Andrew Hindman
ANDREW HINDMAN, late of West Franklin township, Armstrong county, was one of the most prominent farmers of that section, the owner of several hundred acres of land, and a citizen of substance and worth whose long life was a credit to the community.
Mr. Hindman's parents, James and Mary (McClellan) Hindman, were natives of Ireland who came to the United States about 1790, first settling in Westmoreland county, Pa., and in 1792 purchasing a tract of 288 acres in what is now West Franklin township, Armstrong Co., Pa. Mr. Hindman made the first improvements on that property, and there he and his wife continued to live to the close of their long lives, James Hindman, who was born in 1763, dying April 28, 1846, in his eighty-third year, and Mrs. Hindman dying Aug. 22, 1856, in her ninety-first year. They led the life typical of those days. They not only had to clear their land before they could cultivate it, but had to depend upon their own exertions for many things now readily obtained. They grew flax, spun and wove the cloth needed for clothing for themselves and their family, and put up with many inconveniences incidental to life in a new country. In addition to general agricultural pursuits, Mr. Hindman raised stock, which he drove to market at Lancaster, Pa., and with the proceeds of his industry was able to purchase more land, buying the farm in West Franklin township now owned by A. M. Hindman and another in East Franklin owned by Burt and James Hindman. The old log house which he built was in time replaced by a more convenient dwelling and the latter in turn gave way to the modern residence now on the farm, a substantial house erected in 1881. James Hindman and his wife had a family of nine children, namely: Margaret, who married David Hall; Mary, who married Joseph Armstrong; John; George; James; William; Andrew; Nancy, and Mattie. Nancy and Mattie were invalids, and never married.
Andrew Hindman was born Nov. 15, 1809, on the old homestead in West Franklin township, and succeeded to the ownership of that place, where he spent all his life. One of the most progressive farmers of the vicinity in his day, and a man of unusual executive ability, he added extensively to his original holdings, at the time of his death owning 695 acres (including the homestead) in one body, besides another farm on 150 acres, all in West Franklin township.
On Oct. 13, 1854, Mr. Hindman married Susannah, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Sipes) Van Dyke, pioneers of South Buffalo township, this county, who were of Holland Dutch descent. Three children were born to this union, James Mark, Margaret Emma and George Lee, all of whom reside with their mother on the homestead. Mr. Hindman is now (1912) eighty-six years of age. Mr. Hindman passed away Jan. 24, 1900. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church of Worthington, to which his family also belong.
GEORGE LEE HINDMAN, youngest son of the late Andrew Hindman, has shown considerable ability as an inventor, and is the patentee of the Eureka rail tie fastener, a safely device for preventing the spreading, creeping or sinking of rails, which for three years has been tested by the Pennsylvania Railway Company with highly satisfactory results, requiring no attention during that period.
Source: Pages 597-598, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed January 1999 by Connie Mateer for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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