in Green township, daughter of James and Sarah (Lutman) Fleming, natives of Green town- ship, the former of whom is deceased, while the latter resides at Mitchells Mills. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. But- erbaugh, Mary and Leona. Mr. and Mrs. But- erbaugh attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is active in Masonry, belonging to the minor hranches at Ehensburg, to the Consistory at Williamsport and to the Mystic Shrine at Altoona.

HARRY STEPHENS, a farmer of Buf- fington township, was born in Green town- ship, Indiana Co., Pa., March 26, 1876, a son of William M. Stephens, and grandson of Alexander Stephens.

Alexander Stephens was born in America, although the exact locality is not definitely known. He was three times married, first to Jane Dunwiddie, by whom he had these chil- dren : James married Nancy Glassford; Mol- lie married Squire Griffith, of Pine township, this county; Lizzie married Abraham Coy; Jennie married James Mackintosh. After the death of his first wife Alexander Stephens married Jane Anderson, who bore him three children: William M., Shadrach and Mar- garet, the latter marrying Evan Griffith, of Indiana, Pa. After the death of the second

William M. Stephens, now a resident of Green township, operates a gristmill and con- ducts a large farm. He is a man of prom- inence in his township, has served as a school director for years, and for a period was his township's representative on the county board of supervisors. In 1871 William M. Stephens married Rachel Griffith, daughter of John and Margaret (Gibson) Griffith, of Pine town- ship, and children as follows were born of this marriage: Margaret, who attended the Indi- ana normal school and Winona College in the State of Indiana, and now teaching her twenty-second year of school (she has taught

thirteen years, and for the remaining period has been at her present school, at Braddock, Pa.) ; Mattie, who married Martin Davis, and resides at Norfolk, Va., where he is in the employ of the United States mail service ; Harry; and Elise, who married Sherd Lock- ard and resides in Green township.

William M. Stephens is one of the repre- sentative men of his community, where his name stands for all that is synonymous with what is most upright and honorable. He has developed a fine business both as a miller and a farmer, and has reared a family of whom any father might well be proud. He has done his full duty in all the relations of life, and is an excellent example of a sub- stantial business man of Indiana county.

Harry Stephens received his educational training in the common schools of his neigh- borhood. While attending school he aided his father in the farm work, and thereby laid a firm foundation for substantial achievement when he had reached maturity. In 1902 he left his father and bought a farm from J. I. Dunwiddie, in Green township, adjacent to his father's property. On it he built a large barn and made other excellent improvements, and began operating his land, devoting it to general farming and stock raising. Here he remained until February, 1911, when he bought the old Dill farm from his mother-in- law, comprising 125 acres, one of the best kept and finest properties in Buffington township. There is an excellent house upon the place. while the barn is commodious and convenient.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Stephens is a progressive agriculturist, Westmoreland county, same State, and there demonstrating in his daily work the truth of died aged sixty-five years. He carried on gen- the statement that the farmer is one of the most independent men in the world, as well as one to whom the whole of humanity must look for food supplies. eral farming and stock raising, and owned two farms containing 300 acres, one at Beaver Run, and the other about one mile away. His educational training was obtained in the pri- On Oct. 31, 1901, Mr. Stephens was mar- ried to Edith Dill, daughter of Bluson and Matilda (Tolb) Dill, and she is a woman of intelligence and worth and has greatly aided her husband in his work, with which she is in thorough sympathy. It is her aim to rear her children to be useful and capable. The children are : William Anson, Harry Benson, Alton Wade, George Samuel and Naida Fay, the last named born March 17, 1912. vate schools of his period. During his boy- hood the family suffered from the Indians, and his father, who was an Indian fighter as well as a Revolutionary soldier, ended his life in Westmoreland county. At one time the Walters had to flee to Hannastown for pro- tection. Philip Walter married Catherine Trout, of Virginia, and spent all of his mar- ried life in Westmoreland county, where his death was occasioned by a falling tree.

Mr. Stephens is a Democrat, but has never come before the people for public office, as he does not aspire to such honors. His duty as a citizen is discharged in other ways. First he gives his support to the candidates of his party, as he believes that the platforms of that organization more nearly provide for the bet- terment of the masses than those of any other; and then he gives personal attention to the securing of improvements and the general uplift of morality in his community. As a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church he contributes liberally toward its support, and his wife is active in its work.

The magnificent farm of Mr. Stephens is one of the show places of Indiana county. The exponent of advanced agriculture himself, he bought a property that had been in compe- tent hands for many years, so that he but adds one improvement to another. The resi- dence is supplied with a modern equipment that would put to shame many a city home, while every farm operation is carried on with regard to a saving of time and labor. Mr. Stephens has experimented with various ap- pliances and machinery and believes he has now the best on the market in every respect. The produce of his farm meets a ready sale in any market where it can be secured, on account of its superior quality, and his ideas with regard to agriculture meet with respect- ful attention, for his neighbors know that he speaks with the authority of one who has proved the truth of his statements through individual experiment and everyday use.

MRS. CATHERINE ROWE, of Creekside, in Washington township, Indiana Co., Pa., was born June 13, 1836, daughter of Baltzer and Barbara (Kunkle) Walter.

Baltzer Walter was born in 1811, and grew. up in Westmoreland county. He married Barbara Kunkle, a daughter of Michael Kunkle, of Westmoreland county, Pa., and granddaughter of Philip Kunkle. The latter had 610 acres of land which he divided be- tween three of his children, Michael receiving 260 acres, Jacob 190 acres, and Barbara 160 acres. Baltzer Walter owned 160 acres of land and carried on farming all his life. He was a Democrat, but would not hold office. Brought up in the Lutheran faith, he later became a member of the Center Presbyterian Church in Washington township, and helped to erect the church edifice. Still later he left the Presbyterian Church and joined the Lu- theran Church at Plum Creek. His death oc- curred April 24, 1894, when he was eighty- three years old, his widow surviving until May 19, 1907, when she died at the age of ninety-four years. Children as follows were born to Baltzer Walter and his wife: Cather- ine; Michael, who married Belle McHenry, of Creekside, a sister of Dr. McHenry ; Barbara Anne, who married Samuel Gibson, of Creek- șide; Philip A., who married Mary Unkifer, of Washington township, and (second) Miss Miller, of Mckean county; Zacharias, who married Levina Fuley, of Butler county ; Eliza, who married Alexander Johnston, of Washington township; and Loretta, who mar- ried James Lucas, and resides near Nolo in Pine township.

Catherine Walter was married (first) Feb. 7, 1854, at Newville, now Creekside, to Lert Adams. Mr. Adams was born Dec. 19, 1833, and was killed during the Civil war, in Sep- tember, 1863, near Petersburg, just prior to the battle. He was a farmer during the sum- mer, and in the winter made shoes. His farm

Philip Walter, grandfather of Mrs. Rowe, in Rayne township contained eighty-seven moved from Northampton county, Pa., to acres, which he purchased before going into 82

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the army. The following children were born ily came to the United States except John A. to Mr. and Mrs. Adams: Walter, who is mar- Ortner, and all are deceased. John A. Ortner ried, and lives in Maple Hill, Wabash Co., Kans .; Carrie, deceased; Edward Sylvanus, deceased; Watson Alexander, deceased ; Geo. B. McClellan, who married Eliza Stahl, of Washington township; and A. M., who mar- ried Minnie McRee, of Washington township. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Adams married (second) Daniel Rowe, who died in 1906, aged sixty years.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania; her people, past and present, Volume II, Part 97

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