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A HISTORY

OF THE

JUNIATA VALLEY

AND ITS PEOPLE

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF

JOHN W. JORDAN, LL.D.

Librarian of Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

' "v

VOLUME III

ILLUSTRATED

;"',1^EW-.¥0RK'.' '•
LEWIS HISTORICAL- P^XOtlSHliSTG COMPANY

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

R 191+ , L

r

HISTORY OF THE JUXIATA VALLEY 945

fare of his cily. and is there held in esteem as an honorahle bnsiness
man and good eitizcn.

lie married ( lirst ) in Jnly, 1879, Elizahetli, daughter of Alexander
Campbell of Huntingdon. She died December 20, 1886; issue: i. Elmer
N., born January 18, 1881, now a bookkeeper for the Bayer-Beaver
Company ; he married Mabel Isenberg ; children : Frederick Allen,
Geneveive Isenberg. 2. Florence, deceased. 3. Herbert, deceased. Mr.
Rupert married (second) May 30, 1889, Laura C. Carver, daughter of
George Carver, died January 14, 1913, and his wife, Anna Bare, who
survives him; children: 4. J. Lillian, born December 17, 1893, graduate
of Huntingdon high school, class of 191 1, and the Business Department
of Juniata College, 1913. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rui)ert and their daugh-
ter, J. Lillian, are members of the Church of the Brethren, which he
serves as deacon.

\\'illiam Emmert Swigart, son of \\'^illiam J. and Carrie
SWIGART M. (Miller) Swigart, was born June 5, 1883, in Hunt-
ingdon, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He de-
scends from German-Swiss ancestors, the first of whom emigrated to
the United States when the country was yet young. The family has
for generations been closely identified with the best interests of Penn-
sylvania, and particularly Huntingdon county, and the Juniata Valley
section.

He obtained his early mental discipline in the common schools of
the borough, and later matriculated at Juniata College. He entered the
teachers' department, and graduated with distinction in 1900. In 1906
he graduated, after having taken a classical course. Previous to leaving
the halls of learning he entered pedagogy as a profession, and for one
year engaged with signal success in teaching. He had in the meantime
acted as special agent for the Penn IMutual Life Insurance Company,
and in 1907 he, with John W. Harshbarger as partner, engaged in the
insurance business on a large scale, representing many of the most
important and soundest companies in the United States. His patrons
declare that he has one of; ti'i.e be^t„''can'cl.uct?d ;Agencies in the Juniata
Valley. Mr. Swigart is regarded as one _of the foremost citizens of
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, wh<;re. he-Tfsicl'es, In his business dealings
he is scrupulously exact and fair, anxl.. hfts '.wOn' a success which is most

946 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

creditable, as it has come to him as the result of his own business
acumen and personal merit. In politics he is a Progressive, aiding that
youngest of political parties in every manner in his power, but he has
never held nor aspired to office. He has been a member of the Board
of Health of Huntingdon, on which he did faithful work for the public
sood. He and his wife are members of the Church of the Brethren,
supporting it generously. He married, June 6, 1907, Eva Workman,
daughter of Mrs. Jemima Workman, formerly of Ohio, but who now
makes her home in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. She is of straight Eng-
lish and German descent. Children: i. John, born August 30, 1908.
2. Dorothy, born July i, 1912.

Wilfred Osborn Neff, a well-known citizen and public offi-
NEFF cial of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, is a descendant of a

family with a most interesting history. The Neff family,
now so numerous in various parts of Pennsylvania and in some localities
in the west, had its origin in Switzerland, where there are very many
of the name, especially in Canton Zurich. There they belong, as their
descendants in America take pleasure in pointing out, to the most sub-
stantial class, whose lot in life is neither poverty nor riches, but useful
activity with consequent prosperity. They are said to be among the
most prosperous and best educated artisans of Europe, and that traits
of heroism and intellectual aspirations are still latent is clearly proved
by incidents of family history which are handed down from genera-
tion to generation. The Neffs in America are able to trace their
ancestry to the earlier half of the sixteenth century. In the struggles
for liberty in the little land of Switzerland they bore their share bravely,
and have transmitted their admirable qualities to their descendants.
The earliest known ancestor, Adam Neff, with his trusty sword, rescued
the standard of Zurich from the hands of the invaders at the battle
of Cappel, October 11, 1531. In the next century Barbara Neff lent
new luster to the name by the martyrdom she suft'ered for her devotion
to the Reformed faith. In later times Felix Neff, the "pastor of the
high Alps," is fondly bsmhmbe^ed'Apr: htS; sJiort life of Christian zeal
and fidelity to his flock,' scattered m^i iijg-' Alpine heights, and for his
missionary labors in spreadirig tif-pj^l^i among the destitute and igno-
rant dwellers in remote httmlets! .'!]^a'ul 'Neff, a celebrated publisher of

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 947

Stuttgart, Germany, is another of this famous family. The picture of
St. Isaac of Dalmatia, in the catiicdral at St. Petersburg, is by the cele-
brated painter, Timoleon Carl von Neil, who died in Russia in 1879.
Representatives of three generations of the Neff family came to
this country about 1717 — Francis Neff, his sons, Francis Jr., Henry and
Daniel, and the sons of Daniel, also named Henry and Daniel. They
settled near Little Conestoga creek, in Lancaster county. Hans Hein-
rich, or John Henry Neif, brother of Francis Neff, the first regularly
educated physician in Lancaster county, appears to have settled here
somewhat earlier. He was widely known throughout the country and
spoken of with respectful affection as the "old doctor." The descend-
ants of Franz or Francis Neff" are spread throughout Lancaster and
Huntingdon counties, and in Ohio, Virginia, and other parts of the
United States. The family has become allied by marriage with some
of the most prominent families in the country. The early settlers of
this name were generally Mennonites, or members of the Reformed
church. Governor Gordon, of Pennsylvania, says of them (Colonial
Records, Vol. Ill, page 296) : "That they came into the province
under a particular agreement with the late Honourable Proprietor, Wil-
liam Penn, at London," under whom they took up lands, and that they
"have generally so good a character for honesty and industry as de-
serves the esteem of this government, and a mark of regard for
them."

(I) Isaac Neff, grandfather of Wilfred Osborn Neff and a descend-
ant of the Francis Neff mentioned above, lived near Petersburg, Penn-
sylvania, where Neff's Mills now stands. He was a merchant and a
miller. In political matters he gave his allegiance to the Republican
party, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church.
He married Susan Neff, who was his first cousin, and they had chil-
dren: Edwin John, see forward; William A., died in Cleveland, Ohio;
Frances M., married John McMulIin, and died in Iowa; Isaac, is a vet-
eran of the civil war and now lives in Ohio; Susan, married John Mor-
ton, and resides in Philadelphia ; Lizzie, who died in infancy.

(II) Edwin John, son of Isaac and Susan (Neff) Neff, was born in
Petersburg, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1825, at Neff's Mills, Hunting-
don county, and died on his farm at Warriors Mark, in the same county.
May 27, 1893. He was a miller by trade, but was obliged to abandon

948 HISTORY OF THE JUNL\TA VALLEY

this occupation, as the constant inhalation of the mill dust seriously
affected his health. In place of this he engaged in agriculture, of which
he made a decided success. During the civil war he was in service for
nine months, enlisting in 1864 in the Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volun-
teers. He participated in no actual engagements, but was almost in
danger of starvation at Appomattox. He was a Republican in his
political views, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian
church.

He married Mary Ellen Harris, born in Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, and died at Warriors Mark in 1894. Her parents were
both natives of Ireland and settled at Manor Hill, Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, where he was a distiller. They were members of the
Catholic church, and he was a Democrat. Their children were : John,
a distiller, died unmarried at Monroe Furnace, Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania ; Catherine, married John Isenburg, at Petersburg ; Charles,
a farmer of Manor Hill, Pennsylvania, was in service four years during
the civil war ; Mary Ellen, mentioned above ; William, in the provision
business, died at Harrisburg ; Reuben, a farmer living in Tyrone, Penn-
sjdvania. Mr. and Mrs. Neff had children: i. Wilfred Osborn, see
forward. 2. Frances, never married. 3. A\'illiam A., was a farmer and
married (first) Lettie Beck, (second) Laura Beck. 4. Edwin J., mar-
ried Annie Fetterhoof, of Huntingdon county. 5. Carrie May, married
H. L. Grazier, a farmer of Huntingdon county. 6. Susan E., married
Ernest Addleman, a veteran of the Spanish-American war.

(Ill) Wilfred Osborn, son of Edwin John and Mary Ellen (Har-
ris) Neff, was born at Warriors Mark, Huntingdon county. Pennsyl-
vania, January 17, 1859. He was educated in the public schools of War-
riors Mark, and at the Birmingham Seminary, from which he was
graduated in 1874. For some years he was engaged in farming, aban-
doning this occupation in 1891 in favor of work on the railroad for
the period of one year. He then received an appointment to an official
position in the Pennsylvania State Reformatory at Huntingdon, which
he filled very acceptably for twenty-one years, but in May, 1912, was
obliged to take a leave of absence on account of illness. He took up
his residence in Huntingdon in 1891, and has resided there since that
time. He is Republican in political matters and has held a number of
township offices. He is a member of Warriors Mark Presbyterian

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLF.Y 949

Clnirch, antl of Lodge No. 152, TndepL'iKk'iU Order of Otld Fellows of
Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Mr. Neff has never niarrietl.

William D. Kinsloe, M.D., of Huntingdon county,
KINSLOE Pennsylvania, descends from a family long established

in the Keystone state. He is the son of H. C. and
Elizabeth Kinsloe, and was born July 30, 1872, at Newton Hamilton.
He was educated in the public schools, Bucknell University and Hahne-
mann Medical College, from which he graduated with distinction in
1895. He moved to Denver, Colorado, where he entered upon the prac-
tice of medicine, remaining two years. At the expiration of that time
he went to Alaska and again took up his profession. He returneil to
Pennsylvania and entered the mercantile business at Newton Hamilton,
in which he continued for six or seven years, or until 19 10. He next
entered a partnership with A. B. Galbraith, under the firm name of The
Huntingdon Milling Company. They leased the old Isenberg IMill oppo-
site the city of Huntingdon, in Smithfield township, and have conducted
an eminently successful business since its inauguration. Besides doing a
general milling business, they handle all kinds of grain, hay, coal, flour
and feed. In addition to local business they ship their produce to many
places. They have five or six competent men in their employ. Dr.
Kinsloe has in charge the disposing of their products. He is a Repub-
lican, an Elk and was a member of the Greek letter fraternity Sigma Chi
at college and still holds his membership.

The history of this branch of the Hall family begins in
HALL Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, with Laban Hall, of Eng-
lish parentage, who came into the county from Marvland
when a young man. He there became a farmer and stock raiser, living
in both Penn and Tod townships. He was a Whig in politics, and both
he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He
died in 183 1 in Tod town.ship. He married Jemima Antha Clark, who
died in Henderson. Children: i. Antha, married Jacob Fink, a farmer.
2. James, a blacksmith, 3. Thomas L., born in Penn township, died
January 6, 1866, a stonemason and farmer. He enlisted in the nine
months' service men; went to the front with the 125th Regiment, Penn-
sylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company I ; was wounded in the left arm

950 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

at the battle of Antietam, September, 1862, and honorably discharged.
He married Catherine Harker. 4. Elijah, a farmer. 5. Laban (2) (of
whom further). 6. Mary, married John Sparr. 7. Sarah, twin of
Mary.

(II) Laban (2), son of Laban and Antha (Clark) Hall, was born in
Penn township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, died June,
1882. He was educated in the public schools and all his life was a
farmer of Huntingdon county. He enlisted in the Union army in
1864 in Company L, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was in service in
North Carolina at the time of the surrender of General Johnston. He
was honorably discharged at the close of the war and returned to his
Huntingdon county farm. He was a Democrat in politics, serving as
school director and in other township offices. He was a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife belonged
to the Lutheran church. He married in 185 1 Christina, daughter of
Jacob and Mary (Focht) Hettrick, both born in Blair county, Penn-
sylvania — he a blacksmith and farmer, both he and his wife belonging
to the Lutheran church. Their children were: George; Christina;
Philip; Jacob, a soldier of the civil war, serving in Company I, 13th
Pennsylvania Cavalry ; Samuel ; John L. ; Catherine, married William
Hern; Elizabeth, married John Hall; and Solomon, married. Children
of Laban (2) Hall: Josiah C, of whom further; Jacob, born in 1854,
a farmer; George, born 1856, died 1863; William, born 1862, now an
employee of the Pennsylvania railroad; Harry, born in 1864, now a
retired merchant; Alice, born 1866, married Henry Musser and resides
in West Virginia.

(III) Josiah C, eldest son of Laban (2) and Christina (Hettrick)
Hall, was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1852, He was
educated in the public schools and spent his early life on the home
farm. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in
Huntingdon county for about five years. He then entered the employ
of the Pennsylvania railroad as bridge carpenter, later moving to Hunt-
ingdon, where he has since been engaged in contracting and building.
He is well established as an honorable, capable builder and has erected
manv of the residences and blocks in Huntingdon and vicinity. Mr.
Hall is a Democrat in politics, serving in the city council and as school
director. He is a member of Mount Moriah Lodge, Free and Accepted

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 951

Masons, and has taken all the degrees of Scottish Rite Masonry np
to and including the thirty-second. In religious faitii he is a Presby-
terian.

Ele married, in 1874, Anna, daughter of John and Eva Nunier, the
former a carpenter and builder. Children: i. John Herbert, born June
25, 1876; graduate of Huntingdon high school; graduate of Juniata
College, class of 1895 ; graduate of University of Pennsylvania, class
of 1899; now an architect, residing in Huntingdon. He married, in
190 1, Ada Moore, and has Hilda and Beatrice. 2. George, born 1878;
graduate of Huntingdon high school; engaged for several years as a
clerk in Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Altoona, Pennsylvania ; now engaged
in business with his father ; married Freda Hess, and has a daughter
Virginia. 3. Edith, born 1883 ; graduate of Huntingdon high school,
and spent one year at Juniata College, two years at Wilson College. 4.
Loyce, born 1886; graduate of Huntingdon high school; spent one year
at Juniata College, then five years at Wilson College, whence ishe was
graduated.

This branch of the Reed family descends from James Reed,
REED of Scotch descent, who came from Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania, to the Buffalo Valley.

(II) William, son of James and Jane (Ogleby) Reed, was born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, about 1775. He settled in Union
county, Pennsylvania, where he became a prominent farmer and a lead-
ing member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Jane Gil-
lespie, and reared a large family. Both he and his wife died at the
Union county farm.

(III) James, son of William and Jane (Gillespie) Reed, was born
in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, died in Hartleton, Pennsylvania.
He spent his active years on the paternal farm in Union county, and
after the death of his father purchased a part of the homestead from
the heirs. Later he bought the remaining portion and there lived
until sixty years of age. then moved to Hartleton, where he lived retired
until his death. He was a very pious man. and for forty-five years
was an elder of the Presbyterian church, bringing up his children in
strict acccirdance with his own rigid faith. In political faith he was a
Whig, warmly supporting the anti-slavery movement, and uniting with

952 HISTORY OF THE JUNL\TA VALLEY

the Republican party when that organization was first formed. He
took an active part in civic affairs; served as school director, and by
his influence aided in all progressive movements. He married Mar-
garet Wiley, whose grandparents came from Scotland, settling in Union
county, Pennsylvania. Grandfather Wiley was a well-educated man, a
school teacher, and served as an officer in the revolutionary army.
Both were rigid Presbyterians. Children of James and Margaret Reed :

I. Uriah, a practicing physician, died at Jersey shore, Pennsylvania. 2.
Jane, married (first) Paschal Chambers, (second) David Kleckner, and
died in Davis, Illinois. 3. Harriet, died in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania,
unmarried. 4. Catherine, died in Jersey Shore, unmarried. 5. John,
died in youth. 6. Robert, married Caroline Bergstresser, of Selinsgrove,
Pennsylvania, and settled in Tiffin, Ohio, where he died, a farmer. 7.
Sarah, married Joseph Richard, whom she survives, a resident of Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. 8. Mary Ann, married Alexander Clemens, and resides
in Rocky Ford, North Dakota. 9. William, of whom further. 10.
Susan, married George Hicks, and resides in Mifilintown, Pennsylvania.

II. George, a retired druggist of Vineland, New Jersey. 12. David, a
farmer of Waterford, Colorado.

(IV) William, ninth child of James and Margaret (Wiley) Reed,
was born near Laurelton, Union county, Pennsylvania, February 21,
1839. He obtained his early education in the township schools, then
attended Mifflinburg Academy two terms, finishing his studies at New
Columbia (Pennsylvania) Normal School, which he attended two terms.
He taught several terms in the public schools, but the call to arms in
1861 found him ready to march to the defense of the imperilled Union.
He enlisted in June, 1861. in Company H, 8th Regiment Missouri Vol-
unteer Infantry, being at that time in Illinois, and crossing to Missouri
to enlist. He served three years, and saw war in all its horrors. He
fought at Fort Donelson, Russell's House, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas
Post, Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, siege of Corinth, Jackson,
and in many other engagements between the armies of the north and
south. At Vicksburg he ' was one of the immortal one hundred and
fifty men who, forming a "forlorn hope," by a desperate charge cap-
tured an important point and made the capture of a line of breastworks
possible. This charge ranks in military annals as one equalling any
made at Gettysburg, even that of Pickett, in the final effort to dislodge

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

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PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 953

the Union forces. The survivors of tlie charge were awarded a Ijronze
nied.il for their bravery, and in 191 1 those still surviving received in its
place a gold medal, attesting the high honor in which they are held.
Mr. Reed values this as one of his greatest treasures, and nothing he
possesses has a higher value to him than the mute testimonial of the
part he bore in defense of a united country.

After receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of his three
years of service, Mr. Reed returned to Pennsylvania, locating in Hartle-
ton, where for two years he engaged in mercantile life as senior member
of Reed & Lucas. He next located in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where
for eleven years he was a drygoods merchant. In 1879 he located in
Huntingdon, opening a drygoods store on Penn street. His business
soon outgrew the Penn street store and was moved to more suitable
quarters in the Opera House block, where for six years a successful
business was conducted. In 1892, a still larger store being needed, Mr.
Reed erected a four-story brick block fifty by ninety-two feet on the
ground, to which he moved on its completion in that year, and where he
yet remains in successful business operation. In 1903 the firm name
became William Reed & Sons Company, its present style and title. A
wise, careful, vet progressive man of afifairs, Mr. Reed has not only
founded but has carried to success one of the strong, reliable commer-
cial houses of Huntingdon. While the burden has been largely shifted
to younger shoulders, he is yet the guiding master spirit. Xor has he
been simply a worker for personal gain. The city of his adoption has
profited by his public spirit, and no movement for the betterment of
Himtingdon, either in civic or in industrial advancement, but has had
his active support. He served nine years as a member of council, and
for many years as a member of the board of trade, using his best efiforts
in both bodies to further the cause of progress. He is a member of the
Presbyterian church, and in politics is a Republican.

Mr. Reed was one of the founders of the "Huntingdon Home for
Orphan and Friendless Children," a philanthropy with w'hich he has
been actively connected since its foundation, over a quarter of a century
ago, and he is president of its board of managers. The direct impulse
that led to the establishment of this home came from his wife, Mrs.
Margaret Ellen (Glover) Reed, whose tender sympathy, extending be-
yond her own household, urged her husband to go in tlie early dawn

954 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

of a bitter cold day in January, 1881, to look after a family of poor
children on the outskirts of the town, and from which act, so remindful
of the "Good Samaritan," grew the commendable charity above men-
tioned. This seed, sown by a tender-hearted woman, has brought forth
a harvest the value of which cannot be overestimated, although she did
not live to see the full fruition of her hopes, and the editor of this
work takes a genuine pleasure in reproducing (and entirely without
solicitation) from a contemporary publication the history of "The
Home," as a tribute to the memory of its inspirer, and as an incentive
toward charitable deeds :

"A Bit of History. — Whatever may have been the preliminary
thought with reference to an institution for the care of poor children in
Huntingdon, the direct impulse to the movement was given by a woman
whose tender sympathies extended beyond her own immediate house-
hold.

"When Mrs. Ellen (Glover) Reed urged her husband, Mr. William
Reed, to go in the early dawn of a bitter cold day to look after a family
of poor children on the outskirts of the town, she set moving a combi-
nation of activities which resulted in what is now known as the 'Hunt-
ingdon Home for Orphan and Friendless Children' and all its branches.
It was in the evening of that same day, in the store of Mr. Reed, after a
discussion of the experience of the morning that a 'Home' or a place of
temporary care for these children was suggested.

"This event occurred in the early days of January, 1881. Such re-
lief as was possible was given the family in its uncomfortable C|uarters
at the time, and an effort was made to enlist the town in the establish-
ment of a home, or an association for the care of these and other cases.
There was no lack of sympathy, but the question that stood in the way
of progress was one of finance.

"Hearing of the movement to do something for children, a good
woman in another county gave twenty cents, and another in an adjoin-
ing state offered $25. A collection amounting to $4.25 v^^as taken up in
a prayer meeting. A small house was rented, and across the crackling
snow crust, at sunset, March i, the first little girl, sick with pneumonia,
was carried into the little brown house on Sixteenth street, and the
'Home' was a reality.

"Funds came from unexpected sources in unexpected ways. Then
the children of the county were taken on contract, leaving a large amount
to be raised from private sources. To the credit of public sentiment it
may be said that for twenty-five years never passed a month when all
bills for current expenses were not met, and when at the completion of

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 955

the group of buildings and the eciuipnient of the grounds a debt of $800
remained, a "Thanksgix-ing Offering' brouglit in $1,546.06.

"The influence of this movement did not stop at Huntingdon. Not
to speak of several other similar institutions that developed indepen-
dently under its inspiration, at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1883, was
started a home which tluplicated the Huntingdon work, and for ten
years continued jointly under the same superintendence. This institu-
tion found in Mr. B. F. Newcomer, of Baltimore, a generous benefac-
tor, who through his life and at his death gave in all nearly $40,000.

"The Huntingdon Home for Orphan and Friendless Children was
chartered in January, 1883. The board of managers are elected by the
churches of the town, giving it an undenominational character."

Mr. Reed married (first) September 10, 1868, Margaret Ellen,
daughter of Andrew Glover, of Hartleton, Pennsylvania; she died De-
cember 7, 1888. He married (second) February 5, 1890, Mary Alice
Pellman, of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. Children, all by first wife:
Jessie, born September 29, 1869, died aged four years; Margaret, born
July I, 1871, died aged two years; Charles Lincoln, born February 8,
1873, now a partner of William Reed & Sons Company, married Mar-
garet, daughter of R. M. Speer; Arthur Wiley, December 3, 1874, now a
partner of William Reed & Sons Company, married Elsie Smith; James
Craig, born October 12, 1878, now a practicing physician of Saxon,
Pennsylvania, married Annie, daughter of Dr. Rohrer; William Glover,
born December 5, 1881, now a clerk in his father's store, married Marion
F. Kline; Robert Bruce, born June 6, 1883.

Now aged seventy-four years, Mr. Reed has realized the three great
aims of his life — "to be proprietor of a good store, to own and have a
good home, to be a good citizen." In attaining these, many other good
things have come to him. not the least of which are temporal prosperity
and the unbounded respect of his townsmen.

Than the Miller family there is none better known nor
MILLER more respected in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
where the immigrant ancestor located soon after his ar-
rival in this country. It has been established in the Juniata Valley since
1700. has prospered and grown exceedingly numerous.

(I) Benjamin Miller was born in Huntingdon county, lived and died
there. He was a merchant and did a large business. Both he and his

956 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

wife were members of the Presbyterian church, and were active in
their work for it. He married EHzabeth AUison, also of Huntingdon
county, and of English descent. Children: i. R. Allison. 2. Harry E.,
of whom further. 3. Mary, married Dr. Neff. 4. Died young. 5. Died
young. 6. Died young.

(II) Harry E. Miller, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (AUison) Mil-
ler, was born in Huntingdon county, and there died, July, 1892. At-
tending fine private schools and, being of a studious disposition, he
acquired an unusually thorough education. In 1861 he enlisted in the
125th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served out his enlistment.
After peace was declared between the North and South, he returned to
Huntingdon county and resumed his former mode of life. He re-
entered the mercantile world, doing a successful general merchandise
business for years; he later relinquished it and accepted a position as
bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Huntingdon, which place he
retained for years. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian
church. They lived a quiet life, doing good to their fellowmen in an
unostentatious way. He married Mary B. Miller, daughter of Henry
and Mary (Hofifman) Miller, she a daughter of Dr. Jacob Hoffman, of
Huntingdon county. Henry Miller was the son of Jacob and Harriet
(Ashman) Miller, early settlers in Huntingdon county. For a time he
did a large general merchandise business, and later various kinds of
clerical work. Children of Jacob and Harriet (Ashman) Miller: Henry,
, father of Mrs. Harry E. Miller; Ashman; Elliott. Henry Miller, son
of Jacob and Harriet (Ashman) Miller, was born in Huntingdon county,
on the Miller homestead. He was well educated and taught school for
years. Later he was county commissioner's clerk for Huntingdon
county. He was a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. He married Mary Hoffman. Children : William Ash-
man, a veteran of the civil war, resides in Florida ; Nannie, married
Dr. E. J. Greene, of Peoria, Illinois; Harriet: an infant: Mary B. (Mrs.
Harry E. Miller) ; Rose, married Irvin Hatterman, of Washington,
D. C. ; Lilian, unmarried ; iNIargaret, married J. C. Campbell, of New
York City, deceased, she resides in Huntingdon. Children of Harry E.
and Mary B. (Miller) Miller: i. Elizabeth, unmarried. 2. Clyde, died,
aged twenty-six. 3. Edwin, died, aged four. 4. Mary, died young.
5. R. Allison, of whom further.

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 957

(III) R. Allison Alillcr, son of Harry E. and Mary B. (Miller)
Miller, was born January 6, 1884, in Huntingdon county. After com-
pleting his education he learned plumbing and engaged in that occupa-
tion for some time. In 1906 he entered the New York Trade School
and perfected himself in that line, learning the latest applied methods
of the trade. He established a shop in Huntingdon, where he did a
thriving business, commanding at once a large patronage. He next
added a complete line of hardware, and at the present time (1913) has
one of the best equipped and most up-to-date stores in Huntingdon
county and the Juniata Valley. He takes great pride in giving satis-
faction to his customers, does his work thoroughly and expeditiously.
His wife is a member of the Reformed church, but he has no church
affiliations. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 200, Free and
Accepted Masons. Huntingdon; Royal Arch Chapter, No. 201; Stand-
ing Stone Commandery, Knights Templar; Mountain Council. No. 9,
R. and S. M. ; also Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In politics he is a
progressive, reserving the right to vote for the man he thinks Ijest suited
for the office. He has never held, nor desired, office.

On February 22, 1902, he married Dora E. Adams, daughter of
John ^^'. and Anna E. (Hull) Adams, natives of Center county, where
he was a painter. He came to Huntingdon in 1900, and is now instruc-
tor of painting in the Reformatory in Huntingdon.

In 1848 Francis Otto Beaver, a German boy of sixteen
BEAVER years of age, came to the United States, founding the
family of which George D. Beaver, of Huntingdon,
Pennsylvania, is a representative.

Francis O. Beaver was born in Wiirtemberg, Germany, November
18, 1835, one of a large family of children, of whom William, Fred-
erick and Sophia, wife of Jacob Reichley, were also members. Francis,
the fourth child, came to the L^nited States alone in 1848, and for a
few years labored at whatever his hands found to do. He secured an
education prior to coming to this country, to which he added in this
country the English branches and a knowledge of drawing, which he
turned to account as a draughtsman. Later he learned marble cutting,
which he followed in Fredericksburg, Maryland, York, Pennsylvania,
finally settling in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in 1864

958 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

in the same business, continuing about two years. He then entered the
employ of James Greene, who was the owner of a marble yard at
Huntingdon. After working for Mr. Greene several years as journey-
man, he was admitted to a partnership, later becoming sole owner by
purchasing Mr. Greene's interest. He conducted a prosperous business
alone until 1902, when he admitted his son, George D. Beaver, to a
partnership. In 1909 he retired from business and two years later, in
191 1, died, after a successful life of seventy-six years, sixty-three of
which had been spent in the United States, and for nearly a half a cen-
tury Huntingdon had been his home. He was an untiring worker, pos-
sessing all the sturdy, admirable characteristics of his race, rising to suc-
cess through his own energy and business ability. He was a trustee and
an elder of the Lutheran church, which he served with devotion and
zeal. He took little active part in public affairs, but was affiliated with
the Democratic party. He married Elizabeth Flenner, daughter of
David Flenner, of Scotch descent, a farmer and a Lutheran. He had
children: Jonathan; David; Samuel; William; Stewart, a soldier of
the civil war — these five deceased ; Elizabeth, Alfretta and Margaret.
Children of Francis and Elizabeth Beaver: Stewart, born 1865, died in
infancy; Charles, died in early boyhood; Ida, married A. B. Baker, no
issue; George David, of whom further; and a child, died unnamed.

(II) George David, only son of Francis O. and Elizabeth (Flenner)
Beaver to survive boyhood, was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania,
November 30, 1878. He was educated in the public schools and in
Juniata College, where he spent one year in the commercial department.
He then began working in his father's marble yard, and as the years
passed became an expert engraver and worker in stone. Later he was
admitted to a partnership, and in 1909 he purchased the entire busi-
ness, his father retiring to a well-earned rest. Since 1909 Mr. Beaver
Jr. has conducted the business alone. He cuts and engraves stone for
whatever use intended, either for building purposes or monumental.
He carries a large assortment of rough material of the various stone
used and executes any design submitted or will both design and execute.
He transacts a large and profitable business, ranking among the sub-
stantial men of his city. He is a member of the council, elected as a
Republican to represent the second ward. Both he and his wife are
members of the Presbyterian church, and he of the Masonic order, be-

HISTORY OF THI-: JUNIATA VALLEY 959

longing to Mount jMoriah Lodge, No. 300, Free and Accepted Masons ;
Standing Stone Chapter, No. 201, Royal Arch Masons; Huntingdon
Conimandery, No. 65, Knights Templar; and Java Temple, A. A. O.
N. M. S.

He married, in 190J, Daisy P. Castner, daughter of James and
Mary (Hassinger ) Castner. James Castner served in the civil war until
its close, and was engaged in many battles fought during the struggle
between the states. Children of George D. and Daisy P. Beaver:
Francis, born September 27, 1903; Elizabeth, died in infancy.

From Germany came the Fetterhoofs. settling in
FETTERHOOF Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, where the first rec-
ord is found of Michael Fetterhoof. He left Le-
banon county at an early date, settling in Spruce Creek Valley in Hunt-
ingdon county, where he owned a tract of four hundred acres, which
he partly cleared and cultivated until his death. He married Elizabeth
Rinehart, also of German birth. They were both members of the
Lutheran church — quiet, industrious, thrifty Germans, prosperous and
respected; children: John; Joseph; Samuel; George; Michael (2), of
whom further; Lydia, married Michael Lowe; Margaret, married John
Shafifer; Elizabeth, married Jacob Shaffer; Susanna, married Charles
Merriman.

(II) Michael (2), son of Michael and Ehzabeth (Rinehart) Fet-
terhoof, was born in York, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and spent his early
life at the farm. He moved to Huntingdon county with his father,
assisted in clearing and cultivating the Spruce Creek Valley home-
stead, and on the death of his father inherited that propertv. He
brought the whole tract under cultivation and there lived the remainder
of his life a prosperous, contented, respected farmer. He was active
in the Whig and Republican parties, holding several township otSces.
He clung to the religion of his fathers and was a pillar of strength to
the Lutheran church of his neighborhood. He married Eliza Beghel,
daughter of George and Elizabeth Beghel, both born in Germany.
George Beghel was a mason by trade and a strict member of the
Lutheran church. He had five children: Eliza, married Michael (2)
Fetterhoof (of previous mention) ; Nancy, married David iNIyers; Mar-
garet, married John Matson; Mary, married James Riley. Children of

96o HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

Michael and Eliza Fetterhoof : Samuel, deceased; Mary, married Wil-
liam Shaffer; Jesse, a farmer, deceased; Elizabeth, yet living, married
Thomas K. Henderson ; Daniel, a farmer, deceased ; George, a farmer,
yet living; John, a farmer, yet living; William Beghel (of whom fur-
ther) ; Margaret, deceased; Francis, died in infancy.

(HI) William Beghel, son of Michael (2) and Eliza (Beghel) Fet-
terhoof, was born at the original Fetterhoof homestead in Spruce Creek
Valley, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1843. He attended
public school and spent his early life on a farm. Later he learned the
tanner's trade and engaged in business with his father-in-law, David
Mong, also conducting farming operations. He married in 1870, and
in 1889 moved to Huntingdon, where he was appointed guard at the
State Industrial Reformatory,, a position he yet occupies. He is a
Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He
married ^Margaret, daughter of David Mong — he born in Clarion county,
but resided in Huntingdon county from boyhood until death ; he owned
the tannery located about one mile from Warriors Mark, which he
operated until his death; he was a Democrat in politics, and in religion
a Lutheran; two of his nine children yet survive. Children of AVilliam
B. Fetterhoof: Harry Burkett, of whom further; Edith, died 1903,
aged twenty years; Lois, resides at home; Virginia, died in infancy.

(IV) Harry Burkett, only son of William Beghel and Margaret
(Mong) Fetterhoof, was born at Warriors Mark, Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, July 28, 1871. He was educated at a private school in
Warriors Mark and at Juniata College, whence he was graduated, class
of 1895. He then began the study of medicine at Hahnemann Homeo-
pathic Medical College in Philadelphia, whence he was graduated, M.D.,
class of 1899. He at once began the practice of his profession in Hunt-
ingdon, where he is firmly established in honorable, successful general
practice. He is a member of the medical stafif of Blair Memorial Hos-
pital ; belongs to the Pennsylvania State and Huntingdon County Home-
opathic Societies, and is actively interested in the work of both. His
skill in diagnosis and treatment of baffling diseases is recognized by his
brethren of the profession, by whom he is often called in consultation.
His private practice is large and he is held in highest esteem by a large
circle of personal friends and by all who know him. In political belief
he is a Republican, and in religious connection a Presbyterian.

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 961

Dr. Fetterhoof married, in January, 1906, Mary J\I. Orr, born in
Philadelphia, daughter of Smiley and Martha Orr, of that city.

Mrs. Margaret (White) Grimison, whose
WHITE-GRIMISON well-located millinery parlors in Huntingdon

are so well known, is a granddaughter of
Anthony \Vhite, a Scotchman and early settler of Huntingdon county.
He married Elizabeth Fox, and both were devout members of the
Methodist Episcopal church; children: William; Simon, a farmer;
James, a blacksmith; Anthony (2) (of further mention) ; David; Sarah;
Martha, married Ferdinand Corbin; Elizabeth, and others.

(II) Anthony (2), son of Anthony (i) and Elizabeth (Fox) White,
was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, died aged sev-
enty-nine. He was educated in the public school, and on arriving at
suitable age learned the mason's trade and until 186 1 followed his trade,
making a specialty of the bricklaying branch of the business. He en-
listed in 1 86 1 in Company B, 49th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry, and for three years and three months did a soldier's duty.
He saw hard service with the Army of the Potomac; was engaged in
many of the historic battles that were fought during the war between
the states, but, surviving all the perils of war, returned in safety, bear-
ing that prized possession of every true soldier, an honorable discharge.
He resumed his bricklaying trade, located in Huntingdon, and was
until his death almost continuously employed in bricklaying operations.
He was an expert mechanic, a good soldier, and a true, loyal citizen,
highly respected. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith
a Methodist. He married EmmeHne Focht, daughter of Jacob and
Barbara Focht, of German parentage. Jacob Focht was a mason by
trade, and resided in Big Valley, Pennsylvania. Both he and his wife
were thrifty, industrious Germans and members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. They were parents of : Susan, married David Lantz ;
Catherine, married Isaac Steeley; Emmeline, married Anthony (2)
White, of previous mention; Lee, twin of Emmeline, a merchant; Silas,
and others. Children of Anthony (2) White: r. Alice, married Wil-
liam Black ; child, Richard. 2. Margaret, of whom further. 3. Katha-
rine, married Howard C. Hartley, a travelling salesman for I. S. Custer
& Company, of Philadelphia.

962 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

(III) Margaret, second daughter of Anthony (2) and Emmehne
(Focht) White, was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, February 4,
1873. She was educated in the pubHc schools and began her business
life with the firm of William Reed & Sons, with whom she remained
twelve years. She became well known as one of the leading sales ladies,
and, when she opened her own parlors in Huntingdon, at once secured
a generous patronage, which has grown to most satisfactory propor-
tions. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a
woman of most kindly, generous impulse.

Miss White married, in 1901, William A. Grimison, a wholesale
and retail confectioner of Huntingdon, an efficient, enterprising and
prosperous merchant of that thriving city; a Republican in politics, and
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Huntingdon, and of
the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Grimison had by a former marriage two chil-
dren : Lewis, now engaged with his father in business ; Anna, educated
in the public school, and a graduate of Juniata College, now residing at
home.

From distant Germany came John Morning-
MORNINGSTAR star, a blacksmith. He settled in Huntingdon

county, Pennsylvania, and there followed his
trade until death. He possessed the German attributes of industry and
thrift, prospered in his alien home, and left a large family to perpetu-
ate his name and many virtues. His wife, Mary Rufif. was also of Ger-
man parentage ; children : Maria, married a Mr. Hufi^man, and moved
west ; Teeny, deceased ; Margaret, deceased ; Rachel, deceased ; Eliza-
beth, deceased; John; Adam, of whom further; Matilda; Sarah.

(II) Adam, son of John and Mary (Rufif) Morningstar, was born
February 23, 1819, died in 1856. He learned the blacksmith's trade
with his father and followed that occupation all his life. He was a
Democrat in politics, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Hefright, who came
to this country from Germany, in 1832, settling first in Huntingdon,
later moving to Pittsburgh, where he was proprietor of a hotel. He
was a member of the Roman Catholic church, married and left issue :
George, deceased, a soldier of the civil war ; Frank, deceased, a contrac-
tor and builder; Louis, deceased, an employee of the Pennsylvania rail-

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 963

road ; Henry, deceased, also a railroad employee ; Catherine, married
August Letherman, a merchant; Mitty, married a Mr. Davis; Alary,
married Thomas Westbrook; Elizabeth, married Adam Alorningstar ;
their children: Mary M., born March 31, 1S45, married Solomon Os-
walt, a lumberman; Annie E., born November 29, 1846, married John
R. Hershey, an engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad ; John Henry,
born November 27, 1848, deceased, a teamster and quarryman; Emma,
died in childhood; George P., born December 8, 1851, an employee of
the Pennsylvania railroad; Thomas, died in infancy; Louis Adam, of
whom further.

(Ill) Louis Adam, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Hef right) Morn-
ingstar, was born in Huntingdon, October 22, 1855. He was educated
in the public schools of Huntingdon, and first began as a wage-earner,
working in a brick yard, continuing five years. For the next ten years
he worked in a planing mill. Leaving the mill he entered the employ
of the Pennsylvania railroad as engine cleaner, being promoted brake-
man in 1882, holding that position five years. He was then raised to
the rank of assistant conductor on local trains, serving as such eleven
years. He was then promoted to conductor, a position he now fills,
having worked his way upward from the very bottom of the ladder to
his present important position. He has proved faithful and capable in
every position held, and ranks as one of the company's most trusted
employees. In political faith Air. Alorningstar is a Prohibitionist, and
both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and to Broad Top
Lodge, No. 158, Order of Railway Conductors; and is also a member
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Relief Association, Pennsylvania railroad
veterans.

He married, in 1887, Flora V., daughter of John and Margaret
Apger; child: Mabel Gertrude, born March 17, 1888, graduate of
Huntingdon high school, and of Juniata College, now residing at home.

This name, honored wherever found, was originally

CHISOLM Chisholm, borne by a numerous and powerful Scottish

clan from a period remote in Scotch history, known

first as the Clan Siosal. or the Chisholms. Many of the clan fought

under A\'allace and Bruce, and as a clan they warmly espoused the

964 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY ■

cause of "Prince Charlie" in his attempt to wrest the thrones of Eng-
land and Scotland from the House of Hanover. A claymore used by
a Chisholm at the battle of Bannockburn is yet treasured as a priceless
memento of the loyalty of their race and of their valor on the field of
battle. At CuUoden the chief of the clan was slain in one of the des-
perate charges of the Highlanders against the solid columns of English
troops, and when the battle was lost, Prince Charles, trusting his person
to their honor and devotion, was guided from the field by three of the
Chisholm clan and secreted until opportunity was ripe for his escape.
Although a reward of £30,000 was offered by the English crown for
his capture, these men were true, and safely they conveyed him to the
coast. One of these men, Hugh Chisholm, on shaking hands with the
Prince, vowed he would never again offer his right hand to another, a
vow he religiously kept. After the battle of Culloden the great-great-
grandfather of Dr. Henry Clay Chisolm, of Huntingdon, escaped from
the field, and, with others of "Prince Charlie's" defeated adherents,
came to America. He was twenty-three years of age when the party
landed in South Carolina and settled at Charleston. His son dropped
the second "h" from the name, and in this branch it is still written
Chisolm. The emigrant married and founded a family that has always
been a prominent one in the South and wherever found.

The grandfather of Dr. Chisolm was William J. M. Chisolm. a
grandson of the founder. He was born about the year 1800, and died
in Kemper county, Mississippi, in March, 185 1. He settled in the state
of Georgia after his marriage, residing there, a wealthy planter and
slave owner, until 1846, when he located in Kemper county, Mississippi,
on a large plantation which was his home until death. I-Cemper county
was then infested by a body of lawless men who by their deeds of vio-
lence and disregard for human life had seriously retarded the growth
and development of the county. With the coming of the Chisolms and
others of similar temper, a better condition was brought to pass,
although many years have entirely obliterated the evil name given that
district by these evil men. William J. M. Chisolm and his wife were
both members of the Baptist church, active supporters and workers for
the good of their community. In purchasing the Kemper county plan-
tation the father incurred a heavy obligation which would in time have
been discharged, but his death five years after the removal there left

HISTORY OF THE JUXIATA VALLEY 965

the family with a large estate heavily encumbered by debt. Ere his
death lie exacted a promise from his eldest son, William Wallace
Chisolm, that he would stay with his mother, discharge the debt, and
educate and provide for his three younger sisters. William J. M. Chis-
olm married Dorothy L. Swanson, born in Georgia, in 1802, died in
1882, daughter of a cultured, wealthy family of that state. She was a
woman of rare force of character, thoroughly imbued with love and
devotion to the Southland, but outspoken in her sentiments of loyalty
when the disruption of the union of states was attempted. Of their
ten children, two are yet living: Leonard Marbrey Chisolm, of Rio,
Mississippi ; and Mrs. India Calvert, now living in Texas.

(IV) William Wallace, eldest son of William J. M. and Dorothy L.
(Swanson) Chisolm, was born in Morgan county, Georgia, December
6, 1830, died at the hands of the "Ku Klux Klan," April 29, 1877, o"^
of the last victims of that lawless band that had so long terrorized Kein-
per county, Mississippi. He was as well educated as was possible in
his native county, which he left at the age of sixteen years, going with
the family to the new plantation in Kemper county. He was barely
of legal age when in 185 1 the death of his father left him the head of
the family. Bound not only by his promise to his dying father but by
his natural inclination and devotion, he assumed the burden of clearing
the debt from the estate and the education of his younger sisters, a task
that after years of toil was faithfully performed. In 1S56 he married,
and from that year dates the beginning of an eventful, prosperous life,
tragic only in its ending. With the assistance of his wife, an educated
Southern woman, he began a course of study and reading that broad-
ened and deepened his outlook on life, preparing for the higher posi-
tions he was destined to occupy. At the same time he entered with
zest into the development of the agricultural resources of his planta-
tion, and soon became marked as one of the leaders in his county. On
January 30, 1858, he was chosen magistrate at a special election, and the
following October was again chosen at the general election to fill the
same office for a term of two years. He filled this important office with
honor, and two years later, in November, i860, was elected probate
judge of the county, an office he held through successive reelections until
1867, when he resigned in favor of John McRea, the appointee of the
provisional governor of Mississippi. At each of his three elections to

966 . HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

the office of probate judge his opponent was Judge Gill, an older man,
and next to Judge Chisolm the most popular official ever elected in
Kemper county. In all these years, while enjoying in so high a degree
the respect and confidence of his fellows, Judge Chisolm was a pro-
nounced Union man, and an uncompromising foe of the party of dis-
union. He was a Whig in sympathy, and himself a slave owner, son of
a slave-owning father, yet the property interest did not overbalance his
love of country. There being no Lincoln ticket in Mississippi, he voted
for Bell and Everett, the nominees of the Southern Unionists against
the Breckinridge ticket nominated by the seceding Democrats to oppose
Douglas, the regular Democratic nominee. Both as a citizen and as a
civil officer, Judge Chisolm was steadily opposed to secession, and re-
fused to lend to it any personal aid. He never bore arms except in
the third days' militia, and then under protest. Yet, Whig and Unionist
as he was, young and inexperienced in politics as he was, his strong
character and open defiance of the strong sentiment of the county so
impressed and won the respect and hearts of the voters that he was con-
tinued in an elective office all through the war period and early recon-
struction days. A greater tribute never was paid mortal man than this
voluntary homage of his political enemies. After resigning his position
as judge he filled other offices in Kemper county, and strove with all
his mighty influence to bring order out of the chaos which the changed
relations between the races had left the South. Ku Klux bands rode
the neighborhood and under cover of the movement to control the
negroes many of the lawless characters of Kemper county committed
their awful crimes of violence to property and person. In the fall of
1876 Judge Chisolm was elected to congress, and, on April 27 following
was foully murdered in his own home at De Kalb, Mississippi, together
with his eldest child, Cornelia J., a beautiful young lady of nineteen
}'ears of age, who bravely defended her father until stricken down by
the cruel blows of human fiends. A son of Judge Chisolm, a lad of
fourteen years, John Mann Chisolm, was also killed in the brave fight
against overpowering numbers. In his death. Judge Chisolm not only
proved the strength of his devotion to law and order, but in dying won
a victory for his cause, as the wave of horror that swept over North
and South at the brutal murders aroused such a feeling that this was
the last lawless outbreak of the reconstruction period. A wonderful

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 967

life was his — duty, its guiding star — and, as son, husjjand, father, citi-
zen and patriot, full of honor from earliest manhood to its tragic end.
He was tried by every test, and found "not wanting." Surely an in-
spiration, this life lived for a decade among political enemies, at a time
when men's worst passions ran rampant, yet honored and so loved that,
over his bier passion and hate were swept away and man's better nature
revived.

Judge Chisolm married, October 29, 1856, Emily S. Mann, born in
Alabama, who survived him until October, 1904. Children: i. Cor-
nelia Josephine, born in Kemper county, Mississippi, February 11, 1858,
died in De Kalb, Mississippi, April 29, 1877, while defending her father
from attack. "Her young life yielded up on the altar of filial love and
devotion cannot have been lived in vain. The lesson taught by her
example will live long after the generation and spirit that prompted
those inhuman acts shall have been forgotten or numbered with the
things of the past." The following lines are from a poem to her mem-
ory, written by Stephen S. Harding, on the first anniversary of her
death :

Cornelia Chisolm :

Hadst thou but died in classic Rome,

Where thy great namesake died.

Thou wouldst have lived in Parian stone.

Supreme in excellence alone;

Through the long ages dim,

Thy very name the poet's synonym

For filial love and courage deified.

2. Henry Clay, of whom further. 3. Julia August, born October 13,

1861, died November 21 following. 4. John Mann, born October 5,

1862, shared the fate of his father and sister, April 29, 1877. 5. Ida
May, born October 16, 1865, died January 11, 1866. 6. William Wal-
lace (2), born October 19, 1866; now a practicing lawyer of Hunt-
ingdon, Pennsylvania.

Emily S. (Alann) Chisolm, mother of the foregoing children, was
a daughter of John W. Mann, of Amelia Island, Florida, a prominent
lawyer and a gentleman of high literary and social standing. She was
a granddaughter of Thomas Mann, a soldier of the revolution, born in
Virginia, of the third generation from the founder in America, a Scotch-

968 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

man and merchant from Edinburgh, owning the ship in which he trans-
ported his goods and family to America. Thomas Mann early entered
the revolutionary army, and served through the entire struggle that fol-
lowed ere liberty was gained. He was shot through the knee at the
battle of Cowpens; was again wounded by a party of Tories and left
for dead, a ball entering the left side of his chest, passing through into
the shoulder, where it remained to his death, aged eighty- four years.
He was captured during the battle of Brandywine, and for some time
held captive on a British prison ship. The Manns were prominent in
the early settlement of Florida, where Thomas Mann held a Spanish
grant and was an early settler where Fernandino now stands, being cred-
ited with the erection of the first house on the site of the present city.
John W. Mann, son of Thomas Mann, married Nancy Gresham, daugh-
ter of Rev. Wheeler Gresham, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church, ordained by Bishops Asbury and Coke, of the early church.
After marriage, Mr. Mann moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where his
wife died. Later he moved to Columbus, Mississippi, where he prac-
ticed law. During the war he left home on a journey and was never
again heard from. He had three children, including Emily S., wife of
Judge William Wallace Chisolm.

(V) Henry Clay, eldest son of Judge William Wallace and Emily
S. (Mann) Chisolm, was born in Kemper county, Mississippi, October
3, 1859. His boyhood was spent in De Kalb, Mississippi, where his
early education was obtained in the city schools and under private
tutors. Later he entered Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, but was
compelled to leave that institution in 1877 on the death of his father.
From March, 1878, until September 8 he held a position in the office
of the surgeon-general at Washington, D. C, then resigning and enter-
ing a commercial college at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, whence he was
graduated in 1879. From that year until 1883 he was a clerk in Gov-
ernor Hoyt's office at Harrisburg. In 1883 he spent a few months in
Idaho, then returned east and spent a term at Columbia College, Wash-
ington, D. C. He had previously spent some time in the study of medi-
cine, and in 1885 determined to complete his course and settle down to
permanent professional work. In 1885 he entered Hahnemann Medi-
cal College in Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M. D., class of
1888. He at once began practice in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in asso-

HISTORY OF THE JUXTATA VALLEY 969

ciation witli Dr. Hugh I'ilcairn, l)ut after eighteen months in lliat city
removed to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He (|uickly built up a good
practice, and there remains well established and prosperous. He ranks
high in his profession, both in medicine and surgery, possessing the
confidence of his people and the respect of his brethren of the medical
profession. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Homeopathic
[Medical Society, the State Aledical Society, Huntingdon County Medi-
cal Society, the Alumni Association of Hahnemann College; serves on
the Huntingdon Board of Health, and is a member of the medical staf¥
of Blair Memorial Hospital, which he also serves as trustee. Both the
doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to ■Mount Moriah
Lodge, No. 300, Free and Accepted Masons ; Standing Stone Chapter,
No. 201, Royal Arch Masons; Huntingdon Commandery, Xo. 65,
Knights Templar; also Jafifa Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. He also is a member
of the Knights of Pythias. In political faith he is an ardent Republican,
and takes lively interest in public affairs. He was elected state senator
in 1896, receiving the largest majority ever given a candidate for that
office in the thirty-third district.

Dr. Chisolm married, in Harrisburg, April 28, 1883, Lillian, daugh-
ter of John and Catherine Gross. Children: Cornelia, born February
13, 1886, died February 8, 1887; Anna Gresham, born December 31,
1887, married Ellsworth C. Dunkle, and resides in Erie, Pennsylvania;
Emily Mann, born February 22, 1892, residing at home; William Wal-
lace (3), born March 8, 1894, now a student at Hahnemann Homeo-
pathic Medical College, Philadelphia.

John McCahan, of Huntingdon, Huntingdon county,
McCAHAN Pennsylvania, descends from Protestant Irish stock.

The immigrant founder of the family in America,
John McCahan, was born in the north of Ireland. In 1792 he came to
the L^nited States, first locating in Baltimore, Mar}dand, where he was
apprenticed to Steele & McClain, printers. In 1795 the firm failed, and
he went with another firm. Later he settled in Huntingdon county,
Pennsvlvania. At that time there was no postoffice, and few comforts
in that section of Pennsylvania. In 1801 he established a business in

970 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

Huntingdon county, which continued until 1833. He also dealt in real
estate, in which venture he was successful. When he died, in March,
1857, he was one of the wealthy men of the county, in the upbuilding
of which he did his part. He was a large landowner, a man of local
prominence, though leading a quiet and unostentatious life. He was a
Presbyterian in faith, and was a Whig in politics. He married Martha
Anderson, in May, 1803, a native of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish
ancestry. Children: i. John K., born August i, 1804. 2. James An-
derson, born Alarch 6, 1807, died in infancy. 3. James, born August,
1809. 4. Mary, born August 21, 1812. 5. Thomas, of whom further.
6. Jane, born March 31, 1819.

(II) Thomas McCahan, son of John and Martha (Anderson)
McCahan, was born October 14, 1815, in Huntingdon county, and died
December 15, 1869, in Walker township, Huntingdon county, Pennsyl-
vania. He was reared on his father's farm, received his education in
the common school, and became a farmer on reaching his majority.
After his father's death, as well as before, he managed the estate, Avisely
and well. He was also connected with the Mill Creek furnace. He was
a Whig during the life of that party, afterward becoming a Republican.
Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Before his
death he had acquired a large land holding. He married (first) Rachel
Higgins, born in 1816, in Blair county, Pennsylvania, died January 20,
1854, in Smithfield township, Huntingdon county, a daughter of a
family long resident in Blair county. He married (second) Sarah
Peightal. Children by first marriage: i. John, of whom further. 2.
Mary, married Howard Smith, ticket agent at Duncannon, Pennsyl-
vania. 3. Rachel, died in infancy. Children by second marriage : 4.
Jennie, lives in Huntingdon. 5. Harry, lives in Missouri. 6. Minnie,
married G. B. Rex, an attorney in Huntingdon.

(III) John McCahan, son of Thomas and Rachel (Higgins) Mc-
Cahan, was born November 6, 1S48, in W^alker township, Huntingdon
county, Pennsylvania. His education was received in the common
schools of the township, and was necessarily limited. He left the farm
when quite j-oung and entered the railroad world, serving in various
capacities. He later returned to farming, in AValker township, and
purchased three hundred and forty-two acres of land. Here he farmed
for years, bringing the land to an unexcelled fertility, and producing a

HISTORY OF TUB JUXIATA VALLEY 971

heavy yield of grain, corn, and utlier farm products. Until 1905 he
continued on this place, when he sold it for a large sum, and moved to
Huntingdon. In 1908 and 1909 he erected a handsome lilock of com-
mercial buildings, which he rents and the management of which is his
care. Air. McCahan is a Republican, aiding his party in every manner
in his power, and when a resident of Walker township he was prevailed
upon to accept township offices, in each discharging his duties satisfac-
torily to his constituency.

He married. August 17, 1871, Maria Nash, of Huntingdon, who
died April 16, 1909, daughter of John and Sarah (Lutman) Nash, of
Huntingdon: he died in 1896. Mr. Nash was the editor and proprietor
of the Huntingdon Journal. Mrs. McCahan was a devout and consis-
tent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Children of John and
Maria (Nash) AlcCahan : i. Thomas, born in 1872, an engineer on
the H. & B. T. Railway. 2. John, born in 1874. employed by a con-
tracting firm. 3. Mary, born in 1876; married Charles Pennell, of Dun-
cannon, Pennsylvania. 4. Richard, born in 1878; superintendent of
bridge and structural concern in Greensburg, Pennsylvania; married
Naomi Maxwell. 5. Frank, born in 1880; is foreman in shops at
Greensburg, Pennsylvania, under his brother Richard.

This branch of the Jacobs family is of true German and
JACOBS Scotch descent, the grandparents of Roy Warren Jacobs,

of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, on both sides, being born
in Germany and Scotland, respectively. The paternal grandfather,
John Jacobs, married and lived in the province of Omstadt, Germany,
until after the death of his wife. In 1840. being then advanced in
vears, he came to the United States with three children, settling: in
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he died. He was a shoemaker by
trade, and a member of the Presbyterian church. His eldest son, Bar-
ney, became a farmer of the state of Illinois, married and left five
children. Alargaret, the only daughter of John Jacobs, married Adam
Homan, and died in Black Log Valley, Huntingdon county. John (2),
the second son, is of further mention.

(II) John (2), son of John (i) Jacobs, was born in Omstadt, Ger-
many, in 1832, and in 1840 was brought by his father to this country.
Two years later he was bound out to serve without pay until eighteen

9/2 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

years of age to Edward Zerner, who taught him the tanner's trade.
At an early age he married and settled in Shirleysburg, having as near
nothing upon which to start married life as was possible. He secured
work upon the Pennsylvania railroad, then in course of construction,
receiving as wages eighty cents daily. He only worked one day at this
figure, his immediate boss taking an instant liking to the boy and pro-
moting him to the position of camp steward at a dollar per day. He
worked sixty-one days at this job, then with sixty dollars and eighty
cents in his pocket walked home, carrying his shoes in order to save
the wear the long walk would subject them to, travelling in his bare
feet. Reaching home he decided to begin the butchering business, and
a day later walked to a neighboring farmer and purchased a calf, paying
therefor five dollars. He then tied the calf's legs together, slung him
over his back, and in that manner carried the animal to his home in
Shirleysburg. By the aid of his wife the calf was killed and dressed,
after which he peddled the meat about town in a basket. This was his
first start in a business that was destined to grow to large proportions.
He continued his basket peddling of meat for one month, then was
able to purchase a horse and wagon, paying therefor the sum of ten
dollars and fifty cents, the quality probably being on a par with this
low price. Little by little he expanded, until within ten years he was
proprietor of a dressed meat business supplying the towns of Shirleys-
burg, :\It. Union, Mapleton, Alill Creek, Orbisonia and Shade Gap,
employing on the road four teams and three single horses. He later
purchased a low-lj'ing farm of one hundred and eight acres, adjoining
Shirleysburg borough, principally a duck and frog pond. He cut one
load of swamp grass the first year, also sowing a field of buckwheat.
When ready to harvest he bargained with a neighbor to cut and flail
it out for him, agreeing to give him eleven bushels of the yield. When
measured up there was only nine bushels of the grain, but Mr. Jacobs
paid up. He then began a systematic plan of drainage and fertilization,
with the result that in 1888 he had one of the best farms in the county,
selling it in that year for $13,000 cash. In 1889 he retired from busi-
ness, living in Shirlej'sburg until his death, April 24. 1913, aged eighty
years nine months sixteen days. His career was a most remarkable
one, and again proves that industry and courage can overcome all obsta-
cles. He was an elder of the Presbyterian church, and a liberal con-

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 973

tributor to church support. He was always interested in public affairs,
but held no otitices, and was not a strict party man. His business affairs
were well conducted, and all concernctl in it felt the inspiration of the
owner's example. He was a hard worker, but after his retirement gave
himself up to well-earned ease. At the age of eighteen years he mar-
ried (first) Isabel Peterson, born in Shade Valley, in 1834, died in Sep-
tember, 1892. He married (second) Mrs. Susan Dotsom, of Blair
county, Pennsylvania, who survives him. Children by first wife:
George E., died in Altoona, in 191 1 ; Lowry R., now living in Hunting-
don, retired; Albert, now a farmer of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania;
Mary, died in childhood; John, an employee of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, residing in Altoona; Joseph, died in infancy; Elmer, now a hotel
keeper and farmer of Huntingdon; Annie, married W. H. Lightner, a
merchant and farmer, now living in Shirleysburg ; Roy \\'arren, of
whom further; Harry, an employee of the "East Broad Top" railroad,
and a resident of Shirleysburg. Isabel (Peterson) Jacobs was a daugh-
ter of Robert and Ellen Peterson, both born in Scotland. On coming
to the LTnited States, Robert Peterson settled in Huntingdon county,
purchasing a farm in Shade Valley. He built a sawmill on his farm
and in time worked off the timber, converting it into lumber, for which
he found a ready sale. He cultivated this farm after clearing it, con-
tinuing his residence there until his death at the age of eighty-four
years. He and his wife were original members of the Shade Gap Pres-
byterian Church, which Robert served as an elder. He lived a quiet,
retired life, but was a man of deep piety, widely known for the honesty
and purity of his life. He died about 1876, his wife about twenty years
prior to that date. He married (second) Susanna Morrow. Children
of Robert and Ellen Peterson: John, a farmer, died in Cambria county;
David, a farmer, died in Shade Valley; Mary Ellen, married George
Cree, and died in Cambria county ; Jesse, a carpenter and farmer, died in
Shade Valley; Isabel (of previous mention), married John (2) Jacobs;
Anna, married John Mathews, and died in Cambria county ; Belle, mar-
ried Daniel Matthews, and died in Cambria county; Reed, died aged
nine years; James, a farmer, died in Shade Valley; Elizabeth, married
James Dever, and died in Shade Valley.

(Ill) Roy Warren, son of John (2) and Isabel (Peterson) Jacobs,
was born in Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, August 25,

974 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

1866. He was educated in the public schools, and spent his early years
on the farm. At the age of sixteen years he began business life as a
merchant, opening a grocery novelty store and meat market under his
own name. He prospered and a year later opened a meat market at
Mt. Union, and the same year bought and sold fifty-six horses, shipped
three carloads of cattle and fourteen hundred sheep to a market in
Philadelphia, an amount of business that was worthy of a much older
and more experienced dealer. He continued this place for two years,
then sold out his Shirleysburg business and located in Altoona, Pennsyl-
vania, where he established a grocery store, and a month later married.
He purchased a home in Altoona, but two and a half months later his
bride died. He then sold his home and business in Altoona and returned
to his father's home in Shirleysburg, where for seven weeks he was
seriously ill with typhoid fever, the same disease that carried off his
wife. On his recovery he located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he
entered the employ of the Scranton Steam Heat and Supply Company
as an apprentice. He won the confidence of his employers, who at the
end of his first year promoted him to be outside superintendent over
thirty-seven men. A year and a half later he was admitted to 'the firm,
purchasing a one-third interest that in two years Avas increased to a
half interest. The firm name was then changed to Evans & Jacobs, so
continuing one year, when Mr. Jacobs sold his interest and removed to
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, where he established in the same business
as at Scranton. Nine months later, in 1889, he located in Huntingdon,
still continuing in the heating and supply business. He opened a store
on Penn street, in Huntingdon, where he continued in successful busi-
ness until 1897. During this period he had perfected and patented an
improved boiler and radiator, known to the trade as the "Keystone."
The demand for these led to the formation of the Kej^stone Boiler and
Radiator Company, of which Mr. Jacobs was vice-president and man-
ager until 1902, when he retired from the company. He then engaged
in the coal and real estate business, and has attained the same success
in that as in his other business enterprises. He is president of the Broad
Top Coal and Mineral Company, president of the Possum Hollow Coal
and Coke Company, and a director and large stockholder in the Kishaco-
quillas Valley railroad. He was the founder and promoter of the Hunt-
ingdon, Lewistown & Juniata Valley Traction Company, and controls

HISTORY OV THE JUNIATA VALLEY 975

and practically owns the entire road, which when completed will com-
prise fifty-one miles; the organization was effected in 1906. Mr. Jacobs
is also the founder of Jacobs" Addition, just across the river from Hunt-
ingdon, in Smithfield township; and is a large owner of farm land
(about sixteen hundred acres) just outside Huntingdon, and consider-
able other property in that borough, and other lands that he rents to
more than fifty tenants. This record of a busy life, although started
under more favorable circumstances, compares favorably with that of
his honored father. It is a record extending from boyhood to mature
years, and is one of constant progress during the thirty years he has
been in active business. Now, in the prime of life, Mr. Jacobs can
review the past with satisfaction, and from it the young man of to-day
can gather an inspiration that will help him to do likewise. Industry
and integrity are the mainsprings of success, and no better illustration
of the truth of this can be found than in the lives of John and Roy
Warren Jacobs, father and son.

Air. Jacobs is a Republican in politics, since 1908 has been chief
burgess of Huntingdon, and it is generally conceded by his constituents
that his has been the most efficient adnfinistration in the history of the
borough. Outside his business associations, he is regarded as the most
liberal and public-spirited citizen the borough has ever had, and as an
evidence is presented the fact that at the present time (1913) he is
ofifering free a tract of fifty acres to be used for manufacturing purposes.

Mr. Jacobs married (first) in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Kate, daughter
of Rev. J. H. Bradford, of Baltimore, Maryland, who only survived
her wedding day about two and a half months. He married (second) in
1891, Emma Gipple, of Huntingdon, who died in 1892. He married
(third) in 1897, Minnie G. Taylor. Children by third wife are Roy
^\'arren, Walter T., and Robert S. Jacobs. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are
members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the Royal
Arcanum and the Order of Heptasophs.

There is no record found that positively identifies the Sears
SEARS family of Maryland with the early New England settler,

but the belief is well founded that Robert Sears, the revo-
lutionary soldier of Fauquier and Loudon counties, Virginia, was a
descendant of Richard Sares. who died in Plymouth colony, and was

976 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

buried August 26, 1676. He was survived by his wife Dorothy and
sons Paul and Silas. There were, however, several families of the name
Sears found in Virginia about the year 1750, all claiming English origin,
except the family of Sears in Prince George county, Virginia, who
claimed French descent.

(I) The earliest definite record of this branch is of Robert Sears,
of Fauquier and Loudon counties, Virginia, who was a soldier in the
revolutionary army for seven years. About the year 18 12 he emigrated
to Ohio, where he died. He married Eleanor Dallas, said to have been
a relative of Vice-president Dallas, and had issue : John, born in Loudon
county, Virginia, September 2"], 1764; Robert (2), of whom further;
Sarah, married Presby Harding; Elizabeth, married John Luke; Mar-
garet, married Henry Harding ; Thomas ; Samuel, settled in Kentucky ;
Mildred, died in Ohio.

(II) Robert (2), son of Robert and Eleanor (Dallas) Sears, was
born in Loudon county, Virginia, in 1766. He inherited lands from
his father in the state of Maryland and moved to that state, where for
several years he was a resident of the city of Baltimore. He married
and left male issue.

(III) Thomas, son of Robert (2) Sears, was born in Baltimore,
Maryland, where he was educated, married, lived and died. His busi-
ness life was spent in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad in a
clerical capacity. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, which he served as trustee. He married Violet Lilly, also of
Maryland birth. They had sons: George, Samuel Wesley, W^illiam; and
three other children, whose names are not recorded.

(IV) Rev. Samuel Wesley Sears, son of Thomas and Violet (Lilly)
Sears, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, died in Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania, June 3, 1896. He was educated in divinity, and became an or-
dained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, a profession fore-
shadowed by his good Methodist name, bestowed by a Methodist father
in honor of the great founder of Methodism, John Wesley. Rev. Sam-
uel W. Sears was a member of the old Baltimore Conference that had
jurisdiction over a large number of churches in southern and central
Pennsylvania. Later the conference was divided, and the East Balti-
more and Central Pennsylvania conferences created. Rev. Sears joined
the Central Pennsylvania body, and thereafter spent his life in the ser-

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 977

vice of several of the churches governed by that conference. Under the
itinerant system employed by the Methodist church, his removals were
frequent, but in all his charges he was deeply appreciated and beloved.
He was pastor of churches at Bedford, Lewistown, Altoona, Harrisburg,
Chambersburg, Bloomsburg in Pennsylvania, and at Cumberland, Fred-
erick and Hagerstown in Maryland. In the spring of 1896 he retired
from active work in the ministry and three months later was called to
his reward. His work as a minister of the Gospel covered a continuous
period of forty-four years, and they were years of earnest, faithful ser-
vice for the cause he loved. He is remembered with affection and re-
spect in the many churches he served and many men and women now
bearing honors in both church and state date their christian experience
from his teachings or kindly words of advice. He was also an honored
member of the Alasonic order. Rev. Sears married Elizabeth R. ]\IcCa-
han, died in December, 1891, daughter of John McCahan, a farmer of
the Juniata Valley, well-to-do landowner, and devoted Methodist. Chil-
dren of Rev. Samuel W. Sears: i. George, died in childhood. 2. Eliza-
beth Sarah, died aged twenty-three years, of yellow fever, in the city of
Panama, where she was a teacher in the American College. 3. Margaret
A., now residing in Huntingdon county, unmarried. 4. Dr. William
Hardin, of whom further. 5. Edgar R., now residing in Cincinnati,
Ohio, a clerk in the offices of Baltimore & Ohio railroad. 6. Irene L.,
married J. W. Barbour, and resides in Chambersburg. 7. Samuel Wes-
ley (2), now organist, choirmaster and director of the choir school of
St. James Protestant Episcopal Church, Philadelphia. 8. Murray C,
now a jeweler, of \\'alla Walla, Washington.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. (McCahan) Sears was a descendant of Patrick
McCahan, who came from Ireland, settling in Juniata county, where he
married a Quakeress and had issue. John, son of Patrick McCahan,
was born in Juniata county, where he resided until 1856, then moved to
Huntingdon county, where he resided until death, a farmer in both
counties. He married Sarah Reynolds, also born in Juniata county,
daughter of Stephen Reynolds, of English ancestry, granddaughter of
Benjamin Reynolds, one of the twelve sons of Henry Reynolds, a
preacher of the Society of Friends, who came from Nottingham, Eng-
land, at an early date, settling in Cecil county, Maryland. He was twice
married and besides his twelve sons had two daughters. Benjamin

978 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

Reynolds married May Job, and had six sons, of whom Stephen was
the eldest. A grandson of Benjamin, Dr. John Reynolds, was one of
the heroes of the Alamo, who perished at its capture, March 6, 1836.
Stephen Reynolds had three wives and sixteen children. His second
wife, Elizabeth Ricketts, bore him six, of whom Sarah was the fifth;
she married John McCahan. Their children were: Jacob S., a farmer;
Stephen R., a freight conductor, killed in a collision on the Huntingdon
& Broad Top railroad; Jane A., married E. B. Crum, a one-time editor
of the Altoond Tribune; Elizabeth R., of previous mention, married Rev_
Samuel W. Sears, and died in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; Mary, who
became second wife of her brother-in-law, E. B. Crum; J. Fletcher, died
in the Union army during the siege of Vicksburg; Deborah, married
George A. Black; and David, the last survivor, born January 27, 1830,
and from 1856 in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad.

(V) Dr. William Hardin Sears, son of Rev. Samuel W. and Eliza-
beth R. (McCahan) Sears, was born in Cumberland, Maryland. He was
educated in the public schools of the different towns his father served
as pastor, including the Bedford high school and Lewistown Academy,
being a graduate of both. Deciding upon a medical profession, he en-
tered Medico-Chirurgical Medical College at Philadelphia, from whence
he was graduated M.D., class of 1898. For two years thereafter he
was resident surgeon at Philadelphia General Hospital, and in 1900
did post-graduate work at the Polyclinic and other hospitals of Phila-
delphia. In that year he located in Huntingdon, where he is now
well established in practice as a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear,
nose and throat. Well equipped and thoroughly prepared as he was
before beginning practice as a specialist in these diseases. Dr. Sears has
not depended upon past learning, but for at least two months in each
year studies the different phases presented in large hospitals of the
country, particularly Philadelphia, and thus keeps in touch with all
modern discovery, thought or treatment. He is a member of the Amer-
ican Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical and Hunting-
don County medical societies, the American Academy of Ophthalmology
and Laryngolog3% taking an active interest in the work of all. He
is a member of the staff of Blair Memorial Hospital, and surgeon in
charge of the eye, ear, nose and throat department; also is ophthalmolo-
gist at the Lewistown Hospital. He has served as trustee of Blair

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 979

Memorial Hospital since its organization, and with Drs. Frontz and
Chisolni formed the medical representation on the building commission
in charge of its erection and equipment. He is highly regarded by his
brethren of the profession, who recognize his ability in his specialties,
while as a man and citizen he is held in high esteem wherever known.
Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

Dr. Sears married, May 3, 1893, Ethel Maude Odiorne, also born
in Alaryland; children: William Odiorne; Walter Coffin, died aged
seven years; and Philips Shirley.

The Culbertson family of Pennsylvania, of which
CULBERTSON William Wilson Culbertson, of Huntingdon. Penn-
sylvania, is a member, is of Scotch-Irish origin,
and came to this country a number of generations ago.

(I) William Culbertson, grandfather of William Wilson Culbertson,
was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania; most of his life was spent
in Mifflin county. He was occupied as a laborer and a farmer, and was
a member of the Lutheran church. He married Rebecca Kohill, and
had children: Joel, a carpenter, who resided in Allenville, Mifflin
county, Pennsylvania ; Samuel, a laborer ; Nancy, married David John-
son ; Ezra, a farmer in Clarion county, Pennsylvania ; John, a saddler by
trade; James, see forward: William, a farmer of Clarion county, Penn-
sylvania ; Polly, married Edward Wheaton : Patty, married Charles
Crownover: one child died in childhood and another died in infancy.

(II) James, son of William and Rebecca (Kohill) Culbertson, died
in Alifflin county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1903. His education was
acquired in the common schools, and his entire life was passed in Mif-
flin county, where he was occupied as a farmer and laborer. He was a
stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and a devout member of the
Lutheran church. He married Rachel Jenkins, of Stone Valley, Hunt-
ingdon county, Pennsylvania, also a member of the Lutheran church,
who had brothers : Ira, engaged in track contract work for the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company ; John, deceased : and Matthias, who died in
1878: her sister, Harriet, married Joel Culbertson. Mr. and ^Nlrs. Cul-
bertson had children : William Wilson, see forward : Oliver, born in
1849, "^^'^s a carpenter by trade, and died unmarried: Miles, born in
1852, was a farmer, married Mary Steely, and had: Mary and Emma:

98o HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

Oscar; William, a farmer; James, a farmer; Harry, a farmer; Rachel,
died in infancy.

(Ill) William Wilson, son of James and Rachel (Jenkins) Culbert-
son, was born in Allenville, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, April 17,
1847. The public schools of his native town afforded him the oppor-
tunity of gaining a sound, practical education, and upon its completion
he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. He followed this
occupation for a number of years, then engaged with the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, March 12, 1872, contracting to do their carpenter
bridge work, and this connection has now been in force for about forty
years. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.

- He married, 1869, Sarah, born February 10, 1850, daughter of
Henry and Chestina (Hufford) Brindle, of Belleville, Mifflin county,
Pennsylvania, where Mr. Brindle followed his calling of coopering.
They have had children: i. Anna Tawanda, born October 30, 1870;
married James B. Sleeman, a mechanic in the employ of the J. C. Blair
Company, and they have had children: Sarah, born in May, 1893;
Elizabeth, December 6, 1894; Helen, January, 1896. 2. Harry James,
born March 10, 1873, <i'^d ^^ 19 10, was a carpenter by trade. 3. Rachel,
born April 18, 1876; married William King, and had children: Cleo;
Frederick; William, died in infancy. 4. Chestina, born December 8,
1879; married Stewart Lynton, and has one son: William Richard. 5.
William John, born August 8, 1889, is a tinner in the employ of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; unmarried.

The name of Harshbarger is of German origin,
HARSHBARGER and the family now bearing it in the state of

Pennsylvania has been richly endowed with the
admirable traits which were so characteristic of their forbears who were
among the earty settlers of the state. Horatio C. Harshbarger, of Hunt-
ingdon, Pennsylvania, who has failed a number of public positions, is
a representative of this famity.

(I) Jacob Harshbarger, his grandfather, was born in the state of
Pennsylvania, of German descent, and was occupied as a cooper during
all the active years of his life. He was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. He married Hannah ; children: Abram, de-
ceased : David, also deceased, was a well-known physician ; Bud. see

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 981

forward; William, engaged in farming; Sarah, married Nicholas Con-
roy; ]\Iary, died unmarried.

(II) Bud, son of Jacob and Hannah Harshbarger, was born May 7,
1826, and died February 7, 191 1. He was educated in the public schools
and at a suitable age was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, an
occupation he followed for some time and then abandoned in favor
of a farming life. Prior to the civil war he had enlisted as a member
of Jackson's Artillery. His political affiliations were with the Demo- .
cratic party, and he held a number of public offices, among them being
those of supervisor and school director. He and his wife were members
of the Brethren church. Mr. Harshbarger married, August 29, 1848,
Martha, born October 3, 1825, died January 23, 1869, daughter of
Stephen and Hannah Curwin. Mr. Curwin, who was born in America
of German parentage, was a shoemaker by trade. He and his wife
were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and had children:
Isabella, married David Barree; Martha, mentioned above; Lettie, mar-
ried William Fagen ; Joseph, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company ; Stephen, engaged as a drayman in the west ; James,
with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. Harshbarger
have had children: Jacob, born November 4, 1849, is a farmer and
carpenter; Horatio C, see forward; Joshua, born May 5, 1854, is a car-
penter and cabinetmaker; Agnes Mary, born June 26, 1856, married
Miller Graffie; William, born June 15, 1858; George, born July 15, 1859,
died August 23, 1861 ; Winfield, born July 25, 1861, has been a farmer
all his life; Henry, born January 17, 1863, is a miller; James, born
August 9, 1868, is a farmer and also a fruit agent of Mifflin county.

(III) Horatio C, son of Bud and Martha (Curwin) Harshbarger,
was born at McAlevys Fort, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, October
II, 1853. He was educated in the public schools of his township, and
for twenty years was closely identified with farming, and then engaged in
wagon building and blacksmith work. In 1883 he established himself
in business as a carpenter and general contractor, and has continued in
this up to the present time. He has been a strong supporter of Demo-
cratic principles, and has served the public as township supervisor two
terms, as postmaster, and as steward of Juniata College.

He married (first), 1876. Hannah, who died August 10, 1889,
daughter of William and Leah Miller, the former being a miller by

982 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

occupation; (second), 1901, Effie L., daughter of James and Adeline
(Shipton) Hoover, the former a cabinetmaker and lumberman in
Clearfield. Children by the first marriage: i. Bud, born March 17,
1877; educated in public schools and at Juniata College, from which he
was graduated with the degree of Civil Engineer, and is now engaged in
the practice of that profession; married Dora Heffright. 2. Mary, born
January 24, 1S81, died in infancy.

The family which bears the name of Africa is well repre-
AFRICA sented in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and it has

been connected with important public matters for several
generations. The name is of German origin, and the spelling is almost
identical with the German form.

(I) Andrew Jackson Africa, a lineal descendant of the emigrant
ancestor, Christopher Africa, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsyl-
vania, 1S22, and died March 2, 1904. During the earlier portion of his
life he was engaged in the trade of shoemaking, but later became the
railway agent at Cove Station, a post he occupied for a period of thir-
teen years. Returning to Huntingdon, he was made a car inspector, in
which position he served very efficiently tmtil he lost one of his arms,
when he was appointed to the position of night caller, in which he served
until incapacitated by old age. He was retired, and was "on relief" for
a period of twelve years. He was Republican in his political views, and
a member of the Baptist church. He was married by the Rev. Jesse
Williams, October 28, 1852, to Maria Dufiield Peebles King, born Jan-
uary 19, 1827, died January 28, 1892 (see King line forward). Chil-
dren: I. Martha Belle, married, April 13, 1875, William C. Bartol;
children: Mary, married, June 5, 1903, Lewis E. Theiss; Belle; William
A.; Helen King; they live in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. 2. William
Carey, resides in Huntingdon, where he is a hardware merchant and also
manager and part proprietor of the store operated by Africa Brothers.
3. Thomas Edgar, see forward. 4. Vinton Zimmerman, hardware mer-
chant.

(II) Thomas Edgar, son of Andrew Jackson and Alaria Duffield
Peebles (King) Africa, was born at Cove Station, Perry county, Penn-
sylvania, February 3, 1858. He acquired a sound, practical education
in the public schools of his township, and supplemented this by assidu-

(m^. &

c^i^

HISTORY OF THI-: JUXIATA VALLEY 983

ous study at home, so that he was easily enabled to pass the necessary
examination for admission to the eligible list of those who desired to
become members of the clerical force of the postoffice. May 11, 1874,
he entered upon the duties of his position as a clerk in the Huntingdon
postolfice, and the following October he was appointed assistant post-
master. He was railway postal clerk from 1879 to 1882 on the trip
from New York City to Pittsburgh, a very important section of the
road. He resigned from this position, returning to Huntingdon, and
assuming the duties of his former position as assistant postmaster, and
is still engaged in this at the present time (1913)- During his tenure
of these various offices Mr. Africa has seen a great revolution in post-
office methods. The local postoffice has been brought up to a high
state of efficiency. Rural Free Delivery has been added to the service,
and the parcels post and the postal savings have been introduced. Mr.
Africa takes an active part in a number of other business enterprises,
among them being: Director in the L'nion National Bank and the
Franklin Building and Loan Association. He is also the junior partner
in the firm of Africa Brothers. He affiliates with the Republican party
in politics, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. He and his wife are members
of the Baptist church.

Mr. Africa married, May 15, 1884, Anna E., daughter of Henry
Snare, of Huntingdon. Children: i. Henry, graduated from Bucknell
College, took a post-graduate course at Columbia University, New York
City, and is now studying sociology in Berlin, Germany; he is a very
fine musician, and is considered an artist in his performances on the
pipe organ and piano. 2. Walter T., educated at Bucknell College and
the Banks Business College of Philadelphia ; he is now bookkeeper for
the Colonial Pine Lumber Compan}', Wilson, North Carolina.

(The King Line).

(I) Alexander King, from whom the Kings of Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, trace their descent, is described by those who knew him
as a Scotch-Irishman, a strict Scotch Presbyterian, in personal appear-
ance a man of medium height and weight. He came from Ireland to
America in 1773 or 1774. On January 10, 1776, he enlisted at New
London Crossroads, Chester county, Pennsylvania, as a soldier of the

984 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

revolutionary war, under Captain Henry Darby, in the Delaware regi-
ment commanded by Colonel Haslett. He was then a young man, pre-
sumably twenty- five years of age, and served under these officers for
one year, during which time he was in the disastrous battle of Long
Island, after which, retreating with his regiment, he fought at White
Plains, under Washington. Here he received a slight wound in the hand
from a Hessian's bayonet. He continued with his regiment in the peril-
ous flight through New Jersey, and was at the taking of the Hessians
at Trenton, after the famous crossing of the ice-filled Delaware river.
The time of his enlistment having expired, Alexander King remained at
home for one month, and then, February 10, 1777, re-enlisted in Cap-
tain Benjamin Fishborne's company of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regi-
ment, commanded by Colonel William Butler. Under Fishborne and
under Captain Thomas Church, in whose company in the Fourth Penn-
sylvania he also fought, he served with some distinction, being promoted,
February 11, 1780, from corporal to sergeant of his company. He
fought in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and afterward
at Monmouth on the memorable sultry day in June. Marching with
his regiment to Schoharie, New York, where the winter was passed, he
was ordered the following summer to join the expedition under General
Sullivan against the Indians in Genesee county, same state, and upon
his return he, together with his company, joined the main army. He
remained in the service until the month of January, 1781, when he was
discharged by Colonel Butler on account of sickness, and returned to
his home. His application for a pension states that he had been
wounded in the hand by a Hessian bayonet and was afterward injured
in the foot. He made his application for a pension April 14, 1818, at
which time he was residing in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and
was sixty-four years of age. His pension was allowed for five years'
actual service as corporal and sergeant during the period of the revoki-
tionary war.

Family tradition says that he came to America from the north of
Ireland, where he and his wife, Nancy Jackson, were married. In the
first United States census, taken in 1790, Alexander King is listed as
living in New London township, Chester count}-, Pennsylvania. He
came to Huntingdon not later than 1796, a proof of this being an entry
on the county records which gives Alexander King, of Huntingdon, as

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 985

the purcliaser of Lot No. 181, on January 30, 1797. He probably re-
moved directly from Chester county to Huntingdon county. He died
August 8, 1826, and was buried in the Rivervicw cemetery, Huntingdon,
his younger son, Thomas, being buried in the plot with him. The
graves are unmarked at the present time, but the exact location is
known to members of the family. Alexander King's watch fob, his
cane, and a thimble which had belonged to Thomas are in the posses-
sion of members of the King family. Alexander King was admitted to
membership in Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons,
at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania June 24, 1800, and was buried with the
usual Masonic honors. Alexander King married, in Ireland, Nancy
Jackson, who died in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1825, and is
buried beside her husband. They had sons: i. John, probably born at
London Crossroads, Chester county, Pennsylvania, settled in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania ; married Christine Berkstresser ; children : Wil-
liam R., James, Harry S., Caroline, John, Margaret, Thomas, Nancy,
Alexander and Elizabeth. 2. Thomas, see forward.

(II) Thomas Sr., son of Alexander and Nancy (Jackson) King, was
probably born at London Crossroads, Chester county, Pennsylvania, in
1779. He removed to Huntingdon county with his father and spent the
remainder of his life there. Like his father, he was a tailor by occupa-
tion, and was also a member of the Presbyterian church and a member
of the Masonic fraternity. He served a short three months' time in
the War of 1812, under Captain Robert Allison. Thomas King was
married in Huntingdon, 1803, to Martha Norris, by the Rev. John
Johnston, and their children were: i. William Henderson, born August
22, 1803, married Mary Ann Dobbins. 2. Ann, born March 29, 1806,
died October 17, 1871 : married George Glazier. 3. Margaret, born May
14, 1808, died July, 1878: married Joseph Hayes, of Wilmington, Dela-
ware. 4. John, born July i, 1810, died May 8, 18 18. 5. Mary, born
August 5. 1S18, died August. 1880: married Christian Long. 6. Martha,
died December, 1822, in childhood. 7. Elizabeth, born November 6,
1820, died January 28, 1896: married William Johnston. 8. Sarah, born
July 18, 1823; married Peter Shaver. 9. Maria Duffield Peebles, see
forward.

(III) ]\Iaria Duffield Peebles, daughter of Thomas Sr. and Martha
(Norris) King, married Andrew Jackson Africa (see Africa I).

986 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

The Wright family herein recorded was founded in
WRIGHT Huntingdon county at an early day by John Wright,

who was of the Maryland family of Wrights, a promi-
nent family of Eastern Shore. They stood at the head of political affairs
in Maryland from the time of their first arrival from England, and
served their state faithfully in peace and in war. The ancestor, Solomon
Wright, emigrated to Maryland in 1673. He was a justice, member of
the legislature, 1709-1 1 ; vestryman of "Old Chester Church," and deputy
of the province. His wife's name was undoubtedly Hynson, daughter
of Thomas Hynson, also an early settler. Solomon Wright had issue,
Thomas Hynson, Nathaniel, Charles, John, Edward, Fauclough, Ann
and Rachel. From these sprang the numerous Wright family of Mary-
land, ever illustrious in church and state. Nathaniel Wright in 1694
was one of the vestry of "Old Wye," and with other members of the
family ordered a "pulpit and reading desk" to be placed in the church.
In 1727 Solomon and Solomon Wright Jr. were the "only members
present at a meeting of the vestry of Old Chester Church." In 1722
Thomas Hynson Wright was vestryman at both "Old Wye" and "Old
Chester churches." Solomon Wright was present at a court held in
Queenstown in 17 14, and General Samuel Turbutt Wright was chosen
as the best Cjualified person in his county to take charge of the public
magazine and to lead the troops of his country in the event of military
operations. In 1771 Thomas T. and Solomon Wright represented their
company. In 1774 the delegates were Turbutt and Solomon Wright,
who were also appointed to try all persons for treason on the Eastern
Shore, and many Wrights fought in the army of independence. Since
revolutionary days the Maryland family has been prominent in every
walk of life. This record follows the branch that shortly after the
revolution settled in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where in busi-
ness, church and public life they have maintained the high reputation
of their ancestors.

(I) Some time prior to the formation of Huntingdon county, 1787,
John, Abraham and William Wright, three brothers, settled in what is
now Clay township, coming from Baltimore township, Maryland. Abra-
ham lived for many years in Hare's Valley, northeast of Saltillo, where
he was a well-known justice of the peace; later he moved to the west.
John Wright brought with him his wife, a Miss Hendon, or Hynson,

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 987

whom he had married in Baltimore. He settled on a tract lying along
Three Springs Creek, in L^iion township, where he resided several years.
Later he purchased from Samuel Lilly a tract of about three hundred
acres, lying on both sides of Trough creek, between the Dean and Chil-
cott farms, which had been improved in 1773 by Samuel Dean. Children
of John Wright: Thomas (2), married a daughter of Joshua Gosnell,
and moved to Ohio ; Temperance, married John Shaw ; Betsey, married
Robinson Chilcote; Jemima and Amelia, who married Estep brothers;
Abraham, of whom further.

(II) Abraham, son of John Wright, was born September 7, 17S5, in
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and there died September 28, 1866.
After his marriage he bought a farm in Trough Creek valley, which he
cultivated until his retirement on account of old age. He was a man of
honorable character, industrious and prosperous. Both he and his wife
^v'ere devoted Methodists and active workers in the church. He mar-
ried, in 1810, Catherine Mireley, born in Baltimore, Maryland, Septem-
ber 6, 1792, died on the home farm, in Trough creek valley, March 16,
1881. Children: i. Isabel, born April 2, 181 1. married David Swope,
a farmer, of Trough creek valley, but late in life moved to Mapleton,
where she died. 2. Jordan H., born September 28, 1812; lived and died
in L'nion township, a farmer. 3. Michael, born August 28, 1814, died
in Union township: was a farmer. 4. Levi, born July 4, 1816; was a
farmer of Union township, and hotel keeper at Mapleton; married
Rachel Chilcott. 5. Simeon, born April 28, 1818, died in LInion town-
ship, a fanner. 6. Eliza, born October 16, 1821 ; married Richard Chil-
cott, and died at their farm in Trough creek valley. 7. Catherine, born
September 7, 1823; married Samuel Foust, a farmer of Henderson
township, where both died. 8. Elizabeth, born December 29, 1825;
married George W. Pheasant, and died in Trough creek valley. 9.
Matilda, born January 25, 1828; married John S. Pheasant, and died
near Mill Creek, Union township. 10. Abraham W., of whom further.
II. James C, born April 19, 1839; died at the W'right homestead.

(III) Abraham W., son of Abraham and Catherine (Mireley)
Wright, was born in Trough creek valley, Huntingdon countv. Pennsyl-
vania, February 4, 1835. ^^ there was educated and grew to manhood
and married. After his marriage he still continued farming in the
valley, but in 1870 moved to a farm aliout two miles away, where he

988 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

yet resides. He has been a landowner ever since he was a young man,
having bought and sold several farms in Huntingdon county, near his
present home. From 1876 to 1879 he was a commissioner of Hunting-
don county and has served as school director several 3'ears. Both he
and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for
many years Mr. Wright was a steward and trustee. He has prospered
in his undertakings, and now is enjoying an honored old age at his farm
on and near which his entire life has been passed. He married Mary
Matthias, born in Huntingdon county, January 11, 1834, and now,
after passing a happy married life of over fifty years, she resides in good
health and contentment at the old farm with her aged husband. She
is the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Taylor) Matthias, early settlers
of Huntingdon county and of Trough creek valley. He was a farmer
during his life, which ended while still a young man, his widow mar-
rying (second) Abraham Elias, whom she also survived, spending her
last years with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham W.
Wright. By first husband she had three children : Henry, died young ;
Catherine, married James Kirkpatrick, who lost his life in the Union
army; and Mary, wife of Abraham W. Wright. Children of Abraham
W. Wright and wife : Hutchison H., died in infancy ; Watson W., born
March 24, 1857, now a farmer of Trough creek valley; Margaret, born
April 27, i860, married W. T. Boring, and resides at the Wright home-
stead; George Wilson, of whom further; William L., born January 15,
1865, now a farmer of Trough creek valley.

(IV) George Wilson, son of Abraham Wesley and Mary (Mat-
thias) Wright, was born in Trough creek valley, April 27, 1862. He
was educated in the public schools and spent his early life at the home
farm. He early began teaching in the public schools, continuing for
thirteen terms, the last three years being spent as principal of the schools
of Mapleton borough. In 1884 he married, and soon afterward estab-
lished a mercantile business in Mapleton, which he successfully con-
ducted until 191 1, when he retired, having been elected prothonotary
of Huntingdon county. During the administration of President Har-
rison he was appointed postmaster of Mapleton, serving a term of four
years. During his mercantile life he engaged in other activities, includ-
ing the organization of the First National Bank of Mount LTnion, of
which later he became a director. His term as prothonotary began

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 989

January i, 1912, and will continue for a term of four years. He has
always been an active worker in the Republican party, and has held the
offices of school director, chief burgess, councilman and justice of the
peace, resigning the latter office when elected prothonotary. In all these
positions he has served with honor and fidelity, holding to an unusual
degree the confidence of the electors of his borough, regardless of poli-
tics. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; Mount Moriah
Lodge No. 300. Free and Accepted Masons ; the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows ; and the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

Mr. Wright married, March 14, 1884, Mary A. Dell, born in Union
township, daughter of Jonathan and Emmeline (Chilcote) Dell, of an
old county family (see Dell). The only child of George Wilson and
Marv A. Wright is Myrtle, married William A. Foster, resides at
Columbus, Ohio, and has a son, George David Foster.

The Steel family, of which Harry E. Steel is a represen-

STEEL tative in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, at the present time

( 1913), have been identified with the history of that section

of the country almost from the time of its first settlement. They have

frequently filled public positions with credit to themselves and benefit

to the community.

(I) Samuel Steel, the American progenitor of the family, was born
in Ireland about the year 1770, and came to America in his early youth.
He was among the very early settlers in Huntingdon, where he achieved
a position of influence in the community, and where his death occurred
in 1853. For many years he was engaged in a mercantile line of busi-
ness, and his name appears on early receipts in 1795. From 1800 until
1825. a quarter of a century, he was the postmaster in Huntingdon, and
under his regime everything was conducted in a most systematic and
satisfactory manner. He married and had several children.

(II) George, son of Samuel Steel, was born in Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, and there his entire life was spent. He was a Republican
in his political ideas, and at one time filled the office of postmaster. He
married Elizabeth McMurtrie Steel, and both he and his wife were con-
sistent members of the Presbyterian church. Children : Elizabeth,
married ]\Iilton S. Lytle, and now resides in Philadelphia ; INIartha, mar-
ried (first) Howard Cruitt, (second) E. T. Swain; Mary Ellen, married

990 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

J. C. Carroll, deceased; Samuel A., see forward; George G., now retired,
was prothonotary.

(III) Samuel A., eldest son and fourth child of George and Eliza-
beth (McMurtrie) Steel, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
April II, 1843, ^nd died December 20, 1903. During the civil war he
was employed in a storehouse in Louisiana, and upon its close he re-
turned to his home and was engaged in farming for a period of two
years. He then established himself in the lumber business, operating a
saw mill, and this concern was known as the Samuel A. Steel Lumber
Company of Huntingdon County. He kept one mill constantly busy
and the company was in a most flourishing condition. He served as a
commissioner's clerk from 1887 until 1893, and he held the office of
prothonotary from 1896 until 1902. When he was succeeded by his
brother he served in the office for one year as a clerk. In 1903 he was
made a member of the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Indus-
trial Reformatory, and was still filling this office at the time of his death.
He was a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and he and
his wife were members of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Steel married Elizabeth A., daughter of Jacob and Mary Landis,
both natives of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred,
while his wife died in Huntingdon cotmty. Mr. Landis was a miller
and merchant at Middletown, and at one time represented his section
in the legislature. They had children : Minnie F., married J. C. Fezell,
and lives in Grand Island, Nebraska ; Robert, who was a soldier in active
service during the civil war, was a machinist, and is now living retired
in Middletown, Pennsylvania; William, is a cabinet maker and lives
in Toledo, Ohio ; Elizabeth A., mentioned above. Mr. and Mrs. Steel
have had children: George L., is in the employ of the J. C. Blair Com-
pany, and lives in Huntingdon; Harry E., see forward; Samuel McCul-
lock, born September, 1869, and died June 25, 1872; Robert M., lives
in Huntingdon, where he is the proprietor of a grocery store, and is a
veteran of the Spanish- American war; Chalmers A., is a druggist in
Tyrone ; Mary, married Fay E. Colony, a civil engineer, at present en-
gaged in state highway construction work; Elizabeth, married Elias G.
Phillips, and lives in Huntingdon; Cora, married Frederick D. Bayer,
resides in Huntingdon.

(IV) Harry E., second son and child of Samuel A. and Elizabeth

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 991

A. (Landis) Steel, was born in lluntingdnn county, Pennsylvania, Sep-
tember II, i8(j7. The public schools of his section of the country
supplied him with a sound, practical education, and he left them at the
age of fifteen years. At this time he commenced to learn the drug
business, and, in the course of years, acquired a very thorough and
satisfactory knowledge of this profession. In 1896 he established him-
self in this line of business, purchasing the store and good will of H. W.
Leister, of No. 418 Penn street, and has been identified with this since
that time. Mr. Steel is very careful and painstaking in his methods of
doing business, and so successful has he been that, in 1904, he was
enabled to remodel the entire place, which has greatly added to its
attractiveness. By many this is now considered the finest store of its
kind in the place, and the town is justly proud of it and its courteous
and capable proprietor. Mr. Steel is active in all that concerns the
public welfare of the community, and politically is identified with the
Republican party. He has served very ably as a member of the school
board, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Steel are with the Improved
Order of Heptasophs and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America,
and the Royal Arcanum.

Mr. Steel married, September 9, 1890. Lola C, born in Huntingdon,
daughter of Simon P. and Martha J. Wensel, and they have children :
Gaynelle and Max Wensel. Mr. Steel is a director of the Juniata Val-
ley Street Railway Company.

The Bergan family of Huntingdon county, Pennsyl-
BERGAN vania, is represented in the present generation by Patrick

H. Bergan, superintendent of the Huntingdon Water
Supply Company, and came to this country originally from Ireland.
They belong to that class who have brought to the L^nited States the
numerous traits of industry, energy, frugality and perseverance, which
have been main factors in building up the prosperity of the country.

(I) Kiren Bergan, grandfather of the Mr. Bergan mentioned above,
w'as born in Queens county. Ireland, and his entire life was spent in
his native land. He married and had a number of children, of whom
the four mentioned here came to this country : John, who made his home
in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred ; Ann, who

992 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

married John Whalen, and now resides in Wayne county, Pennsyl-
vania; Susan, married Patrick Banks, and died in Carbondale, Pennsyl-
vania; Patrick, see forward.

(II) Patrick, son of Kiren Bergan, was born in Ireland in the year
1830, and died in Mayfield Boro, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1900.
At the age of seventeen years he emigrated to the United States, settling
at Waymart, Pennsylvania, and found employment as a railway en-
gineer on the old Delaware & Hudson Gravity railroad. After his
marriage he removed to a suburb of Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and
there formed a connection with the Hillside Coal & Iron Company, his
position being that of superintendent of their supply house. Some years
prior to his death he retired from active employment. He was a stanch
supporter of the Democratic party, was of considerable prominence in
politics locally, and served for many years as tax collector of the dis-
trict. He married Mary Farley, born in Ireland in 1842. She is the
daughter of Patrick and Ann (Caffery) Farley, both natives of county
Cavan, Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1848, and settled at Way-
mart, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he became a prosperous
farmer, retiring with a considerable fortune. All the male members of
his wife's family were wheelwrights in Ireland. They had children:
Thomas, was a canal man and later a farmer, died at South Canaan,
Wayne county, Pennsylvania; Mary, mentioned above; Elizabeth, mar-
ried Charles Ouinn, and resides in Mayfield, Pennsylvania ; Andrew, is
a railroad man, and now lives retired at Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Mr.
and Mrs. Bergan had children: William J., died at Scranton, Penn-
sylvania, where he was the superintendent of the Temple Iron Com-
pany of Scranton; Patrick H., see forward; Anna, married P. F.
Hughes, and died at Carbondale, Pennsylvania ; Elizabeth, deceased,
sister of the Immaculate Heart, was an instructor at Mount St. Mary's,
of which she was one of the seven organizers; Kiren C, is the man-
ager of an ice plant at Ithaca, New York; Thomas F., died in Phila-
delphia ; Mary, died unmarried ; John, lives at Dunkirk, New York,
where he holds the position of inspector for the Pennsylvania railroad
at the American Locomotive Works; Andrew, died in childhood; Nel-
lie, also died in childhood ; Gerald, died in infancy.

(Ill) Patrick H., son of Patrick and Mary (Farley) Bergan, was
born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1865. He acquired a

f 'f

Otyt.yt_^^

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 993

reasonably good education in ihc public schools of his district when
one takes into account the fact that at the early age of ten years he
was obliged to commence to assist in contributing to the family sup-
port. His first position was as a mail boy in the employ of the Hillside
Coal and Iron Company, and he remained with them until January 15.
1901, having in these years risen to the responsible position of engineer.
The general manager of the company was also the president of the
Huntingdon Water Supply Company and, having formed a clear judg-
ment of the value of the services of Mr. Bergan from personal observa-
tion, he offered him the position of superintendent in the Huntingdon
Water Supply Company, an offer which was accepted, and ^Ir. Bergan
has had an opportunity since that time to show his true metal. His
executive ability is of an unusually high order, and he has a grasp of
detail which is truly remarkable. The company whose work he superin-
tends furnishes its water from Standing Stone creek, and they now
(1913) have about thirteen hundred customers. The officers of the
company are as follows : James D. Stocker, of Jermyn, Pennsylvania,
president ; Frank R. Stocker, secretary and treasurer ; Albert J. Walker,
chief engineer. The pohtical affiliations of Mr. Bergan are with the
Democratic party, and he has served as a member of the common
council of Alayfield, Pennsylvania. Both he and his wife are members
of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and he is a member in the fourth
degree of the Knights of Columbus, also of the Huntingdon Club, the
Royal Arcanum and the Improved Order of Heptasophs.

Mr. Bergan married, June 20, 1899, Margaret J., born in Jermyn,
Pennsylvania, a daughter of Patrick Collins. They have had children :
Raymond; Mary; Frank, deceased; Anna.

The Dorris family, distinguished in the business and pro-

DORRIS fessional life of Huntingdon for several generations,

springs from Thomas Dorris. who came from Ireland in

1809 with wife and children. He made settlement at Alexandria in

Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and there lived and died, leaving an

only son and five daughters, all born in Ireland.

(II) William (i), oldest child of Thomas Dorris, was born in Ire-
land, prior to the year 1800, died in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in 1867.
He came with his parents in 1809 and spent his early life on the home

994 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

farm near Alexandria, Huntingdon county. After attaining his ma-
jority he entered the mercantile business, first at Hollidaysburg, but
soon after moved to Huntingdon, locating at the northwest corner of
Fourth and Penn streets, where in 1826 he erected the building yet
standing on that corner. There he remained in successful business until
his retirement about 1855, his last years being spent in full enjoyment
of the fruits of his years of labor as a merchant. He was a Presbyterian
and taught his family according to the tenets of that faith. He affiliated
with the Democratic party until the war between the states, then
transferred his allegiance to the Republican party. He was a notary
public for many years, but sought no political office. He married Nancy
Stitt, who bore him a large family of children, only three, however,
surviving infancy: i. Margaret, married Zachariah Gemmill, and moved
to Philadelphia, where both died. 2. William (2), of whom further.
3. Anna, married Robert Dorsey, and died in Spruce Creek township,
Huntingdon county.

(Ill) William (2), only son of William (i) and Nancy (Stitt)
Dorris to survive infancy, was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Sep-
tember 10, 1822, died there September 2, 1904. He was educated in the
public schools and academy of Huntingdon, then entered Lafayette Col-
lege, whence he was graduated, class of 1840. He then began the study
of law in the offices of Miles & Taylor, of Huntingdon, at the same
time acting as clerk in the office of the prothonotary of Huntingdon
county. After passing required examination, he was admitted to the
Huntingdon county bar, August 15, 1843. Six years after his admis-
sion, Judge Taylor, of the law firm of Miles & Taylor, was appointed
president judge of the newly created twenty-fourth judicial district
and withdrew from the iirm, ]\'Ir. Dorris taking his place, the new firm
practicing as Miles & Dorris. This association continued many years,
until the removal of the senior partner, John G. Miles, to Peoria, Illi-
nois, about 1870, Mr. Dorris continuing in practice alone, having his
offices and residence at the northwest corner of Fourth and Washington
streets, within two hundred feet of his birthplace. He continued to
practice imtil 1887, when he was joined by his son, John D., the firm
name then changing to W. & J. D. Dorris. In 1895, after continuously
practicing in Huntingdon for over half a century, the old veteran re-
tired to a well-earned rest which covered a period of nine years before

HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 995

he entered upon an eternal rest. The hrm of Miles & Dorris had been
resident attorneys for the Pennsylvania railroad during the time of its
construction, and until the dissolution of the firm, Air. Dorris continued
in that capacity until his retirement, the same position now being
held by his son, John D. William Dorris was a learned lawyer, honor-
able and upright in his practice, never lowering the dignity of his pro-
fession nor violating its ethics for a temporary advantage. He was
highly honored by the members of the bar, who chose him as president
of the Huntingdon County Bar Association. He was one of the oldest
practitioners in the county, and his long career but shed lustre upon the
profession he adorned. During the war between the states he was
appointed, in 1862, colonel of the Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia,
and as such served during the threatened invasion of Pennsylvania that
was repelled at Antietam. where his regiment was held in reserve. He
was a Republican in politics, but never accepted public ot^ce, the law
being to him all in all. Both he and his wife were members of the
Presbyterian church, which he served as an elder. Colonel Dorris mar-
ried (first) Elizabeth Davidson, born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
October i, 1818, married, at "Locust Hill Farm," near Greencastle,
Pennsylvania, died in Huntingon, September 3, i860. She was the only
daughter of Elias Davidson, a farmer near Greencastle, in the Cumber-
land Valley, Pennsylvania. She had two brothers : \A'i!liam \V., a whole-
sale dry goods merchant of Philadelphia, who died in 1867; and John,
who died in youthful manhood. After the marriage the young couple
resided on Third street, Huntingdon, in a stone house once owned by
Governor Porter. Colonel Dorris married (second) Julia jNIiles. Chil-
dren of first marriage: i. William W., born in Huntingdon, March i,
1852; admitted to the bar April 12, 1876, practiced many years; now
living in Huntingdon, retired. 2. John Davidson (of whom further).
Children by second marriage: 3. Anne, married W. W. Chisolm, and
resides in Huntingdon. 4. Julia, resides in Huntingdon. 5. Mary H.,
married Herbert Miller, and resides in Huntingdon.

(IV) John Davidson, second son of Colonel William Dorris and
his fiirst wife, Elizabeth Davidson, was born in Huntingdon, Pennsyl-
vania, October 14, 1858. He was educated at the Huntingdon Academy
and Lafayette College, graduating from the latter institution, class of
1878. He studied law with his honored father, and in 1880 was ad-

996 HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY

mitted to the bar. In 1887 he was admitted to a partnership with his
father, practicing as W. & J. D. Dorris, until the retirement of the
senior partner in 1895. John D. Dorris then formed a partnership with
Judge Austin O. Furst, a former judge of the forty-ninth judicial
district of Pennsylvania, then comprising, the counties of Centre and
Huntingdon. The firm of Furst & Dorris continued in successful prac-
tice until dissolved by the death of Judge Furst in November, 1906.
Since then Mr. Dorris has practiced alone. He makes a specialty of
the law of corporations, and is local counsel for the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company; general counsel for the East Broad Top Railroad and
Coal Company, and general counsel for the Rock Hill Iron and Coal
Compan}^ He is learned in the law, and his opinions carry the weight
of authority on points of law. He is a director of the First National
Bank of Huntingdon ; director of the East Broad Top Railroad Com-
pany; director of the Shade Gap Railroad Company; and has other
business connections of importance. He is a member of the American
Bar Association, of the executive committee of the Pennsylvania State
Bar Association, and member of the Huntingdon County Bar Asso-
ciation, taking active interest in the work of each. In December, 1903,
he was appointed a member of the board of managers of the Pennsyl-
vania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon, a position he yet holds.
His college fraternity is Sigma Chi (Lafayette) ; his political faith is
Republican, and his religious belief, Presbyterian. He is a member of
the Art Club of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Altoona Cricket Club;
Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club ; and the Pennsylvania Society of New
York.

He married (first), in June, 1895, Eva Shedd, of Boston, who died
July 19, 1896. He married (second), March 15, 1901, Anne Rea, born
in Danville, Pennsylvania, daughter of Alexander and Anne Rea.

Among the prominent old families of Dickinson township,
WOODS Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, was the Woods famil}^
There was a large family of that name in the central part
of the township, owning in the aggregate about one thousand acres
"square." Richard Woods was prominent in his day, as was Captain
Samuel Woods, who was a large man, weighing over two hundred
pounds, always walked with