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3 


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 


VOLUME    II 


ILLUSTRATE  P. 
■. •  -•..•••• 


NEW  YORK 
LEWIS   HISTORICAL   PUBLISHING   COMPANY 
1913    , 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLiG    LIBRARY 

ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 

1  U  0     fv    M'lUNOAl  IONS- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  497 

the  peace  for  about  the  same  time.  In  1876  he  was  elected  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania legislature,  and  in  1878  re-elected,  serving  in  all  four  years.  He 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  holding  the  principal  offices  in  both 
organizations.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Doctor   Hunter  married   Sarah  A.   McClain,  born   in  Huntingdon  . 

county,  Pennsylvania,  January  16,  1848,  died  in  Fulton  county,  May  24, 
1890,  daughter  of  James  McClain,  a  farmer  of  Trough  Creek  valley, 
Huntingdon  county,  a  large  land  owner,  and  son  of  Jesse  McClain,  an 
early  settler  of  Trough  Creek  valley.  James  McClain  later  moved  to 
Wells  Valley  in  Fulton  county,  where  he  died  about  1895,  leaving  three 
children:  Walter,  a  farmer  of  Nebraska;  Sarah  A.,  married  Dr.  Robert 
I.  Hunter;  and  Mary  (deceased)  married  John  Stunkard.  Children  of 
Dr.  Robert  Irvin  and  Sarah  A.  (McClain)  Hunter:  i.  John  Russell, 
born  in  W'dh  Valley,  Fulton  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  6,  1868, 
graduate  of  Medico-Chirurgical  College,  Philadelphia,  M.  D.,  1893,  now 
practicing  in  Lewistown.  He  married,  September  25,  1895,  Mary  C. 
Wishart;  two  children:  John  R.  and  Donald.  2.  Mary  J.,  married  H.  H. 
Bridenstine  and  resides  in  Everett,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Alice  Meta,  mar- 
ried Dr.  G.  A.  R.  McClain  and  resides  at  Mount  L^nion,  Pennsylvania. 
4.  Robert  Mc,  D.  D.  S.,  now  practicing  at  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania; 
unmarried.     5.  William  Scott,  of  whom  further. 

(Ill)  Dr.  William  Scott  Hunter,  youngest  son  of  Dr.  Robert  Irvin 
and  Sarah  A.  (McClain)  Hunter,  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Pennsyl-         ^^,^  : 
vania.  August  3,  1881.     He  prepared  in  the  public  schools,  and  later  at-  '  I 

tended  Juniata  College.  He  chose  the  profession  of  dentistry,  and  after 
a  course  at  Philadelphia  Dental  Colle^^e,  Philadelphia,  was  graduated  D. 
D.  S.,  class  of  1903.  He  pi:a,<:t;ifie"a  i>le  );e3r':att-:54xton,  Bedford  county, 
Pennsylvania,  then  moved  to  Rp,e(Jsy]lle,'\\;here  he  is  now  located  in  suc- 
cessful practice.  He  is  a  memJJer  Jfjf-ihe-^^jLasonic  order,  belonging  to 
Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  ?t>T„  :Fi:e;e-.^ijd/.Acc6j|?ted  Masons;  Lewistown 
Chapter.  No.  186,  JRoyal  Arcfe■.ija6»hs■:■Tie^v^stown  Commandery,  No.  -• 

26,  Knights  Tf^jnplar  and  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics^^,^sfTi3  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
chuj:idTT 

Dr.    Hunter    married.    May     10.     191 1,    Esther     I'riscilla    Taylor, 


498  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

born  in  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania.     Dr.  Hunter  resides  on  Logan  street, 
,      Reedsville,  where  he  jjurchased  a  home  in  1912. 

/  Mrs.  Hunter  is  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Rhoda  G.   (Henry) 

Taylor,  granddaughter  of  Henry  (2)  and  Priscilla  A.  (Kyle)  Taylor, 
great-granddaughter  of  Henry  (i)  and  Priscilla  (Turbett)  Taylor,  and 
a  descendant  of  Robert  Taylor,  who  came  to  the  Kishacoquillas  valley 
from  Pine  Ford,  Swatara  creek,  Dauphin  county,  when  that  region 
formed  part  of  Lancaster  county.  He  took  out  a  warrant  for  several 
thousand  acres  of  land,  much  of  which  is  owned  by  members  of  the 
family.  Robert  Taylor  had  five  sons :  William,  Robert,  John  and 
Matthew,  the  latter  being  the  great-great-grandfather  of  Esther  Pris- 
cilla (Taylor)  Hunter.  Henry  (2)  Taylor  was  a  life-long  farmer  of 
Brown  township,  where  he  was  born  November  24,  1835.  He  was 
married  ( first)  October  8,  1850,  to  Priscilla  Ann  Kyle,  who  died  January 
31,  1869. 

William  H.,   son  of  Henry    (2)    Taylor,  was  born  on  the  Taylor 
homestead,  September  29,  1851.     He  was  educated  in  the  public  school 
\  and  Kishacoquilla   Seminary,    finishing  at   Airy  View   Academy,   Port 

Royal,  Pennsylvania.  He  taught  school  for  a  time,  then  began  mercan- 
tile business  in  Reedsville,  but  the  confinement  of  indoors  told  on  his 
health,  and  he  turned  to  a  farmer's  life.  In  1879  he  began  his  resi- 
dence at  Reedsville,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  prom- 
inent in  public  and  business  life  for  many  years,  and  is  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial and  most  highly  regarded  men  of  his  county.  He  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  Reedsville  National  Bank;  was  a  member  of  the 
first  board  of  directors  and  is  the  present  vice-president.  He  is  also  a 
director  of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank,  at  Belleville,  and  of  the  Milroy 
Banking  Company.  In  _i8go_he  was  elected  commissioner  of  Miftlin 
county,  and  in  1893  was'rc-felWt-edTiiy.a  lairg?r  majority  than  at  first.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politic^.aad'.U'ith  .he  and  his  wife  members  of  the 
Reedsville  Presbyterian  ChVtr/:;l3.\.':^e":married,  December  16,  1875, 
Rhoda  G.,  daughter  of  Ji',dgfe:j6htr Slid: Rhoda  (Taylor)  Henry.  Judge 
Henry  died  on  his  eightieth  birlKdaj'-stTrriving  all  btJt  five  of  his  thirteen 
children.  Mrs.  Rhoda  G.  (Henry)  Taylor  died  March  ^.  19".  Chil- 
dren: Ralph  H.,  born  February  15,  1879:  Kyle  McFarlane^"Eebruary 
26,  1885;  Esther  Priscilla,  January  13,  1888,  wife  of  Dr.  WilliamScott 
Hunter. 


,/yyi/  /yypA.^i^-LA-^ — ■ 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  499 

The  American  ancestor  of  the  Warners  of  Belleville  and 
WARNER     Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  was  Joseph  Warner,  born  in 

England,  November  29,  1745,  a  resident  of  Gloucester- 
shire, where  he  was  a  large  landowner.  He  came  to  Pennsylvania  in 
1768,  settling  after  his  marriage  in  Cumra  township,  Berks  county.  On 
March  i,  1774,  he  was  married  by  the  Rev.  David  Fober  to  Barbara 
Grove,  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  i,  1743. 
Children :  Mary,  John,  Elizabeth,  Joseph,  Jacob. 

(II)  Joseph  (2),  son  of  Joseph  (i)  and  Barbara  (Grove)  Warner, 
was  born  in  Cumra  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  27, 
1784.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He 
was  married  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  by  the  Rev.  \\'illiam  Booas, 
June  22,  1806,  to  Susanna  Will.  Children:  Hannah,  born  ALirch  8, 
1807;  Susanna,  February  20,  1808;  Elizabeth,  April  24,  iSoj;  Harriet, 
June  25,  1810;  Elisha,  mentioned  below;  Mary,  May  10,  1813;  Cath- 
arine, June  19,  1815;  Barbara,  April  2,  1817;  Levi,  December  24,  1818; 
Joseph,  May  29,  1823. 

(III)  Elisha,  son  of  Joseph  (2)  and  Susanna  (Will)  Warner,  was 
born  in  Cumra  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  6,  181 1, 
died  February  10,  1892.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  which  occupa- 
tion he  followed  in  connection  with  farming,  and  was  a  Democrat  in 
politics.  He  married,  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  by  Rev.  ]\Iiller,  Cath- 
arine Matz,  born  in  Cumra  township,  Berks  county,  PennsyKania, 
May  10,  1815.  Children:  Owen  M.,  born  February  7,  1842;  Elizahelh 
Heiney,  August  11,  1843;  James  Matz,  mentioned  below;  Mary  Annie, 
June  6,  1849;  Obadiah  M.,  May  22,  1853;  John  Franklin,  December 
II,  1855. 

(IV)  James  Matz,  son  of  Elisha  and  Catharine  (]\Iatz)  Warner, 
was  born  in  Cumra  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  7, 
1845.  He  received  a  good  common  school  education,  having  attended 
the  Spohn  school  in  Spring  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  at 
which  school  he  taught  two  short  terms.  His  boyhood  was  spent  on  the 
farm  and  in  the  grist  mill.  In  1871  he  removed  to  McClure,  Snyder 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  worked  on  a  lumber  operation  until  1876, 
and  during  that  year  and  the  following  he  operated  in  Maryland,  and  in 
1878-79  at  Blairs  Mills,  Pennsylvania.  Returning  to  McCIure  he  again 
operated  until  1883,  when  he  moved  to  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  Mifflin 


6;?"?n  1 


500  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

county,  Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  in  farming,  conducting  his  operations 
upon  one  of  the  farms  then  owned  by  A.  W.  Campbell.  From  that  place 
he  moved  to  near  Menno,  on  the  farm  of  D.  M.  Contner,  from  which 
place  he  moved  to  the  Haughawout  farm,  where  he  lived  one  year, 
going  from  there  to  the  farm  of  Henry  P.  Taylor,  where  he  lived  for 
nineteen  years,  moving  from  there  to  his  late  home,  near  Belleville. 
During  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  devoted  a  part  of  his  time  to  lum- 
bering, associating  himself  with  Joseph  Kelley,  of  Reedsville,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  later  with  D.  S.  Peachey,  of  Menno,  Pennsylvania.  Dur- 
ing the  last  summer  of  his  life  he  purchased  the  house  of  Solomon 
A.  Zook.  to  which  place  he  had  expected  to  move  in  the  near  future, 
retiring  from  the  farming  business,  but  expecting  to  continue  in  the 
lumber  business.  As  a  business  man  he  was  very  careful,  his  ability 
being  unquestioned,  and  he  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions,  quiet  and 
unassuming  in  his  manner,  honest  in  his  dealings  with  men  and  kindly 
disposed  toward  all.  He  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Farmers' 
National  Bank,  of  Belleville,  of  which  institution  he  was  a  stockholder, 
and  also  in  the  organization  of  the  Co-operative  Creamery,  of  which  he 
was  a  stockholder.  He  was  always  a  staunch  Democrat  and  creditably 
represented  his  part}'  in  county  and  township  offices,  serving  for  three 
years  as  county  auditor,  nine  years  as  a  school  director,  four  years  as 
a  road  supervisor,  also  in  several  minor  township  offices.  He  was  con- 
firmed in  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  of  Sinking  Springs, 
Pennsylvania,  December  lo,  1864;  family  confirmed  in  St.  John's  Luth- 
eran Church,  of  Belleville.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order  of 
United  American  Mechanics;  Knights  of  Pythias;  Kishacoquillas  Castle, 
No.  160,  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  of  which  he  was  a  charter 
member  and  a  past  officer;  Belleville  Lodge,  No.  302,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  was  past  noble  grand,  and  several 
years  secretary;  McVeytown  Lodge,  No.  376,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  of  which  he  was  a  past  master;  Harrisburg  Consistory, 
Sovereign  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  thirty-second  degree,  Ancient 
Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  N.  M.  J.  U.  S.  A. 

Mr.  Warner  married,  at  Bannerville,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1873,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev.  W.  R.  Weind,  Anna 
Mary  Mattern,  born  in  West  Beaver  township,  Snyder  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  30,   1856,  daughter  of  John  Jacob  and  Margaret  Jane 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  501 

(Stull)  Mattern,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  teacher  and  cobbler,  served 
for  several  years  as  county  commissioner  of  Snyder  county  and  as 
director  of  the  poor,  and  in  a  number  of  other  township  offices.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  his  discharge  from  the  L'nited  States  army: 

"To  all  whom  it  may  concern :  Know  ye,  That  John  Jacob  Mattern 
a  Private  of  Captain  Lewis  C.  Edmonds,  Company  (I)  184th  Regiment 
of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  who  was  enrolled  on  the  27lh  day  of 
August  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  64  to  serve  one  year  or  during 
the  war,  is  hereby  discharged  from  the  service  of  the  United  States,  this 
2nd  day  of  June  1865  at  Munsons  Hill,  Va.,  by  reason  of  G.  O.  Hdqurs. 
A.  of  P.  C.  S.  1865  (No  objection  to  his  being  re-enlisted  is  known  to 
exist)  Said  John  J.  Mattern  was  born  in  Lehigh  Co.,  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania  is  41  years  of  age,  5  feet  nine  inches  high  Dark  complexion 
Blue  eyes  Dark  hair,  and  by  occupation,  when  enrolled  a  shoe  maker. 
Given  at  Baileys  Cross  Roads,  Va.,  this  2nd  day  of  June  1865.  Juhn 
H.  Stover  Colonel  commanding  the  Regt.  ps.  This  sentence  will 
be  erased  should  there  be  anything  in  the  conduct  or  physical  condi- 
tion of  the  soldier  rendering  him  unfit  for  the  Army  (A.  G.  O.  No.  99) 
H.  V.  Russel  Capt.  loth  N.  T.  and  A.  C.  M.  2  Div.  2  A.  C.  Harris- 
burg,  June  8  1865.  Paid  in  full,  R.  A.  Haggerty  Pay  Mas.  U.  S.  A. 
Oath  of  Identity  John  Jacob  Mattern  of  the  township  of  West  Beaver 
County  of  Snyder  in  the  State  of  Penna  on  the  27  day  of  January 
in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighty  personally  appeared 
before  me  the  undersigned  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  and 
State  above  mentioned  John  Jacob  Mattern,  who  being  duly  sworn 
according  to  law,  declares  that  he  is  the  identical  John  Jacob  Mattern 
who  was  a  private  in  the  company  commanded  by  Captain  L.  C.  Ed- 
mond  in  the  regiment  184  commanded  b)-  John  H.  Stover  that  he  en- 
listed on  the  27  day  of  August  1864  for  the  term  of  one  year  and  was 
discharged  at  Munsons  Hill,  Va..  on  the  2d  day  of  June  1865,  G.  O. 
H.  D.  qrs.  A.  of  P.  C.  S.  1865  J.  J.  Mattern  sworn  and  subscribed  to 
before  me  the  day  and  year  above  written.  N.  B.  Middleswarth.  J.  P. 
I  certify  that  before  whom  the  al)ove  affidavit  purports  to  have  been 
made  is  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  duly  authorized  to  administer  oaths, 
and  that  the  above  is  his  signature.  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto 
set  mv  hand  and  affixed  my  official  seal  this  27  day  of  Jan.  A.  D.  1880. 
at  Middleburg,  State  of  Penn'a,  County  nf  Snyder,  J.  G.  Crousc,  Clerk 
of  the  Common  Pleas  and  Proth'y.  Filed  Jan.  27,  1880  at  10:30  a.  m. 
Recorded  Jan.  27,  1880." 

Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mattern:  Miranda,  Howard  Wilson,  Sarah 
Luemma,  Cloyd  Henry,  Anna  Mary,  Isaac  Westley,  Alice  May,  Lizzie 


502  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Elvesta.  Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warner:  i.  Sherman  Preston,  of 
whom  further.  2.  Sadie  Maude,  born  December  7,  1876;  married 
WilHam  Milton  Reigle,  a  locomotive  engineer,  a  son  of  David  and  Sarah 
Reigle;  children:  Marie  May,  Charles  Milton,  Helen  Maude,  Esther 
Juniata,  Anna  Elizabeth,  Stella  Catharine,  Frederic  Rupp.  3.  Frank 
Wilson  of  whom  further.  4.  Roy  Embrose,  born  January  6,  188 1  ;  a 
machinist  by  occupation ;  married  Rhoda  Estella,  daughter  of  Franklin 
and  Adda  Strunk ;  children :  Mary  Lourane,  James  Franklin,  John  Scott, 
Sherman  Preston.  5.  Bruce  Mattern,  born  May  10,  1884;  ^  locomotive 
fireman  by  occupation ;  married  Jessie  Devall,  daughter  of  Sankey  and 
Amanda  IMcColm  ;  children  :  Margaret  Ethel,  Kathleen  Lucile.  6.  Arthur 
Stull,  born  January  9,  1886;  a  graduate  of  the  Belleville  high  school, 
class  of  1905;  engaged  in  the  banking  business;  unmarried.  7.  Minnie 
May,  born  August  15,  1888;  a  graduate  of  the  Belleville  high  school, 
class  of  1906;  married  Paul  L.  Civitts,  a  farmer,  and  son  of  Wilson  and 
Mary  Civitts;  children:  Camilla  May,  Wilson  Warner. 

Mr.  Warner  died  January  23,  1913,  at  Mifflinburg,  Pennsylvania,  to 
which  place  he  had  gone  on  a  matter  of  business.  His  remains  were 
taken  to  his  late  residence,  near  Belleville,  where  the  funeral  services 
were  conducted  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Spangler,  D.  D.,  of  Yeagertown,  an  inti- 
mate friend  of  the  deceased,  assisted  by  Rev.  C.  S.  Bottiger,  of  Belle- 
ville. Interment  was  made  in  Lutheran  cemetery  above  Belleville,  where 
the  services  concluded  with  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellowship  cere- 
monies. 

(V)  Sherman  Preston,  son  of  James  Matz  and  Anna  Mary  (Mat- 
tern)  Warner,  was  born  at  McClure,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 10,  1873.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  Kisha- 
coquillas  Valley,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  After  two  years  on  the  Sunbury  division 
he  was  promoted  to  a  clerkship  at  the  Lewistown  station.  Thence  to 
various  points  on  the  road  and  in  responsible  positions  until  1900,  when 
he  was  appointed  agent  at  Reedsville,  also  junction  agent  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley  railroads.  He  is  secretary  of  the 
Mifflin  County  Jewelry  Company;  was  eight  years  school  director  of 
Brown  township:  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  member  of  Lewistown 
Lodge,  No.  203,  F.  and  A.  M.     He  married,  October  18,  1899,  Mar- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  503 

garet  Bricker,  born  in  Lewistown,   daughter  of  M.   M.   Bricker,   the 
present  sheriff  of  Mififlin  county. 

(V)  Frank  Wilson,  second  son  of  James  Matz  and  Anna  Mary 
(Mattern)  Warner,  was  born  in  Bellwood,  Pennsylvania,  October  8, 
1878.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  Reedsville  Academy  and 
Millersville  State  Normal,  a  graduate  of  the  latter,  class  of  1899.  He 
taught  for  two  years,  the  second  year  as  principal  of  Belleville  high 
school.  From  the  spring  of  1901,  until  December,  1902,  he  was  engaged 
in  the  freight  department  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  at  Pittsburgh. 
On  January  i,  1903,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Reedsville  National 
Bank  as  clerk,  and  in  the  spring  of  that  year  was  appointed  assistant 
cashier  of  the  Belleville  Deposit  Bank.  He  continued  in  this  position 
until  the  autumn  of  191 1,  when  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  newly 
organized  Farmer's  National  Bank,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  incor- 
porators, beginning  the  duties  of  cashier  in  January,  19 12.  He  is  treas- 
urer of  the  Belleville  Co-operative  Creamery  Company  (which  he  also 
assisted  to  organize)  ;  is  treasurer,  supervisor  and  clerk  of  Union  town- 
ship. He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics;  a  member  of  Lewistown  Lodge,  No. 
203,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Warner  married,  September  6,  1904,  Nellie 
E.  Dolbeer,  born  in  Ohio,  daughter  of  Rev.  W.  H.  and  Eliza 
Euxine  (Walters)  Dolbeer,  born  in  Ohio,  but  now  living  at  Beaver 
Springs,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  Frank  Wilson  (2), 
born  February  20.  1907;  Dudley  Dolbeer,  December  31,  1910;  Curtis 
Wayne,  August  14,  1912. 


The  earliest  record  of  this  family  is  in  Snyder  county, 
HELFRICK     Pennsylvania,  where  Joseph  Helfrick  was  a  well-to-do 
aericulturalist,  the  owner  of  two  farms.     He  was  a 
member  of  the  Reformed  church,  married  and  left  issue. 

(II)  Willoughby.  son  of  Joseph  Helfrick,  was  born  in  Snyder 
county.  Pennsylvania.  He  has  followed  farming  all  his  life  in  Union, 
Snyder  and  Mifflin  counties,  moving  to  the  latter  county  in  1877,  and 
settling  at  Paintersville.  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  on 
which  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Susan  S. 
Miller,  born  in  Union  county,  died  in  1908,  daughter  of  Joseph  Miller, 


504  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

a  land-owning  farmer  of  Union  county;  children:  Samuel,  a  United 
States  mail  carrier,  at  Laurelton,  Pennsylvania;  Susan  S.,  married  Will- 
oughby  Helfrick ;  Eliza,  married  John  Stover,  whom  she  survives,  a  resi- 
dent of  Paintersville,  Pennsylvania;  another  deceased.  Children  of 
Willoughby  Helfrick:  i.  Annie  E.,  married  Samuel  Hunt,  of  Lewis- 
town;  children:  Elsie,  Susanna,  Esther  and  Joella.     2.  Albert  C. 

(Ill)  Albert  C,  only  son  of  Willoughby  and  Susan  S.  (Miller)  Hel- 
frick, was  born  in  Paintersville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  11, 
1877.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Lock  Haven  State 
Normal  School.  He  taught  two  terms,  then  entered  Eastman's  Busi- 
ness College  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  whence  he  was  graduated, 
class  of  1898.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  H.  C.  Jackson,  a  general 
merchant  of  Lewistown,  but  soon  afterward  became  clerk  in  the  banking 
house  of  William  Russell  &  Son.  In  1900  he  was  appointed  cashier  of 
the  newly  organized  Belleville  National  Bank,  and  became  a  resident  of 
Belleville.  The  Belleville  National  Bank  is  one  of  the  well-managed, 
prosperous  national  banks  of  the  county,  and  is  the  only  national  bank 
in  Mifflin  county  that  is  listed  by  the  United  States  government  on  its 
"Roll  of  Honor,"  and  stands  twenty-seventh  on  the  "Roll  of  Honor" 
list  in  the  United  States,  and  third  in  the  list  of  Pennsylvania  national 
banks,  and  having  a  capital  of  less  than  $50,000.  In  this  connection  it  is 
interesting  to  know  that  the  foremost  bank  on  that  "Roll"  is  also  in 
Pennsylvania,  the  First  National  Bank  of  Uniontown.  Mr.  Helfrick 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  be- 
longing to  McVeytown  Lodge,  No.  376,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  also  to  Belleville  Lodge,  No.  302,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows;  the  Rebekahs,  No.  427;  the  Patriotic  Order  of  Sons  of  Amer- 
ica, and  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.  He  married  (first)  in  1904,  Lenore 
Gibboney,  who  died  in  1908,  daughter  of  William  M.  Gibboney,  of 
Belleville.  Children:  Eugene  G.  and  Marlin  W.  He  married  (second) 
in  1912,  Rachel,  daughter  of  Levi  and  Rebecca  Esh. 


The   first    record    found   of   the    Hana waits    is   of 
HANAWALT     Henry,  who  on  October  31,  1785,  warranted  three 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  Oliver  town- 
ship, Mifflin  county,  and  on  November  21,  1792,  patented  another  tract 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  505 

of  one  hundred  acres.    Henry  Hanawalt,  died  in  1794,  leaving  two  sons, 
George  and  John. 

(II)  George,  son  of  Henry  Hanawalt,  in  company  with  his  brother 
John,  purchased  in  April,  1802,  a  tract  of  land  in  what  is  now  Wayne 
township,  of  the  heirs  of  James  Ross.  John  Hanawalt  moved  to  that 
purchase,  but  George  remained  at  the  home  farm.  They  continued  their 
partnership  until  April,  1821,  when  they  divided  the  property,  but  each 
seemed  satisfied  with  the  land  they  were  living  on,  so  George  kept  the 
homestead  and  John  the  Ross  purchase,  in  \\'ayne  township.  John  died 
in  1829,  George  in  1832.  He  served  in  the  revolution,  and  a  relic  of  that 
conflict  is  still  preserved  by  his  great-grandson,  Daniel  A.  Hanawalt.  in 
the  form  of  a  firearm,  the  barrel  of  which  was  part  of  the  musket  car- 
ried by  his  sire,  when  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  army.  George  Han- 
awalt left  a  widow,  Catherine,  and  children :  Margaret,  married  Hugh 
McKee;  Ann,  married  Leopold;  Susanna;  Joseph,  of  whom  further; 
James. 

(III)  Joseph,  son  of  George  and  Catherine  Hanawalt,  was  born  in 
Oliver  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  also  spent  his 
after  life.  He  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  both  he  and  his  wife  Mary 
were  members  of  the  German  Baptist  church,  he  being  a  minister.  He 
left  male  issue  including  a  son,  John  S. 

(IV)  John  S.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Hanawalt,  was  born  in  Oliver 
township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  20,  1840,  died  in  the  same 
township  May  i,  1883.  He  attended  the  public  .schools  and  spent  his 
early  life  at  the  home  farm.  After  his  marriage  he  bought  a  tract  of 
one  hundred  acres  of  partly  cleared  land,  and  thereon  spent  his  after  life. 
He  finished  the  clearing,  erected  many  improvements  and  brought  his 
land  to  a  point  of  high  fertility.  He  was  a  member  of  the  German  Bap- 
tist church,  and  a  minister  of  the  branch  known  as  The  Brethren,  as  was 
his  father  and  father-in-law.  In  political  faith  he  was  a  Democrat,  and 
served  several  terms  as  school  director.  He  married  Nancy  Snowberger, 
born  in  New  Enterprise,  Pennsylvania,  August  3,  1842,  later  moved  to 
McVeytown,  where  she  was  married.  She  survives  her  husband,  has 
never  remarried  and  now  resides  at  the  Oliver  township  farm,  to  which 
she  moved  in  early  married  life.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Snow- 
berger ,a  prosperous  farmer  of  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
member  of  the  German  church  (The  Brethren)  ;  he  had  several  children, 


5o6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

one  of  them  Theodore,  a  soldier  of  the  Lhiion  army,  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Antietam.  Children  of  John  S.  Hanawalt:  i.  Christie  Ann, 
married  Fred  J.  Sunderland,  and  lives  in  Wayne  township.  2.  Catherine, 
married  George  White,  and  lives  at  Burnham.  3.  Mary  Elizabeth,  mar- 
ried Henry  Rhodes,  whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Alberta,  Canada. 
4.  Ira.  drowned  at  the  age  of  two  years.  5.  Joseph  Rothrock,  married 
Effie  Rujiert  and  resides  at  McVeytown,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools. 
6.  Daniel  Abraham,  of  whom  further.  7.  Charles  B.,  married  Bessie 
Bailey  and  resides  at  Falls  Creek,  Pennsylvania,  principal  of  schools.  8. 
John  Miller,  married  Essie  Strawser  and  farms  the  homestead.  9.  Wil- 
liam H.,  married  Phoebe  Kirk  and  resides  in  Oliver  township,  a  farmer. 
10.  Ada  Margaret,  married  Robert  Strawser,  a  farmer  of  Oliver  town- 
ship. 

(V)  Daniel  Abraham,  son  of  John  S.  and  Nancy  (Snowberger) 
Hanawalt,  was  born  near  McVeytown,  Oliver  township,  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  June  30,  1873.  He  obtained  his  early  education  at  the 
Pine  Grove  public  school,  later  entering  Juniata  College,  whence  he  was 
graduated  from  the  business  department,  then  taking  the  normal  English' 
course.  After  teaching  school  in  Brown  township  for  six  years,  Mr. 
Hanawalt  located  in  Belleville  in  1903,  having  been  appointed  station 
agent  for  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley  railroad,  a  position  he  yet  occupies. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  served  six  years  as  school  director,  and  is 
now  secretary  of  the  Belleville  board.  In  MahalYey  he  served  as  borough 
director.  He  is  a  member  of  The  Brethren  church,  his  wife  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  married,  in  December.  1903.  Katherine  Cummins,  born  in  Brown 
township,  daughter  of  James  T.  Cummins,  of  an  old  county  family. 
Children:  Emogene  B.,  born  May  2,  1906;  James  Milton,  October  15, 
1908;  Robert  Campbell,  September  4,  19 12. 


In  1796  Christian  Spangler  was  listed  among  the  "tax- 
SPANGLER     ables"  of  Quemahoning  township,  Somerset  county, 
Pennsylvania.     He  married  and  had  issue,  including  a 
son  Abraham. 

(II)  Abraham,  son  of  Christian  Spangler.  was  a  wealthy  farmer  of 
Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  owning  between  three  and  four  hundred 
acres  of  land,  much  of  it  in  timber.     He  spent  his  life  in  lumbering  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  507 

farming  on  his  own  land.  He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Captain 
Daniel  Stoy,  who  came  from  Ireland  to  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
thence  to  Somerset  county,  with  the  earlier  settlers  of  the  northern  part 
of  Somerset  county.  He  became  the  owner  of  a  large  amount  of  land, 
his  first  settlement  being  the  present  site  of  Stoystown,  of  which  he  is 
considered  the  founder.  While  he  devoted  some  time  to  the  primitive 
agriculture  of  pioneer  days,  he  was  at  first  more  of  a  hunter  tiian 
farmer.  Tradition  has  it  that  during  Indian  troubles  he  was  compelled 
more  than  once  to  leave  his  mountain  home  and  take  refuge  at  Fort  Bed- 
ford; also  that  he  killed  an  Indian  from  the  door  of  his  cabin,  which  was 
afterward  burned  b\'  the  savages.  It  is  quite  certain  that  he  was  a  man 
of  good  standing  and  in  1783  was  assessor  for  Ouemahoning  township. 
At  a  much  later  period  he  served  several  terms  in  the  Pennsylvania  leg- 
islature. He  served  in  the  revolutionary  war  and  held  the  rank  of  cap- 
tain, his  company  being  known  as  "Stoy's  Riflemen."  His  wife,  a  Miss 
Higgins,  was  born  in  county  Down,  Ireland,  as  was  their  daughter  Mar- 
garet, but  she  was  married  to  Abraham  Spangler  in  Somerset.  They 
were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  mature 
years,  the  last  survivor,  Franklin,  dying  in  Somerset  county,  at  Shanks- 
ville,  in  191 2,  aged  ninety-three  years. 

(Ill)  Daniel,  son  of  Abraham  and  Margaret  (Stoy)  Spangler,  was 
born  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  18 18,  He  grew  up  a 
farmer,  but  later  became  a  contractor,  a  business  he  followed  all  his  life. 
He  also  owned  and  operated  a  farm  in  Somerset  county,  and  there  died 
February  14,  1898.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  reared  in  the  Lutheran 
church,  but  after  marriage,  there  being  no  church  of  that  denomination 
near  their  home,  they  became  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church. 
In  political  faith.  Mr.  Spangler  was  a  Democrat  and  filled  many  town- 
ship offices.  He  married  Sophia  Myers,  born  in  Somerset  county.  Oc- 
tober 6,  1 82 1,  who  survives  him,  now  residing  in  Shanksville.  Somerset 
countv.  aged  ninety-two  years.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Conrad  and  Mar- 
garet (Lowrie-Harris)  Myers,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Captain  Francis 
Lowrie,  an  officer  of  the  revolutionary  war.  Captain  Lowrie  was  born 
in  Ireland  of  Scotch-Irish  parents,  as  was  Margaret  Lowrie,  his  daugh- 
ter. They  came  to  America  together,  settling  in  Somerset  county,  where 
she  married  (first)  a  Mr.  Harris  and  (second)  Conrad  Myers.  She  had 
issue  by  both,  but  none  are  living,  except  Mrs.  Sophia  (Myers)  Spang- 


:> 


o8  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


ler,  of  previous  mention.  Children  of  Daniel  and  Sophia  (Myers) 
Spangler :  i.  Died  unnamed.  2.  Catherine,  unmarried,  and  lives  in 
Shanksville,  Pennsylvania.  3.  John,  died  in  1906,  a  veteran  of  the  civil 
war.  He  never  applied  for  a  pension,  although  serving  under  two  en- 
listments: First,  in  Company  D,  133d  Regiment;  second,  in  Company 
H,  187th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  4.  Wilson  B., 
enlisted  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  in  the  Ninety-first  Regiment  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  served  throughout  the  war,  then  enlisted  in 
the  regular  United  States  army,  served  with  General  Crook  in  his  In- 
dian campaign,  and  there  contracted  a  disease  which  proved  fatal  in 
1873.  5.  Rev.  Alexander  Hamilton,  of  whom  further.  6.  Conrad,  died 
about  1905,  a  merchant  of  Shanksville,  Pennsylvania.  7.  Nelson,  died  in 
Johnstown,  Pennsylvania.  8.  Rev.  Wesley  H.,  a  minister  of  the  United 
Brethren  church  at  Phillipsburg,  Pennsylvania.  9.  Margaret,  resides  in 
Shanksville,  Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  Rev.  Alexander  Hamilton  Spangler,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sophia 
(Myers)  Spangler,  was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1852.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  Wooster 
University,  Wooster,  Ohio,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1873. 
He  then  began  the  study  of  law  at  New  Bloomfield,  Perry  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1885  he  began  the  study  o^ 
Divinity,  entered  Union  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  there  graduated, 
class  of  1888,  and  was  ordained  a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
He  began  ministerial  work  as  pastor  of  the  church  at  New  Bloomfield, 
Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  there  four  years.  He  was  pastor 
at  Middleburg,  Snyder  county,  two  years,  thence  to  Port  Royal,  Juniata 
county,  eleven  years  and  in  1893  was  called  to  the  Lutheran  church  at 
Yeagertown,  where  he  has  been  located  ever  since  that  date.  He  is  an 
educated  Christian  gentleman,  and  preaches  by  his  daily  life  and  ex- 
ample as  eloquently  of  the  beauties  of  the  Christian  life  as  from  his 
pulpit,  at  regular  services.  He  is  beloved  by  his  people  and  has  exerted 
an  influence  for  great  good  in  his  community.  He  is  also  interested  in 
the  development  and  material  welfare  of  Yeagertown  as  well  as  in  the 
spiritual  uplift.  He  is  vice-president  of  the  Saxton  Coal  Company;  a 
director  of  Saxton  Vitrified  Brick  Company  and  has  accumulated  prop- 
erty consisting  of  town  lots  and  houses.  He  is  a  life  member  of  Mifflin- 
town  Lodge,  No.  324,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  and  a  life  member  of 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  509 

the  Patriotic  Order,  Sons  of  America,  Philadelphia  Lodge,  No.  734. 
In  political  faith  he  is  a  Democrat,  is  active  in  public  affairs  and  often 
presides  over  party  conventions  and  meetings.  In  1906  Rev.  Spangler 
toured  continental  Europe  and  the  Holy  Land,  visiting  the  principal 
points  of  historical  interest  and  many  of  the  more  inaccessible  localities, 
using  the  form  of  locomotion  most  available  in  the  desert  places,  the 
donkey. 

He  married  (first)  April  20,  1874,  Cynthia  Penrod,  born  in  Somer- 
set county,  died  January  23,  1905,  daughter  of  John  and  Lydia  (Bell) 
Penrod.  Children:  i.  Marion,  died  in  infancy.  2.  Herschel  K.,  edu- 
cated at  Port  Royal  Academy,  now  a  journalist  of  Pittsburgh ;  he  mar- 
ried Margaret  Johnston.  3.  Wilson  P.,  graduate  of  Philadelphia  College 
of  Pharmacy,  died  aged  twenty-one  years.  4.  Thaddeus  S.,  educated  at 
Susquehanna  University,  now  pattern  clerk  of  the  Standard  Steel  Works 
Company;  married  Gertrude  Craig.  5.  Luther  Stoy,  graduate  of  the 
Theological  School  of  Susquehanna  University,  class  of  June,  1913, 
now  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Pine  Grove  Mills,  Center  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Rev.  Spangler  married  (second)  January  28,  1906,  Ger- 
trude M.  Shannon,  who  was  born  in  Middleburg,  Pennsylvania,  and 
who  died  without  issue,  April  2,  19 12,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
Shannon. 


Joseph  Henderson  McClintic,  of  Belleville,  Pennsyl- 
McCLINTIC     vania,  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  a  strong  combina- 
tion found  in  many  of  the  foremost  public  men  of  the 
United   States.      The   McClintic   family  is   widely  scattered   over  this 
country,  and  there  are  many  of  the  name  to  be  found  in  every  state  of 
the  Union. 

(I)  James  McClintic,  the  first  of  the  family  in  America,  landed  on 
the  inhospitable  shores  of  the  New  World  previous  to  the  revolutionary 
war.  He  was  a  farmer  and  followed  that  pursuit,  going  to  Pennsylvania. 
He  took  up  land,  cleared  and  cultivated  it.  After  the  "Boston  Tea 
Party"  he  gave  encouragement  to  the  cause  of  the  colonists,  and  in  1776, 
when  the  various  colonies  called  for  volunteers,  he  threw  his  fortunes 
in  with  the  continental  army  raised  in  Pennsylvania  and  went  to  join 
General  George  Washington.  He  served  throughout  the  eight  years, 
suffering  untold  hardships.    He  was  in  all  of  the  battles  of  that  region  of 


5IO  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Pennsylvania.    At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and 
settled  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  and  there  died.       , 

(II)  James  (2),  son  of  the  revolutionary  hero,  James  (i)  Mc- 
Clintic,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  there  lived  and  died  on  a  farm. 
He  was  probably  born  in  Mifflin  county,  though  of  that  there  is  no  posi- 
tive record.  He  married  Margaret  Lee,  a  daughter  of  another  revolu- 
tionary patriot.  They  went  to  Decatur  township  where  he  took  up  wild 
land,  cleared  and  cultivated  it,  building  thereon  a  house  of  logs.  Here 
both  he  and  his  wife  died.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  sons,  who 
scattered  to  the  four  corners  of  the  United  States,  and  from  whom 
sprang  many  of  the  name.  They  were:  Andrew,  John,  James,  of  whom 
further;  and  nine  other  boys.  Margaret  Lee  was  born  in  England,  and 
came  to  America  with  her  parents  when  she  was  a  mere  baby.  Her 
parents  located  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  later  went  to  Mifflin  county, 
where  she  married  James  McClintic.  Her  father  joined  the  army  of 
the  revolution,  remaining  with  it  during  the  entire  war. 

(III)  James  (3),  son  of  James  (2)  and  Margaret  (Lee)  McClintic, 
was  born  in  Decatur  township  in  1816,  and  died  near  Belleville  in  1S61. 
He  married  Catherine  Isenberg,  born  April  21,  182 1,  near  AUensville, 
Pennsylvania,  died  January  4,  1896,  daughter  of  David  and  Catherine 
(Steele)  Isenberg,  and  old-time  residents  of  AUensville.  David  Isenberg 
was  a  farmer;  after  his  second  marriage  he  went  west  and  settled  in  In- 
diana and  there  died.  He  was  the  father  of  five  children  by  his  first  wife 
and  two  by  the  last.  Catherine  (Isenberg)  McClintic  was  a  child  of  the 
first  marriage.  James  McClintic  and  his  wife  Catherine  were  membeq; 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  was  a  Republican  and  served  as  school 
director,  besides  holding  other  minor  county  offices.  Children:  i.  A 
daughter,  died  unnamed.  2.  Joseph  Henderson,  of  whom  further.  3. 
David  Rolandus,  is  on  the  police  force  of  Tyrone,  Pennsylvania.  4. 
James  Evander,  died  aged  nine  years.  5.  George  Vance,  lives  in  Okla- 
homa City,  in  mercantile  business.  6.  John  Davis,  in  Union  township ; 
is  proprietor  of  Valley  View  Poultry  Farm.  7.  Margaret  Ann,  widow 
of  Dr.  Henry  C.  Walker,  lives  in  Lewistown.  8.  Martin  Luther,  un- 
married ;  is  shipping  clerk  for  Susquehanna  Coal  Company.  9.  Sarah 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  George  F.  Stackpole,  editor  of  the  Lezvistozvn  Gazette. 

(IV)  Joseph  Henderson,  son  of  James  (3)  and  Catherine  (Isen- 
berg)  McClintic,  was  born  June  23,   1846,  in  Union  township,  Mifflin 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNL\TA    VALLEY 


;ii 


county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  un  his  father's  farm  and  re- 
ceived his  preparatory  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  town- 
ship. At  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  he  enlisted,  December  _',  1S62, 
in  Company  B,  Nineteenth  United  States  Regulars,  and  served  for  nine 
months.  He  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  and  transferred  south  of 
Washington  city  to  drill  negro  troops.  He  remained  there  four  months. 
Next  he  did  staff  duty  around  Washington.  During  this  service  he  was 
at  Gettysburg,  the  last  two  days  of  that  historic  battle.  He  resigned 
from  the  army  April  8,  1864,  and  reenlisted  in  the  summer  in  Company 
A,  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  through 
the  rest  of  the  1864  campaign  in  the  Shenandoah  \'alley,  Virginia,  and 
other  portions  of  the  state.  He  saw  much  active  service ;  was  at  Harper's 
Ferry,  Berryville,  \\'inchester.  Fisher's  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek.  He 
was  slightly  wounded  in  the  leg  at  Monocacy,  in  the  side  at  Winchester, 
in  the  neck  at  Berryville,  and  at  Cedar  Creek,  October  19,  1864,  his  left 
leg  was  taken  off  by  grape  shot.  He  lay  three  days  and  nights  on  the 
field  in  this  condition.  He  was  at  last  moved  to  a  hospital  in  Balti- 
more and,  having  a  sound  constitution,  soon  recovered.  He  was  placed 
in  charge,  as  lieutenant,  of  the  invalid  corps  to  guard  the  hospital  until 
the  cessation  of  hostilities.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home 
to  Pennsylvania  for  a  time.  He  attended  school  in  Baltimore  and  at 
Reading,  Pennsylvania.  He  taught  one  term  in  Berks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  then  began  farming  on  a  small  scale  in  Union  townsiiip.  wliere 
he  lived  until  1906.  He  erected  a  comfortalole  home  in  Belleville,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  does  general  farming  with  great  success.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  that  party  has  conferred  many  deserved 
honors  upon  him.  He  was  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislature  in 
1891,  and  reelected  in  1893.  serving  the  people  faithfully  four  years  in 
the  capacity  of  representative  to  the  state  general  assembly.  During  tiie 
time  of  his  incumbency  of  the  office  he  introduced  the  bill  that  gave 
medals  to  the  First  Defenders,  or  Logan's  Guards.  He  served  as  chair- 
man of  pensions  and  gratuities  committee,  was  a  member  of  appropria- 
tions committee,  counties  and  townships  committee  and  compare  bills 
committee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and 
has  been  commander  of  his  post  for  the  past  fifteen  years,  there  being 
only  ten  members  left  of  the  local  post.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  de- 
vout members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 


512  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

He  married,  January  i,  1868,  Libbie  Markley,  from  near  Lewistown, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Harriet  (Bair)  Markley.  Mrs.  Markley  was 
born  in  Baltimore  and  he  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania.  Each  came  with 
parents  to  MifHin  county,  and  here  met  and  married ;  both  were  Luther- 
ans. He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  and  she  died  May  29,  1895. 
Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McClintic :  i.  Mary  Minerva,  born  March  13, 
1869;  married  Ezra  T.  Ealy  and  they  live  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  McClintic; 
they  have  one  daughter,  Allegra  Josephine.  2.  Margaret  May,  born  No- 
vember 6,  1873 ;  married  Professor  James  F.  Wills,  superintendent  of 
schools  of  Mifflin  county ;  they  have  four  children :  Margaret  Rachel, 
Mary  Jane  Elizabeth,  Nellie  Allegra  and  James  Henderson.  3.  Marian 
Markley,  born  May  26,  1894;  a  student  in  Belleville  high  school. 


Although  of  English  antecedents,  George  Adam  Gard- 
GARDNER  ner,  the  founder  of  this  branch  of  the  Gardner  family  in 
the  United  States,  came  from  Holland.  He  settled 
prior  to  the  revolution  in  what  is  now  Montgomery  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, near  Philadelphia,  and  with  his  son  John  served  in  the  revolu- 
tionary army,  fighting  at  Germantown.  He  married  and  left  sons,  John 
and  George  Adam,  also  two  daughters.  He  moved  later  in  life  to 
Lancaster  county,  where  he  died. 

(11)  George  Adam  (2),  son  of  George  Adam  (i)  Gardner,  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  elder  brother,  John, 
fought  at  the  battle  of  Germantown  and  later  moved  west,  settling  in 
Ohio.  George  Adam  accompanied  his  father  to  Lancaster  county,  later 
lived  near  Harrisburg,  and  finally,  about  the  year  1800,  moved  to  the 
Kishacociuillas  Valley,  settling  in  Armagh  township,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming.  About  the  year  1836  or  2)7  he  moved  to  Venango,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on 
which  he  lived  until  his  death  in  September,  1855,  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
two  years.  He  was  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  during  the  "Whiskey  In- 
surrection" served  with  the  government  forces  under  General  Lee.  He 
was  educated  in  German  onl}',  having  no  knowledge  of  the  written  Eng- 
lish language.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  a  man 
of  good  standing.  He  married,  about  1793,  a  Miss  Kearns.  Children: 
I.  John,  lived  in  Mifflin  county  until  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  then 
settled  at  La  Harpe,  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  concerned 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  513 

in  the  movement  that  drove  the  Mormons  from  Ilhnois;  he  died  aged 
about  eighty-one  years;  he  married  (first)  a  Miss  Wihiams,  (second) 
Mrs.  Jane  Stone.  2.  Sophia,  remained  with  her  father  until  his  death; 
she  never  married.  3.  Abram,  of  whom  further.  4.  Christina,  married 
Alexander  Orr,  a  farmer  of  Decatur  township,  where  both  died.  5. 
Mary,  married  Samuel  Huston,  lived  in  Venango  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  both  died  and  are  buried  at  Mickleville.  6.  George,  married  Betsy 
O'Neil  and  had  thirteen  children;  he  was  a  farmer  of  Venango  county. 
7.  Thomas  Kearns,  died  in  Venango  county;  was  a  farmer;  he  married 
(first)  a  Miss  Jolly,  (second)  a  Miss  Donaldson,  who  died  leaving  a 
daughter,  after  which  he  married  a  third  time.  8.  Catherine,  married 
Samuel  Bushey,  a  farmer  of  Venango  county,  where  both  died. 

(Ill)  Abram,  son  of  George  Adam  (2)  Gardner,  was  born  in  Lykens 
Valley,  near  Harrisburg.  Pennsylvania,  in  1805,  died  in  Columbiana 
county,  Ohio,  in  December,  1863.  He  attended  public  school,  and 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Mifflin  county,  where  he  married  and  lived 
until  1855,  engaged  in  laboring  and  farming  near  Reedsville.  After  his 
family  was  grown  he  moved  to  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  and  there 
purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  acres  on  which  he 
lived  until  his  death  in  his  fifty-ninth  year  and  is  there  buried.  During 
the  Mexican  war  he  offered  his  services  as  a  volunteer,  but  was  rejected. 
He  was  a  strong  Democrat,  held  several  local  offices,  and  was  a  devoted 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married  Nancy,  born  in  tiie 
Wyoming  Valley,  died  about  1867,  daughter  of  John  and  Jeaimette 
(Williams)  Huston,  both  born  in  Ireland,  of  land  owning  families. 
After  their  marriage  they  came  to  Pennsylvania,  finally  settling  in  Mifflin 
county,  where  both  died  in  Brown  township.  He  is  described  as  a  small 
man  but  "stout  and  sturdy."  Both  were  members  of  the  "Seceder" 
church,  as  was  their  daughter  Nancy.  Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hus- 
ton: I.  Letitia,  married  Allen  McAlevy,  a  son  of  General  McAlevy,  of 
McAlevy's  Fort;  they  moved  to  Illinois,  where  both  died.  2.  Nancy, 
married  Abram  Gardner.  3.  Ann,  married  James  Estill  and  died  in 
Columbiana  county,  Ohio.  4.  Thomas,  lived  and  died  in  Stone  Valley, 
Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Mary,  married  Benjamin  Cres- 
well  and  both  died  in  Stone  Valley.  Children  of  Abram  and  Nancy 
Gardner:  i.  James  H.,  died  in  Venango  county,  Pennsylvania;  was  a 
carpenter;  married  Harriet  Kerns  and  left  issue.     2.  George,  lived  and 


514  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

died  in  191 1  in  Mifflin  county;  was  a  farmer;  married  Nancy  Aultz  and 
left  issue.  3.  Catherine,  married  Edward  Garside;  died  in  Ohio.  4. 
John,  married  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  but  died  in  Ohio.  5.  Wil- 
liam C,  of  whom  further.  6.  Levi,  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  died  in 
Ohio;  married  Lucinda  Camp.  7.  Jane,  married  a  Mr.  Kern  and  died 
within  a  year  after  her  marriage. 

(IV)  William  C,  son  of  Abrani  and  Nancy  (Huston)  Gardner,  was 
born  at  Barrville,  Brown  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 22,  1835.  He  attended  school  at  the  old  "Back  Mountain"' 
school  house,  and  a  term  at  Tuscarora  Academy  under  Professor  J.  H. 
Shoemaker,  which  was  interrupted  by  the  removel  of  the  family  to 
Ohio.  After  a  few  years  in  Ohio  spent  in  farming,  he  returned  to  his 
native  county  and  during  the  winter  terms  taught  school.  He  then  took 
a  course  at  Millersville  State  Normal,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  class 
of  1862.  He  left  there  with  other  students  and  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-second  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  serving  nine  months  under  Captain  (Professor)  A.  R.  Byerly, 
seeing  hard  service  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  taking  part  in  the 
bloody  battles,  Second  Bull  Run,  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville. 
He  served  out  his  term  of  enlistment  and  was  honorably  discharged,  May 
17.  1863,  and  then  returned  to  Mifflin  county.  He  again  taught  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  county,  then  for  four  years  was  principal  of  the 
high  schools  at  Gardner  and  La  Harpe,  Illinois.  He  again  returned 
to  Mifflin  county,  where  for  several  years  he  taught  in  public  schools  and 
was  principal  of  Stone  Valley  Academy  in  Huntingdon  county.  In 
1875  he  was  elected  superintendent  of  instruction  for  Mifflin  county, 
serving  one  term  of  three  years.  After  his  term  of  office  expired  he 
returned  to  his  profession  and  taught  continuously  until  1895,  when 
he  retired  with  an  enviable  record  as  an  educator  of  youth.  In  1900 
he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  an  office  he  yet  holds  through  suc- 
cessive reelections.  In  this  office  he  is  more  the  peacemaker  than  the 
magistrate,  settling  all  cases  possible  without  recourse  to  the  law.  His 
long  years  spent  in  the  different  school  rooms  of  the  county,  and  as 
county  superintendent,  brought  him  in  contact  with  so  many  people  of 
all  ages  that  he  is  perhaps  the  best  known  man  in  the  entire  county. 
His  life  has  been  a  useful  one,  but  the  results  of  the  good  seed  sown,  the 
encouraging  words  dropped,  can  never  be  known,  but  all  over  this  broad 


Jr^  U.   ^a/r^^^^^^^<LM 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  515 

land  are  men  and  women  who  can  trace  their  success  in  hfe  to  the  wise 
counsel  and  encouragement  of  the  "Village  schoolmaster."  In  his  latter 
years  many  such  instances  have  been  revealed  to  him  and  surely  they 
must  be  a  rich  recompense  for  his  many  years  of  unselfish  effort  to  help 
others  the  better  to  fight  life's  battles.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  which  he  has  served  as 
trustee. 

He  married  (first)  September  22,  1865,  Alartha  Jane  iMcL'lure.  born 
in  Juniata  county,  daughter  of  Duffield  AlcClure.  She  died  December  9, 
1871,  leaving  a  daughter  Edith,  born  July  31,  1866.  now  a  graduate 
nurse  of  Hartford,  Connecticut;  a  member  of  the  Daughters  of  the 
American  Revolution  and  unmarried.  He  married  (second)  September 
22,  1875,  Margaret  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Margaret 
(Fleming)  Wilson,  both  born  in  MifHin  county  of  the  old  and  well 
known  county  family  of  that  name.  Children:  2.  Xancy  Margaret, 
born  December  19,  1882;  graduate  of  Belleville  high  school  and  Grove 
City  College,  now  assistant  principal  of.  the  former  school.  3.  Anna 
Wilson,  born  August  11.  1885;  graduate  of  Belleville  higli  school  and 
an  attendant  of  Grove  City  College;  she  is  now  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools. 

Special  mention  should  be  made  of  special  work  done  by  Professor 
Gardner.  In  1847  he  first  joined  a  Presbyterian  Sunday  school  and  has 
ever  since  taken  an  active  interest  in  that  department  of  church  work. 
He  graduated  from  pupil  to  teacher  very  earl\-  and  as  teacher  and  suiier- 
intendent  has  been  continuously  in  service  for  over  half  a  century.  He 
is  yet  in  the  work,  and  every  Sunday  teaches  the  International  Bible 
lesson  in  two  Sunday  schools  in  Belleville,  the  Presbyterian  and  the 
Methodist.  Recently  his  long  length  of  service  in  Sunday  school  work 
was  recognized  by  the  Pennsylvania  Sunday  School  Society  by  the  pre- 
sentation to  him  of  a  suitable  medal.  Truly  his  has  been  a  wonderfully 
full  life  and  no  man  can  measure  the  harvest. 


Joseph  Hartzler  Byler,  of  Belleville,  Pennsylvania,  a  Swiss 

BYLER     by  direct  descent  and   a  born  and  bred  American  in  the 

truest  sense  of  the  word,  comes  from  honorable  people  on 

both  the  paternal  and  the  distaff  side.     Both  the  Byler  an-l  Hartzler 

families  are  reckoned  among  the  most  substantial  in  Pennsylvania,  and 


5i6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

have  contributed  their  quota  to  the  wealth,  prosperity  and  upbuilding  of 
the  state. 

(I)  Rev.  John  Byler,  among  the  first  of  the  name  born  in  the 
United  States,  was  of  straight  Swiss  descent.  The  family  lived  for 
hundreds  of  years  in  an  Alpine  valley  in  the  homes  that  they  inherited 
from  their  sturdy  progenitors.  He  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania, 
when  that  country  was  yet  young.  He  moved  to  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  settled  near  Allensville,  in  Menno  township.  He  died 
there  and  was  the  first  adult  male  to  be  buried  in  the  Amish  Mennonite 
cemetery,  near  Allensville.  He  followed  farming  as  an  occupation  and 
was  a  bishop  of  high  standing  in  the  Amish  Mennonite  church.  He 
was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  his  township  and  was  known  far  and 
wide  for  the  exceeding  fairness  of  his  judgment.  He  accumulated  con- 
siderable property,  among  it  being  a  farm  now  owned  by  Joseph  Kanagy. 

(II)  Joseph,  son  of  Bishop  John  Byler,  of  the  Amish  Mennonite 
church,  was  born,  reared  and  married  in  Allensville.  He  married  Marv 
Lantz.  a  daughter  of  a  neighbor  of  the  same  faith  as  himself.  After 
their  marriage  he  purchased  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  his  father's 
farm  and  lived  there  for  some  time.  Later  he  bought  a  farm  near 
Coldwater,  L^nion  township,  and  there  he  died  at  a  good  old  age.  He 
followed  agriculture  as  a  life  pursuit,  making  it  bring  him  good  re- 
sults. He  lived  a  quiet,  uneventful  life,  devoted  to  his  faith  and  the 
Amish  ]\Iennonite  church ;  a  good  neighbor,  a  staunch  friend  command- 
ing the  respect  of  all  coming  in  contact  with  him.  He  was  an  active 
supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  especially  locally,  though  never  hold- 
ing office.  Children:  Elizabeth,  Leah,  John  L.,  of  whom  further; 
Joseph,  Benjamin,  Solomon,  Jonathan,  David,  Isaac,  Eli,  Mary  and 
Samuel.  David,  Eli  and  Samuel  live  in  Mifflin  county,  and  Mary,  the 
wife  of  David  Blank,  lives  in  Lancaster. 

fill)  John  L.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Lantz)  Byler,  was  born  in 
Mifflin  county,  in  1827.  He  married  Elizabeth  Hartzler,  born  in  1826, 
in  Mifflin  county,  and  lived  after  marriage  for  five  years  in  Union 
county  (see  Hartzler  line).  John  L.  moved  next  to  Mifflin  county, 
where  he  purchased  a  small  farm  in  LTnion  township.  He  died  here, 
October  23,  1866,  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine,  of  creeping  paralysis.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Amish  Mennonite  church,  of  that 
localitv.     His  wife  married  a  second  time,  becoming  the  wife  of  Chris- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  517 

tian  Zook,  and  after  his  death  moved  to  Goshen.  Indiana,  where  she 
makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Eri.  Children:  i.  Eh.  hves  near 
Newton,  Kansas,  where  lie  farms.  2.  Eri,  widow  of  Rufus  Voder, 
makes  her  home  at  Goshen,  Indiana.  3.  Joseph  Hartzler,  of  whom 
further.  4.  Christian,  lives  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  a  farmer  and 
a  minister  of  the  Mennonite  church.  5.  :\Iary,  married  Joseph  E.  Hartz- 
ler, and  lives  in  Cass  county,  Missouri.  6.  Hannah,  married  Samuel 
Plank,  now  living  in  Goshen,  Indiana.  7.  John,  in  mercantile  business 
in   Newton,   Kansas. 

(IV)  Joseph  Hartzler,  son  of  John  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Hartzler) 
Byler,  was  bom  August  7,  1853,  in  Kishacoquillas  valley.  Union  town- 
ship, Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  Like  his  forbears,  he  is  of  that 
hardy  Swiss  stock  that  long  since  has  taken  deep  and  permanent  root 
in  American  soil.  The  familv  has  flourished  and  grown  strong  in  num- 
bers,  in  importance  and  in  this  world's  goods.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  township  and  was  reared  in  the  free  life  of  the 
farm.  W^hen  quite  a  boy  he  went  to  live  with  an  uncle  at  Allensville, 
where  he  attended  the  village  school.  Leaving  school  he  selected  farm- 
ing as  his  occupation.  After  some  years  on  the  farm  of  his  father-in- 
law,  David  J.  Zook,  he  bought  the  Byler  homestead  of  twenty- four 
acres,  and  there  lived  twenty  years,  doing  general  farming.  For  the 
past  twenty-eight  years  he  has  been  a  minister  of  the  Amish  Mennonite 
church,  having  success  in  his  ministerial  work.  He  is  held  in  high  es- 
teem by  not  only  those  of  his  own  faith,  but  all  those  who  know  him. 
He  is  a  devout  man,  but  broad  minded  and  kindly,  and  commands  the 
respect  and  love  of  his  associates.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  work- 
ing in  a  quiet  way  for  the  ticket,  but  he  has  never  aspired  to  oFtice  and 
has  never  held  any.  He  married  (first)  January  3,  1878,  Nancy  Zook, 
a  native  of  Mifflin  county,  daughter  of  David  J.  Zook.  like  himself  a 
devout  inember  of  the  Amish  Mennonite  church.  She  died  March  7, 
1907.  Children:  i.  Lydia  A.,  married  Jacob  A.  Hartzler.  and  died  in 
June,  1909,  leaving  four  children:  Carrie,  John.  Maud  and  Anna  L. 
2.  John  Ira,  lives  in  Toronto,  Canada,  where  he  has  charge  of  a  Men- 
nonite mission  church  ;  married  Amanda  Froyer ;  three  children  :  Harold, 
Orpha  and  John.  3.  Carrie  E.,  married  John  Yoder;  lives  near  Belle- 
ville, Pennsylvania;  children:  Paul  and  Elma.  4.  David,  died  in  infancy. 
5.  Sadie,  attends  Bible  school  in  Toronto,  Canada.    6.  Joseph,  at  home. 


5i8  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

7.  Titus,  died  aged  four  years.  8.  Ida  Ruth.  9.  Naomi.  He  married 
(second)  February  11.  1909,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Spicher,  a  native  of  Mif- 
flin county,  daughter  of  John  Zook.  In  all  of  Mifflin  county  there  is 
no  one  who  is  more  highly  respected  than  Mr.  Byler,  and  his  family 
stands  for  sobriety,  honor  and  right  living. 

(The   Hartzler  Line). 

On  the  distaif  side  Mr.  Byler  descends  from  an  honest,  hard  work- 
ing, conscientious  family  of  men  and  women.  His  maternal  grand- 
parents were  Christian  Hartzler  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Kauttman,  who 
were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Union  township,  where  he  lived  and  died 
on  the  farm  that  he  owned  for  years.  Both  belonged  to  the  Amish  Men- 
nonite  church,  and  they  were  God-fearing,  law-abiding  citizens  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Christian  Hartzler  was  of  direct  Swiss  descent,  the  family 
coming  from  near  the  line,  which  is  largely  German.  His  wife  was  of 
pure  German  extraction,  and  came  from  the  large  family  of  Kauffmans 
scattered  the  length  and  breadth  of  Germany.  Their  children  were : 
Hannah,  Nancy,  Sarah,  Samuel,  Lydia,  Elizabeth  (see  Byler  III),  Eri, 
who  married  Jacob  Detweiler  and  makes  her  home  in  the  south ;  Fannie 
and    John. 


William  Vollmer,  of  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  exempli- 
VOLLMER     fies  to  a  marked  degree  what  energy,  perseverance  and 

well  directed  ambition  will  accomplish.  He  is  of  that 
all-conquering  strain  that  time  and  circumstances  never  daunt,  German- 
American.  Since  the  year  1837  the  Vollmers  have  added  to  the  wealth, 
energy  and  greatness  of  the  United  States,  bringing  from  the  Father- 
land indomitable  will  and  a  determination  to  succeed,  which  in  the  end 
bring  desired  results. 

(I)  Henry  Vollmer,  father  of  William  Vollmer,  was  born  in  1816, 
at  Gemmershein-on-the-Rliine,  Germany,  of  good,  honest,  well-to-do 
parents,  who  had  long  made  their  home  in  that  romantic  part  of  the 
Fatherland.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  1837,  the  spirit  of  adven- 
turous youth  and  enterprise  induced  him  to  try  his  fortunes  in  the  United 
States,  and  he  crossed  the  Atlantic,  landing  at  New  York.  Later  he  went 
to  Philadelphia,  where  he  located,  securing  employment  with  the  J.  and 
J.  P.  Steiner  &  Company,  a  large  mercantile  house  of  that  city.     From 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  519 

an  humble  employee  he  rose  to  one  position  after  another,  later  being 
admitted  as  one  of  the  firm,  and  remained  with  Steiner  &  Company 
until  they  closed  their  business  for  two  years  during  the  civil  war. 
In  the  meantime  he  had  married  Louise  Steiner,  born  in  Philadelphia,  in 
1824.  but  like  himself  of  German  parentage.  They  lived  in  comfortable 
circumstances  and  reared  a  family.  After  the  closing  of  Steiner  & 
Company,  Mr.  Volhner  entered  business  for  himself,  having  with  him 
his  two  sons,  at  No.  i  Bank  street.  Philadelphia.  The  business  greatly 
prospered  for  several  years  and  was  increasing  in  every  way  until  the 
panic  of  1873,  when  like  so  many  other  firms  many  established  much 
longer  than  his,  he  was  forced  to  close.  He  retired  to  private  life, 
lived  quietly,  and  died  in  Philadelphia  in  1905.  His  wife  died  in  1895. 
He  was  a  staunch  Republican  and  worked  for  the  party,  but  neither 
held  nor  aspired  to  oftice.  Children:  i.  Emma,  married  I.  L.  Register; 
living  in  Ardmore.  Pennsylvania.  2.  Henry,  deceased.  3.  Ida,  died  in 
infancy.  4.  Amanda,  died  in  infancy.  5.  Phillip,  a  representative  of  the 
Lawrence  Cement  Company,  of  Philadelphia.  6.  William,  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  William,  sixth  and  youngest  child  of  Henry  and  Louise 
(Steiner)  Vollmer,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  April  24,  1861.  He  re- 
ceived his  preparatory  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  finally 
entering  the  Philadelphia  Polytechnic  School,  where  he  threw  himself 
heart  and  soul  into  the  prescribed  course.  Owing  to  financial  circum- 
stances he  was  compelled  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  graduating,  and  left 
school  one  year  previous  to  that  anticipated  event.  He  entered  at  once 
the  employ  of  the  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works,  of  Philadelphia.  He 
gave  all  of  his  spare  time  to  the  study  of  machinery,  increasing  his 
knowledge  thereby.  For  eleven  years  he  was  an  integral  part  of  the 
vast  works,  and  identified  himself  in  every  way  with  its  interests.  .\t 
the  end  of  that  time  the  company,  recognizing  merit,  ability  and  loyalty, 
rewarded  him  by  making  him  assistant  superintendent,  a  position  he  held 
with  credit  to  himself  and  the  satisfaction  of  the  company  until  October 
17,  1910,  when  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the  place  of  superintendent 
of  the  Standard  Steel  Works,  at  Burnham,  Pennsylvania.  He  holds 
that  position  at  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Vollmer  employes  three  thousand  men,  and  the  products  turned 
out  for  a  large  and  ever  increasing  market  are,  steel  castings,  tires, 


520  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

rolled  wheels,  springs,  iron  and  malleable  castings.  The  output  is 
shipped  to  the  four  quarters  of  the  United  States,  Japan  and  the  British 
colonies.  The  plant  is  running  to  its  fullest  capacity,  and  the  demand 
for  its  products  exceeds  the  supply.  This  has  largely  been  accomplished 
through  the  broad  constructive  talent  and  farsightedness  of  Mr.  Voll- 
mer,  his  quick  appreciation  of  events  and  his  ability  to  adapt  himself,  and 
the  business  which  he  superintends,  to  them.  He  is  an  extremely  modest 
man,  unassuming,  but  in  a  quiet  and  supremely  effective  way  he  has 
advanced  the  efficiency  of  his  numerous  employees  to  a  standard  that  is 
rarely  equalled,  and  never  surpassed,  in  similar  works.  He  is  not  ag- 
gressive in  the  ordinary  sense,  only  progressive,  and  has  risen  to  the 
topmost  rung  of  his  chosen  business,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  un- 
remittingly for  thirty-five  years.  He  is  persevering,  mastering  every 
detail,  however  minute  or  dull ;  is  conservative,  prompt,  decisive  and 
cool,  with  a  determination  to  succeed  that  in  the  end  generally  makes 
for  success.  He  maintains  no  elaborate  suite  of  offices  with  flunkies  to 
guard  the  doors,  but  is  in  the  main  room  of  the  general  office.  He  is 
always  willing  and  pleased  to  listen  to  the  humblest  of  the  employees 
of  the  works,  thus  evincing  his  spirit  of  true  American  democracy  and 
his  inherited  German  love  of  justice.  The  keynote  of  his  character  is  a 
desire  to  see  everyone  get  "a  square  deal,"  and  the  motive  of  all  his 
actions  is  to  produce  results.  He  married,  in  1891,  Gwenllian  Hunt, 
born  at  Catasauqua,  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  Joshua  Hunt,  a  mem- 
ber of  a  family  of  English  descent,  long  established  in  America,  the 
progenitor  of  which  came  over  in  colonial  days.  Mrs.  Vollmer's  ma- 
ternal grandfather,  David  Thomas,  was  the  pioneer  manufacturer  of 
pig  iron  from  anthracite  coal,  and  is  called  the  father  of  that  special 
industry,  carried  on  at  Catasauqua,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  i.  Roger 
H.,  a  bright  student  in  the  department  of  agricultural  engineering  in  the 
Pennsylvania  State  College.  2.  William  S.,  attending  the  Culver  (In- 
diana) Military  School. 


Robert  and  Hannah  Pennell  settled  in  Middletown 
PENNELL     township,  now  Delaware  county,  as  early  as  1686  and 

are  the  founders  of  the  Pennells  of  Chester  and  Dela- 
ware counties,  and  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  They  came  from  Boul- 
derton,  in  Nottinghamshire,  England,  bringinga  certificate  from  "Friends 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  521 

at  Ffulbeck",  issued  the  third  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1O84,  ii>  eoiijuuc- 
tion  with  Thomas  Garrett,  Hugh  Rodnell,  Henry  Pennell  and  Richard 
Parker  "with  their  wives  and  children  intending  to  transfer  themselves 
beyond  the  seas  into  East  Jersey  in  America". 

A  John  Pennell  was  in  this  country  as  early  as  1689,  residing  in  the 
vicinity  of  Darby  and  then  a  young  man.  In  1703  he  married  Marv 
Morgan,  of  Dublin  Monthly  Meeting,  and  settled  in  Concord  township. 
But  little  is  known  of  John,  but  Mary,  his  wife,  became  eminent  as  a 
minister  among  Friends.  She  was  born  in  Radnorshire,  Wales,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Church  of  England,  but  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  she 
became  convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Quakers.  When 
sixteen  years  of  age  she  came  to  Pennsylvania  and  soon  afterward 
united  with  the  Friends  Society,  becoming  a  minister  in  I/JJ.  and 
traveled  extensively  in  the  exercise  of  her  holy  calling,  visiting  the  New 
England  colonies  and  once  going  to  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 

Robert  Pennell  in  1687  was  appointed  constable  of  IMiddlctnwn  town- 
ship and  was  a  farmer  in  fairly  good  circumstances.  His  wife  llaiuiali 
died  in  171 1,  aged  seventy-one  years,  he  surviving  her  several  years, 
until  1728.  Children:  Hannah,  married  John  Sharpless.  of  Ridley; 
Joseph,  married  Alice,  daughter  of  William  Garrett,  of  Darby:  Ann, 
married  Benjamin  Mendenhall,  of  Concord ;  and  William,  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  I\Iary  Mercer,  of  Thornburg.  From  Robert 
and  Hannah  Pennell  sprang  Isaac  Pennell,  born  in  Delaware  county,  died 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  in  good  standing,  as  was  his  wife  Jane.  Children:  John,  died 
in  Harrisburg;  Joseph,  of  whom  further:  Sarah,  married  William  Hat- 
ton,  whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Philadelphia ;  Mary,  married  Wil- 
liam Hinkson  and  died  in  Philadelphia. 

(II)  Joseph,  son  of  Isaac  and  Jane  Pennell,  was  born  in  Philadelphia 
in  1832,  died  in  Wilkinsburg,  Pennsylvania,  February  19,  1904.  and 
was  brought  to  Mifflintown  for  interment.  He  was  educated  in  the 
Friends  School  in  Philadelphia,  and  prior  to  his  marriage  came  to  Mif- 
flintown in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  He  entered  mer- 
cantile life  in  Mifflintown  after  his  marriage  and  continued  without  in- 
termission until  1900,  being  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  one  of  the 
oldest  merchants  in  the  borough.  He  was  an  honorable,  energetic  and 
prosperous  business  man,  and  while  not  strict  in  his  views,  was  a  Quaker 


522  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

by  birthright  and  incHnation.  He  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order  and 
was  a  man  well  liked  and  most  highly  respected.  A  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, he  never  sought  or  accepted  public  office.  He  married  in  Mifflin- 
town,  Rebecca  Mickey,  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1839, 
daughter  of  Frank  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Souders)  Mickey,  both  born  in 
Perry  county.  Frank  M.  Mickey  was  a  supervisor  of  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad  and  early  located  in  Mifflintown,  where  he  was  a  captain  of  the 
military  company,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  a  Republican ; 
children :  Rebecca,  married  Joseph  Pennell,  whom  she  survives,  a  resi- 
dent of  Pittsburgh;  Lewis,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  resides  in  Balti- 
more, Maryland ;  Jacob,  died  in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania ;  Ann,  mar- 
ried George  Anderson  and  resides  in  Altoona,  Pennsylvania;  John,  now 
living  retired  in  Mifflin,  Pennsylvania:  Robert,  now  residing  at  Alexan- 
dria, Pennsylvania,  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad ;  Kate, 
died  unmarried.  Children  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca  (Mickey)  Pennell: 
Frank  M.  M.,  of  whom  further;  William,  now  cashier  of  the  Postal 
Telegraph  Company  at  Pittsburgh ;  Amy,  married  Thomas  Evans  and 
resides  in  Avalon,  Pennsylvania;  Clarence,  who  is  now  in  the  employ 
of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  and  is  residing  at  Wilkinsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

(Ill)  Frank  M.  M.,  eldest  son  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca  (Mickey)  Pen- 
nell, was  born  in  Mifflintown,  Pennsylvania,  February  28,  1862.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  borough,  then  entered  Millersville 
State  Normal  School,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1882.  After 
teaching  in  the  public  school  one  year,  he  began  the  study  of  law,  read- 
ing under  the  preceptorship  of  Louis  E.  Atkinson,  an  eminent  lawyer, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Juniata  county  bar  in  1885.  Although  entitled 
to  practice,  he  desired  still  deeper  knowledge  of  the  law  and  he  entered 
Albany  Law  School,  Albany,  New  York,  one  of  the  very  oldest  and 
best  law  schools  in  the  United  States,  from  whence  he  was  graduated 
LL.B.,  class  of  1886.  Returning  to  Mifflintown,  he  entered  into  .partner- 
ship with  his  former  instructor  in  the  law,  and  as  Atkinson  &  Pennell, 
they  conducted  a  successful  general  practice  in  county,  state  and  federal 
courts  of  the  district,  until  Mr.  Atkinson's  death  in  19 10.  Since  then 
Mr.  Pennell  has  conducted  business  alone.  The  firm  was  among  the 
leaders  at  the  county  bar  and  bore  a  reputation  for  honorable,  upright 
dealing,  coupled  with  a  legal  learning  and  skill  that  attracted  the  best 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  523 

class  of  business.  The  offices  are  yet  retained  in  Mifflintown,  where  Mr. 
Pennell  conducts  his  legal  business  upon  the  same  high  plane  of  honor 
and  efficiency.  He  has  few  outside  interests,  the  law  being  to  him  a 
jealous  mistress  and  to  his  profession  he  gives  the  best  of  his  learning 
and  talent.  He  has  banking  interests  in  the  Juniata  Valley  National 
Bank  and  is  a  director  of  the  Mifflintown  and  Patterson  Water  compa- 
nies. He  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Bar  Association  and  also  secretary  of  the  Juniata  Bar  Association.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  from  1887  to  1890  was  the  elected  dis- 
trict attorney  of  Juniata  county.  He  is  solicitor  for  the  fiftii  district  of 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  and  occupies  a  similar  position  with  the 
Tuscarora  Valley  railroad. 

He  married,  December  28,  1887.  Ida,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary 
(Ewing)  McCauley,  of  Mifflintown:  children:  Rebecca,  died  aged  four 
years;  Edred  J.,  born  December  29.  1890,  graduate  of  Mifflintown  high 
school  and  Gettysburg  College,  class  of  19 12,  now  a  student  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania.  The  family  are  attendants  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  Mr.  Pennell  being  a  member  of  the  Mifflintown  congre- 
gation. 


The  Neelys  are  first  mentioned  in  Juniata  Valley  records 
NEELY     in  1773,  in  Lack  township,  Juniata  county,  tax  lists.     They 

are  of  the  Scotch-Irish  stock  so  potent  and  so  prominent 
among  the  "makers"  of  Pennsylvania  and,  as  one  writer  states,  "the 
race  that  never  bred  a  Tory."  The  emigrant  came  from  county  Lon- 
donderry. Ireland,  prior  to  the  year  1750. 

(I)  The  first  record  obtainable  is  of  William  Neely.  whose  boyhood 
was  spent  near  the  present  town  of  Roxbury,  Franklin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  had  a  brother,  Robert  Neely,  two  years  younger,  who 
was  stolen  by  the  Indians  about  1750,  being  then  five  years  of  age.  He 
was  reared  by  the  tribe  which  captured  him,  taught  their  ways,  adopted 
and  given  an  Indian  maid  for  his  wife.  The  following  letter  written  by 
Colonel  James  Perry,  of  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  a  cousin  of  William 
Neely  and  of  the  captured  boy  (the  original  of  which  is  now  in  the 
possession  of  Margaret  J.  Neely,  of  Galveston,  Indiana),  furnished  the 
information  which  led  to  the  identification  of  Robert  Neely  as  the  cap- 
tive: 


524  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

"Pittsburgh,  Oct.  22,  1805. 
"Dear  Cousin : 

"Tho'  you  and  I  are  so  nearly  related.  I  do  not  know  that  ever  a 
hne  passed  from  you  to  me  or  from  me  to  you.  I  have  often  Tho't 
that  it  could  not  be  for  want  of  friendship  or  natural  afifection,  as  I  con- 
ceive we  are  both  possessed  of  it.  I  would  rather  impute  it  to  thought- 
less negligence.  I  came  to  live  in  this  place  last  spring,  to  keep  store. 
I,  perhaps,  may  continue  some  time.  My  family,  a  number  of  girls,  are 
grown  up,  three  of  them  married.  My  two  sons  are  now  beginning  to 
be  able  to  do  business  for  me.  This  day  William  Cinney  called  on  me, 
on  his  return  home.  He  told  me  you  were  anxious  to  hear  from  your 
brother,  Robert,  which  I  do  not  in  the  least  doubt.  I  have,  a  few  weeks 
since,  received  information  of  him.  I  had  often  heard  of  such  a  person, 
somewhere  near  the  lakes.  After  I  came  to  this  place  last  spring,  I 
heard  of  him  on  Buffalo  Creek,  about  five  miles  from  the  Lake  and 
eighteen  above  Niagara.  I  wrote  a  few  lines  to  him,  to  know  whether 
he  was  the  same  Robert  Neely,  which  I  suspected  he  was.  and  received 
an  answer  from  Mr.  Granger,  Indian  Agent,  informing  me  he  was  the 
same.  I  had  not  given  him  any  account  of  his  friends  until  I  was  cer- 
tain he  was  the  person.  A  copy  of  Mr.  Granger's  letter  you  have,  as 
follows : 

"  'Buffalo  Creek,  Aug.  13,  1805. 

"  'Sir:  Your  letter  to  Robert  Neely,  dated  April  21,  was  lately  put 
into  my  hands.  There  is  no  doubt  but  the  person,  by  the  name  of  Rob- 
ert Neely,  living  with  the  Seneca  Indians,  about  five  miles  from  this 
place,  is  the  person  whom  you  inquire  for.  He  has  often  mentioned  to 
me  the  place  where  he  was  taken  and  some  circumstances  respecting 
his  family,  which  correspond  with  your  description.  Previous  to  read- 
ing your  letter  to  him,  he  was  questioned  on  the  subject.  He  said  he 
lived  near  Connocogeague  Creek,  that  be  went  with  his  uncle.  Perry, 
to  feed  cattle,  that  his  uncle  was  killed  by  the  Indians  and  he  was  taken ; 
that  his  father  and  mother  were  dead,  that  he  had  a  sister  and  he  thinks 
he  had  a  brother.  Robert  does  not  appear  to  have  a  perfect  recollection 
of  his  family  relations,  but  says  he  believes  you  are  his  cousin.  He  has 
mentioned  to  a  person  here  that  his  father  used  to  make  whiskey.  He 
is  a  man  of  about  sixty  years  and  his  looks  indicate  living  a  long  time 
with  the  Indians.  He  has  imbibed  their  habits.  He  is  very  honest  and 
industrious  and  gets  a  good  living  in  their  way.  He  still  retains  his 
native  language,  but  speaks  the  Indian  tongue  better.  He  was  very 
glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  requests  me  to  write  to  you  for  a  more  par- 
ticular account  of  his  family;  says  he  thought  his  relations  were  all 
dead.  He  does  not  recollect  anything  about  Braddock's  defeat. 
"  'I  am  Sir,  your  obedient  humble  serv't, 

"  'Erastus  Granger,  Agent  of  Indian  Affairs.' 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


.■>-o 


"  'Col.  James  Perry. 

"I  have  written  to  him  as  particular  account  of  his  friends  as  I  could 
collect.  I  have  never  heard  anything  of  your  sister,  Mary,  since  she 
went  to  Virginia,  so  that  I  could  give  very  little  account  of  her.  I  wrote 
to  him  that  I  thought  you  or  some  of  your  sons  would  go  and  see  him 
as  soon  as  you  heard  where  he  was. 

"I  am,  dear  cousin,  with  respect. 

"Your  humble  serv't, 
"Mr.  William  Neely.  James  Perry." 

James  Neely,  son  of  William  Neely,  upon  the  knowledge  contained 
in  this  letter,  visited  his  uncle  and  tried  by  every  inducement  to  bring 
him  back  to  his  family,  but  in  vain.  Devoted  to  his  squaw,  and  inured 
to  the  life  of  the  red  men,  neither  the  ties  of  blood  nor  the  attractions 
of  civilized  life  had  any  power  over  him. 

Early  in  life  William  Neely  settled  in  Lack  township,  Juniata  county, 
purchasing  a  tract  of  land  from  the  Indians,  which  he  cleared  and  im- 
proved, there  residing  until  his  death.  The  farm  was  held  in  the  Neely 
name  one  hundred  years  until  1873;  later  it  became  the  property  of 
Robert  Robinson.  Air.  Neely  was  a  Presbyterian,  a  prominent  member 
of  the  church  of  that  faith  at  Waterloo,  Juniata  county.  He  married 
Sarah  Harvey,  of  Path  Valley,  Franklin  county,  and  had  issue:  i. 
John,  of  whom  further.  2.  William,  married,  in  1802,  on  the  same  day 
as  his  brother  John,  a  sister  of  his  brother's  bride,  Miss  McFeaters,  and 
died  two  weeks  after  his  marriage.  3.  James,  married  Martha  McCon- 
nell  and  had  two  daughters:  Mary,  died  in  July,  1866,  and  Eliza,  married 
Robert  Alexander,  moved  to  Wooster,  Ohio,  where  she  died.  4.  Nancy. 
died  in  infancy. 

(II)  John,  eldest  son  of  William  Neely,  was  born  in  Lack  town- 
ship, Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  20,  1774,  died  August  5,  1846. 
He  also  became  a  farmer,  purchasing  a  tract  of  land  in  Tuscarora  town- 
ship, same  county,  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death.  He  married 
Margaret  McFeaters,  in  1802.  and  reared  a  large  family.  Siie  died 
July  24,  1845.  Children:  i.  William  (2),  died  in  Juniata  county,  No- 
vember 10,  1872:  married  Mary  McConnell,  January  30,  1834;  she  died 
July  14,  1864;  children:  Margaret  Jane,  of  Galveston,  Indiana;  Thomas 
McConnell,  of  Greenfield,  Adair  county.  Indiana;  John  Harvey,  of  Nor- 
wich, Page  county,  Iowa;  Mary  Adelene,  married  Joseph  Gray,  of  Gal- 


526  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

veston,  Indiana;  Rachel  Lucinda,  married  Peter  Sassanian  of  Kokomo, 
Indiana;  Nancy  Anna,  married  Samuel  McCulloch,  of  Shenandoah, 
Iowa.  2.  James,  married  Margaret  Alexander  and  moved  to  Ohio, 
where  he  died  without  issue.  3.  Mary,  died  January  5,  1881 ;  married 
William  I.  Patterson,  died  August  24,  1846;  children:  Robert  H.,  de- 
ceased, a  farmer  of  Tuscarora  township,  Juniata  county;  Oliver  J., 
moved  to  Shenandoah,  Iowa;  Nancy,  married  William  I.  McCulloch  and 
moved  to  Shenandoah.  4.  John  (2),  of  whom  further.  5.  Robert  Har- 
vey, died  March  30,  1887;  married  Rachel  Beale;  children;  James  H., 
Charles,  Ella  F.,  and  Mary  P.,  died  August  29,  18S9.  6.  Sarah,  died 
November  7,  1883;  married  John  McCoy  and  left  three  sons  and  three 
daughters,  residing  in  Ohio;  children:  Margaret  Ann,  John  Neely,  Wil- 
liam Kennedy,  David,  Mary,  Ellen. 

(Ill)  John  (2),  fourth  child  of  John  (i)  and  Margaret  (Mc- 
Featers)  Neely,  was  born  in  Tuscarora  township,  Juniata  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  6,  18 14.  From  the  age  of  three  until  his  death  at  nearly 
four  score  years,  he  lived  on  the  old  homestead,  one  of  the  most  pro- 
ductive and  beautiful  farms  in  the  township.  He  attended  the  sub- 
scription schools,  where  his  thirst  for  knowledge  and  studious  habits 
enabled  him  to  acquire  a  good  education  in  spite  of  their  limited  ad- 
vantages. He  became  a  prosperous  farmer,  his  energy,  industry  and 
diligent  business  methods  enabling  him  to  acquire  a  competence.  He 
was  liberal  in  the  education  of  his  children,  and  his  every  thought  was 
to  equip  them  for  lives  of  usefulness.  His  devotion  to  his  family  and 
to  his  church  were  ruling  characteristics,  and  to  further  their  interests 
he  spared  not  himself.  As  the  Neelys  had  been  for  generations,  he  was 
a  Presbyterian,  belonging  to  the  Middle  Tuscarora  Church.  He  died 
at  his  farm  in  Tuscarora  township,  May  30,  1892,  aged  seventy-seven 
years,  eleven  months  and  twenty-five  days. 

He  married,  January  13,  1853,  Margaret  Jane  Ewing,  born  in  Perry 
county,  Pennsylvania,  November  20,  1831,  who  survives  him  (1913), 
their  married  life  extending  over  a  period  of  nearly  forty  years.  Chil- 
dren: I.  William  A.  K.,  married  Azile  M.  Burchfield,  of  Mifflintown, 
and  moved  to  Wayne,  Nebraska.  2.  Virginia  M.,  died  November,  1910. 
3.  James  M.,  died  September  6,  1862.  4.  J.  Howard  (twin  of  James 
M.),  of  whom  further.  3.  Anson  Gilroy,  died  August  15,  1862.  6.  S. 
Arminia,  married  L.  A.  Bower  and  resides  in  Denver,  Colorado.     7. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  527 

Peorus  A.,  now  a  farmer  on  the  old  homestead;  married  (first)  Annie 
Robinson,  (second)  Mrs.  Margaret  (Speer)  McCulloch,  widow  of 
George  McCulloch.  8.  Rev.  David  T.,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  now  of  Baltimore,  Maryland ;  married  Sarah  Shelley.  9.  Dr. 
Edgar  C,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  now  a  practising 
physician  of  Newville,  Pennsylvania;  married  Mary  Dougherty. 

(IV)  J.  Howard,  fourth  child  and  third  son  of  John  (J)  and  Mar- 
garet J.  (Ewing)  Neely,  was  born  at  the  old  homestead,  Tuscarora 
township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  7,  1858.  -\fter  a 
course  in  the  public  school,  he  entered  Millersville  State  Normal  School, 
in  Lancaster  county,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1879.  ^^  ^'^^n 
took  a  preparatory  course  at  Airy  View  and  Tuscarora  academies,  en- 
tered Princeton  L'niversity,  whence  he  was  graduated  with  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  class  of  1884.  and  three  years  later  the  degree  of  Mas- 
ter of  Arts  was  conferred  upon  him.  This  study  was  not  continuous,  as 
an  interval  of  some  years  occurred  between  his  normal  and  academic 
course,  during  which  he  was  engaged  in  teaching,  and  in  1879  and  1880 
he  was  principal  of  the  Hummelstown,  Dauphin  county,  schools.  After 
graduation  from  Princeton  he  resumed  teaching,  holding  positions  in 
Airy  View  and  Mifflintown  academies.  During  that  jjeriod  he  rbegan 
the  study  of  law  under  the  instruction  of  Alfred  J.  I'atterson.  ot  Miftlin- 
town.  He  continued  legal  study  under  Mr.  Patterson  until  his  admission 
to  the  Juniata  county  bar,  August  26,  1886,  then  became  liis  partner. 
practising  as  Patterson  &  Neely  until  1892.  In  1890  Mr.  Neely  was 
elected  district  attorney  for  Juniata  county,  serving  three  years.  In 
1892  the  partnership  existing  as  Patterson  &  Neely  was  dissolved  and 
since  the  dissolution  Mr.  Neely  has  practised  alone  in  Miftlinlown.  He 
is  devoted  to  his  profession  and  gives  to  the  business  entrusted  inm  his 
entire  time  and  energy.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  as  was  his 
father,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  is 
a  member  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  324.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  New- 
port Chapter,  No.  238,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Lewistown  Coniinandery. 
No.  26,  Knights  Templar,  and  in  Scottish  Rite  Masonry,  thirty-second 
degree,  belongs  to  Harrisburg  Consistory.  In  religious  faiil)  he  is  a 
Presbyterian,  both  he  and  his  wife  belonging  to  the  Mifflintown  Presby- 
terian church.  ^ 

Mr.  Neely  married,  December  31,  1891.  Ella  K..  daughter  of  W  il- 


528  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

liam  and  Jennie  E.  (Hamlin)  Banks,  of  Mifflintown.  Cliildren :  Lucien 
Banks,  born  March  3,  1893,  died  November  29,  1893;  J.  Howard  (2), 
born  November  22,  1894,  now  a  student  at  Princeton  University,  class  of 
1916;  William  Hamlin,  born  February  2,  1896,  a  graduate  at  Harrisburg 
Academy,  class  of  1913;  Helen,  born  December  27,  1899;  Margaret 
Banks  and  Elizabeth  Banks,  twins,  born  September  21,  1902. 


Although  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the  Pomeroys  of 
POMEROY     Port  Royal,  Pennsylvania,  came  to  this  country  from 

Liverpool,  England,  where  the  family  had  been  seated 
for  several  generations,  he  traced  to  French  ancestry.  The  family  was 
originally  a  noble  one  of  France,  the  name  Pomeroy  signifying  "Royal 
Apple".  They  were  Protestants  and,  at  the  time  of  the  massacre  of  St. 
Bartholomew,  one  of  the  family  was  apprised  of  his  danger  by  the 
daughter  of  a  French  nol^leman,  in  whose  family  he  was  teaching,  and 
succeeded  in  making  his  escape  to  Ireland.  Later  the  young  lady 
joined  him  and  they  married,  rearing  a  family,  some  of  whose  descend- 
ants became  merchants  and  business  men  of  Liverpool,  England. 

(I)  From  this  branch  came  Thomas  Pomeroy,  a  merchant  of  mod- 
erate means,  located  in  Liverpool,  who  about  1730  converted  his  prop- 
erty into  cash  and  came  to  America,  settling  near  the  present  village 
of  Roxbury,  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  purchased  and 
cleared  a  farm,  and  died  about  1770,  leaving  a  widow  Margaret,  and 
eight  children.  She  died  1777.  His  sons  were:  Thomas  (2),  of  whom 
further ;  John,  George  and  Samuel ;  all  except  Thomas  moving  west. 

(II)  Thomas  (2),  son  of  Thomas  (i),  the  settler,  and  Margaret 
Pomeroy,  was  born  in  Lurgan  township,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
1733,  and  so  far  as  known  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  that  town- 
ship. He  became  a  prosperous  farmer,  remaining  on  the  old  homestead 
near  Roxbury,  of  which  he  was  the  owner.  He  was  a  man  of  prom- 
inence and  endured  all  the  dangers  and  horrors  of  life  on  the  frontier, 
losing  his  wife  and  two  children  at  the  hands  of  the  Indians.  He  lived 
on  the  homestead  all  his  life,  and  was  a  man  of  standing  in  his  com- 
munity. He  married  a  Miss  Reynolds  who,  as  stated,  was  murdered 
by  the  Indians,  together  with  two  of  her  children.  A  son  who  survi\ed 
was  Thomas  (3). 

(III)  Hon.  Thomas   (3)   Pomeroy,  son  of  Thomas   (2)    Pomeroy, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  529 

was  born  near  Roxbury,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  11,  1801, 
died  January  13,  1871.  He  had  a  limited  public  school  education,  but 
was  of  superior  mind  and  by  reading,  self  study  and  observation  became 
well  informed  and  prominent.  He  grew  up  at  the  home  farm,  but 
quite  early  in  life  was  apprenticed  to  his  uncle,  William  Reynolds,  who 
taught  him  the  art  of  tanning  leather.  After  completing  his  years  of 
service  as  an  apprentice,  he  engaged  in  the  same  business  for  himself  at 
Roxbury,  later  engaging  in  mercantile  business  and  in  lumbering.  He 
invested  his  profits  in  timber  lands  near  the  North  mountains,  and  also 
in  farms  near  Roxbury,  becoming  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  the 
day  and  neighborhood.  In  1844  he  was  elected  commissioner  of  Frank- 
lin county,  discharging  the  duties  of  that  office  with  such  credit  that 
in  185 1  he  was  elected  associate  county  judge.  He  is  described  as  a 
man  "of  popular  manners,  of  unbending  integrity,  of  considerable  en- 
ergy of  character  and  ardently  attached  to  the  fortunes  of  the  Whig 
party".  His  record  in  private  and  public  life  was  an  honorable  one  and 
wherever  known  he  was  highly  respected. 

He  married,  March  18,  1832,  Mary  Ann,  born  May  30,  181 1,  second 
daughter  of  Colonel  Stephen  W^ilson.  In  1879  she  moved  to  Shippens- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  died  in  1882.  They  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  of  whom  William  Culbertson  Pomeroy  was  the  youngest. 
Andrew  A.,  fourth  son  of  Hon.  Thomas  Pomeroy,  was  born  and  reared 
in  Roxbury.  He  was  an  Abolitionist  from  his  youth,  and  so  outspoken 
was  he  that  he  was  known  as  the  "Young  Abolitionist",  He  enlisted 
August  9.  1862.  in  Company  H,  126th  Pennsylvania  Volunter  Infantry, 
and  except  for  a  period  of  sickness  following  the  battle  of  Antietam,  was 
in  active  service  until  his  death  at  the  battle  of  White  Oak  Road,  March 
31,  1865.  He  was  wounded,  previously,  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville, 
May  3.  1863.  Lender  a  second  enlistment  he  was  a  private  of  Company 
I,  198th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers:  was  promoted  first  lieutenant,  Sep- 
tember 14,  1864,  and  held  that  rank  at  his  death.  A  brother  of  Lieu- 
tenant Pomeroy  was  a  captain  of  the  same  regiment ;  Stephen  W.  Pom- 
eroy and  his  brother  John  were  both  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  The  Grand 
Army  Post  at  Roxbury  is  named  the  Lieutenant  A.  A.  Pomeroy  Post, 
No.  295,  in  honor  of  the  brave  lieutenant. 

(IV)  Hon.  William  Culbertson  Pomeroy,  son  of  Hon.  Thomas  (3) 
and   Mary  Ann   (Wilson)    Pomeroy.  was  born  at  Roxbury.   Franklin 


530  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

county,  Pennsylvania,  November  24,  1S51 ;  died  of  pneumonia  contracted 
while  on  duty  in  the  house  of  representatives,  at  Harrisburg,  February 
21,  1907. 

He  attended  the  public  schools  and  worked  in  his  father's 
store  in  boyhood,  entering  Tuscarora  Academy  at  Academia,  in  Juniata 
county,  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  thence  was  graduated  in  1873. 
Later  he  supplemented  the  practical  business  experience  gained  in  his 
father's  store  in  youth,  by  a  course  in  a  business  college.  He  began  his 
banking  career  as  clerk  in  the  Juniata  Valley  Bank,  at  Mifflintown,  and 
in  1876  was  transferred  to  a  branch  of  that  bank  located  at  Port  Royal. 
He  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  branch  bank,  a  position  he  filled  until 
1894.  In  the  latter  year  he  was  prominently  connected  with  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Port  Royal  Bank,  under  the  firm  name  of  Pomeroy  &  Com- 
pany, an  institution  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  first  board  of  directors 
and  the  first  cashier.  He  had  a  long  and  honorable  career  as  a  banker ; 
was  a  director  of  the  Juniata  Valley  Bank  of  Mifflintown,  and  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Middleburg,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
an  official  of  the  Port  Royal  Bank  until  his  death.  He  was  prominent 
in  organizing  the  First  National  Bank  of  New  Bloomfield  and  was 
president  at  his  death.  He  was  an  executive  manager  of  high  ability, 
was  accurate  and  exact  in  every  transaction,  was  a  thorough  master  of 
the  laws  governing  finance  and  gave  to  the  safeguarding  of  the  invest- 
ments of  his  depositors  most  scrupulous  surveillance.  His  long,  hon- 
orable and  successful  career  won  him  a  place  among  the  leading  men  of 
the  Juniata  Valley,  where  his  memory  is  warmly  cherished. 

He  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the  Republican  party  and  a  potent 
factor  in  establishing  the  principles  of  that  party  in  the  Juniata  Valley. 
He  served  in  various  township  ofTlces,  and  in  1882  was  elected  to  the 
house  of  representatives,  being  one  of  the  youngest  members  of  that 
body,  and  was  again  elected,  serving  in  1904-06,  performing  his  duties 
with  fidelity  and  devotion  to  principle. 

He  married,  March  20,  1879,  Ellen  B..  daughter  of  Dr.  E.  D.  Craw- 
ford, of  Mifflintown,  Pennsylvania,  a  prominent  physician,  a  man  of 
education  and  intellectuality,  state  senator  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  the 
highest  character  in  professional,  public  and  private  life.  Mrs.  Pom- 
eroy survives  her  husband  and  now  resides  in  Port  Royal.  Children : 
Marv  Wilson,  married  Norman  B.  Kurzenknabe.  and  resides  at  No.  loio 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  531 

North  Third  street,  Harrisburg;  Darwin  Crawford,  of  whom  further; 
Gertrude  Murray,  Ellen  Culbertson  and  PameHa  Jackson. 

(V)  Darwin  Crawford,  only  son  of  Hon.  William  Culbertson  and 
Ellen  B.  (Crawford)  Pomeroy,  was  born  at  Port  Royal,  Pennsylvania, 
January  13  1883.  He  was  educated  in  public  schools  there,  prepared 
for  and  entered  Lafayette  College,  whence  he  was  graduated,  electrical 
engineer,  class  of  1905.  He  at  once  entered  the  employ  of  the  West- 
inghouse  Electrical  &  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Pittsburgh,  and  in 
1906  was  transferred  to  special  work  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  remain- 
ing there  until  the  death  of  his  father  in  1907.  when  he  resigned  to 
assume  the  duties  of  executor  and  administrator  of  the  Pomeroy  estate. 
In  1907  he  was  elected  assistant  cashier  of  the  Port  Royal  Bank  and  in 
January,  191 1,  was  advanced  to  the  responsible  position  of  cashier, 
which  he  most  capably  fills  at  this  date,  191 3.  He  is  also  a  manager  of 
the  Port  Royal  Gas  Company,  and  has  other  varied  business  interests. 
His  college  fraternity  is  Phi  Delta  Theta  (Lafayette),  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Port  Royal. 

He  married,  April  11,  1912,  Esther  Clarkson  Russell,  a  descendant  of 
James  Russell,  the  early  settler  near  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  1750. 
His  son,  Alexander,  married  May  McPherson  and  had  a  son  William, 
who  was  a  prominent  early  banker  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  his  be- 
ing at  one  time  the  only  bank  between  Flarrisburg  and  \\'illiamsport. 
He  married  Mary  Grace  Mayer  and  their  son,  George  Louis  Russell, 
now  president  of  the  Belleville  National  Bank,  was  for  many  years  his 
father's  partner  in  banking.  He  married  Anna  Leah  Brisbin,  and  their 
fourth  child,  Esther  Clarkson  Russell,  born  May  16.  1887,  married 
Darwin  C.  Pomeroy. 


Samuel  Gilbert  Beaver,  of  Port  Royal,  Pennsylvania, 
BEAVER  descends  in  a  direct  line  from  good  German  stock.  The 
family  has  been  established  in  America  one  hundred  and 
seventy-three  years,  and  has  added  to  the  material  progress  and  social 
and  religious  advancement  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania.  The  family 
has  always  been  noted,  even  from  the  earliest  times,  for  its  honesty, 
sobriety,  keen  sense  of  justice  toward  its  fellowmen,  as  well  as  its  deep 
religious  convictions  and  wide  philanthropy. 

(I)  George  Beaver,  the  great-great-great-grandfather  of  Samuel  Gil- 


532  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

bert  Beaver,  emigrated  from  Germany  in  1740.  He  probably  landed 
at  New  York,  and  after  looking  around  the  new  country  finally  decided 
to  cast  his  lot  with  the  settlers  of  Pennsylvania.  He  located  among  the 
pioneers  of  Chester  county,  purchased  land,  cleared  and  cultivated  it  and 
erected  on  it  a  comfortable  house  of  unhewn  logs,  and  here  installed  his 
family  some  years  later.  He  took  part  in  all  of  the  Indian  wars  of  that 
locality,  and  they  were  many,  and  proved  the  worth  of  his  musket  to 
the  early  settlers.  He  was  appointed  as  one  of  the  watch  to  keep  an 
espionage  on  the  red  men,  and  so  well  did  he  perform  his  duty  that  he 
came  to  be  regarded  by  the  Indians  as  something  supernatural  and  with 
an  uncanny  prescience  of  their  plans.  At  the  call  to  arms  in  1776, 
though  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  he  enlisted  in  the  continental  army 
and  fought  under  General  Anthony  Wayne,  who  always  led  his  men  where 
the  danger  was  greatest.  With  him  were  five  of  his  sons,  two  of  whom 
were  mere  lads,  and  who  lost  their  lives  in  defense  of  the  independence 
of  their  country.  At  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he  returned  to  his  farm 
and  again  took  up  the  peaceful  vocation  of  farming.  He  died  on  the 
land  that  he  first  bought  and  is  there  buried.  He  married  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  it  is  thought,  though  her  name  is  unknown.  Chil- 
dren: I.  George,  of  whom  further.  2.  Jacob.  3.  Abraham.  4.  Han- 
nah, married  a  Mr.  Rosenberger,  of  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Hon- 
deter,  killed  in  the  revolution.  6.  Benjamin,  lost  his  life  in  the  war  of 
the  revolution. 

(II)  George  (2),  son  of  George  (i)  Beaver,  the  revolutionary  war 
patriot,  and  himself  a  soldier  in  the  same  war,  was  born  May  i,  1755, 
in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  member  of  a  corps  of 
rangers  organized  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  scattered  pioneer 
families  from  the  Indians.  He  was  a  farmer  and  helped  reclaim  from 
the  wilderness  the  fertile  acres  which  he  cleared,  cultivated  and  on  which 
he  built  a  house  of  logs.  He  married  Catherine  Keefer,  the  daughter  of 
a  neighbor.  Children:  i.  Peter,  of  whom  further.  2.  Mary,  married 
a  Mr.  Gudekuntz.  3.  Samuel,  died  in  South  America.  4.  Hannah,  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Gudekuntz,  the  son  of  a  neighbor.  5.  Betsy,  married  a  Mr. 
Edwards.  6.  Peggy,  married  a  Mr.  Gudekuntz.  7.  George,  died  in 
Shippensburg,  Pennsylvania,  in  1868.  8.  Sarah,  married  a  Mr.  De- 
laney.    g.  David.    Three  daughters,  names  unknown. 

(III)  Rev.  Peter  Beaver,  son  of  George  (2)  and  Catherine  (Keefer) 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  533 

Beaver,  was  born  December  25,  1782,  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  day,  and  engaged  in 
farming.  Feeling  a  call  to  preach  he  was  ordained  at  Elkton,  Mary- 
land, by  Bishop  Asbury  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  preached 
many  years  in  both  English  and  German  in  order  that  the  English 
speaking  as  well  as  the  German  speaking  members  of  his  congregation 
might  have  the  full  benefit  of  the  Gospel.  He  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Pfoutz  Valley,  where  he  died  August  25,  1849,  greatly 
mourned  by  his  congregation,  neighbors  and  friends.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Gilbert,  who  died  before  him.  She  was  of  an  English  family  that 
had  long  been  established  in  America,  and  was  a  woman  of  great  piety 
as  well  as  physical  courage.  She  was  in  every  way  a  fit  helpmeet  for 
the  pioneer  preacher.  Children:  I.  George,  of  whom  further.  2.  Sam- 
uel, born  1804,  died  March  20,  1834;  married  Maria  Lehman.  3. 
Jacob,  married  Eliza  Adams:  died  1840.  4.  Jesse,  born  March  8,  1810, 
died  December  9,  1892 :  married  Mary  Ann  Schwartz.  5.  Thomas,  born 
November  16,  1814,  died  in  Danville,  May  16,  1891.  6.  Peter,  born 
June  28,  1816,  died  June  13,  1890;  married  (first)  a  Miss  Simonton; 
(second)  Mrs.  Elliott.  7.  Sarah,  born  November  25,  1817,  died  in 
Ohio,  September  13,  1892;  married  Aaron  Nevins.  8.  Eliza  F.,  born  in 
1818.  9.  Catherine,  born  June  25,  1819;  married  Rev.  Archibald  Green- 
lee. 10.  Mary,  born  November  22,  1820;  married  Henry  Miller.  11. 
Elmira,  born  May  9,  1839,  died  December  13,  1859.  12.  Amanda,  de- 
ceased.    13.  Lydia,  deceased. 

(IV)  George  (3),  son  of  Rev.  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Gilbert)  Beaver, 
was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  24,  1802,  died 
December  31,  1878.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  in  the  county. 
He  learned  the  tanner's  trade  at  Stumpstown.  He  conducted  business  in 
Pfoutz  Valley,  Perry  county,  for  some  time.  In  1830  he  purchased  the 
farm  that  his  son  Samuel  afterward  owned  and  tilled.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat until  1854,  when  he  affiliated  himself  with  the  Know  Nothing  party, 
and  later  became  a  Republican,  to  which  he  was  allied  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  at  one  time  conducted  an  independent  Democratic  journal, 
afterwards  it  became  the  Republican  People's  Advocate  and  Press.  He 
was  a  popular  politician  in  his  early  days  and  served  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture, having  been  elected  in  184 1  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  He  served 
as  county  commissioner  in  1833-34  and  was  urged  to  accept  it  a  third 


534  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

time,  but  declined.  He  married,  April  15,  1827,  Maria  Catherine  Long, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Long.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  were  generous  in  their  support  of  it.  Children: 
I.  Mary  Ann,  deceased.  2.  Elizabeth,  deceased;  married  George  M. 
Brubaker.  3.  Samuel  Long,  of  whom  further.  4.  Sarah  Catherine, 
deceased.  5.  Sophia,  married  D.  M.  Rickabaugh;  died  in  1912.  6. 
Peter,  deceased.  7.  George  E.  8.  Ellen  Jane,  married  Uriah  Shuman, 
deceased. 

(V)  Samuel  Long,  son  of  George  (3)  and  Maria  Catherine  (Long) 
Beaver,  was  born  March  2,  183 1,  died  January,  1910.  He  was  born  in 
an  old  log  house  on  the  farm  he  owned  at  time  of  his  death,  and  which 
is  known  far  and  wide  as  the  Beaver  homestead.  When  he  was  fifteen 
years  old  he  helped  to  carry  the  brick  for  the  house  which  supplanted  the 
old  log  house.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county, 
which  were  held  for  only  three  months  of  the  year,  and  his  attendance 
was  curtailed  by  his  having  to  leave  before  the  session  was  finished  to 
work  on  the  farm.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  when 
he  was  engaged  as  salesman  in  the  store  of  his  brother-in-law,  at  Millers- 
burg,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania.  After  his  marriage  he  lived  on  the 
home  farm  for  three  years,  and  then  bought  one  hundred  fertile  acres  in 
Perry  Valley,  which  he  cultivated  for  twelve  years,  bringing  it  to  a  high 
state  of  productiveness.  He  was  a  Republican  and  held  the  political 
offices  of  county  auditor  and  school  director.  He  was  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  but  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  a  member 
of  the  United  Brethren  church.  He  contriljuted  generously  to  the  cause 
of  religion  and  benevolence  throughout  his  lifetime.  After  the  death 
of  his  wife  he  moved  to  Millerstown  and  there  lived  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  retired.  During  the  civil  war  he  was  drafted  for  service.  l)ut 
after  a  medical  examination  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  was  rejected.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  highly  respected  citizens  of  his  town,  county  and 
state,  and  was  universally  regretted  at  his  death.  He  married,  June  12, 
1862.  Mary  Eliza  Kipp,  born  at  Milroy.  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  i.  1838,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Harmon")  Kipp  (see 
Kipp  II).  Children:  r.  Thomas  K.,  born  January  8,  1864;  was  first  a 
farmer  and  is  now  merchant  at  Academia,  Juniata  county.  Pennsylvania; 
married  Fannie  Seiber,  of  McAlisterville,  Pennsylvania.  2.  William  A., 
born  May  5.  1865;  married  Emma  Troutman,  of  Greenwood  township. 


-e^^yV-e^fy^ 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  535 

Perry  county,  Pennsylvania;  he  is  a  farmer  at  Academia.  3.  Laura, 
born  November  22.,  1866;  married  Lewis  Zeigler,  deceased.  4.  George 
E.,  bom  June  10,  1868;  married  Jennie  McLain;  lives  on  homestead.  5. 
Jennie,  born  May  25,  1871,  died  in  infancy.  6.  Samuel  Gilbert,  of  whom 
further.  7.  Bessie,  born  August  i,  1875,  died  in  infancy.  8.  Mary  Ella, 
born  November  2,  1877;  married  Harvey  L.  Ulsh.  9.  Elizabeth,  born 
December  i,  1880;  married  Isaac  N.  Rinehart;  lives  at  Farmer  City, 
Illinois.  10.  Minnie  C.,  born  August  8,  1884;  lives  in  Millerstown. 
(VI)  Samuel  Gilbert,  son  of  Samuel  Long  and  Mary  Eliza  (Kipp) 
Beaver,  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  6,  1873.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county  and  at  Juniata  Col- 
lege, where  he  made  a  record  as  a  student.  Leaving  college  he  was  en- 
gaged as  salesman  by  his  brother,. Thomas  K.,  at  Academia,  from  Oc- 
tober 2,  1894.  until  1905.  He  became  ambitious  to  branch  out  for  him- 
self, and  in  1905  established  a  general  store  at  Mexico,  Pennsylvania, 
and  remained  there  two  years.  He  moved  to  Port  Royal  in  1907  and 
established  a  department  store  with  a  stock  of  about  six  thousand  dol- 
lars. By  keen  insight,  a  close  and  careful  management,  a  desire  to 
please  his  patrons  of  all  classes  and  kinds,  he  has  succeeded  in  more 
than  doubling  his  capital  invested  in  the  business.  He  is  eminently  a 
successful  business  man  and  a  live  wire  in  his  town,  commanding  alike 
the  respect  and  admiration  of  his  fellow  townsmen.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  been  school  director  for  three  years.  He  is  one  of 
the  substantial,  thorough-going  men  of  his  community,  and  it  is  confi- 
dently predicted  of  him  that  his  past  successes  will  be  duplicated  in  the 
future.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  while  his  wife's  affil- 
iations are  with  the  Presbyterians.  He  married.  May  17,  1895,  Laura 
Jane  Seiber,  a  native  of  Juniata  county,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Hen- 
rietta Seiber.  Children :  Paul  Seiber,  Mary  Henrietta,  Chester  Lloyd, 
Margaretta,  died  in  infancy. 

(The  Kipp  Line). 
Holland  contributed  the  Kipps  toward  the  building  up  of  America. 
The  immigrant  progenitor  of  the  Pennsylvania  family  of  that  name 
most  probably  came  direct  from  Amsterdam  and  settled  in  New  York 
state  with  other  Hollanders.  There  he  lived,  married,  reared  a  large 
familv  and  died.    One  of  his  descendants  was  Peter,  of  whom  further. 


536  .    HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(I)  Peter  Kipp  was  of  straight  Dutch  descent.  He  was  born  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  but  came  to  Pennsylvania  when  a  young  man. 
The  records  of  the  war  department  show  that  he  enhsted  January  i. 
1777,  in  the  continental  army,  served  as  sergeant  in  the  Sixth  Com- 
pany, Captain  Fleming's  artillery,  and  he  held  the  rank  of  corporal. 
His  name  was  on  the  rolls  until  June  10,  1783.  At  the  close  of  the- 
revolutionary  war  Peter  Kipp  went  to  Bucks  Valley,  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  married  Margaret  Finton,  of  the  Valley,  and  settled 
there.  He  was  a  tailor  and  plied  his  vocation  as  a  journeyman  from 
house  to  house,  as  was  customary  in  those  days.  Later  he  settled  in 
Greenwood  township,  and  died,  about  1827.  Margaret,  his  wife,  sur- 
vived him  and  died  in  Delaware  township  in  1840,  having  been  a  pen- 
sioner of  the  United  States  government  as  widow  of  a  revolutionary 
soldier.  Children:  i.  Peter,  a  farmer;  settled  in  Perry  county,  moved 
later  to  Juniata  county,  and  there  died.  2.  Isaac,  a  miller;  died  in 
Juniata  county.  3.  William,  a  wagon  maker;  settled  and  died  in  Millers- 
town,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Jacob,  of  whom  further.  5.  John,  wagon 
maker;  located  in  Center  county,  later  at  Newport,  Pennsylvania,  and 
there  died.  6.  Margaret,  married  a  Mr.  Parsons ;  settled  in  Bucks  Val- 
ley, where  both  died. 

(II)  Jacob,  son  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Finton)  Kipp,  was  born 
in  Bucks  Valley,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  6,  1S06.  He 
was  educated  in  subscription  schools  and  was  adjudged  an  excellent 
scholar  for  those  times.  He  taught  two  terms,  after  which  he  learned 
wagon  making  with  John  Shull  at  Millerstown,  Pennsylvania.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Harmon  and  after  marriage  moved  to  Milroy,  Mifflin 
county,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  twelve  years,  and  for  three 
farmed.  In  1851  he  moved  to  Greenwood  township,  where  he  farmed 
for  ten  years,  and  then  farmed  in  Tuscarora  towuship  for  five  years. 
In  1866  he  returned  to  Greenwood  township  and  purchased  the  Daniel 
Kauffman  farm  near  the  Wardville  postoffice,  on  which  his  father  died, 
and  where  he  later  died,  March  10,  1896,  at  the  age  of  ninety.  His 
wife  died  some  years  previous.  He  served  in  several  township  offices 
with  great  credit  to  himself  and  benefit  to  the  township.  He  was  a 
highly  intelligent  and  progressive  man  and  wielded  a  great  influence  for 
good  m  the  community.  Children:  i.  Margaret,  died  young  at  Milroy. 
2.  William,  born  at  Milroy,  August  12,  1836;  lives  in  Millerstown.     3. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  537 

Alary  Eliza,  born  at  Milroy,  October  i,  1S38;  married,  June  12,  1862, 
Samuel  Long  Beaver,  born  March  2,  1831,  died  January,  1910  (see 
Beaver  V).  4.  J.  Calvin,  lives  at  Millerstown.  5.  James  M.,  a  farmer 
6.  Sarah  Jane,  married  J.  Kohler  Peck,  of  Snyder  county.  7.  J.  Har- 
mon, a  farmer  in  Greenwood  township. 


The  Shelley  and  Gingrich  families  were  early  in  Lan- 
SHELLEY     caster  county,  the  Gingrich  tracing  to  David  and  Anna 

Gingrich,  whose  son  David  (2),  born  Alarch  18,  1791, 
died  July  24,  1858,  was  the  ancestor  of  Christian  Gingrich,  the  father  of 
Catherine  Gingrich,  wife  of  Henry  Shelley  and  grandmother  of  Dr. 
Amos  W.  Shelley,  of  Port  Royal.  Pennsylvania.  The  Shelleys  are  of 
German  descent,  three  brothers  of  the  name  having  settled  in  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  at  an  early  date,  coming  from  Germany. 

(I)  This  record  begins  with  Henry  Shelley,  born  in  181 5.  came  to 
Juniata  county,  Pennsj'lvania,  when  a  young  man,  married  and  settled 
at  East  Salem,  Delaware  township,  where  he  followed  farming.  He 
was  also  a  minister  of  the  Mennonite  church  and  a  man  of  usefulness. 
He  married  Catherine  Gingrich,  also  of  German  descent,  born  in 
Juniata  county.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Christian  and  Nancy  (Musser  I 
Gingrich,  both  members  of  the  Mennonite  church,  he  a  blacksmith  and 
farmer,  formerly  from  near  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  later  moved  to 
Thompsontown,  Juniata  county,  where  he  purchased  and  cleared  a  farm 
of  two  hundred  acres  and  there  both  he  and  his  wife  died,  leaving  an 
only  child,  Catherine.  Henry  Shelley  and  wife  lived  on  the  Gingrich 
homestead,  which  she  inherited  and  there  both  died,  he  in  1850.  Chil- 
dren: Henry,  died  in  infancy;  Jacob,  died  in  infancy;  Nancy,  married 
William  Benner  and  both  died  near  Evandale;  Susan,  married  Samuel 
E.  Warner  of  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  whom  she  survives,  a  resi- 
dent of  Evandale;  Christian  G.,  died  1904,  a  farmer  near  the  old  home- 
stead; Samuel  M.,  died  at  Norristown,  Pennsylvania,  December  19, 
1881,  a  school  furniture  agent;  Isaac,  died  aged  fifteen  years;  John  H., 
now  a  railroad  employee  of  Michigan  City.  Indiana;  Amos  W.,  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  Dr.  Amos  W.  Shelley,  youngest  son  and  ninth  child  of  Henry 
and  Catherine  (Gingrich)  Shelley,  was  born  at  East  Salem,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania,  July  26,  1850.     He  attended  the  public  schools 


538  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

of  the  township  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  then  for  another 
year  the  McAlisterville  school.  During  the  winter  of  1866-1867  and 
1868  he  taught  school,  and  in  1869  entered  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Bloomsburg,  continuing  two  years.  The  winter  of  1871  he  taught 
school  at  Gallion,  Ohio,  and  then  decided  to  prepare  for  the  profession 
of  medicine.  He  was  successful  as  a  teacher,  although  young,  but  gave 
promise  of  attaining  distinction  had  he  remained  at  that  profession. 
In  the  spring  of  1872  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  H.  R. 
Kelley,  of  Gallion,  then  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University 
of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor,  attending  lectures  there  for  one  year.  In  1873 
he  entered  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College  (New  York),  whence  he 
was  graduated  M.  D.,  March  i,  1874.  In  April  of  the  same  year  he 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  locating  at  Port  Royal  and  forming 
a  partnership  with  Dr.  G.  M.  Graham.  This  association  continued  two 
years,  when  Dr.  Shelley  withdrew  and  established  in  practice  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  eight  months.  He  then  returned  to  Port 
Royal  and  resumed  practice  and  is  now  (  1913)  the  oldest  medical  prac- 
titioner in  Juniata  county,  in  point  of  years  of  continuous  practice. 
His  practice  has  always  been  general  in  character,  embracing  both  medi- 
cine and  surgery.  He  has  always  had  a  large  practice  and  is  well 
known  for  his  skill  in  both  diagnosis  and  treatment.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  State  Medical  and  Juniata  County  Medical  societies,  well  known 
and  honored  in  both.  He  has  always  borne  his  full  share  of  public  re- 
sponsibility and  in  town  and  church  has  labored  for  the  cause  of  morality 
and  education.  For  many  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Port  Royal 
board  of  school  directors  and  in  the  Presbyterian  church  has  been  for 
many  years  an  elder.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  States  board  of 
pension  examiners,  in  which  he  has  served  sixteen  years.  In  political 
faith  he  is  a  Republican,  but  supports  principles  and  chooses  men  of 
character  for  his  candidates,  rather  than  those  of  a  particular  party. 
His  life  has  been  spent  in  the  service  of  his  community  and  there  his 
long  period  of  usefulness  is  recognized  and  fully  appreciated.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Union  Lodge,  No.  324, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Mifflintown;  Newport  Chapter,  No.  238. 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Lewistown  Commandery,  No.  26,  Knights  Tem- 
plar, and  Zembo  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  at  Harrisburg. 
Dr.   Shellev  married,  at  Port  Royal,  in  December,   1874,  Annie  M., 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  539 

daughter  of  Samuel  L.  and  Sarah  (Davis)  Herr,  of  Juniata  county. 
Children :  Sarah  H.,  married  Rev.  David  T.  Neely,  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  now  of  Baltimore,  Maryland;  Gertrude  May,  died 
in  infancy;  Edith,  died  in  infancy;  Mary  M.,  married  James  L.  Stewart, 
now  a  contractor  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania;  J.  Warren,  died  August 
15,  1907,  a  graduate  of  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  served 
seven  years  as  interne  of  the  Pottsville  Hospital;  Anna  M.,  a  graduate 
of  Wilson  College,  now  residing  in  Port  Royal;  Penrose  H.,  graduate 
of  Bucknell  College,  and  of  Jeft'erson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia, 
served  as  interne  for  eighteen  months  in  Philadelphia  General  Hos- 
pital, now  a  practicing  physician  of  Hublersburg,  Pennsylvania,  married 
Mabel  Pickering,  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Furmans  came  to  Lewistcwn  from  Northumberland 
FURMAN     county.   Pennsylvania.      Isaac   Furman,  grandfather  of 

Scott  Furman,  of  Lewistown,  was  a  blacksmith,  later  a 
clothing  merchant  of  Sunbury.  He  died  in  1910,  his  wife  Elizabeth 
preceding  him  to  the  grave.    Among  their  children  was  a  son,  Nathan  F. 

(II)  Nathan  F..  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Furman,  was  born  in 
Irish  Valley,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  obtained  a 
good  education  and  early  entered  mercantile  life;  later  established  a 
general  furniture  and  house  furnishing  business  at  Sunbury,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  conducted  a  prosperous  business  and  now  lives  retired. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
He  married  Sarah  Waldsmith,  deceased,  also  a  native  of  Northumber- 
land county.  Children :  Herbert  I. ;  Scott,  of  whom  further;  Annie  E. ; 
Belle,  and  Jerome. 

(III)  Scott,  son  of  Nathan  F.  and  Sarah  (Waldsmith)  Furman,  was 
born  in  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1876.  He  is  a  graduate 
of  Sunbury  high  school,  then  learned  the  plumbing  trade,  and  in  1899 
came  to  Lewistown  and  there  entered  the  employ  of  W.  B.  Bratton, 
as  plumber,  continuing  with  him  until  1905,  when  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship and  established  in  the  plumbing  and  heating  business  in  Lewistown, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Furman  &  Oles.  He  is  well  established,  has  a 
good  business  and  resides  at  No.  20  Chestnut  street.  Mr.  Furman  en- 
listed in  1898  in  Company  E.  Twelfth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Troops, 
serving  until  the  close  of  the  Spanish-.Ameriean  war.    He  is  a  Republican 


540  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  attendants  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

He  married,  June  i6,  1907,  Nettie  Rountree,  of  Lewistown,  daughter 
of  WilHam  Rountree,  deceased,  a  pioneer  of  Mififlin  county  . 


The  early  records  of  the  Sheary  family  lead  to  Lancaster 
SHEARY     county,   Pennsylvania,  to   George   Sheary,  born  in  that 

county,  but  later  a  pioneer  of  Union  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  followed  his  trade  of  tailor  and  cultivated  a  farm  near 
Mifflinburg.  He  and  his  wife,  Fannie  Young,  were  both  members  of 
the  Lutheran  church.  Of  their  thirteen  children  all  are  living  except 
one.  George  Sheary  died  aged  eighty-one  years,  his  wife  at  the  age  of 
seventy-nine  years. 

(II)  Samuel  F.,  son  of  George  and  Fannie  (Young)  Sheary,  was 
born  in  Lewisburg,  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  1840.  He  was  well 
educated  and  learned  his  father's  trade  of  tailor.  Later  he  located  at 
Peen's  Creek,  where  he  taught  school  and  was  postmaster  for  eighteen 
years.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  also  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Eva 
Hartman,  born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1844,  daughter 
of  Jacob  Hartman,  an  early  settler  and  farmer  of  Snyder  county,  and 
his  wife,  Rachael  Yeisley,  also  a  native  of  Snyder  county.  Children 
of  Samuel  F.  Sheary:  Albert,  deceased;  Ellen;  George  W.,  mentioned  be- 
low, and  Jennie. 

(III)  George  W.,  son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Eva  (Hartman)  Sheary, 
was  born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  2,  1872.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools,  obtaining  a  good  public  school  education. 
He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  in  1898  settled  in  Lewistown, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1894.  becoming  a  well 
known,  prosperous  and  reliable  contractor  and  builder.  In  1904  he 
established  a  hardware  business  at  No.  28  Valley  street,  moved  in  1905 
to  No.  37  Valley  street,  and  in  1908  to  his  present  location  at  No.  50 
Valley  street.  He  built  his  present  commodious  store  in  1907  and  there 
conducts  a  prosperous  business.  He  has  his  home  on  Pennybaker  ave- 
nue, and  has  other  residence  properties  in  Lewistown.  Mr.  Sheary  be- 
gan in  a  small  way,  but  has  worked  his  own  way  to  a  secure  position  in 
the  business  world,  of  which  he  is  an  honored,  respected  member.     He 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  541 

is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Lewistown  Board  of  Trade, 
and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  In  religious  faith  he  is  of  the  Evangelical 
church. 

He  married.  November  3,  1896,  Minnie  Grace,  daughter  of  Christian 
Stine.     Child,  George  William  Jr.,  born  May  9,  1904. 


The  branch  of   the  Dipple   family  in  the  United  States 
DIPPLE     descends  from  George  H.  Dipple,  who  lived  and  died  in 
Germany,  leaving  male  issue. 

(II)  John  H.,  son  of  George  H.  Dipple,  was  born  in  Germany,  died 
in  Lewistown.  Pennsylvania,  in  1872.  He  was  well  educated,  served 
his  time  in  the  German  army,  and  was  a  potter  by  trade.  After  com- 
ing to  the  United  States  he  settled,  in  1852,  in  Lewistown  and  there 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  pottery  until  his  death.  He  was  a  Re- 
publican in  politics  and  a  Lutheran  in  religion.  He  married,  in  Lewis- 
town,  Margaret  Peters :  she  was  born  in  Germany,  died  in  Lewistown  in 
1902.  Children:  George,  deceased;  John  H.,  deceased;  Margaret;  An- 
nie; Andrew  G.  C,  of  whom  further;  Ida;  Viola,  deceased:  and  Charles. 

(III)  Andrew  G.  C,  son  of  John  H.  and  Margaret  (Peters)  Dipple, 
was  born  in  Newton  Hamilton,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  Octo- 
ber 13.  i860.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  of  Lewistown, 
and  grew  up  with  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  pottery  business  from 
boyhood.  He  worked  with  his  father  until  the  death  of  the  latter,  when 
his  son,  John  H.  Jr.,  continued  the  business  for  his  mother.  In  1902 
Mrs.  Dipple  died  and  the  business  was  continued  by  J.  H.  Dipple  Jr. 
until  1906.  when  .\ndrew  G.  C.  Dipple  became  sole  owner  and  so  con- 
tinues. Thoroughly  understanding  every  detail  of  his  business,  Mr. 
Dipple  has  successfully  continued  the  plant  established  by  his  father 
and  has  gained  an  enviable  reputation  in  the  trade.  His  energy  and 
careful  business  methods  have  brought  the  deserved  reward,  and  he  is 
ranked  among  the  substantial  men  of  his  town.  Since  a  boy  Mr.  Dipple 
has  been  devoted  to  music,  and  in  his  sixteenth  year  became  a  member 
of  the  Lewistown  band,  in  which  he  still  retains  membership  and  an 
active  interest.  He  belongs  to  the  Patriotic  Order  of  Sons  of  America, 
the  National  Protective  Legion,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
church. 


542  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

He  married,   December  20,    1888,   Alary  A.   Lawyer,  of   Wagner, 
Pennsylvania.     Children :    Herman  A.,  Alary,  Dora  and  John. 


Parks  Murtiff,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  is  lineally 
AIURTIFF     descended  from  a  German  family  of  the  same  name,  the 

members  of  which  have  for  centuries  made  their  homes 
near  Stuttgart,  Germany,  where  they  were,  and  are,  farmers  and  me- 
chanics, that  class  of  people  most  approved  by  the  German  Kaiser.  The 
first  of  the  name  to  come  to  the  United  States  was  George,  of  whom 
further. 

(I)  George  A^urtiff  was  born  in  Germany  and  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  when  quite  young,  landing  in  New  York.  Later  he  found 
his  way  to  Pennsylvania  and  located  in  Adams  county,  where  he  followed 
the  family  pursuit  of  farming,  as  he  had  done  in  the  Fatherland.  He 
purchased  land  between  Bendersville  and  Idaville  and  there  settled,  lived 

and  died.     He  married  Alargaret  ,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  but 

probably  of  German  descent.     They  both  died   on  the   Murtiff  farm. 
Among  his  children  was  Emanuel,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Emanuel,  son  of  George  and  Alargaret  Alurtiff,  was  born  in 
1827,  in  Adams  county.  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Ad!ary  Jane  Shuff, 
born  in  1830,  in  Adams  county,  daughter  of  George  and  Rebecca  Shuff; 
George  Shuff  was  a  blacksmith  and  was  known  far  and  wide  as  a  master 
of  his  trade.  After  marriage  Emanuel  Alurtiff  went  to  Alexico,  Juniata 
county.  Pennsylvania,  and  attended  a  lock  on  the  Juniata  canal  for  about 
eighteen  years,  becoming  known,  and  favorably  so,  to  the  travelling  pub- 
lic. In  1889  he  gave  up  the  position  that  he  had  so  long  and  faithfully 
held  and  moved  to  Lewistown,  Alifflin  comity,  and  made  his  home  with 
his  son,  Parks,  until  the  final  summons  came  in  1909.  He  was  ever  a 
staunch  Democrat,  voting  the  straight  ticket.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
devout  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Children :  Parks, 
of  whom  further;  Anne  and  Cora. 

(III)  Parks,  son  of  Emanuel  and  Mary  Jane  (Shuff)  Murtiff,  was 
born  in  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  August  21,  1858.  He  was  reared  on 
the  banks  of  the  Juniata  canal,  where  he  early  imbibed  broad  and  helpful 
views  of  life,  which  have  stood  him  in  good  stead  m  his  subsequent 
dealing  with  mankind. 

Mr.     Murtiff     received     his     education     in     the     common     schools 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  543 

of  that  section.  Leaving  school  while  yet  a  youth  he  began  driving  a 
canal  boat.  His  first  venture  in  that  occupation  was  the  canal  boat  "The 
Delaware,"  of  Mifflintown,  under  Captain  William  Sellers;  and  Mr. 
Murtiff  made  the  first  trip  on  the  "J.  S.  Grabill  Jr.,"  of  Mifflintown, 
under  Captain  D.  S.  Louder,  on  her  maiden  voyage.  As  the  years 
passed  he  became,  successively,  steerer  and  then  captain.  He  purchased 
a  canal  boat,  the  "Manbeck  and  Nelson,"  named  for  the  large  and  im- 
portant firm  of  Manbeck  &  Nelson,  grain  and  coal  dealers  of  Mifflintown, 
which  is  still  engaged  in  the  same  business.  He  afterward  sold  the 
"Manbeck  and  Nelson"  at  a  profit.  November  12,  1889.  he  engaged  in 
the  hotel  business  at  McVej'town,  taking  over  the  Mansion  House,  in 
which  enterprise  he  was  successful,  knowing  exactly  how  to  please  the 
public.  This  he  retained  for  six  years  and  built  up  a  large  patronage 
by  his  courteous  treatment  of  the  public  and  his  genial  manners.  He 
went  to  Lewistown  and  was  proprietor  of  the  Miller  House  for  three 
years.  He  took  over  the  Central  Hotel  and  remodeled  that  hostelry, 
making  it  one  of  the  most  comfortable  ones  in  the  place.  May  i,  1905, 
he  purchased  the  St.  Charles  Hotel,  in  Lewistown,  and  has  since  been  its 
proprietor,  establishing  an  enviable  name  for  himself  as  a  boniface  and 
making  his  house  one  of  the  best  known  in  that  section.  Besides  the 
St.  Charles  Hotel  he  owns  a  fine  farm  in  Mifflin  county.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat and  has  always  worked  for  the  party,  but  has  never  held  nor  asked 
for  office.  He  is  a  member  in  high  standing  of  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks ;  and  of  the  fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  as  well  as 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married  in  October,  1887, 
Margaret  Carpenter,  of  Lewistown,  daughter  of  Byron  and  Maria  D. 
(McAllister)  Carpenter,  of  Lewistown,  (see  Carpenter  line).  Children: 
Esther,  married  John  Hassen  and  has  one  child,  John  Parks:  Margue- 
rite, Parks,  Jr.,  and  Byron. 

(The  Carpenter  Line). 
Gabriel  Carpenter,  grandfather  of  Margaret  (Carpenter)  Murtiff, 
was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  from  an  English 
family  of  that  name,  the  immigrant  of  which  crossed  the  x^tlantic  about 
1664.  He  married  Mary  Pines,  who  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, December  25,  1809,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Miller) 
Pines.     Gabriel  Carpenter  and  his  wife  moved  to  Juniata  county  and 


544  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

lived  in  various  places,  his  vocation,  that  of  teamster,  making  change 
of  residence  necessary  frequently.  He  died  in  Reward,  Perry  county, 
and  his  wife  died  August  4,  1892.  Children:  i.  Jacob,  deceased.  2. 
John,  deceased.  3.  Gabriel,  deceased.  4.  Byron,  of  whom  further. 
5.  Giles,  lives  in  Braddock,  Pennsylvania,  a  blacksmith ;  he  married 
Catherine  Louder.  Their  children :  Floyd,  Florence,  Nellie,  Harry  and 
Earl.  6.  Elizabeth,  deceased.  7.  Susan,  deceased.  8.  Mary,  married 
(first)  Charles  Thompson  and  by  him  was  the  mother  of  four  children: 
Nancy,  Martha,  Andrew  C.  and  Annie.  She  married  (second)  Enoch 
Castine.  and  the  children  by  this  marriage  are :  Edward,  Harry  and 
John.     9.  Matilda,  deceased. 

Byron  Carpenter,  son  of  Gabriel  and  Mary  (Pines)  Carpenter,  was 
born  February  23,  1843,  ^^  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  mar- 
ried, April  14,  1865,  Maria  D.  McAllister,  born  in  Huntingdon  county, 
October  2.  1843,  ^  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Rachel  (Brannen)  McAllis- 
ter. Samuel  McAllister,  father  of  Maria  D.  (McAllister)  Carpenter  and 
grandfather  of  Margaret  (Carpenter)  MurtifT,  was  born  in  1806,  in 
Lancaster  county.  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Rachel  Brannen,  born  in 
Maryland,  in  1802.  He  was  the  son  of  Gresham  and  Nancy  (Bryan) 
McAllister.  Children:  i.  Jane.  2.  Rebecca.  3.  Eliza.  4.  William.  5. 
Sarah  Ann.  6.  Margaret  Ellen.  7.  Maria  D.,  married  Byron  Carpenter 
(see  above).  8.  Samuel.  Samuel  McAllister  died  in  1861,  and  his  wife, 
Rachel  (Brannen)  died  in  1892.  Rachel  (Brannen)  McAllister,  wife  of 
Samuel  McAllister,  was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Gladden) 
Brannen.  He  was  born  in  Franklin,  and  she  in  Scotland,  and  they  were 
married  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  both  died  in  Franklin 
county. 

Byron  Carpenter  was  reared  in  McVeytown,  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Mifflin  county,  and  moved  to  Lewistown  when  a  young 
man.  During  the  civil  war,  February,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F, 
107th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  cessation 
of  hostilities.  He  was  with  his  regiment  in  the  three  days'  battle  at 
Gettysburg,  and  saw  active  service  during  the  years  of  his  enlistment.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Lewistown  and  worked  in  Furnace 
from  1866  to  1877.  For  thirty-six  years  he  has  been  sexton  of  the 
Lewistown  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  cemetery.  He  is  a  staunch 
Republican,  and  with  his  wife,  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  545 

church.     They  have  one  daughter,  Margaret,  born  September  12,  1866, 
married  Parks  Murtiff.     (See  Alurtitf  III). 


The  Headings,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  trace  to 
HEADINGS  the  early  settlement  of  Allensville,  Menno  township, 
Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  several  branches 
of  the  family  were  early  settlers.  Philip  Headings  built  a  grist  mill  in 
Menno  township,  in  1827,  which  he  operated  until  1834.  This  mill 
passed  through  the  hands  of  several  owners  until  1865,  when  it  again 
came  into  the  possession  of  a  descendant  of  Philip,  one  William  Head- 
ings, who  owned  it  until  1872,  when  he  sold  it  to  William  Mateer. 

(I)  Isaac  Headings  was  born  in  Allensville,  Pennsylvania,  and  there 
grew  to  manhood.  He  married,  and  for  a  year  farmed  at  Allensville, 
then  purchased  a  farm  near  Milroy,  and  there  engaged  in  farming  for 
thirteen  years.  He  then  bought  a  tract  of  about  five  hundred  acres  at 
Honey  Creek  station,  and  there  lived  for  twenty-one  years,  farming  and 
lumbering,  clearing  the  greater  part  of  his  tract.  He  then  retired  to 
Reedsville.  where  he  purchased  a  home  and  lived  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  for  thirteen  years  was  a  school 
director  and  supervisor.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  He  married  Maria  Metz,  daughter  of  a  miller  and 
justice  of  the  peace  of  Mill  Creek,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of  Isaac 
Headings:  i.  Jacob,  died  in  youth.  2.  John,  died  unmarried,  aged 
twentv-seven  years.  3.  Robert,  married  Florence  Alexander,  and  is  a 
farmer  near  Milroy,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Samuel,  now  a  farmer  near  Sig- 
lersville,  Pennsylvania:  married  (first)  Priscilla  Byler,  (second)  Miss 
Yocum.  5.  Oliver,  now  a  general  merchant  at  Milroy,  Pennsylvania. 
6.  Dr.  Isaac,  a  practicing  physician  of  McAllistersville,  Pennsylvania.  7. 
Amy,  married  W.  J.  McNilt,  a  fruit  farmer,  near  Milroy.  8.  James, 
married  Rhoda  Beatty,  and  farms  the  old  homestead.  9.  Marshall,  a 
druggist,  lives  in  Pittsburgh  (South  Side).  10.  Prestie  M.,  of  whom 
further.  11.  Rhoda,  married  Daniel  Smith  and  resides  at  Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania.  12.  Harry,  now  proprietor  of  a  general  store  at  Reeds- 
ville, unmarried.     13  and  14,  died  in  infancy. 

(II)  Prestie  M.,  son  of  Isaac  and  Maria  (Metz)  Headings,  was  born 
on  the  farm,  near  Honey  Creek  station,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  19,  1876.     He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Milroy,  and 


546  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

at  Millersville  State  Normal,  and  taught  for  two  years  after  leaving  the 
normal.  He  then  entered  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy,  whence  he 
was  graduated  1901.  After  receiving  his  diploma  he  was  employed  as 
a  registered  pharmacist  in  the  drug  store  of  H.  M.  Andress,  at  Home- 
stead, Pennsylvania,  for  two  years,  and  for  the  succeeding  two  years  oc- 
cupied the  same  position  with  A.  C.  Hyde,  at  New  Castle.  Pennsylvania. 
On  January  i,  1905,  Mr.  Headings  purchased  from  the  heirs,  the  drug 
store  of  G.  C.  Dippery,  in  the  Harris  Block,  on  East  Market  street,  Lew- 
istown,  and  for  two  years  conducted  a  successful  drug  business  at  that 
location.  He  then  moved  to  the  Will  Lind  building,  now  owned  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  remaining  there  four  years.  He  then  pur- 
chased of  A.  C.  Mayes,  his  present  store  at  the  Five  Points  or  Fountain 
Square,  where  he  has  a  handsomely  equipped,  well-stocked  and  well- 
patronized  store,  with  a  varied  line  of  cut  glass,  china,  drugs,  confec- 
tionery, fine  stationery,  fountain — in  short,  a  modern  drug  store.  He  is 
also  interested  in  the  American  Druggists  Syndicate,  a  wholesale  manu- 
facturing and  jobbing  drug  association.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.    Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married,  in  June,  1900,  Estella  Hayes,  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  L.  O.  Hayes,  a  retired  coal  dealer,  of  Pittsburgh. 
Children  :   Isabel,  Louis  and  Gladys. 


The  father  of  Rev.  George  Joseph  was  Benjamin  Joseph, 
JOSEPH     of  England,  an  early  manufacturer  of   iron  nails.      He 
lived  and  died  in   England,   married   Selina   Monn,   and 
reared  a  family  of  six  children. 

Rev.  George  Joseph  was  born  in  England,  March  7.  1846.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  school  and  worked  with  his  father  until  he 
reached  legal  age.  In  1866  he  came  to  the  United  States,  arriving  April 
21,  and  locating  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He  prepared  for  the  min- 
istry of  the  Evangelical  Association,  now  the  United  Evangelical  church. 
His  first  pastorate  was  at  Liberty,  Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
was  located  two  years.  1876  to  1878.  He  served  several  churches  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  1894  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Grace  Church, 
in  Lewistown,  serving  that  congregation  four  years.  Here  his  health 
failed  and  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  holy  calling.     Since  his  re- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  547 

tiremeiit,  Rev.  Joseph  has  resided  in  Lewistown  and  has  engaged  in  the 
real  estate  business.  He  has  erected  several  residences  on  Shaw  avenue 
and  other  streets,  and  contributed  his  full  share  to  the  progress  of  Lewis- 
town.  He  has  always,  however,  retained  as  great  an  interest  in  the  re- 
ligious welfare  of  the  borough  as  when  in  the  active  ministry,  and  has 
at  present  charge  of  Trinity  Mission  in  the  sixth  ward.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  in  1910  was  supervisor  of  the  census  in  eight 
Pennsylvania  counties.  He  has  also  served  as  chairman  of  the  Alit^in 
county  Republican  committee. 

He  married  in  1872,  Agnes  Gilmore,  of  Blossburg.  Tioga  county, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  William  and  Ann  (Bonner)  Gilmore,  both 
born  in  Scotland,  and  early  settlers  of  Tioga  county,  both  deceased. 
Children  of  Rev.  George  and  Agnes  (Gilmore)  Joseph:  \\'illiam.  born 
March  22,  1874,  died  August  11,  1874;  Annie,  born  July  20,  1875,  d'ed 
September  13,  1892;  Samuel,  born  June  30,  1877;  Benjamin  P.,  May 
17.  1879;  Lydia  W.,  July  21,  1882;  George  L.,  January  5.  1884;  Sadie 
M..  January  27,  1886:  Grace.  September  20,  1889. 

The   Wollners,   of  Lewistown,    Pennsylvania,   are   of 
WOLLNER     Austrian    ancestry,    descendants    of   Jacob   and    Anna 

(Friedman)  Wollner,  born  in  Austria,  where  they 
were  educated,  grew  to  adult  age  and  married.  Jacob  was  born  in  1842, 
his  wife  in  1846.  In  1868  they  emigrated,  landing  in  New  York  City,  but 
the  following  year  settling  in  Zanesville,  Ohio.  He  was  engaged  there 
as  a  huckster  until  1885,  and  accumulated  sufficient  capital  to  return  to 
New  York  and  engage  in  the  manufacture  of  hosiery.  He  remained  in 
New  York  two  years,  then  returned  to  Zanesville,  established  a  mer- 
cantile business,  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  his  death  in  May, 
1906.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  an  Orthodox  Jew  in  re- 
ligion. His  widow  yet  survives.  Children:  M.  Joseph;  Ben,  of  whom 
further;  Henry,  Alexander,  David,  married,  November  7,  1912,  Mary 
M.  Sherman ;  Sarah,  deceased ;  Paul ;  Isador,  deceased ;  Bessie  D. ;  H. 
Blanche  and  Louis. 

(II)  Ben,  second  son  of  Jacob  and  Anna  (Friedman)  Wollner,  was 
born  in  New  York  City,  July  12,  1868.  His  early  life  was  spent  in 
Zanesville,  Ohio,  where  he  was  educated,  following  various  kinds  of 
work,  until  1888,  when  he  became  interested  in  hides,  and  thoroughly 


548  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

learned  the  business  of  selecting,  grading  and  buying  hides  used  in  mak- 
ing leather.  He  worked  in  Zanesville  for  seven  years,  and  traveled  out 
of  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  as  a  hide  buyer  four  years.  He  became  an 
expert  in  his  judgment  on  equality  and  value  of  hides,  and  was  so  well 
informed  as  to  the  condition  of  trade  that  in  1901  he  availed  himself 
of  an  opportunity  to  engage  in  business  for  himself.  He  formed  a  part- 
nership with  his  brother,  David,  and  they  began  business  in  the  Ouigley 
Warehouse,  on  Water  street,  Lewistown,  as  dealers  in  hides,  wool  and 
tallow.  They  began  in  a  small  way,  but  prosperity  attended  them,  and 
in  1902  they  moved  to  enlarged  cjuarters  on  West  Hale  street,  their  pres- 
ent location.  David  Wollner  is  the  inside  man,  and  in  charge  of  the 
Lewistown  business,  while  Ben  W^ollner  is  buyer  and  traveling  salesman. 
They  do  an  extensive  business,  and  rank  with  the  substantial  business 
men  of  their  town.  Both  are  Progressive  Republicans,  and  Reformed 
Jews  in  religion.    The  senior  member  of  the  firm  is  unmarried. 


This  family  descends  from  German  ancestors,  the 
NIGHTHART  first  to  arrive  in  the  United  States  being  John  F. 
Nighthart,  born  in  Germany,  July  29,  1820.  He 
was  well  educated,  a  fine  linguist,  speaking  seven  difi^erent  languages 
fluently.  He  was  a  coach  trimmer  and  saddler  by  trade.  He  came  to 
the  L^nited  States  when  a  3'oung  man,  and  settled  in  Lewistown,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  died  May  3,  1874.  On  February  18,  1865,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  C.  Seventy-eighth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
served  until  September  11,  1865,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged. 
He  married  Catherine  E.  Peters,  born  in  Germany,  February  3,  1830, 
came  to  the  United  States  unmarried,  and  died  in  Lewistown,  October 
15,  1905,  surviving  her  husband  thirty-one  years.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  Children:  John  H.,  born  May  10,  1852,  died 
November  i,  1906;  William,  living  in  Lewistown;  Mary  Ellen;  Charles, 
of  whom  further ;  John  L. ;  Frank. 

dl)  Charles,  son  of  John  F.  and  Catherine  E.  (Peters)  Nighthart, 
was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  April  21,  i860.  He  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  later  learned  the  trade  of  printer.  Subsequently  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Standard  Steel  Company,  and  is  a  worker  in 
the  hammer  shop  at  the  Steel  ^^'orks.  For  the  past  twenty-six  years  he 
has  been  a  Ijreeder  of  fine  poultr\-.  specializing  in  Buff  and  \Miite  Leg- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  549 

horns  and  White  Orphingtons,  his  pens  containing  prize  winners  at 
pouhry  shows.  Mr.  Nighthart  is  a  Republican  in  poHtics,  and  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  member  of  Lewistown  Lodge,  No. 
203,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  ]\Iasons.  He  married,  in  1882,  at  Lew- 
istown, Sarah  Rebecca  Grove,  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  George  and  Catherine  (Decker)  Grove,  of  Snyder  countyi 
later  of  Lewistown,  wh'^re  Mr.  Grove  died  at  an  advanced  age,  May  29, 
1905,  his  wife  passing  away  in  191 1,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  Chil- 
dren of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nighthart:  George  Edward,  born  July  13,  1884; 
Charlotte  May,  March  10,  1888;  Lester  Abbott,  May  14,  1890.  The 
family  home  is  at  No.  318  Valley  street,  Lewistown. 

Andrew  Mayes,  a  farmer,  of  Center  county,  Pennsylvania, 
MAYES     died  April  8.  1827.     He  married  Annie  Shaw,  who  died 

January  28,  1831.  Children:  i.  Elizabeth,  born  May  15, 
1788.  2.  James,  of  whom  further.  3.  William,  born  March  16,  1792, 
died  October  5,  1838.  4.  Andrew,  born  October  7,  1797,  died  February 
8,  1856.  5.  Matthew  T.,  born  July  19,  1803,  died  August  31,  1845; 
married  Martha  Ewing;  their  daughter,  Eliza  A.,  married,  September 
15,  1864,  George  Washington  Soult,  who  died  October  3,  1882. 

(II)  James,  eldest  son  of  Andrew  and  Annie  (Shaw)  Mayes,  was 
born  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  20,  1789.  died  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1829,  meeting  his  death  by  an  accident  with  a  team  and  sled. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Nagle  and  left  issue,  including  a  son,  Thomas. 

(III)  Thomas,  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Nagle)  ]\Iayes,  was 
born  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  181 5,  and  died  in  Lewistown, 
Pennsylvania.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Center  county,  but  when  a 
young  man  settled  in  Lewistown,  where  he  was  engaged  in  stock  deal- 
ing and  farming,  and  was  proprietor  of  a  hotel.  He  was  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  orders,  and  both  lie 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married  Mary  Ann  Snell,  born  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  died  in 
Lewistown.  Children:  i.  Annie,  married  Oliver  C.  Chesney,  whom  she 
survives.  2.  Albert  C,  of  whom  further.  3.  Ella  M.,  married.  April  23, 
1867,  David  Pratt,  who  was  born  in  Sheffield,  Massachusetts,  September 
20,  1842,  son  of  Martin  and  Harriet  (Buck)  Pratt,  both  born  in  Massa- 
chusetts, he  in  1795,  she  in  1801.     Martin  Pratt  and  wife  moved  to 


S50  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Litchfield,  Connecticut,  where  he  died  December  i8,  185 1,  and  she  died 
there  February  19,  1880,  leaving  four  children,  all  now  deceased.  David 
Pratt  located  in  Lewistown  in  1869,  and  was  a  traveling  salesman  for  his 
brothers.  Harry  and  Riley  Pratt,  wholesale  notions.  Afterward  he 
traveled  for  a  Philadelphia  firm,  but  retired  later  on  account  of  his 
health,  and  died  in  1907.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of 
lodge,  chapter  and  commandery  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  a  Shriner 
of  Lulu  Temple.  Philadelphia.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Red  Men, 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum,  of  Philadelphia. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Children  of  David  and  Ella  M.  (Mayes)  Pratt:  i.  Albert,  of  Roanoke. 
Virginia,  ii.  Clarence  B..  of  Lewistown.  iii.  Leila  Mayes,  deceased,  iv. 
Bertha  May.  of  Lewistown,  a  member  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  Daugh- 
ters of  Rebekah.  v.  Mary  Willa ;  married  Seward  Campbell,  of  Buffalo, 
New  York,  and  has  Henry  Albert  and  Edward  Pratt.  4.  John  B.,  died 
aged  eighteen  years.  5.  Elizabeth,  married  a  Mr.  Mitchell  and  resides 
in  Salem,  Kansas.  6.  Benjamin  F..  died  in  infancy.  7.  Laura,  died  in 
November,  1908,  married  Benjamin  Pawling,  of  Lewistown. 

(IV)  Albert  C.  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Ann  (Snell)  Mayes,  was 
born  in  Lewistown.  Pennsylvania.  September  7.  1844.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  Lewistown  Academy,  working  for  his  father  at 
the  hotel  during  his  earlier  years.  Later  he  became  a  traveling  salesman 
for  Hood.  Eonbright  &  Company,  corner  of  Eleventh  and  Market 
streets,  Philadelphia,  continuing  for  twenty-five  years  in  that  em- 
ploy, a  verv  capable  and  successful  salesman.  He  then  retired  from 
"the  road"  and  for  five  years  was  proprietor  of  the  National  Hotel  in 
Lewistown.  He  then  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  Lewistown, 
extending  his  lines  gradually  and  doing  a  large  business  in  \\'ashington. 
D.  C.  and  New  York  City,  where  he  yet  owns  property.  He  also  owns 
two  farms  at  Siglersville.  Miiflin  county,  and  a  beautiful  home  at  No.  22 
Brown  street.  Lewistown.  where  he  now  resides,  retired  from  active 
business.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
and  Odd  Fellows  orders  of  Lewistown. 

Mr.  T^Iayes  married  (first)  in  March,  1865,  Mary  Swain,  of  Lewis- 
town,  who  died  in  1868,  leaving  a  son.  Thomas  E.,  now  a  druggist  of 
Middletown,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  (second)  Willa  J.  Smith,  born 
in  Siglersville.  Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1847.  daughter  of  William  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  551 

Jane  (Brown)  Smith,  born  near  Siglersville,  where  they  owned  a  farm 
and  both  died,  he  in  1847,  she  in  1868;  both  members  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church.  Jane  Brown  was  a  descendant  of  the  early  Brown  family 
of  Mifflin  county,  and  a  daughter  of  Judge  John  Brown.  Child  of  Al- 
bert C.  Mayes  by  his  second  wife,  William  Smith  Mayes,  now  a  steam- 
fitter  and  plumber  of  Lewistown. 


In  1738,  when  a  large  number  of  Scotch-Irish  Presbyte- 
McKEE     rians  came  to  Pennsylvania,  there  were  several  by  the  name 

McKee,  who  settled  near  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania.  They 
later  separated,  some  going  to  Virginia,  others  going  to  Western  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  far  west,  others  remaining  and  settling  in  what  is  now 
Cumberland  county,  near  Carlisle.  One  of  these  was  Andrew  (i),  the 
ancestor  of  Strode  M.  McKee,  of  Lewistown.  The  first  of  this  branch 
in  the  Juniata  Valley  was  Andrew  McKee,  of  the  second  generation  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  and  lived  in  Cumberland  county  until  after 
the  revolutionary  war,  in  which  he  served. 

(II)  Andrew  (2),  son  of  Andrew  (i)  McKee,  was  born  in  1721.  He 
served  in  the  revolution  and  in  his  latter  years  left  Cumberland  county 
and  came  to  the  Juniata  Valley,  where  he  had  one  hundred  and  fifteen 
acres  warranted  to  him  December  9,  1784,  lying  in  Granville  township, 
Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  One  hundred  years  later  this  farm  was 
yet  in  the  family,  and  owned  by  Harvey  McKee.  Andrew  (2)  married 
and  had  sons:  Robert,  of  whom  further;  Thomas  and  Andrew  (3). 
Andrew  (3)  was  born  May  29,  1780,  died  December  6,  1849.  I"^^  set- 
tled in  Charlotteville,  Alberniarle  county,  Virginia,  married  Martha  Can- 
non, born  January  7.  1774.  died  September  13,  1829,  and  their  son  Rob- 
ert, born  August  i,  1810,  died  March  11,  1893. 

(III)  Robert,  son  of  Andrew  (2)  McKee,  was  born  at  Carlisle,  Cum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  July  15,  1775,  and  died  April  13,  1845. 
When  he  came  to  Mifflin  county  he  rode  on  horseback,  following  an  In- 
dian trail,  Lewistown  at  that  time  being  a  settlement  consisting  of  four 
log  houses.  After  his  marriage  he  settled  in  Ferguson  valley,  two  and  a 
half  miles  northeast  from  Strode's  Mills,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of 
blacksmith  and  became  the  owner  of  three  farms.  He  married,  July  5, 
1810,  Orpha  Strode,  born  April  30.  1787,  died  September  22,  1876. 
Children:   I.  Andrew,  born  May  i,  181 1,  died  December  30,  1905;  mar- 


552  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

ried Applebaugh.  2.  Catherine,  born  February  7,  1813,  died  in  In- 
diana in  1855;  married  Robert  Rothrock.  3.  Robert  Anderson,  born 
April  29,  1815,  died  in  July,  1898;  married  Annie  Comfort.  4.  Mary, 
born  January  8,  1818,  died  in  June,  1909,  married  Ashley  Pierce.  5. 
Hannah,  born  July  31,  1820;  married  Johnson  Sigler.  6.  J.  Strode,  of 
whom  further.  7.  Thomas  Means,  born  July  12,  1825,  died  June  3,  1826. 
8.  Isaac  Harvey,  born  September  8,  1827,  died  January  23,  1904;  mar- 
ried Jane  McKee. 

(IV)  J.  Strode,  son  of  Robert  and  Orpha  (Strode)  McKee,  was  born 
in  Ferguson  Valley,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  21,  1822, 
died  in  October,  1909.  He  attended  the  public  school  and  grew  to  man- 
hood at  the  home  farm,  which  later  he  inherited,  passing  his  entire  ac- 
tive life  at  the  old  McKee  homestead.  In  his  later  years  he  lived  in 
Lewistown,  where  he  died.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married,  August  14, 
1 86 1,  Lucy  Amelia  McKee,  born  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  Oc- 
tober zy,  1839,  died  November  7,  1905,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Jane 
(McKinney)  McKee.  Samuel  McKee  was  born  in  the  year  1800.  died 
in  November,  1867.  He  married,  June  7,  182 1,  Jane  McKinney,  born 
in  October,  1802,  died  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  July  19,  1887.  They 
resided  in  the  Nittany  valley,  Center  county,  Pennsylvania ;  he  was  a 
farmer.  Children  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (McKinney)  McKee:  i.  Sarah 
Taylor,  born  May  14,  1822,  died  February  24,  1825.  2.  Betsey,  born 
November  13,  1824,  died  February  3,  1825.  3.  Eliza,  born  January  18, 
1826,  deceased ;  married  John  McKee.  4.  Rachel,  born  February  24, 
1828,  deceased;  married  James  Martin.  5.  William,  born  September  17, 
1831,  deceased;  married  Rebecca  Fritz.  6.  Jane,  born  July  2,  1834,  died 
April  4,  1904;  married  Harvey  McKee.    7.  Caroline,  born  May  26,  1837, 

died  in  1857;  married  Hannawalt.     8.  Lucy  Amelia,  of  previous 

mention,  married  J.  Strode  McKee.  9.  John  Luther,  born  March  22, 
1846;  went  west  and  was  never  after  heard  from.  Children  of  J.  Strode 
and  Lucy  A.  (McKee)  McKee:  i.  Samuel  Bruce,  born  July  6,  1863, 
deceased.  2.  Strode  McKinney,  of  whom  further.  3.  Hattie  Blanche, 
born  March  19,  1869,  killed  at  Lewistown  Junction  by  a  train  of  cars, 
February  2,  1903. 

(V)  Strode  McKinney,  son  of  J.  Strode  and  Lucy  Amelia  (McKee) 
McKee,  was  born  in  Ferguson  valley,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  July 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  553 

3,  1867.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  of  the  valley,  Levvistown 
high  school  and  Lewistown  Academy.  He  engaged  in  farming  until 
1904,  then  moved  to  Lewistown  and  in  1910  was  appointed  rural  mail 
carrier.  He  owns  the  homestead  farm  in  Ferguson  valley,  also  the 
dwellings  at  No.  209  West  Market  street,  and  No.  126  Valley  street,  in 
Lewistown.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Patri- 
otic Order  Sons  of  America. 

He  married,  November  15,  1892,  Ella  May  Davis,  born  in  Perry 
county,  Pennsylvania,  February  2,  1867,  daughter  of  Luke  and  Ann 
(Clark)  Davis.  Luke  Davis  was  born  in  Walker  township,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1838,  son  of  Judah  and  Charlotte  Davis,  who 
came  to  Juniata  county,  from  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  by  wagon. 
Luke  Davis  served  three  years  in  the  war  between  the  states,  and  now 
resides  with  his  children,  Mrs.  Ella  May  McKee  and  son  Ross,  the  latter 
a  train  despatcher  at  Altoona  for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  Ann 
(Clark)  Davis,  mother  of  Mrs.  McKee,  died  March  3,  1906;  she  was  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann  (Runibaughj  Clark,  pioneers  of  Bloom- 
field,  Perry  county.  Children  of  Strode  McKinney  and  Ella  May 
(Davis)  McKee:  i.  Helen  Davis,  born  June  13,  1893.  2.  Robert  Lee, 
born  October  22,  1894.  3.  Charles  Davis,  January  14,  1896.  4.  Joseph 
Andrew,  January  25,  1899.  5.  Mary  Catherine,  May  21,  1900.  6.  Sam- 
uel Strode,  April  30,  1905.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  209  West 
Market  street,  Lewistown 


The  Foltz   family,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  trace  de- 
FOLTZ     scent  from  Joseph  M.  Foltz,  born  in  Germany,  who  came  to 

the   United    States    with    his    wife,    settling    in    Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death. 

(II)  William,  son  of  Joseph  M.  Foltz,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county. 
Pennsylvania,  in  1819,  died  in  1906,  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  He 
followed  farming  with  his  father  in  early  life,  then  learned  the  carpen- 
ter's trade  which  he  followed  several  years.  He  then  became  an  em- 
ployee of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  continuing  with  that  corporation 
until  his  death.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  an  attendant  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  his  wife  was  a  member.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Robert  Burns  Lodge,  at 
Harrisburg,  and  also  to  Dauphin  Lodge,  No.  160,  Independent  Order  of 


554  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Frances  Atwood  Sprout,  born  in  Lancaster 
county  in  1822,  died  in  1902,  daughter  of  Joseph  Sprout,  an  early  settler 
of  Elizabethtown,  Lancaster  county.  Children:  Elizabeth,  deceased; 
William;  Joseph  M.,  of  whom  further;  Charles,  John,  Augustus  and 
Frank :  five  others  dying  in  infancy. 

(Ill)  Joseph  M.,  son  of  William  and  Frances  A.  (Sprout)  Foltz, 
was  born  in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  October  31,  1847.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  school,  finishing  at  Harrisburg  high  school,  after 
which  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  as  passenger 
brakeman,  continuing  in  the  employ  of  that  corporation  thirty  years, 
and  located  from  1871  until  1895  ^^  Lewistown.  In  the  latter  year  he 
retired  from  the  railroad  and  engaged  in  the  coal  lousiness  in  the  Alle- 
gheny Valley,  continuing  until  1902,  when  he  returned  to  Lewistown. 
He  there  engaged  in  business  until  1907,  when  he  retired  and  now  re- 
sides at  No.  211  West  Market  street.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
has  served  as  borough  councilman,  president  of  council  and  chief  bur- 
gess, now  (1913)  holding  the  latter  office,  his  term  expiring  January, 
1 9 14.     Mr.  Foltz  and  his  family  attend  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  married,  in  1875,  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  Alfarata  Logan 
Smith,  born  in  Lewistown  in  1849,  '"  the  house  in  which  the  family 
now  resides;  died  there  January  21,  1901.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Joseph  R.  Smith,  who  died  in  1909,  aged  ninety  years.  He  had  a  brother 
Roswell  Smith,  who  died  aged  ninety-three  years,  and  two  sisters  who 
lived  to  be  over  eighty  years  of  age.  Children:  i.  Robert  P.,  married 
Lena  Jennings  and  resides  in  Pittsburgh;  children:  Virginia  and  Joseph 
M.  (2).    2.  Mary  Jane,  died  in  1878,  aged  three  months. 


The  great-grandfather  of  the  Bricker  family,  of  Lewis- 
BRICKER     town,   was   born    in   Germany,   and   on   coming   to   the 

United  States  settled  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  married  in  Germany  and  was  accompanied  to  this  country  by  his 
wife. 

(Ill)  John  Bricker,  grandson  of  the  einigrant,  spent  most  of  his 
life  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  shoe- 
maker, later  liecoming  a  farmer.  He  lived  retired  at  Boalsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  latter  years  of  his  life.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.     He  married  Rosanna  Condo, 


/aU^Mjeyr— 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  555 

and  both  are  deceased.  Children:  Emma;  Mitchell,  of  whom  further; 
Laird,  deceased  ;  Scott,  deceased ;  Lizzie,  deceased. 

(IV)  Mitchell,  son  of  John  and  Rosanna  (Condo)  Bricker,  was  born 
in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  17,  1854.  He  attended  the 
public  school  and  Boalsburg  Academy,  and  after  finishing  his  school  life, 
learned  the  trade  of  coachsmith  under  the  instruction  of  Robert  Mont- 
gomery, beginning  in  1872,  the  date  of  his  coming  to  Lewistown.  In 
1877  he  began  the  manufacture  of  buggies  and  wagons,  continuing  in 
successful  business  for  eighteen  years,  then  selling  out.  He  was  vari- 
ously engaged  for  several  years  until  1903,  when  he  was  elected  sherifif 
of  Mifflin  county,  serving  with  credit  a  full  term  of  three  years.  For  the 
succeeding  two  years  he  was  collector  of  taxes  for  the  borough  of  Lewis-- 
town;  in  1912  was  appointed  chief  deputy  sheriff  under  Sheriff  Allen 
Fultz.  and  on  the  death  of  the  latter  was  appointed  by  the  governor  to 
fill  the  office  until  the  next  general  election.  Mr.  Bricker  was  elected 
coroner  of  Mifflin  county,  and  served  with  credit  for  a  term  of  three 
years.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  ]\Iifflin  County  Jewelry  Com- 
pany, of  Lewistown.  and  has  served  as  a  director  since  organization. 
The  family  home  is  at  No.  41  Chestnut  street,  which  Mr.  Bricker  has 
purchased.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  always  taken  an  ac- 
tive interest  in  public  affairs.  He  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  both  lodges 
located  in  Lewistown. 

He  married.  December  22,  1875,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Henry  Has- 
singer,  deceased,  of  Lewistown,  who  came  there  from  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Children:  i.  Margaret,  married  Sherman  Warner,  sta- 
tion agent  at  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Delia,  died  in  1913,  aged  22 
years.  3.  Emma,  married  Lyman  Marks,  of  Lewistown,  and  has  a 
daughter,  Sarah. 


Peter  Loudenslager,  deceased,  was  born  in  Se- 
LOUDENSLAGER     linsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  October  i,  1820,  died 

in  Lewistown,  December  5,  1896,  son  of 
George  Loudenslager,  an  early  settler  of  Selinsgrove.  Peter  Louden- 
slager attended  the  public  school  and  grew  to  manhood  at  Selinsgrove, 
where  he  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade.  Later  he  moved  to  Perry 
county,  thence  to  Millerstown,  Perry  county,  where  he  married,  and  in 


556  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

1857,  settled  ill  Lewistown,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  death. 
He  was  a  man  of  industry,  and  by  his  excellent  qualities  won  the  regard 
of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married  in  1844,  Maria  Rumbaugh  (Rev.  Boyer  officiating),  of 
Millerstown,  who  joined  the  church  at  Millerstown  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
years.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Ulrich  and  Anna  Maria  (Limperd)  Rum- 
baugh, both  born  in  Pennsylvania,  of  German  parentage.  Ulrich  Rum- 
baugh was  a  farmer  of  Perry  county,  where  he  died  in  1870.  His  wife 
died  in  1828.  They  had  eight  children,  of  whom  Maria,  widow  of  Peter 
Loudenslager  is  the  only  survivor.  She  resides  at  No.  138  West  Market 
street,  Lewistown.  Children  of  Peter  and  Maria  Loudenslager:  i.  A 
daughter,  died  in  infancy.  2.  Theodore,  now  residing  in  Lewistown,  a 
shoemaker;  married  Harriet  Blett;  they  have  ten  children.  3.  Ellen, 
married  Robert  Riden,  deceased,  and  has  four  children.  4.  David 
Crawford,  died,  aged  five  years.  5.  William  Luther,  died,  aged  18 
months.  6.  Ida,  married  John  Eyster,  whom  she  survives,  and  has  five 
children.  7.  Margaret  N.,  married  Kirk  McClintic,  of  Mifflintown,  a 
merchant;  one  child.  8.  Anna,  married  George  Knepp,  of  Maywood, 
Missouri;  two  children.  9.  Miriam  R.,  married  Robert  Calvin  Orr,  of 
Lewistown,  a  dry  goods  clerk ;  one  child. 


This  is  a  corrupted  form  of  the  Irish  surname  Ultz,  but  in 
ULSH     the  Juniata  Valley  family,  Ulsh  seems  to  be  the  prevailing 
spelling  and  pronounciation.     The  founder  of  this  branch 
was  John  Ulsh,  who  was  born  in  Centerville,  Union  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  was  a  son  of  George  Ulsh,  who  was  born  of  Scotch-Irish  par- 
entage.    He  married  Judith   Bruce,  and  they  had  five  children,   four 
daughters  and  one  son,  John  being  the  son's  name.     John  settled  in  Sny- 
der county,  where  he  was  a  cabinetmaker,  and  spent  the  balance  of  his 
life  in  that  county,  dying  in  Beavertown,  where  he  is  buried.     Hannah 
Ulsh  is  buried  at  Yeagertown,  Pennsylvania ;  they  were  both  Lutherans. 
He  married  Hannah  Nitze,  and  ten  children  blessed  their  union,  four 
sons  and  six  daughters,  of  these  John  Ulsh  is  the  father  of  E.  E.  Ulsh. 
dl)  John  (2),  son  of  John  (i)  Ulsh,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Sny- 
der county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1848,  and  since  1886  has  been  a  resident 
of  South  Main  street,  Lewistown.     He  grew  to  manhood  in  Snyder 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  557 

county,  and  attended  the  public  schools  and  learned  the  tanner's  trade. 
Later  he  became  a  stonemason.  He  located  when  a  young  man  in  Fer- 
guson's Valley,  Mifflin  county,  lived  there  for  several  years,  then  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Logan  Iron  &  Steel  Company,  of  Burnham,  with 
which  he  is  yet  connected.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  married  Susan,  daughter  of 
John  Price,  who  came  early  to  ]\Iifflin  county,  later  moving  to  the  state 
of  Missouri,  where  he  died.  Children :  Harry,  killed  in  a  railroad  ac- 
cident;  Hosea,  Cora  B.,  Elmer  E.,  of  whom  further;  Clarence,  twin  of 
Elmer  E. 

(Ill)  Elmer  E.,  son  of  John  (2)  and  Susan  (Price)  Ulsh,  was  born 
in  Ferguson's  valley,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  26,  1875.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  of  the  valley  until  1886,  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Lewistown,  where  he  finished  his  studies  in  the  public  schools. 
He  became  an  expert  carpenter  and  since  19CK)  has  been  engaged  success- 
fully as  a  contractor  and  builder  in  Lewistown.  In  1903  he  located  his 
residence  at  No.  21  Depot  street,  which  he  still  owns,  and  in  191 1  erected 
his  present  place  of  business  at  No.  9  Montgomery  avenue.  He  has  es- 
tablished an  excellent  reputation  as  an  honorable,  capable  builder,  and  is 
held  in  high  esteem  as  a  man  and  neighbor.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics 
and  is  now  serving  a  term  of  six  years  as  school  director,  to  which  he 
was  elected  in  1912.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trade,  and  uses 
his  influence  to  further  all  movements  for  the  public  good.  His  fra- 
ternity is  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  In  religious  faith  he  is 
Methodist  Episcopal  as  is  also  his  family. 

He  married,  in  1902,  Mary  Ella,  born  in  Newport,  Perry  county. 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Thomas  White,  who  came  to  Lewistown  in 
1891,  now  residing  at  No.  23  Depot  street.  Children:  Thomas  J.,  born 
March  11,  1908;  Grace  Elizabeth,  April  12,  1909. 


The  Ricketts   family,  of  Lewistown,  came  to   Mifflin 

RICKETTS     from  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  Joseph, 

grandfather  of  James  D.  Ricketts,  was  an  early  settler 

and  farmer.   He  married,  reared  a  family  and  both  he  and  his  wife,  after 

long  and  useful  lives,  died  in  Huntingdon  county. 

(II)  David,  son  of  Joseph  Ricketts,  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county, 
August  13,  1802.  died  in  1877.     He  was  a  farmer  of  Hill  Valley  all  his 


558  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

life,  prosperous  and  respected.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a 
member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  married  Mary  Bentz,  born  in 
Huntingdon  county,  November  27,  1812,  of  German  descent,  a  member 
of  the  German  Baptist  church  (Dunkard),  died  in  1894.  Children: 
Ann,  married  W.  D.  Colabine,  of  Mill  Creek,  Pennsylvania;  Martin,  de- 
ceased; James  D.,  of  whom  further;  William,  deceased. 

(Ill)  James  D.,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Bentz)  Ricketts,  was  born 
in  Shirleysburg,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  9,  1849.  He 
attended  the  public  school,  and  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age, 
worked  on  the  farm.  In  his  fourteenth  year  he  began  working  with  a 
section  gang  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  and  spent  his  subsequent  life 
in  the  employ  of  that  company.  From  track  laborer  he  was  advanced 
to  fireman,  and  in  September,  1873,  was  promoted  to  engineer,  a  posi- 
tion he  still  holds.  For  forty  years  he  has  run  between  Sunbury  and 
Lewistown,  twenty-five  years  of  which  time  he  has  been  in  the  passenger 
service.  In  December,  1872,  he  moved  his  residence  to  Lewistown,  and 
in  1890  purchased  his  present  residence  at  No.  213  West  Market  street. 
In  politics  Mr.  Ricketts  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  religious  faith  a  Presbyte- 
rian. In  1886  he  became  a  member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive 
Engineers. 

He  married,  September  17,  1878,  Ella  E.  Postlethwaite,  born  in  New- 
ton Hamilton,  Pennsylvania,  June  28,  1852,  daughter  of  Samuel  D.  and 
Eleanor  W^  (Van  Dyke)  Postlethwaite.  Child:  Alice,  married  P.  S. 
Smith,  and  resides  at  Lewistown ;  four  children :  Eleanor,  Dallas,  Karl 
K.  and  Eugene. 

Samuel  D.  Postlethwaite,  born  November  27,  181 1,  in  Newton  Ham- 
ilton, was  a  son  of  Thomas  Irwin  Postlethwaite,  born  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1779,  son  of  John  Postlethwaite.  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  1736,  married  (first)  Hannah  W^right,  and  in  1789,  settled 
in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  father  of  John  was Postle- 
thwaite, an  early  settler  of  Lancaster  county,  who  kept  a  house  of  public 
entertainment,  and  in  1729,  at  his  house,  known  as  Postlethwaite  Tavern, 
was  held  the  first  court  in  Lancaster  county  under  the  Crown.  Thomas 
Irwin  Postlethwaite,  born  in  Lancaster,  was  an  early  settler  of  Miffiin 
county,  where  he  was  a  prominent,  influential  and  prosperous  farmer. 
He  served  in  the  state  legislature  and  in  other  public  positions.  He  mar- 
ried Nancy  Drake.     Children:     Thomas,  Samuel  D.,  William.  Jackson, 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  559 

Eliza,  Jane,  John  and  David.  Samuel  D.  Postlethwaite  was  a  cab- 
inetmaker by  trade,  later  a  farmer,  until  his  death,  November  2j,  1892. 
He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  politics  a 
Democrat.  He  married,  December  15,  1840,  Eleanor  \\\  Van  Dyke, 
born  in  Paradise,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  29, 
1823,  died  March  6.  1906.  Children  of  Samuel  D.  Postlethwaite: 
I.  Thomas,  a  Union  soldier,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  2. 
Lambert.  3.  Mary  Jane,  married  Marion  Van  Courte;  three  children: 
Elmer,  Mary  and  Mabel.  4.  Porter,  died  when  a  young  man.  5.  Ella 
E.,  wife  of  James  D.  Ricketts.  6.  Alice  A.,  married  W.  S.  Caldwell.  7. 
Charles  B.,  married  and  lives  in  Kansas.    8.  John  M.    9.  Samuel  H. 

Harry  B.  Stroup,  of  Yeagertown,  Pennsylvania,  descends 
STROUP     from  a  family  that  has  for  many  generations  lived  in  this 

state.  The  Stroup  family  was  among  the  pioneers  of 
Derry  township.  Phillip  and  William  Stroup  were  the  first  warrantees, 
and  one  of  their  descendants  in  Mifflin  county  was  John  Stroup,  father 
of  Martin  Luther,  and  grandfather  of  Harry  B.  Stroup. 

(II)  John  Stroup  was  born  in  November,  1793.  He  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  and  worked  with  his  father  for  years,  subsequently  rent- 
ing a  farm  in  Mifflin  county.  Inheriting  a  portion  of  the  farm  of  his 
father  in  Decatur  township,  he  purchased  the  remainder  from  the  other 
heirs  and  made  improvements  on  it.  He  engaged  in  stock  dealing  for 
years,  and  in  the  dual  occupation  was  successful.  He  married,  in  18 17, 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Bowersox)  Bair,  who 
were  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  of  German  extraction.  Chil- 
dren:  I.  William,  born  November  9,  1817.  2.  Catherine,  born  May 
16,  1819;  married  Henry  Bridge.  3.  John,  born  November  3,  1821,  died 
3'oung.  4.  Elizabeth,  born  October  2,  1823,  died  young.  5.  Margaret, 
born  September  17,  1S24;  married  Frederick  Griminger.  6.  Sarah  Hen- 
rietta, born  December  30,  1828,  married  Jacob  Rothrock,  of  Illinois,  7, 
Sophia  K.  8.  Mary,  born  November  21,  1832,  died  young.  9.  Susan  H. 
10.  Martin  Luther,  of  whom  further.  11.  David  Albert.  12.  John  Levi. 
13.  Lucinda,  born  December  18,  1842,  married  Jacob  Strayer,  of  In- 
diana. 

(III)  Martin  Luther,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Bair)  Stroup,  was 
born  March  i,  1837,  in  Decatur  township,  and  was  educated  in  the  pub- 


56o  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

lie  schools  of  the  day.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  then  he 
rented  one  and  farmed  alone.  After  his  father  died  and  he  received  his 
patrimony  he  purchased  a  farm  in  the  same  township,  sold  it  and 
bought  another  in  Derry  township.  He  is  a  farmer  of  recognized  ability, 
a  good  neighbor  and  a  progressive  citizen.  He  is  a  Democrat,  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  Decatur,  and  has  served  as  dea- 
con for  years.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Sunday  school,  retaining  all 
of  his  youthful  interest  in  it  and  church  work.  He  married,  October  .5, 
1857,  Caroline,  daughter  of  Jacob  W.  and  Mary  Miller,  of  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Caroline  (Miller)  Stroup  was  born  in  1829,  and 
comes  from  an  excellent  family  of  straight  English  descent.  Children: 
I.  John  Miller.  2.  Sarah  Ann.  3.  Katie  J.,  married  Clinton  B.  Silkman 
and  resides  in  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Jacob  Warner.  5.  Harry 
Bridge,  of  whom  further.     6.  Frank  Murry. 

(IV)  Harry  Bridge,  son  of  Martin  Luther  and  Caroline  (Miller) 
Stroup,  was  born  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  5,  1869.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  of  his  father,  and  was 
educated  in  the  public  school  of  the  township  and  at  Lewistown  high 
school.  He  lived  on  the  old  homestead  until  1898,  when  he  accepted  a 
position  with  Logan  &  Company,  Incorporated,  as  general  clerk,  and  has 
held  that  place  since.  He  is  a  Democrat,  following  the  traditions  of  the 
family.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
at  Lewistown. 


The  American  progenitor  of  this  branch  of  the  Harper 
HARPER  family,  John  Harper,  was  born  in  county  Tyrone,  Ire- 
land. He  there  grew  to  manhood,  married,  and  in  1866 
came  to  the  LInited  States,  settling  in  Morris  county,  New  Jersey.  He 
there  worked  in  the  iron  mines  and  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade, 
continuing  until  May,  1876,  when  he  moved  to  Philadelphia.  He  there 
followed  the  building  business  for  nine  years,  then  lived  retired  for  the 
fifteen  years  preceding  his  death  in  July,  1900.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  in  both  Ireland  and  the  United 
States  belonged  to  the  Order  of  Orangemen.  He  married  Jane  Orr,  born 
in  Ireland,  died  February  7,  1913.  Children:  i.  Sarah,  married  S.  C. 
Honey  and  resides  in  Newark,  New  Jersey.  2.  Died  in  infancy.  3. 
David,  resides  in  Newark,  New  Jersey.    4.   Robert  E.,  died  at  Burnham, 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  561 

July  4,  191 1.  5.  Joseph,  died  in  Newark,  New  Jersey.  6.  Andrew,  re- 
sides in  Newark.  7.  Augustus,  of  whom  further.  8.  Samuel,  resides  in 
Philadelphia.  9.  William  H.,  resides  in  Philadelphia.  10.  Jane,  married 
Howard  Pierson  and  resides  in  Philadelphia.  11.  Minnie  W.,  married 
Robert  Wooler,  and  resides  in  Philadelphia. 

(II)  Augustus,  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Orr)  Harper,  was  born  in 
Morris  county.  New  Jersey,  June  6.  1868.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  there  until  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  when  his  parents  moved  to 
Philadelphia,  where  his  education  was  finished  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  city.  He  began  business  life  as  a  worker  in  the  Baldwin  Locomotive 
Works  in  Philadelphia,  remaining  ten  years,  and  becoming  familiar 
with  steel  working  in  various  forms.  In  August,  1898,  he  moved  to 
Burnham,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Standard  Steel  Works  Company,  in  the  hammer  department,  and 
there  continues.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  belonsrine  to 
Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  203,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Lewistown 
Chapter.  No.  186,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Lewistown  Commandery,  No. 
26,  Knights  Templar,  and  Jaffa  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Altoona.  Pennsylvania.  He  also  belongs  to 
lodge  and  encampment  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  to 
the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle. 

Mr.  Harper  married,  October  19,  1890,  Amelia  A.  Inman,  born  in 
Nova  Scotia,  Canada,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Margaret  (Oldroyd)  In- 
man, both  borri  in  England,  settling  in  Nova  Scotia  about  1862,  where 
Charles  Inman,  a  mining  engineer,  died  December  18,  1875.  After  his 
death  the  widow  and  children  returned  to  England,  remaining  two  years, 
but  came  again  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  in  1880  came  to  the  United  States, 
settling  in  Philadelphia,  where  the  widow,  Margaret  Inman.  died  Jan- 
uary 17,  1900.  Children  of  Charles  and  Margaret  Inman:  Mark,  Wil- 
liam A.,  Roland.  Eugene  and  Adelaide,  all  deceased;  George  Scarlett, 
resides  in  Philadelphia:  John,  deceased;  Amelia  A.,  wife  of  Augustus 
Harper:  and  Hannah  B..  married  Mahlon  George  Place,  and  resides  in 
Philadelphia.  Children  of  Augustus  and  .Amelia  A.  (Inman)  Harper: 
I.  Harold  I.,  married  Edith  Duck.  2.  Ira  O.  3.  Augustus  Orr,  died 
May  26.  1902,  aged  nine  years.  4.  Charles  Raymond.  5.  Amelia  A. 
The  family  residence  at  No.  103  Main  street,  Burnham,  was  erected  by 
Mr.  Harper  during  the  summer  of  1900. 


562  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  emigrant  ancestor  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush  Kohler 
KOHLER     was  a  German,  Hving  in  Switzerland,  from  whence,  with 

wife  and  children,  he  sailed  for  America.  John  M.  Koh- 
ler, the  German  emigrant,  landed  with  his  children  in  Philadelphia,  his 
wife  having  died  at  sea.  From  Philadelphia  the  family  moved  to  Read- 
ing, thence  to  Middletown,  Pennsylvania,  where  the  father  worked  at  his 
trade,  weaving,  for  a  short  time,  then  moved  to  Lewistown,  Pennsylva- 
nia, about  the  year  1828,  and  there  died. 

(II)  Henry,  son  of  John  M.  Kohler,  was  born  in  Switzerland  and 
came  to  the  United  States  with  his  father  in  1807.  He  became  a  weaver, 
learning  that  trade  with  his  father,  whom  he  accompanied  to  Lewistown 
in  1828.  He  continued  at  his  trade  in  Lewistown  for  seven  years,  mov- 
ing to  Milroy  in  1835,  and  for  a  time  worked  there  as  a  weaver.  He 
then  became  a  merchant,  continuing  several  years,  then  moved  to  Center 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  purchased  a  small  farm  and  lived  for 
about  twenty  years.  He  lived  retired  in  Milroy  until  his  death,  No- 
vember 9,  1887.  He  married  Mary  Wolfley,  who  bore  him  thirteen 
children,  four  of  whom  died  in  early  childhood:  i.  John.  2.  Jacob, 
born  March  14,  1832,  a  manufacturer  of  carpets  and  a  merchant,  now 
living  retired  in  Reedsville.  He  was  elected  associate  judge  of  Mitflin 
county  in  1885,  serving  five  years;  in  1892  he  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace.  During  the  war  between  the  states  he  was  second  lieutenant  of 
Company  K,  205th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  married 
Susan  I.  Crosthwaite,  daughter  of  Richard,  and  granddaughter  of  John 
Crosthwaite,  who  came  from  Ireland.  3.  Susan,  now  living  in  Milroy, 
unmarried.  4.  William  F.,  deceased,  married  Sarah  Kemmerer.  5. 
Frederick  S.,  of  whom  further.  6.  James,  died  in  the  army  during  the 
civil  war,  aged  twenty-two  years.  7.  Jane,  married  John  Wolf  and  re- 
sides at  Potter's  Mills.  8.  Matilda,  married  John  O.  Stover.  9.  Amelia, 
now  living  in  Milroy,  unmarried. 

(III)  Dr.  Frederick  S.  Kohler,  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Wolfley) 
Kohler.  was  born  in  Milroy,  Pennsylvania,  December  18,  1836,  died  in 
Nampa,  Idaho,  January  i,  1908.  He  attended  the  pul)lic  schools,  studied 
medicine  and  in  i860  was  graduated  M.  D.  from  the  Eclectic  Medical 
College  of  Pennsylvania.  During  the  civil  war  he  was  commissioned  as- 
sistant surgeon  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
serving  from  February  18,  1863,  until  mustered  out  July  8,  1865.    After 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  563 

the  war  he  located  in  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  for  twelve 
years.  In  1873  he  took  a  special  course  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Medical  College  of  Ohio,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  for  several  years  was 
located  in  Vevay,  Indiana.  He  later  practiced  in  Morgan,  Utah,  moving 
in  August,  1887,  to  Nampa,  Idaho,  where  he  practiced  until  his  death. 
January  i,  1908.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  married  Sarah  A.  Carson,  born 
December  17,  1841,  died  December  11,  1866.  Her  parents  died  when 
she  was  young,  leaving  her  to  the  care  of  her  uncle,  John  Carson,  of 
Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  later  moved  to  Wisconsin  and  there 
died.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Children:  Dr. 
William  H.,  of  whom  further;  Benjamin  Rush,  of  whom  further. 

(IV)  Dr.  William  H.  Kohler,  elder  son  of  Dr.  Frederick  S.  and 
Sarah  A.  (Carson)  Kohler,  was  born  in  Reedsville,  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  19,  1863.  He  was  deprived  of  a  mother's  care 
when  three  years  of  age,  his  childhood  being  spent  with  relatives  in 
Philadelphia  and  Center  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  spent  his  life  until 
his  nineteenth  year  mainly  in  Center  county,  where  he  received  a  good 
public  school  education,  and  for  two  years  worked  at  farming.  His' 
ambition  was  for  his  father's  profession,  and  that  goal  was  kept  con- 
stantly in  view,  until  finally  attained.  He  attended  Pennsylvania  State 
College,  then  spent  two  years  at  Western  Reserve  University,  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  in  the  medical  department.  In  the  autumn  of  1886  he  entered  Jef- 
ferson Medical  College,  at  Philadelphia,  whence  he  was  graduated  with 
honors,  receiving  the  degree  of  M.  D.,  April  4,  1887.  He  located  in  Mil- 
roy,  Pennsylvania,  the  following  June,  and  there  became  well  estab- 
lished as  a  skillful,  honorable  physician.  His  standing  among  the 
brethren  of  the  profession  is  of  the  highest,  and  in  the  hearts  of  his 
people  there  is  no  rival.  His  skill,  unfailing  cheerfulness  and  pleasing 
manner  have  won  him  a  standing  and  a  regard  that  is  only  gained  by  the 
country  doctor  and  only  by  him,  through  years  of  association,  "con- 
fidence being  a  plant  of  slow  growth,"  but  after  taking  root,  being  wa- 
tered by  the  tears  of  sorrow  and  blossoming  in  the  sunshine  of  joy,  de- 
velops a  tree  of  such  strength  that  only  death  can  destroy.  For  over  a 
quarter  of  a  century  Dr.  Kohler  has  gone  in  and  out  of  the  homes  of 
his  community,  and  whether  he  brings  joy  or  sorrow  is  the  beloved  phy- 
sician, whom  all  trust  and  honor.    Dr.  Kohler  is  surgeon  for  the  Cambria 


564  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Steel  Company  at  their  quarries,  which  are  located  at  Naginey,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  is  a  member  of  the  MifHin  County  Medical  Society;  the 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  and  Commandery  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of 
Pennsylvania.  In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican ;  in  religious  faith  a 
Presbyterian. 

Dr.  Kohler  married,  April  4,  1894,  Harriet  Elizabeth  Bunnell,  born 
September  21,  1874,  second  child  and  eldest  daughter  of  William  Cyrus 
and  Sarah  Jane  (Brown)  Bunnell,  of  Lewistown,  and  granddaughter  of 
William  Usual  Bunnell,  an  early  Scotch-Irish  settler  of  Crawford  county, 
Pennsylvania,  a  farmer  and  land  owner,  and  his  wife,  Harriet  (Mc- 
Clure)  Bunnell,  also  granddaughter  (maternal)  of  Hon.  James  M. 
Brown,  twice  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislature.  Children  of  Wil- 
liam C^rus  and  Sarah  Jane  Bunnell,  who  were  married  November  11, 
1868:  James  Brown;  Harriet  E.,  married  Dr.  William  H.  Kohler;  Edna 
Delia ;  Weaker  Irwin  and  Fanny  Cyrus.  William  Cyrus  Brown  resided 
on  a  farm  nead  Siglerville,  Pennsylvania,  until  his  removal  to  Milroy,  but 
he  was  engaged  for  thirty-five  years  as  proprietor  of  a  music  store  in 
Lewistown.  Children  of  Dr.  William  H.  and  Harriet  Elizabeth  Koh- 
ler:   Sarah,  born  February  7,  1896;  Mary,  April  4,  1898. 

(IV)  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush  Kohler,  younger  son  of  Dr.  Frederick  S. 
and  Sarah  A.  (Carson)  Kohler,  was  born  in  Reedsville,  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania.  September  7,  1865.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  at  the  academy  in  Ghent,  Kentucky,  where  he  prepared  for  college. 
He  accompanied  the  family  to  Utah,  reading  medicine  under  his  father 
for  two  years.  He  entered  the  medical  department  of  Western  Reserve 
University,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1883,  whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D., 
February  25.  1885.  He  then  returned  to  his  native  town,  and  there  be- 
gan the  general  practice  of  his  profession.  .\s  the  years  have  passed 
Dr.  Kohler  has  grown  with  his  practice,  taking  front  rank  among  the 
leaders  of  his  profession.  Ever  the  student,  he  has  kept  pace  with  all 
modern  discovery  and  through  his  many  articles  in  the  medical  journals 
has  greatly  aided  the  onward  march  of  medical  science.  His  skill  and 
learning  are  of  more  than  local  fame.  He  is  a  censor  of  the  Medico- 
Chirurgical  College,  elected  by  the  trustees  of  that  institution  May  30, 
1896.  His  specialty  is  diseases  of  children,  and  it  is  on  this  branch  of 
medical  practice  that  he  has  written  many  articles  for  professional  jour- 
nals, and  made  the  object  of  special  study  and  investigation.     He  is  a 


ccA. 


y 


'O^^/^ 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUXIATA    VALLEY  565 


member  of  the  hospital  staff  of  the  township  poor  farm;  member  of  the 
American  Medical  Association  and  of  the  state  and  county  medical  so- 
cieties, he  also  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternit}-,  Lewistown  Lodge,  No. 
203.     The  family  are  all  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Dr.  Kohler  married,  November  27,  1888,  Mary  A.  Smith,  born  in 
Belleville,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  William  T.  and  Phoebe  A.  (Foltz) 
Smith.  William  Smith,  for  many  years  a  school  teacher  and  farmer  of 
the  Kishacoquillas  \'alley,  died  August  2j,  1890.  His  wife  died  in  1910, 
leaving  children,  besides  Mrs.  Kohler:  Catherine;  Sarah,  married  Har- 
rison Manbeck;  Margaret,  married  William  Sankey;  George;  Matilda, 
married  John  W.  Brindel;  Jennie,  married  Elmer  Young;  William.  The 
only  child  of  Dr.  Kohler,  Frank  E.,  born  February  13,  1891,  is  now  a 
student  of  medicine  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia. 


The  paternal  American  ancestor  of  this  famil_\-  was 
MECHTLEY     Isaac  Mechtley,  born  in  Germany,  came  to  the  United 

States  when  young  and  settled  in  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  a  farmer.  He  marrried  Catherine  Bobb, 
who  also  died  in  Snyder  county.  They  had  two  children :  Henry  and 
Isaac. 

(II)  Henry,  son  of  Isaac  and  Catherine  (Bobb)  Mechtley,  was  born 
in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1830.  died  at  Emporia,  Kansas,  in 
1888.  He  was  a  bricklayer  by  trade,  and  became  a  well-known  contrac- 
tor, operating  in  Juniata,  Mifflin,  Center  and  Clinton  counties.  He  built 
the  Lutheran  church  at  East  Waterford,  Pennsylvania,  and  on  that  build- 
ing his  son  Willard  laid  his  first  brick.  In  1878  he  left  Pennsylvania  and 
settled  in  Emporia,  Kansas,  where  he  took  up  land  and  continued  his 
contracting  business  until  his  death  in  1888.  In  religious  faith  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Reformed  church,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat.  He  mar- 
ried Lydia  Keller,  born  in  Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  6, 
1835,  who  survives  him,  a  resident  of  Emporia,  Kansas.  She  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Keller,  a  pioneer  of  Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania.  Chil- 
dren:  Adeline;  Willard,  of  whom  further;  Mary  C,  deceased;  Sarah 
Jane,  deceased;  John  E.,  deceased;  Henry  A.;  Caroline;  Amelia,  de- 
ceased; James;  Wilson,  twin  of  James,  deceased;  Margaret;  Ellen  M.; 
Minnie,  deceased ;  Gertrude,  deceased  ;  Emma. 

(III)  Willard,  son  of  Henry  and  Lydia  (Keller)  Mechtley,  was  born 


566  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

in  Troxelville.  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  5,  1855.  He  at- 
tended the  public  school  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  then  began 
learning  bricklaying  with  his  father,  only  attending  winter  sessions  after 
that  age.  He  became  an  expert  mechanic,  and  continued  with  his  father 
until  reaching  legal  age.  He  then  began  contracting  the  erection  of 
buildings,  and  has  so  continued  until  the  present  time,  having  gained  an 
enviable  reputation  as  a  builder  in  the  counties  of  Snyder,  Center,  Clin- 
ton, Mifflin  and  Juniata.  In  Center  county  alone  he  has  erected  thirteen 
churches,  and  was  the  contractor  on  the  First  Church  at  Rebersburg. 
In  1902  he  located  in  Lewistown,  where  he  has  erected  many  buildings, 
and  added  greatly  to  the  enterprise  of  that  borough.  Many  of  the 
buildings  erected  he  owns,  while  others  have  been  built  under  contract 
for  others.  Of  late  years  he  has  confined  his  building  operations  to 
Lewistown.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  religious  faith  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Reformed  church.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  169  Panne- 
baker  avenue,  Lewistown,  on  which  avenue  Mr.  Mechtley  owns  six  other 
residences. 

He  married,  in  1880,  Sarah  Jane  Helfrich,  of  Beaver  Springs.  Sny- 
der county,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  i.  Bessie,  married  Edward  H. 
Derr,  D.  D.  S.,  and  resides  in  Lewistown.  2.  Mary  Lydia,  married 
Frank  Felker :  children :  Mae  and  Frank  M.  3.  Carrie  A.,  married  W. 
E.  Bailey :  child  :    Paul  Edward. 


The  Shirey  family  came  to  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania, 
SHIREY  from  the  State  of  Ohio,  where  Henry  Shirey,  the  grand- 
father of  John  Shirey,  lived  and  died.  On  the  maternal 
side  they  descend  from  Samuel  Aurand,  a  pioneer  of  Snyder  county. 
Pennsylvania,  who  died  and  is  buried  at  Beaver  Springs.  He  and  his 
wife,  Catherine  Valentine,  came  to  Snyder  county  in  1812,  settling  on  a 
tract  of  wild  land  that  they  cleared  and  improved,  he  also  working  at 
his  trade  of  blacksmith,  having  his  shop  on  his  farm.  Of  the  ten  chil- 
dren of  Samuel  Aurand.  none  are  living. 

fll)  John,  son  of  Henry  Shirey,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  181 5,  died  in 
Snyder  county  in  1864.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  also  cultivated  a 
farm  in  Snyder  county.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  a  member 
of  the  Reformed  church.  He  married  Catherine,  born  in  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  i,  1812,  died  in  November,  1903,  eldest  daughter 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  567 

of  Samuel  Aurand ;  she  had  brothers  and  sisters :  Henry,  EHas,  Enoch, 
Samuel,  Isaac,  Sarah,  Rebecca,  Lucy  M.  and  Elizabeth.  Children  of 
John  and  Catherine  Shirey :  Lucinda,  deceased ;  Kate,  deceased ;  Eliza- 
beth, deceased;  Mollie,  of  Preston,  Iowa;  Joseph,  of  Dry  Valley,  Mif- 
flin county;  Isaac,  of  Snyder  county;  Samuel,  of  Beaver  Springs,  Snyder 
county;  John,  of  whom  further;  Sarah  and  Sallie  (twins),  both  died  in 
infancy. 

(Ill J  John  (2j,  son  of  John  (i)  and  Catherine  (Aurand)  Shirey, 
was  born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  at  Beaver  Springs,  April  6, 
1856.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  spent  his  early  life  engaged  in 
farming.  He  then  worked  for  two  years  on  the  railroad,  then  in  a  coal 
yard,  then  again  at  farming  near  Beaver  Springs,  continuing  in  Snyder 
county  until  1880.  He  then  located  in  Mifflin  county,  where  he  was  a 
prosperous  farmer  until  1904,  when  he  moved  to  his  present  residence  in 
Derry  township,  managing  his  farm  property  from  there.  He  is  the 
owner  of  three  good  farms  in  Mifflin  county,  and  also  invested  largely  in 
the  erection  of  double  houses  in  both  borough  and  township.  He  built 
six  houses  of  this  kind  in  Lewistown  and  eight  in  Derry  township,  with 
his  own  residence  at  No.  218  Electric  avenue,  Lewistown.  Mr.  Shirey 
has  prospered  through  his  great  energy,  wise  foresight  and  quick  percep- 
tion of  values.  He  has  won  success  and  as  his  energy  is  boundless  he  will 
continue  to  advance.  He  devotes  his  entire  time  at  present  to  the  care  of 
his  farms  and  residence  property,  all  of  which  are  productive.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  of 
Lewistown,  as  is  also  his  family. 

He  married,  December  19,  1878,  Mary  Alice  Herbster,  born  at  Bea- 
vertown,  Snyder  county,  November  20,  1858,  daughter  of  Philip  Herb- 
ster, born  1824,  in  Snyder  county,  died  in  1906,  and  his  wife  Malinda 
Kline,  born  in  1832  at  Beavertown,  and  granddaughter  of  Gabriel  Herb- 
ster, a  pioneer  of  Snyder  county,  and  of  George  Kline,  of  Beavertown. 
Children  of  Philip  and  Malinda  Herbster :  Ammon,  Jacob,  George  and 
Amelia,  twins;  Mary  Alice,  wife  of  John  (2)  Shirey;  James;  John;  Wil- 
liam, deceased;  and  Vernon.  The  mother  of  these  children  is  yet  living 
in  her  eighty-first  year.  Children  of  John  and  Mary  Alice  Shirey:  i. 
Effie,  born  July  21,  1880,  died  in  1886.  2.  Homer  Nelson,  born  July  28, 
1882,  now  a  farmer  at  Strode  Mills;  married  Nettie  Kline  and  has: 
Mary,  Annie,  Mildred  and  Dorothy  S.     3.  Mollie  Amelia,  born  March 


568  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

31,  1887;  married  Walter  Starr,  of  Lewistown.  4.  Lester  Lee,  born 
July  I,  1889,  now  a  farmer  three  miles  below  Lewistown;  married  Mary 
Klose  and  has :  John,  Leonard  and  Catherine.  5.  Beatrice  Ellen,  born 
October  9,  1891,  resides  at  home. 


Calvin  Gray,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  is  of  pure  Scotch 
GRAY     lineage,   his   emigrant   ancestors   coming   to   America   from 
Scotland  about  1784,  or  thereabouts.     They  landed  in  New 
York,  and  afterward  drifted  into  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  James  Gray  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  there  married  his  wife, 
Elizabeth,  and  together  they  crossed  the  Atlantic,  landing  in  New  York. 
From  there  he  moved  to  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  before  1800.  He 
located  with  his  family  in  Lack  township,  Juniata  county,  and  began 
farming.  He  moved  in  181 5  on  the  farm  on  which  he  died  later,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-eight;  his  wife  also  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight. 
Among  their  children  was  Joseph,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Joseph,  son  of  the  Scotch  emigrants,  James  and  Elizabeth  Gray, 
was  born  on  the  Gray  farm  in  Beal  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, in  1808,  and  died  in  the  same  township  October  27,  1898,  aged 
ninety  years. 

He  was  reared  on  the  Gray  farm,  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Beal  township,  but  being  of  a  studious  turn  of  mind  he 
absorbed  more  than  most  boys  of  his  age.  and  opportunities  from  the 
fount  of  knowledge.  Leaving  school  he  at  first  farmed  and  afterward 
turned  his  attention  to  school  teaching,  which  pursuit  he  followed  suc- 
cessfully for  over  thirty  years,  in  conjunction  with  his  farming.  He 
purchased  the  Gray  homestead  on  which  his  father  first  settled  in  Beal 
township,  and  here  reared  his  large  family.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and 
was  elected  on  that  ticket  to  the  office  of  tax  collector.  He  married 
(first)  Elizabeth  Harris,  of  Concord,  Franklin  county.  Children; 
James  H.,  Martha,  William,  John  B.,  Thomas.  Joseph  B.,  Alexander  C, 
Robert,  James  H..  William,  died  young.  James  H.,  William,  John, 
Thomas  and  Joseph  were  in  the  civil  war,  James  H.  being  wounded  in 
the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  Joseph  Gray  married  (second)  Leah  Bar- 
ton, born  in  Beal  town.ship  in  1828,  died  in  1899.  a  daughter  of  James 
and  Hannah  (Grim)  Barton,  pioneers  in  Juniata  county.  He  was  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania  and  she  of  Ireland ;  he  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  569 

and  she  lived  to  be  ninety-four.  Children  of  Joseph  and  Leah  (Barton) 
Gray:  Samuel,  deceased;  Nancy  Elizabeth;  Harvey  B. ;  George  Wash- 
ington, deceased;  Calvin,  of  whom  further;  Mary,  twin  of  Calvin;  Re- 
becca Ellen;  David,  died  in  infancy;  Alice  Christina,  deceased;  Howard 
David,  deceased ;  Jesse  Franklin. 

(Ill)  Calvin,  son  of  Joseph  and  Leah  (Barton)  Gray,  was  born  No- 
vember 23,  1857,  in  Lack  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  on 
the  Gray  homestead,  and  there  passed  twenty-four  years.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  the  time.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he 
moved  to  Shirleysburg,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  farmed 
four  years.  He  then  moved  to  Richland  county,  Ohio,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farm  work  for  two  years.  His  next  move  was  to  McKean 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Here  he  became  a  tanner,  and  remained  at  that 
occupation  for  ten  years,  then  was  employed  by  the  Prudential  Insurance 
Company  one  year  as  agent ;  at  the  e.xpiration  of  that  time  he  went  to  Al- 
toona,  in  October,  1899,  and  accepted  a  position  as  motorman  on  the 
Logan  Valley  traction  road.  On  June  3,  1900,  he  went  to  Lewistown, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  motorman  on  the  Lewistown  &  Reedsville 
electric  road.  In  1894  he  erected  a  residence  on  Walnut  street,  and  in 
19 10  he  also  erected  one  at  the  corner  of  Valley  and  Walnut  streets, 
Lewistown,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  borough  coimtil  of  McKean  county,  and  has  for  the  past 
four  years  been  a  member  of  the  Lewistown  borough  council.  He  is 
a  member  of  Lodge  No.  203,  of  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of 
Lewistown. 

He  married,  December  29,  1887,  Mary  E.  Crouse,  born  in  Juniata 
county,  in  1864,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Roher)  Crouse, 
early  settlers  in  Juniata  county.  Mrs.  Crouse  is  the  sister  of  Rev.  Abra- 
ham Roher,  a  noted  minister.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray  have  no  children,  but 
adopted  a  son.  Guy  E.  Gray,  born  September  27,  1891,  educated  in  the 
public  and  Lewistown  high  school,  clerks  in  Logan  Iron  &  Steel  Com- 
pany. 


The  emigrant   Miller,    in  this  branch  of  that  numerous 
MILLER     family,  came  to  Pennsylvania  from  Germany,  settling  in 
Berks  county.     He  later  settled  near  Freeburg,  Washing- 
ton township,  Snyder  county,  where  he  built  a  mill  that  was  long  known 


570  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

as  Miller's  Mill.     Among  his  children  were  sons:     John,  Samuel  and 
George. 

(II)  John  Miller,  son  of  the  emigrant,  grew  to  manhood  in  Berks 
country,  and  there  married,  coming  thence  to  Snyder  county,  where  he 
was  a  farmer  and  miller.  His  brother,  Samuel,  was  a  pioneer  of  the 
Buiifalo  Valley,  while  George  settled  at  Selinsgrove,  owning  one  of  the 
first  farms  in  that  section,  and  one  yet  owned  in  the  family.  John  Miller 
married  Christianna  Chamberlain,  a  descendant  of  Colonel  William 
Chamberlain,  born  in  New  Jersey,  September  25,  1736,  served  in  the 
revolutionary  war;  married  four  wives,  the  last  August  16,  1794;  had 
twenty-three  children,  fifteen  of  whom  were  born  in  New  Jersey.  John 
Miller  and  his  wife  both  died  in  Washington  township,  Snyder  county, 
leaving  issue. 

(III)  Captain  Lewis  Miller,  son  of  John  and  Christianna  (Cham- 
berlain) Miller,  was  born  in  Washington  township,  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania,  died  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  also  was  a  millwright,  which  trade  he  followed  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  when  he  enlistetd  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-first  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  served  three  years,  and 
attaining  the  rank  of  captain,  succeeding  Captain  Ryan.  He  was  a  gal- 
lant soldier,  won  his  promotion  by  actual  field  service,  and  after  the  war 
returned  to  peaceful  pursuits,  rounding  out  a  full  and  complete  life.  He 
married  Sarah  Stalnecker,  who  died  in  1910.  Children:  Harvey,  died  in 
infancy;  Kate,  deceased;  John  H.,  of  whom  further;  Jemima,  married 
William  Moyer,  of  Snyder  county. 

(IV)  John  H.,  son  of  Captain  Lewis  and  Sarah  (Stalnecker)  Miller, 
was  born  in  Washington  township,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  May 
22,  1868.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  farm  owned  by  his  father,  and  operated  by  him  in  addition  to  his 
trade  of  carpenter  and  millwright.  He  traveled  for  about  three  years  in 
early  life,  visited  twenty-two  states,  including  California,  attaining  his 
twenty-first  birthday  in  that  state.  After  about  three  years  of  travel  he 
returned  home,  and  for  six  years  cultivated  the  home  farm  for  his 
father.  He  then  bought  a  farm  in  Oliver  township,  Mifflin  county, 
which  he  worked  with  such  success  that  he  is  now  the  owner  of  five 
farms  in  Mifflin  county,  with  sand  bank  and  clay  pits  at  Burnham,  and 
three  saw  mills — one  at  Burnham,  two  in  Huntingdon  county.     He  also 


HISTORY    OF    THE    J  U  XI  AT  A    VALLEY  571 

is  engaged  in  contracting  and  has  other  business  interests.  Since  1906 
he  has  resided  in  Lewistown,  managing  his  large  interests  from  that  cen- 
tral point.  He  was  one  of  tlie  organizers  of  the  Ferguson  Valley  In- 
surance Company,  and  assisted  in  promoting  the  telephone  company  in 
that  valley.  He  employs  about  one  hundred  men  to  carry  on  his  different 
operations,  and  in  his  lumbering  operations  is  associated  with  Henry  E. 
Knepp  under  the  firm  name  of  Miller  &  Knepp.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, but  has  never  accepted  public  office,  being  entirely  satisfied  with 
a  business  career. 

He  married,  in  1891,  Alice  Hare,  born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1872,  daughter  of  Perry  Hare,  now  deceased.  Children: 
Harvey  Henry,  Daniel  Lewis,  George,  Sarah,  Jay. 


William  Grant  Smith,  of  Belleville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsyl- 
SMITH  vania,  comes  from  the  widely  scattered  Smith  family  that 
has  branches  in  every  state  in  the  Union.  The  name  of  his 
immigrant  forbear  is  lost,  but  he  is  known  to  have  drifted  into  Pennsyl- 
vania about  1723.  On  the  colonial  records  of  that  period  appear  the 
names  of  several  Smiths.  Some  were  Indian  fighters,  others  did  garri- 
son duty,  still  others  were  with  the  Royal  Americans  when  they  met  and 
fought  Lord  Montcalm,  the  French  general.  Some  manned  the  block 
houses,  while  others  tilled  the  fields  as  a  few  companions  stood  guard, 
watching  for  the  red  men  to  rush  upon  them  from  the  forest.  Of  such 
sturdy  and  heroic  stock  is  the  Smith  family  of  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  John  Smith,  the  first  of  the  name  of  whom  there  is  any  definite 
knowledge,  had  English  forbears,  as  his  name  indicates.  He  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  possibly  in  Union  township,  and  he  and  his  wife  were 
for  many  years  regarded  as  its  prominent  citizens.  They  both  died  and 
are  buried  in  Union  township.  Among  his  children  was  William  T.,  of 
whom  further. 

(II)  William  T.,  son  of  John  Smith,  was  born  in  Union  township 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  that  time.  Dis- 
continuing school  while  yet  young  he  became  a  laborer  and  was  a  farm 
hand  for  years.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  and  in  religion  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Phoebe  Fultz,  also  of 
Union  township,  daughter  of  Joseph  Fultz,  a  neighboring  farmer.  Chil- 
dren:    I.  John,  died  in  infancy.     2.  Kate,  died  young.     3.  Sadie,  mar- 


572  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

ried  Henry  Manbeck  of  Belleville;  one  child,  Ralph.  4.  Maggie,  mar- 
ried W.  A.  Sankey  and  has  two  children :  Carrie,  deceased,  and  Foster. 
5.  George,  making  his  home  in  Belleville.  6.  Matilda,  married  John 
Brindle,  of  Belleville,  both  are  deceased;  children:  Charles,  at  West 
Point,  New  York,  in  L'nited  States  army ;  Melvin,  a  machinist  in  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  7.  Jennie,  wife  of  Elmer  Young,  of  Bondville,  Champaign 
county,  Illinois ;  children :  Helen  and  Warren.  8.  Mary,  married  Dr. 
B.  R.  Kohler;  one  son,  Frank.  9.  William  Grant,  of  whom  further. 
10.  Josephine,  died  young. 

(Ill)  William  Grant,  son  of  William  T.  and  Phoebe  (Fultz)  Smith, 
was  born  August  23,  1870,  in  Union  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  reared  in  the  township  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools.  Leaving  school  he  engaged  in  fence  building,  and 
continued  in  that  occupation  for  twenty-one  years,  making  a  record  for 
himself  by  the  thoroughness  of  his  work.  On  February  27,  1912,  he 
opened  a  hardware  business  in  a  house  that  he  himself  had  erected.  In 
one  year  he  has  established  a  prosperous  and  ever  growing  business, 
handling  the  best  class  of  hardware  in  all  its  lines.  He  owns  his  own 
home,  one  of  the  prettiest  of  the  town.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican, 
always  giving  his  franchise  to  that  party;  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America,  and  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married  in  November,  1898,  Mary  Bennett,  of  Belleville,  daugh- 
ter of  Nelson  and  Clara  Jane  Bennett,  of  Belleville ;  the  father  is  de- 
ceased and  the  mother  is  living  in  Belleville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have 
one  child :  Marian,  born  November  26,  1899,  a  student  at  school. 


The  first  official  record  of  the  Sterretts  in  the  Juniata 
STERRETT     Valley  is  of  Ralph  Sterrett,  who  took  up  one  hundred 

and  forty  acres  in  Beale  township,  Juniata  county, 
July  27,  1762.  He  was  an  Indian  trader  and  at  home  in  the  woods  most 
anywhere.  The  run  that  crosses  hereby  was  known  as  Sterretts  Run. 
He  came  to  the  valley  from  Lancaster  county  and  dealt  in  squatter 
claims.  He  sold  the  tract  previously  mentioned,  March  25,  1764.  his 
wife  Martha  joining  with  him  in  the  sale. 

(II)  William,  son  of  Ralph  and  Martha  Sterrett,  who  is  said  to  have 
been  the  first  white  child  born  west  of  the  Tuscarora  mountains,  was 
born  at  Bingham  Fort.     He  was  part  owner  of  a  forge  on  Licking  creek 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  5-3 

and  once  sheriff  of  Mifflin  county.     He  married  and  had  a  son  WiUiam. 

(III)  WilHam  (2),  son  of  W'ilham  (i)  Sterrett,  was  born  Januarv 
25,  1801,  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  parents  were  for  a 
time  residents  of  Lancaster  county,  setthng  in  Juniata  county  in  1807. 
William  (2)  Sterrett  became  a  farmer,  continuing  in  Juniata  county 
until  his  death,  January  25,  1889.  He  married.  January  8,  1835,  Rachel 
Thompson,  born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  25,  1801,  died 
several  years  before  her  husband.  Children :  John  Thompson,  born  July 
16,  1836;  James,  June  10,  1838:  William  N.,  of  whom  further;  Robert, 
February  14,   1842. 

(IV)  William  North,  third  son  of  William  and  Rachel  (Thompson) 
Sterrett,  was  born  in  Juniata  county  March  21,  1840,  died  Januarv  22, 
1912.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  resided  at  the  home- 
stead farm,  later  owning  a  farm  set  off  from  the  original  Sterrett  farm. 
a  large  tract  located  in  Milford  township,  Juniata  county.  He  was  a  very 
successful  farmer,  continuing  in  active  management  of  his  own  acres 
until  1905.  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  Mifflintown,  locating  there  on 
April  /th  of  that  year.  During  eight  A'cars  of  his  life  he  was  engaged 
in  mercantile  business  at  Patterson,  Pennsylvania,  but  continued  his  resi- 
dence at  the  farm.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  served  as  county 
commissioner  and  associate  judge  of  Juniata  county,  also  filling  many 
township  offices.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church. 
He  was  a  man  of  upright  character,  energetic  in  business,  but  rendering 
to  every  man  his  just  due.  Quiet  and  unobtrusive,  yet  firm  and  decided 
in  his  opinions  and  convictions,  he  won  the  regard  of  his  fellow  men  and 
left  behind  him  an  honored  name. 

He  married.  April  27,  187 1,  Jane  E.  Black,  born  in  New  Bloomfield, 
Perry  county.  Pennsylvania,  February  16.  1845,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Margaret  (Zimmerman)  Black,  born  in  Perry  county,  where  Thomas 
Black  died  comparatively  young.  Margaret,  his  wife  died  in  i8gi,  aged 
eighty-two  years.  Children  of  William  N.  and  Jane  E.  (Black)  Ster- 
rett, all  born  at  the  farm  in  Juniata  county:  i.  W'illiam  E..  born  Feb- 
ruary 2.  1872;  he  was  educated  in  Mifflintown  high  school  and  Pitts- 
burgh Business  College,  and  is  now  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania railroad  offices  at  Denholm.  2.  Samuel  Thomas,  born  .August  \Ck 
1875,  educated  in  Mifflintown  high  school,  now  a  fanner  on  the  old  home- 


574  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

stead ;  he  married  Norma  Ernest  and  has  children :  Harold  Earl,  Samuel 
Glenn,  James  Fay,  Anna  Elizabeth,  and  Edgar  Ernest,  twin  of  Anna  E. 
3.  James  Thompson,  born  September  17,  1884,  educated  in  Mifflintown 
high  school  and  Pierces'  Business  College,  now  assistant  cashier  of  the 
Juniata  Valley  Bank ;  he  married  Alma  Robinson.  4.  Edgar  Black,  born 
June  26,  1888,  educated  in  Port  Royal  high  school  and  Bank's  Business 
College  of  Philadelphia,  now  a  bookkeeper  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 


William  Luck,  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  had  for  his 
LUCK     forbears  in  America,  honest,  upright  Germans,  the  first  of 

whom  came  from  the  I<\ntherland  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  settling,  as  did  so  many  of  his  compatriots,  in  Penn- 
sylvania.   From  him  descended  Isaac  Luck,  of  whom  further. 

Isaac  Luck  was  born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  his  father  be- 
ing one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county,  and  is  buried  at  Salem 
Church.  Isaac  was  a  farmer,  taking  up  wild  land,  clearing  and  culti- 
vating it,  and  erecting  on  it  a  comfortable  house  for  his  family.  He 
was  much  respected  by  his  neighbors,  and  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four. 
He  married  Susan  Ritter,  daughter  of  a  German  family  of  that  name, 
who  were  also  pioneer  settlers  in  Snyder  county.  She  died  at  the  age 
of  eighty-seven.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He 
was  first  a  Whig  and  then  a  Republican,  voting  the  latter  ticket  when 
he  was  a  very  old  man.  Children:  i.  Joel,  now  aged  eighty-nine.  2. 
Elizabeth,  deceased.  3.  Maria,  deceased.  4.  Annie,  deceased.  5.  Sam- 
uel, deceased.  6.  Benjamin,  deceased.  7.  Samuel,  twin  of  Benjamin, 
deceased.  8.  Sarah.  9.  Charles.  10.  Lydia,  deceased.  11.  William,  of 
whom  further.  13.  Daughter,  died  in  infancy.  14.  A  daughter,  died  in 
infancy. 

William  Luck,  son  of  Isaac  and  Susan  (Ritter)  Luck,  was  born, 
April  I,  1843,  '"  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  the  county.  On  leaving  school  he  engaged 
in  carpentry,  and  in  1890  came  to  Mifflin  county  and  now  owns  property 
on  Main  street  of  Mifflintown.  He  enlisted  for  service  in  the  civil  war, 
in  September,  1864,  in  Company  D,  208th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, serving  until  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865.  He  was  in  several 
battles,  one  of  them  being  at  Petersburg.  Virginia,  and  another  at  Fort 
Steadman.     He  was  with  his  regiment  during  the  entire  time  of  his  en- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY 


.1/0 


listment.  He  is  a  meml^er  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Wilson 
Post,  No.  134,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican. 

He  married  (first)  in  1870,  Rachel  Ewig,  who  died  in  1S82:  he 
married  (second)  in  1883,  Eliza  Yeakly,  who  died  in  November,  191 1, 
daughter  of  John  Yeakly,  a  pioneer  of  Juniata  Valley.  Children  by 
first  marriage :  i.  Harry,  born  in  Snyder  county  in  1873  ;  married  Myra 
Dimm ;  he  is  in  the  marble  and  granite  business  in  Lewistown.  Pennsyl- 
vania; one  child,  Edgar.  2.  Claude,  born  1875,  in  Snyder  county:  was 
employed  for  some  time  in  Elkhart,  Lidiana,  living  at  Edwardsburg, 
Alichigan;  he  married  Cora  Corner.  3.  Ord  Isaac,  born  1878,  killed  by 
electricity  in  19 12,  at  South  Bend,  Indiana,  while  foreman  of  repair 
work;  he  married  Sadie  Smith,  of  Indiana;  children:  Veloise  and  Ruth. 
There  were  no  children  by  the  last  marriage  of  William  Luck. 

Barbara  Yoder,  widow,  whose  husband  died  on  the  pas- 
YODER     sage  and  was  buried  at  sea,  had  nine  children,  all  of  whom 

she  brought  with  her  to  Pennsylvania,  eight  sons  and  one 
daughter,  all  born  in  Switzerland.  They  arrived  in  Pennsylvania  prior 
to  1727,  settling  in  what  is  now  Oley  township,  Berks  county,  one  of 
the  first  Amish  Mennonite  families  that  came  to  Pennsylvania.  One  of 
her  sons,  Yost  Yoder,  with  his  brother  Hans  pushed  forward  beyond 
the  Oley  Hills,  and  finally  settled  on  the  Manatawney  near  the  '"planta- 
tion" of  Johannes  Keim. 

(II)  Yost  Yoder  was  one  of  the  most  active  of  the  early  frontiers- 
men of  Pennsylvania,  his  chief  occupation  being  hunting  and  trapping, 
although  he  also  cleared  and  cultivated  a  "plantation".  The  Yoder 
Bible,  brought  by  the  family,  dated  1530,  was  printed  during  the  lifetime 
of  Martin  Luther  and  was  held  by  the  family  as  late  as  i860.  It  is  de- 
scribed as  a  fine  specimen  of  the  output  of  the  German  press  of  that  day, 
had  few  illustrations  and  the  texts  were  not  arranged  in  verses.  It  was 
held  as  a  priceless  treasure  by  the  early  family  and  was  as  a  "lamp  to 
their  feet"  in  their  flight  to  America.  Yost  Yoder  married  and  had 
issue:  Johannes,  born  1718,  died  April  7,  1812,  married  Catherine 
Lyster  in  1745  and  lived  with  her  sixty-six  years;  Jacob,  of  whom 
further;  Samuel,  settled  on  a  plantation  half  a  mile  from  Pleasantville, 
Berks  county,  which  he  received  from  his  father;  a  daughter,  married 


576  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Lazareth  Weidner.     There  was  another  son,  David ;  and  four  daughters 
of  Yost  Yoder  who  cannot  be  named  with  certainty. 

(III)  David,  son  of  Yost  Yoder  and  grandson  of  Barbara  Yoder, 
was  born  in  1735  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  removed  to  the 
west  side  of  the  Schuylkill  and  became  a  farmer  and  saddler.  He  en- 
listed November  6,  1757,  in  the  provincial  service  of  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  was  saddler  for  three  years  in  Captain  Nicholas  Weather- 
holt's  company,  stationed  in  Heidleburg  township,  Northampton.  He 
also  served  in  the  revolution  as  private  in  Peter  Nagle's  company  and 
later  in  Captain  Charles  Gobin's  company,  Sixth  Berks  County  Militia, 
Colonel  Joseph  Heister  commanding,  August  10  to  September  9,  1780. 
He  married  (first)  Mary  Keim ;  (second)  Catherine  Blank,  daughter  of 
John,  son  of  Hans  Blank,  born  in  Switzerland  and  his  wife  Magdalene. 
Among  the  children  of  David  Yoder  was  a  son  Yost,  of  whom  further 
below. 

(IV)  Yost  (2),  son  of  David  Yoder,  was  born  about  the  year  1800 
in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  moved  to  the  Juniata  Valley,  set- 
tling in  Union  township,  Mifflin  county,  became  a  wealthy  farmer  and 
large  land  owner  of  that  township  and  there  died.  He  married  Catherine 
Zook,  also  of  an  old  Amish  Mennonite  family,  coming  from  Switzer- 
land.   Among  their  children  was  a  son,  Christ  Z. 

(V)  Christ  Z.,  son  of  Yost  and  Catherine  (Zook)  Yoder,  was  born 
in  Union  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  1830,  and  is 
now  living  retired  in  Belleville,  Pennsylvania.  He  became  a  farmer 
of  Union  township,  owning  a  farm  of  seventy  acres.  Later  he  became 
a  tanner,  continuing  in  that  business  until  his  retirement.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  belong  to  the  Amish  Mennonite  church;  he  is  a  Republican  in 
politics.  He  married  Annie  McGonigal.  Children:  i.  Elizabeth,  died 
in  infancv.  2.  Yost,  a  farmer  of  Union  township.  3.  Levi  M.,  of  whom 
further.  4.  John,  of  Goshen,  Indiana.  5.  Joseph  W.,  a  professor  in 
music  and  a  farm  owner  near  Philadelphia ;  unmarried. 

(VI)  Levi  M.,  son  of  Christ  Z.  and  Annie  (McGonigal)  Yoder,  was 
born  in  Union  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  10,  1863. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  school  and  grew  to  manhood 
at  the  home  farm.  He  taught  school  in  his  earlier  life,  also  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade  and  worked  at  that  occupation  for  about  fifteen 
vears  during  the  summer  months,  teaching  in  the  winter.     In  1896  he 


/Tt^-^^-V 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  577 

began  the  manufacture  of  carpets  at  Belleville  in  a  very  small  way,  being 
the  entire  working  force  himself.  He  has  prospered  and  expanded  until 
he  has  a  large  plant  employing  one  hundred  people,  much  of  the  filling 
being  prepared  by  outside  families.  All  his  factory  buildings  were 
erected  by  himself  or  under  his  supervision,  as  was  also  a  fine  residence 
on  Chestnut  street.  He  does  a  prosperous  manufacturing  business,  his 
goods  having  an  established  reputation  and  much  in  demand.  He  has 
also  become  heavily  interested  in  local  real  estate,  owns  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  lots  at  Highland  Park,  also  a  tract  of  thirty-five  acres 
adjoining  Belleville,  laid  out  in  lots  for  manufacturing  and  residence 
sites,  known  as  the  "L.  M.  Yoder  Addition".  He  has  also  erected  several 
modern  dwellings  and  has  given  an  impetus  to  building  operations  in 
Belleville  by  his  energy  and  enterprise.  He  is  also  interested  in  the  auto- 
mobile business,  having  a  garage  in  Belleville  thirty-two  by  one  hundrd 
and  five  feet.  He  is  a  capable,  energetic  man  of  business,  and  varied  as 
are  his  interests,  he  is  easily  master  of  every  detail  and  always  the  master 
of  every  situation  occurring  in  any  department  of  his  affairs.  He  is  a 
Progressive  Republican,  but  has  never  sought  or  accepted  public  office. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Amish  Mennonite  church  and  in  all  things  an 
honorable,  upright  Christian  gentleman. 

He  married  in  1885,  Annie  Hartzler,  born  in  Menno  township,  Mif- 
flin county,  daughter  of  Menno  S.  Hartzler  and  his  wife  Mary  King, 
now  of  Menno  township.  Children:  i.  Lena,  graduate  of  Belleville 
high  school,  attended  Goshen  College,  now  a  student  at  Defiance,  Ohio, 
taking  a  course  in  domestic  science.  2.  Nellie,  married  John  Detweiter, 
of  Belleville.  3.  Chester,  educated  at  Belleville  high  school  and  Goshen 
College  and  has  been  assistant  secretary  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  work  at  Burnham.  4.  Trella,  now  a  student  at  Belleville  high 
school,  class  of  1913.     5.  Harry,  at  home.     6.  Dorothy,  at  home. 


The  ancestor  of  the  Pennsylvania  families  of  Pan- 
PANNEBAKER  nebecker,  Pannebaker,  Pennybaker  and  Penny- 
packer,  was  Hendrick  Pannebecker,  a  Dutch  pa- 
troon.  He  founded  a  family  that  includes  a  governor  of  Pennsylvania, 
a  state  senator  of  Virginia,  a  major-general  of  Pennsylvania,  a  state 
treasurer  of  Tennessee,  a  state  agent  of  Kentucky,  and  sent  into  the 
Union   anny   during   the   war   between   the   states   two   generals,    four 


578  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

colonels,   twenty-two   other  commissioned   officers  and   many   privates, 
including  in  all  one  himdred  and  forty-eight  men. 

Hendrick  (sometimes  called  Heinrich)  Pannebecker  was  born  in  the 
village  of  Flomborn,  on  the  Rhine,  not  far  from  the  city  of  Worms, 
March  21,  1674;  although  born  in  Germany,  he  was  of  Dutch  lineage, 
his  ancestors  having  moved  from  Holland  to  Flomborn,  a  village  of  five 
hundred  souls,  a  large  proportion  of  them  being  named  Pannebecker. 
The  name  is  of  Dutch  origin,  signifying  "a  maker  of  titles".  The  exact 
date  of  his  coming  to  Pennsylvania  is  not  known,  but  it  was  soon  after 
the  first  thirteen  Dutch  and  German  families  had  founded  the  settle- 
ment at  Germantown.  The  first  record  of  him  is  of  his  marriage  at 
Germantown  in  1699  to  Eve  Umstat,  daughter  of  Hans  Peter  and  Bar- 
bara Umstat,  who  arrived  on  the  "Francis  and  Dorothy"  from  Crefield  in 
1685.  In  1702  he  settled  on  a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  purchased 
from  Matthias  Van  Bebber  in  the  deed  dated  December  25,  1702,  to 
which  he  added  two  hundred  and  four  acres  in  1708.  He  spoke  fluently 
the  three  languages  of  his  community,  Dutch,  German  and  English;  was 
a  competent  surveyor  and  wrote  deeds  and  other  legal  papers  in  both 
German  and  English.  For  the  Penns  he  surveyed  the  manors  of  Mana- 
tawney,  Gilberts  and  others,  also  laying  out  most  of  the  roads  in  that 
part  of  Philadelphia  county,  now  constituting  the  county  of  Montgomery. 
He  became  a  large  land  owner,  holding  title  to  four  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  acres  and  was  a  prominent  figure  in  his  com- 
munity. He  was  the  spokesman  for  his  countrymen  in  all  matters  with 
the  proprietory  and  provincial  government  and  is  referred  to  in  a  num- 
ber of  recorded  instruments  as  "gentleman".  He  died  April  4,  1754,  his 
large  estate  being  divided  among  his  children.  His  wife  Eve  was  a 
granddaughter  of  Nicholas  Umstat,  who  died  at  Crefield  on  the  Rhine, 
October  4,  1682.  Her  father,  Hans  Peter  Umstat,  came  with  his  wife 
Barbara  and  three  children,  Johannes,  Eve  and  Margaret,  settling  in 
Germantown.  The  Umstats  brought  with  them  from  Crefield,  a  German 
Bible,  published  at  Heidelberg  in  I5>.3,  which  has  been  owned  in  the 
family  since  1652.  Children  of  Hendrick  and  Eve  Pannebecker:  i. 
Martha,  born  June  15,  1700,  died  in  September,  1761 ;  married  Anthony 
Van  der  Sluys  (Vanderclise)  and  their  son  Henry  was  later  sheriff  of 
Berks  county,  a  surveyor  and  conveyancer  in  the  neighborhood  of  Perki- 
omen  and  Skippack.     2.  Adolph,  born  1708,  died  in  May,  1789,  like  his 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  579 

four  brothers  he  was  a  miller,  lived  and  died  in  Limerick  township.  3. 
Peter,  of  whom  further.  4.  John,  born  August  27,  1713.  died  June  14, 
1784;  married  Annette  Keyser,  and  became  the  ancestor  of  United  States 
Senator  Isaac  S.  Pennypacker,  of  Virginia.  5.  Jacob,  born  1715,  died 
May  27,  1752;  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Matthias  and  Barbara 
Sellen  Tyson  and  granddaughter  of  Cornelius  Tyson,  who  was  born 
at  Crefield,  Germany,  in  1652  and  came  to  Germantown  with  his  wife 
Margaret  and  several  children.  Jacob  became  the  ancestor  of  ex-Gover- 
nor Samuel  W.  Pennypacker.  6.  Henry,  born  1717,  died  I\Iay  31,  1792; 
married  Rebecca  Kuster,  also  of  a  prominent  early  Germantown  family. 
7.  Barbara,  born  in  1720,  married  Cornelius  Tyson.  8.  Susanna,  mar- 
ried Peter  Keyser  and  lived  in  Worcester  township,  now  Montgomery 
county. 

(II)  Peter,  son  of  Hendrick  and  Eve  (Umstat)  Pannebecker,  was 
born  in  Bebbers  township,  Philadelphia  county.  He  was  a  miller  by 
trade,  associated  with  his  brothers,  marketing  their  product  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  was  born  March  8,  1710,  died  June  28,  1770.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Keyser,  of  a  prominent  Germantown  family.  He  is  the  ances- 
tor of  many  descendants  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  and  the  Juniata  Valley, 
bearing  the  name  Pennypacker  and  Pannybaker. 

(III)  A  son  of  Peter  Pannebecker  settled  in  Bucks  county,  where 
he  lived  and  died  a  miller,  operating  a  mill  at  a  point  long  known  as 
Pannebecker  Mills,  which  at  one  period  in  the  war  was  used  by  Washing- 
ton as  a  headquarters  building.     He  married  and  had  a  son,  William. 

(IV)  William  Pannebaker,  grandson  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Key- 
ser) Pannebecker,  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1772, 
died  in  Fermanagh  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  1852. 
He  was  but  a  young  boy  during  the  revolution,  but  remembered  the 
wounded  men  being  brought  in  and  laid  on  the  kitchen  floor,  he  after- 
ward helping  to  clear  away  the  blood  that  flowed  over  the  floor.  He 
came  to  Fermanagh  township  in  181 1  and  until  1830  operated  a  saw  mill. 
He  also  owned  land  which  he  cleared  and  cultivated.  He  married  his 
cousin,  Elizabeth  Pannebecker,  their  descendants  spelling  the  name  (as 
on  the  tombstone)  Pannybaker.  She  was  born  in  Bucks  county  in  1778, 
died  in  Fermanagh  township,  July  27,  1864.  Children:  Benjamin,  Wil- 
liam, Jonas,  Moses,  Joseph,  of  whom  further;  and  Hannah,  who  died 
in  Illinois. 


58o  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(V)  Joseph,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Pannebaker,  was  born  in 
Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1808,  died  in  1853.  He  was  brought  to 
Fermanagh  township,  Juniata  county,  in  181 1,  and  there  passed  his 
life  as  a  farmer.  He  was  a  Whig  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the 
German  Baptist  church  (Dunkard)  ;  his  wife  was  a  Lutheran.  He 
married  Magdelene  Wert,  born  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1805, 
died  in  Fermanagh  township  in  1846.  Children:  Philip,  deceased;  Ann 
Eliza,  married  John  G.  Hackenberger,  of  Juniata  county;  Daniel,  of 
whom  further;  Mary,  deceased;  Joseph;  Rebecca,  deceased;  Moses  and 
John. 

(VI)  Daniel,  son  of  Joseph  and  Magdalene  (Wert)  Pannebaker, 
was  born  in  Fermanagh  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  No- 
vember J3,  1834.  He  attended  public  school  and  assisted  at  the  home 
farm  until  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  then  began  learning  the  black- 
smith's trade.  After  finishing  his  years  of  apprenticeship  he  located  in 
Mifflintown.  where  he  conducted  a  shop  until  about  1897,  when  he  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  business,  retiring  in  191 1.  He  has  been  success- 
ful in  business  and  is  highly  respected  in  his  community.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics  until  1897,  since  which  date  he  has  acted  with  the 
Republican  party.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  126th  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Infantry,  serving  nine  months.  In  1864  he  reenlisted  in 
Company  E,  lOist  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  and  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war  between  the  states,  receiving  an  honorable  discharge. 
He  is  a  member  of  Lieutenant  D.  FI.  Wilson  Post,  No.  134,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  and  of  Mifflintown  Lodge,  No.  131,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows. 

He  married.  May  13,  1856,  Mary  Ann  Whitmer,  born  in  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania.  December  26.  1836,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Lydia  (Michael)  Whitmer,  of  that  county,  who  came  to  Juniata 
county  about  1848.  They  settled  first  in  Walker  township,  later  in 
Fermanagh,  both  dying  at  the  home  of  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Daniel 
Pannebaker,  in  Mifflintown.  On  May  13,  1906,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Panne- 
baker celebrated  the  golden  anniversary  of  their  wedding  and  besides 
the  felicitations  of  their  many  friends,  were  also  remembered  with  many 
substantial  tokens  of  the  love  and  esteem  in  which  they  are  held.  Seven 
years  have  elapsed  since  the  celebration  and  both  are  yet  in  good  health. 
with  many  years  of  useful  life  before  them,  should  such  be  the  Divine 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  581 

Will.  Children  of  Daniel  and  Mary  Ann  (Whitmer)  Pannebaker:  i. 
Juniata  Mabel,  married  James  W.  Wagner  of  Mifflintown,  who  was 
killed  in  a  railroad  wreck  at  Clover  Creek  :\Iay  5,  1906.  2.  Harry,  edu- 
cated in  Mifflintown  high  school,  now  living  in  Pueblo,  Colorado,  a 
telegraph  operator.  He  married  Jennie  Graham;  children:  Ralph,  de- 
ceased; Mary,  deceased;  Roy,  Ethel  and  Daniel.  3.  Cloyd  P..  educated 
in  the  public  schools;  married  Harriet  Lingenfelter ;  children:  Whitmcr. 
deceased ;  Mildred,  deceased ;  Mary  and  Juniata.  4.  Ella  May,  residing 
with  her  parents.  5.  Lydia  Elizabeth,  married  H.  P.  Kelley  of  New- 
port, Pennsylvania,  and  has  a  son,  Whitmer  Henry.  6.  Charles  A.,  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools ;  married  Efifie  Gilbert  and  has  a  son.  George 
Gilbert.  7.  Myrven  D.,  educated  in  public  schools;  married  Jessie  :\Ic- 
Gregor;  children:  Charles,  Myrven  and  Frederick  M. 


This  name,  originally  Berge.  was  brought  to  Pennsylvania 
BERGEY     about  the  year  1717  and  belongs  to  an  exceedingly  large 

and  prominent  family.  They  carry  on  their  roll  five  thou- 
sand names  of  Berge}s  and  Bergey  descendants,  scattered  over  many 
states,  while  the  annual  reunions  of  the  family  are  largely  attended. 

The  emigrant  ancestor,  John  Ulrich  Berge,  came  from  Saxony, 
Germany,  about  the  year  171 7,  settling  in  Sal  ford  township,  Montgomery 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  acres,  March  16.  1726.  In  1760  he  was  road  supervisor  of  the 
township.  In  1738  he  was  one  of  the  charter  members  organizing 
Salford  Mennonite  Church,  as  was  his  wife,  Anna  Mary  Berge,  who 
bore  him  eleven  children.  Children:  John;  Michael,  never  married; 
Isaac ;  Samuel ;  Elizabeth ;  Mary,  never  married ;  Christian,  of  whom 
further;  Abraham;  Anna;  Fronca ;  Salome  (or  Sarah).  John  I'lrich 
Berge  made  his  will  November  9,  1762,  and  it  was  probated  December 
II,  1762.  His  descendants  spell  the  name  Berky,  Bergey,  Bergy  and 
Berge. 

(II)  Christian  Bergey,  the  fifth  son  of  John  LTlrich  Berge.  came 
into  the  possession  of  his  father's  farm,  after  several  years,  and  there 
died.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  revolution,  his  name  being  found  on  the 
"depreciation  pay-roll".  His  wife  was  named  Mary,  and  among  their 
children  was  Samuel. 

(III)  Samuel,  son  of  Christian  Bergey   (as  this  branch  spells  the 


582  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

name  J,  was  born  in  Franconia  township,  Montgomery  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  grew  to  manhood.  About  1833  he  moved  to  Juniata 
county,  purchasing  a  farm  in  Fayette  township,  containing  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres  and  there  resided  until  death.  He  married  and  had 
issue:  Jacob,  died  in  Philadelphia;  Enos,  of  whom  further;  Samuel, 
died  in  Mifflintown;  Maria,  married  Jacob  Shelley,  a  Mennonite  minister; 
Susan,  married  Jacob  Tretz ;  Lizzie,  married  a  Mr.  Rickenbaugh ;  Cath- 
erine, married  Jacob  Shafer,  and  now  resides  on  North  Second  street, 
Philadelphia,  aged  eighty-six  years;  Sarah,  married  (first)  Jacob  Stine, 
(second)  Porter  Fink  and  died  in  Philadelphia;  Phianna,  married 
Michael  Shirk,  lived  and  died  in  Fayette  township. 

(IV)  Enos,  son  of  Samuel  Bergey,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1821,  coming  to  Juniata  county  when  a  boy  of  about 
twelve  years,  with  his  parents.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  farm 
and  after  his  marriage  purchased  a  farm  in  Fayette  township.  Later 
he  lived  on  his  own  farm  in  Fermanagh  township,  then  purchased  the 
Jericho  Mills  property,  including  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death  in  18S0.  His  widow,  now  a  woman  of  ninety 
years,  never  remarried  and  still  resides  at  the  old  home  in  very  good 
health.  Mr.  Bergey  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Mennonite  church. 

He  married  Nancy  Seiber,  born  in  or  near  Mifilin,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1822.  Children:  i.  William,  at  Richfield,  Pennsylvania,  in  191 1;  a 
farmer  and  a  Mennonite  minister.  2.  Mary,  married  Abraham  Kurtz 
and  resides  in  Thompsontown,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Lizzie,  married  Martin 
Mumma,  of  Dauphin,  but  lived  near  Williams  Grove,  in  Cumberland 
county,  where  she  died  leaving  two  children.  4.  John,  of  whom  further. 
5.  Samuel,  now  a  ranchman  living  at  Los  Angeles,  California.  6.  Sarah, 
died  in  infancy.  7.  David,  died  aged  twenty  years.  8.  Annie,  married 
Frank  Metrick  and  resides  in  Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  Nancy  (Seiber)  Bergey,  the  mother  of  these  children,  is  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Sausman)  Seiber,  and  a  granddaughter 
of  Christian  Seiber,  who  settled  in  Juniata  county  in  1792,  near  Mif- 
flintown,  on  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  which  is  still  owned  by  his 
descendants.  He  there  erected  the  brick  house  now  standing  on  the 
farm.  Mary  Sausman  was  a  daughter  of  John  Sausman,  an  early  settler 
of  Juniata  county,  whose  pack  of  mastififs  often  ran  at  night  with  their 


HISTORY   OF   THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY  583 

master  to  drive  wolves  away.  John  and  Mary  Seiber  were  both  Men- 
nonites,  Hving  quiet,  honorable  lives,  he  dying  comparatively  young,  she 
living  to  the  extreme  age  of  ninety-three  j^ears.  Children:  i.  Nancy, 
widow  of  Enos  Bergey  (of  previous  mention).  2.  Christian,  died  in  In- 
diana, aged  eighty  years.  3.  Elizabeth,  married  Samuel  Funk,  whom 
she  survives,  a  resident  of  Van  Dyke,  Pennsylvania,  aged  eighty-eight 
years.  Their  son,  David  Funk,  M.  D.,  resides  in  Harrisburg.  4.  Solo- 
mon, lived  and  died,  aged  seventy  years,  at  his  farm  near  Mifflintown. 
5.  Barbara,  married  Rev.  John  Price  and  died  near  Yeagertown  in  Fergu- 
son Valley.  6.  Mary,  married  John  Bashore  and  died  in  Fayette  town- 
ship, near  McAlisterville.  7.  Sarah,  married  Daniel  Mertz  and  resides 
in  White  county.  Indiana.  8.  John,  resides  in  Mifflintown,  aged  seventy- 
four  years.  9.  Joseph,  now  residing  near  McAlisterville.  10.  Enoch, 
died  in  Indiana.  11.  David,  resides  in  Mifflin  county,  aged  about  sixty- 
eight  years.  Two  other  children,  Samuel  and  Catherine,  both  died  in 
infancy. 

(V)  John,  son  of  Enos  and  Nancy  (Seiber)  Bergey,  was  born  in 
Monroe  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  i,  1852.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home 
farm.  He  followed  farming  and  milling,  but  his  principal  business  until 
1883  was  live  stock  dealing,  shipping  from  Mifflintown  to  distant  mar- 
kets. He  continued  in  this  business  until  October,  1883,  when  he  estab- 
lished in  the  livery  business  in  Mifflintown,  and  in  1900  purchased  the 
large  storehouse  of  the  Sulofif  \\'arehouse  Company,  remodeling  and 
converting  it  into  a  modern  livery  barn.  He  established  the  "bus"  line 
in  1889  and  still  continues  that  branch  of  his  business.  His  business 
demands  a  constantly  ready  stable  of  about  twenty  horses  to  meet  daily 
demands,  and  has  a  well  patronized  successful  livery.  Mr.  Bergey  is 
a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  on  the  borough  council. 

He  married,  in  1879,  Sarah  Haldeman,  born  in  Juniata  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  Abraham  and  Catherine  Haldeman.  Children :  r. 
Boyd,  now  a  successful  druggist,  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania;  married 
Ethel  Gephart.  of  Iowa,  and  has  sons,  Taylor  and  John.  2.  Carl,  edu- 
cated at  Dickinson  College;  was  a  clerk  in  a  trust  company  at  Reading 
for  three  years,  then  for  a  time  a  traveling  salesman,  now  at  home,  his 
father's  assistant.  3.  Roy,  married  Mary  Haller  and  resides  at  Mifflin- 
town, a  civil  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  state ;  child,  Robert.    4.  Paul, 


584  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA  VALLEY 

married  Ruth  Taylor  and  resides  in  Mifflintown;  a  clerk  in  the  office  of 
the  Standard  Steel  Works  at  Burnham;  child,  Paul  (2). 


The  genealogy  of  the  North  family  of  the  Juniata  Valley 
NORTH  is  traced  in  this  country  to  Roger  (2)  North,  born  in  Ire- 
land, a  son  of  Caleb  North,   lord  lieutenant  of   Ireland, 

married  Jane  Eckerly,  and  grandson  of  Roger  ( i )  North,  of  New  Castle, 

West  Heath,  Ireland. 

(III)  Roger  (2)  North  was  born  in  Ireland;  married  Ann  Rambo 
and,  prior  to  the  year  1753,  was  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 
He  had  a  son  Caleb  (2). 

(IV)  Colonel  Caleb  (2)  North,  son  of  Roger  (2)  and  Ann  (  Rambo) 
North,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  in  1753,  died  in  Coven- 
try, Pennsylvania,  in  1840.  He  was  a  brave  officer  of  the  revolution. 
He  was  with  Washington  at  the  "crossing  of  the  Delaware" ;  fought 
throughout  the  war,  rising  to  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  Pennsylvania 
line.  He  was  president  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  and  in  1819 
sheriff  of  Philadelphia  county.     He  married  Lydia  North  and  left  issue. 

(V)  William,  son  of  Colonel  Caleb  (2)  North,  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  married  and  had  issue:  James,  of  whom  further:  Caleb, 
a  tanner  of  Millerstown,  Perry  county.  Pennsylvania ;  Joshua,  a  soldier 
of  the  war  of  1812,  and  a  tanner  of  Millerstown;  Rebecca,  married  Dr. 
Ezra  Doty,  of  Juniata  county. 

(VI)  James,  son  of  William  North,  with  his  brothers,  Caleb  and 
Joshua,  established  a  tannery  at  Millerstown,  Perry  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, continuing  there  until  about  the  year  1800,  when  James  with- 
drew and  located  at  Thompsontown,  in  Juniata  (then  Cumberland) 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  there  established  a  tannery  which  he  operated 
for  many  years.  He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  then  an  office  of  great 
importance  (practically  a  judgeship),  served  for  ma%[y  years,  and  was 
prominent  in  local  affairs,  being  a  man  of  intelligence  above  the  average. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  man  of  strictly  re- 
ligious life.    He  died  in  February,  1828. 

He  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Francis  Jordan,  of  Millerstown, 
who  died  in  1872.  Children :  Thomas,  died  at  Richfield,  Juniata  county, 
a  tannery  owner:  Lewis,  died  in  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  a  carpenter 
and  undertaker;  Caleb,  died  at  Atchison,  Kansas,  moving  west  at  an 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  585 

earl}'  day,  a  school  teacher;  Sarah,  married  a  Mr.  Postlethwaite,  of 
Alifflin  county;  Euphenia,  married  Philip  Strouse,  of  Mexico,  Juniata 
county;  Hannah  W. ;  James  (2),  of  whom  further;  Amos  J.,  died  at 
Atchison,  Kansas,  a  miller;  Rebecca,  married  Colonel  John  Bryner,  of 
Peoria,  Illinois;  Eliza  B.,  married  David  \\'itherow,  also  of  Peoria. 

(VII)  James  (2),  son  of  James  (i)  and  Rachel  (Jordan)  North, 
was  born  at  Thompsontown,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  6, 
1 81 9.  He  was  educated  in  subscription  schools,  earning  the  money 
himself  to  pay  for  his  tuition.  He  was  employed  by  Robert  Thompson 
at  light  work  on  the  farm  and  so  well  was  ;\Ir.  Thompson  pleased  with 
his  work  as  a  boy  that  he  gave  him  work  on  his  canal  boats.  pa_\ing  him 
five  dollars  monthly.  As  boy  and  young  man  he  was  frugal  and  ere 
long  was  himself  owner  and  captain  of  a  boat,  plying  the  waters  of  the 
canal.  In  January,  1836,  the  Thompsons  placed  him  in  charge  of  a 
branch  store  at  Newton  Hamilton,  where  he  worked  for  his  board  and 
clothing,  but  gaining  a  valuable  business  experience ;  then  for  a  few  years 
received  a  salary  of  one  hundred  dollars  yearly,  finally  was  admitted  as 
a  partner.  He  continued  in  business  until  1844,  when  his  partner  died 
and  the  business  was  closed  up.  Mr.  North  then  moved  to  a  tract  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  wild  land  in  Juniata  county,  the  patri- 
mony of  his  wife.  This  he  partly  cleared  and  worked  until  1847.  when 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  connected  with  the 
engineering  corps.  When  the  road  was  opened  he  was  appointed  agent 
at  Millerstown,  remaining  one  year.  He  was  then  transferred  to  Mif- 
flin Station  (Patterson),  where  he  was  freight  and  ticket  agent,  also 
agent  for  the  Adams  Express  Company.  When  the  telegraph  line  was 
extended  west  of  Plarrisburg,  he  was  the  assistant  of  H.  Jones  Brooks 
and  was  the  first  telegraph  operator  on  the  line.  During  the  early  ex- 
istence of  the  railroad,  in  order  to  win  business,  he  established  a  store 
and  purchased  all  products  of  the  region  brought  to  him,  including  poles, 
grain,  etc.,  dealing  also  in  coal  and  lumber.  He  was  the  instructor  in 
telegraphy  of  many  young  men,  some  of  whom  later  became  well  known 
and  prominent  operators.  Among  his  pupils  were:  David  Strouse.  who 
became  superintendent  of  the  military  telegraph  lines  of  the  L^nited  States 
government  under  Colonel  Thomas  A.  Scott,  and  D.  Homer  Bates,  later 
vice-president  of  the  Tradesman's  National  Bank  of  New  York.  Mr. 
North  remained  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  thirty-five 


586  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

years,  then  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Washington  S.  He 
was  a  prominent  factor  in  the  development  of  the  region  that  was  opened 
up  by  the  coming  of  the  railroad.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
town  of  Patterson  and  its  first  burgess,  served  on  the  borough  school 
board,  and  when  the  postofBce  was  established  in  1853  was  appointed 
postmaster,  holding  until  1861.  Until  the  year  i860,  Mr.  North  was  an 
active  ^^  hig,  but  with  the  passing  of  that  party  he  became  a  Democrat 
and  ever  afterward  supported  that  party.  In  1884  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  state  legislature,  and  later  was  a  clerk 
in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  the  commonwealth,  resigning  in  1895. 
He  was  also  one  of  the  early  bank  organizers  of  the  Juniata  Valley, 
assisting  in  1852  in  organizing  the  Lewistown  Bank  as  a  state  bank,  also 
serving  as  director.  He  was  associated  with  R.  M.  Spear  in  the  LTnion 
Bank  of  Huntingdon;  was  for  a  time  president  of  the  Juniata  Valley 
Bank  of  Mifflintown,  and  an  organizer,  also  director,  of  the  Farmer's 
Bank  of  Harrisburg.  He  was  also  a  large  owner  of  real  estate,  his 
holdings  at  one  time  totaling  sixteen  hundred  acres.  He  was  a  member 
and  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  many  years,  and  at  one 
time  was  active  in  the  Masonic  order.  He  died  in  1898,  aged  seventy- 
nine  years.  He  was  a  strong  character  and  an  important  factor  in  the 
development  and  progress  of  the  Juniata  Valley. 

He  married,  November  12,  1840,  Susanna  Matilda  Strouse,  who  died 
in  1896,  daughter  of  David  Strouse.  Children:  Caleb  C,  cashier  of 
the  Columbia  National  Bank  of  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Washington  S.,  of 
whom  further;  Rebecca,  married  P.  W.  Crider,  of  the  firm  of  Crider  & 
Jackson,  bankers  and  merchants  of  Bellefonte,  Pennsylvania;  Herman 
H.,  attorney-at-law  and  ex-member  of  the  legislature,  of  Bradford,  Penn- 
sylvania :  Mary  M.,  married  George  Jacobs,  whom  she  survives,  a  resi- 
dent of  Philadelphia. 

(VIII)  Washington  Strouse,  second  son  of  James  (2)  and  Susanna 
Matilda  (Strouse)  North,  was  born  in  Turbett  township,  Juniata  county, 
October  29,  1847.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  Port  Royal 
Academy  and  Eastman's  Business  College,  a  graduate  of  the  latter  in 
1865.  During  his  school  years  he  was  his  father's  assistant  in  the  ware- 
house at  Patterson,  and  after  graduation  returned,  and  until  1884  was  so 
employed.  In  the  latter  year  he  succeeded  his  father  as  station  agent 
at  Patterson,  for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  continuing  until  the  year 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  587 

1900 — a  period  of  service  as  boy  and  man,  with  the  railroad,  covering 
thirty-six  years,  thirty  of  which  he  was  his  father's  assistant,  but  vir- 
tually carrying  for  many  of  these  years  the  full  burden  of  responsibility 
of  the  agency.  He  had  kept  the  coal  and  lumber  business,  begun  in 
early  years  by  James  North,  in  operation  and  so  largely  had  the  business 
increased  that  in  1900  he  was  compelled  to  resign  his  railroad  position. 
He  has  since  devoted  himself  exclusively  to  this  and  his  other  private 
affairs.  His  coal  and  lumber  business  is  a  retail  one,  well  established 
and  prosperous.  He  is  president  of  the  Juniata  Company,  a  corporation 
formed  to  furnish  light  and  power  (electric)  to  the  towns  of  lliffim  and 
Mifflintown.  He  also  has  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres, 
which  he  operates,  a  part  of  the  estate  of  his  father,  who  prior  to  his 
death  had  disposed  of  all  of  his  sixteen  hundred  acres,  except  two  farms. 
Mr.  North  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  has  held  every  borough  office 
except  that  of  poor  director.  In  1893  he  was  elected  treasurer  of 
Juniata  county,  serving  three  years.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Presby- 
terian, as  is  his  wife. 

He  married,  January  19,  1869,  Olivia  Jacobs,  born  in  Juniata  county, 
died  December  24,  1907,  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  (Christy) 
Jacobs,  both  of  old  Juniata  Valley  families.  Children :  i.  James  Cloyd, 
now  his  father's  assistant  in  business;  he  married  Elizabeth  C.  GrubJj 
and  has  Olivia.  Elizabeth  and  James.  2.  Nellie  Olivia,  married  John  J. 
(2)  Patterson,  an  attorney-at-law  and  resides  at  Mifflintown;  children: 
John  J.  (3),  Lucretia  and  Olivia.  3.  Mary  Edith,  resides  at  the  family 
home  in  MifHin. 


The    Kaufifmans   of    Mifflintown,    Pennsylvania,   de- 

KAUFFMAN     scend  from  Jacob  Kaufifman,  of  Germany,  born  1737. 

whose  birth  date  is   found  written  in  a  "Book  of 

Martyrs'",  yet  treasured  as  an  heirloom  in  the  family.     Among  his  seven 

children  was  a  son  Jacob,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Jacob  (2).  son  of  Jacob  (i)  Kaufifman,  born  October  28,  1766, 
married  and  had  a  son  Jacob,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  Jacob  (3),  son  of  Jacob  (2)  Kauffman.  was  born  in  Juniata 
county.  Pennsylvania,  in  1798,  there  grew  to  manhood,  lived  and  died. 
After  his  marriage  he  purchased  a  partly  cleared  tract  of  one  hundred 
acres  in  Walker  township  which  he  finished  clearing  and  cultivated  until 


588  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

his  death.  He  built  a  good  residence  of  brick,  which  yet  stands  in  good 
condition,  and  a  large  barn  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  fall  of 
1888  and  rebuilt  in  1889.  He  married  Sarah  Anna  Kurtz,  also  born  in 
Juniata  county,  a  Mennonite.  Children:  Jonas,  of  whom  further; 
Phoebe,  married  David  Hertzler,  and  lived  at  Port  Royal,  Pennsyl- 
vania, both  deceased ;  Isaac,  a  lifelong  farmer  of  Walker  township,  his 
farm  lying  along  the  "pike",  married  and  both  deceased;  Sarah,  married 
John  Arnold,  and  moved  to  Michigan,  where  both  died ;  Kurtz,  deceased, 
was  a  farmer  near  Mifflintown;  Mary  and  Jacob,  died  in  infancy. 

(IV)  Jonas,  son  of  Jacob  (3)  and  Sarah  Anna  (Kurtz)  Kauffman, 
was  born  in  Walker  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1826, 
died  in  1898.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  farm  and  obtained  an 
education  in  the  public  schools.  After  reaching  man's  estate  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  business  in  his  native  neighborhood,  later  moving  to 
Logansport,  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  as  a  merchant.  After  the  death 
of  his  father  he  bought  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  and  became  the 
owner  of  the  homestead  farm  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death.  He 
was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  a  man  of  high  character,  a  member  of  the 
Mennonite  church  and  in  all  things  upright  and  conscientious.  He  was 
a  Republican  in  politics  and  served  as  collector  of  taxes  for  Walker 
township.  He  married,  in  1853,  Eliza,  daughter  of  David  and  Anna 
(Shellenberger)  Moist.  David  Moist  owned  a  fine  farm  in  his  native 
township  of  Fermanagh,  a  plain,  unassuming  and  good  man ;  a  member 
of  the  River  Brethren.  His  wife  Anna,  born  near  McAlisterville,  bore 
him  eight  children  and  died  at  the  great  age  of  ninety-six  years.  Chil- 
dren of  Jonas  and  Eliza  (Moist)  Kauffman:  i.  Harvey,  now  a  farmer 
of  Colorado,  unmarried.  2.  Banks  W.,  born  in  Walker  township,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania,  August  22,  1857;  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
and  until  1887  a  farmer;  he  then  became  a  salesman  of  agricultural  im- 
plements, later  of  musical  instruments  and  sewing  machines,  continuing 
until  1895,  when  he  organized  the  firm  of  Kauffman  S:  Harley  and  be- 
gan the  manufacture  of  carpets  in  Mifflintown,  where  he  is  now  success- 
fully established ;  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  ]Mary 
(Graybill)  Shelley,  of  Fayette  township,  and  has  children:  Rosie  May, 
Jonas  Boyd,  Ray  Shelley  and  Mary;  Banks  W.  Kauffman  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  3. 
Sarah  A.,  married  Dr.  Frank  Books  and  has:  Blanche,  married  Charles 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  589 

Alberti,  and  resides  in  Colorado;  Edwin,  married  Flossie  Bramble,  and 
also  lives  in  Colorado.  4.  Eliza  Jennie,  married  William  Harley,  asso- 
ciate judge  of  Juniata  county,  living  in  Mifflintown;  children:  Lola, 
Edna,  Harold.  5.  Lincoln,  manager  of  the  homestead  farm  where  he 
also  maintains  and  operates  a  dairy;  he  married  Annie  Kurtz,  daughter 
of  Abraham  and  Mary  (Bergy)  Kurtz,  of  Kurtz  Valley;  children: 
Ethel,  deceased ;  Lincoln,  Rosco,  Mary,  Kurtz,  Grace,  Nora,  George.  6. 
Mary  E.,  deceased;  married  Samuel  Hetrick  and  lived  in  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania;  two  children:  Hazel  and  Grace.  7.  Isabella,  married 
David  Seiber,  farmer,  and  resides  at  Locust  Run;  six  children:  Mildred, 
Edwin,  Banks,  Beulah,  Catherine,  Stanley. 


This  branch  of  the  Kyle  family  came  to  the  Juniata  Valley 
KYLE     from  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  Moses  Kyle  being  the 

first  settler.  He  was  one  of  a  family  of  eleven  born  in  Ly- 
coming county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  settled  in  Juniata  county 
where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  three  hundred  acres,  which  he  cleared 
and  cultivated.  On  his  farm  he  built  a  stone  house  in  which  his  chil- 
dren were  born.  His  wife  Sarah  bore  him  three  children:  John  Thomp- 
son, deceased,  a  lawyer  of  Princeton,  Illinois;  Watson,  died  in  infancy; 
James,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  James,  son  of  Moses  and  Sarah  Kyle,  was  born  in  Walker 
township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  purchased  his  brother's 
share  of  the  homestead  and  there  lived  his  entire  life.  He  sold  a  part  of 
the  original  tract  of  three  hundred  acres,  retaining  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  which  he  cultivated  successfully.  During  the  civil  war  he 
was  drafted  into  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  but  furnished 
a  substitute.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Mary  E.  Wike.  of 
Walker  township,  her  father  a  farmer  and  land  owner.  She  had  two 
sisters:  Elizabeth,  who  married  Joseph  Barker,  of  Altoona,  Pennsyl- 
vania: and  Rebecca,  who  married  Henry  Diven,  of  Harrisburg.  Chil- 
dren of  James  Kyle:  i.  Rebecca,  deceased;  married  G.  M.  Diven;  chil- 
dren :  William,  David  Kyle,  Mary.  2.  Clara  Belle,  died  aged  sixteen 
years.  3.  John  Thompson,  died  aged  eighteen  years.  4.  Annie,  deceased ; 
married  David  Sieber;  left  no  issue.  5.  Watson,  died  in  infancy.  6. 
James  William,  of  whom  further. 


590  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(III)  James  William,  son  of  James  and  Mary  E.  (Wike)  Kyle, 
was  born  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  Walker  township,  Juniata  county, 
Pennsylvania,  February  14,  1875.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  Airy  View  Academy.  Later  he  spent  two  years  in  Muncie,  Indiana, 
working  in  the  Malleable  Iron  Works.  Returning  home  he  purchased 
the  homestead  in  Walker  township,  where  he  yet  resides.  He  is  one  of 
the  successful  farmers  of  his  town;  has  remodeled  the  house;  added  new 
building  and  greatly  improved  the  property  in  many  ways.  He  conducts 
general  farming  operations  in  connection  with  stock  raising.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Kyle  is  a  Democrat  and  in  1909  was  elected  collector  of  taxes 
for  Walker  township  and  is  yet  in  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Presby- 
terian church. 

He  married,  January  20,  1897,  Mary  Elizabeth  Sieber,  born  Novem- 
ber 16,  1865,  in  Fayette  township,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  David 
and  Anna  Elizabeth  (Witmer)  Sieber,  both  old  Juniata  Valley  families. 
Children;  James;  William,  and  Doyle  Sieber  Kyle. 

(The  Sieber  Line). 

Mary  Elizabeth  (Sieber)  Kyle  was  born  November  16,  1865,  in 
Fayette  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  descendant  of  Chris- 
tian Sieber,  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1801,  came  to  Far- 
managh  township,  Juniata  county,  in  1813,  where  he  became  a  prosper- 
ous farmer. 

(II)  David,  eighth  of  the  thirteen  children  of  Christian  Sieber,  was 
born  in  Fermanagh  township,  January  13,  1824,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood.  He  married,  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  22, 
1848,  Anna  Elizabeth  Witmer  and  settled  in  Fayette  township,  where  he 
owned  the  John  Y.  Shelley  farm  near  McAlisterville.  This  he  sold,  again 
bought  and  sold  finally,  owning  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  one- 
half  mile  below  Mexico,  where  he  died  October  8,  1891.  His  wife  died 
May  22,  1889.  Both  were  members  of  the  Mennonite  church.  Children  : 
I.  Addison  R.,  born  March  10,  1850;  now  resides  in  Harrisburg.  2. 
Louisa  F.,  born  November  9,  1852;  resides  in  Mexico,  Pennsylvania, 
unmarried.  3.  Clara  Belle,  born  August  16,  1855;  married  Tunis  Vos- 
burg  and  resides  in  Mexico.  4.  Henry  O.,  born  May  i,  1858;  now  re- 
siding in  Mexico.     5.  Daughter,  born  in  April,  i860,  died  unnamed.     6. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  591 

David  C,  born  November  15,  1861 ;  resides  at  Locust  Run;  a  farmer. 

7.  Mary  E.,  born  November  16,   1865;  married  James  William  Kyle. 

8.  Banks  J.,  born  March  9,  1868,  died  aged  eighteen  months. 

(The   Witmer   Line). 

Anna  Elizabeth  Witmer,  born  January  16,  1827,  wife  of  David  Sieber 
and  mother  of  Mary  Elizabeth  (Sieber)  Kyle,  was  a  descendant  of  John 
Witmer,  born  in  Switzerland  in  1687,  arrived  in  Philadelphia  in  1716, 
and  settled  four  miles  west  of  the  present  city  of  Lancaster,  where  he 
died  in  January,  1728.  His  wife  Catherine,  born  in  1690,  died  in  1760. 
Their  first  two  children  were  born  in  Switzerland,  the  third  in  Pennsyl- 
vania:  Elizabeth,  born  1712;  Michael,  1714;  Barbara,  1717. 

(II)  Michael,  son  of  John  Witmer,  "the  emigrant",  died  in  1789. 
He  became  very  wealthy,  married  Anna  Long  and  left  each  of  his  five 
children  a  generous  property.  Children:  John,  born  1750,  died  18 17; 
Herman,  born  1753:  Abraham,  born  1756;  Anna,  born  1760,  died  1831 ; 
Mary,  born  1763,  died  1788. 

(III)  John,  eldest  son  of  Michael  and  Anna  (Long)  Witmer,  grew 
to  manhood  at  the  farm  near  Lancaster,  where  he  became  a  miller.  He 
early  came  to  Juniata  county,  where  he  built  a  mill  and  engraved  on  a 
stone  in  its  walls  the  date  of  its  erection.  He  owned  land  inherited  from 
his  father,  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna  river  in  what  is 
now  the  northeastern  corner  of  Juniata  county,  containing  two  hundred 
and  thirty-two  acres,  also  owning  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  Snyder 
county.  He  served  as  a  private  in  Captain  Philip  Beck's  company.  Third 
Battalion  Lancaster  Count}^  Militia  in  1781.  He  married  and  had  issue: 
Abraham,  born  1780,  died  in  1829 ;  Anna,  bom  in  1782  ;  Barbara,  born  in 
1784,  died  in  1828;  Fannie,  born  in  1786;  Henry,  born  in  1788,  died  in 
1866;  Jacob,  born  in  1790,  died  in  1847;  Mary,  born  in  1792,  died  in 
1829;  John,  born  in  1793,  died  in  1829;  Magdalene;  Elizabeth. 

From  the  revolutionary  soldier,  John  Witmer,  descended  Anna  Eliza- 
beth Witmer,  wife  of  David  Sieber  and  mother  of  Mary  Elizabeth  Sieber, 
wife  of  James  William  Kyle. 


This   name,    Schneider   in   German,   was   first    found   in 

SNYDER     Pennsylvania  in  official  lists  under  date  of  September  15. 

1728,  when  Matheis  and  Christian  landed  from  the  same 


592  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

ship,  coming-  from  Germany.  Under  the  anglicized  speUing,  Snyder  is 
found  on  lists  of  September  i8,  1727.  While  many  retain  the  German 
spelling,  the  form  Snyder  is  almost  as  freely  used,  although  in  the  lists 
of  those  landing  in  the  province  there  were  one  hundred  and  fifty-three 
Schneiders  and  but  thirty-seven  Snyders.  However,  this  proportion 
would  not  hold  good  in  latter  days.  The  founder  of  this  branch  was 
Anthony  Snyder,  who  was  born  at  Knippenburgh,  near  Oppenheim, 
Germany,  arrived  in  Pennsylvania  in  1748  and  settled  in  Lancaster. 

(I)  A  descendant  of  Anthony  was  Henry  Harrison  Snyder,  born 
in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  mar- 
ried Anna  Staley  born  in  Lancaster  county  of  Irish  parentage.  Among 
his  children  was  Jacob  S.,  mentioned  below. 

(II)  Jacob  S.,  son  of  Henry  Harrison  and  Anna  (Staley)  Snyder, 
was  born  in  Lancaster  county  in  1817,  died  in  1903.  He  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  later  became  an  undertaker  and  located  at  Reams- 
town,  Lancaster  county.  He  was  a  Lutheran  in  religion,  and  a  Republi- 
can in  politics.  He  married  Anna  Bridegam,  born  in  Lancaster  county 
in  181 5,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Sarah  Bridegam,  both  of  Lancaster 
county,  all  members  of  the  Reformed  church.  Children:  i.  Henry 
Harrison,  who  died  in  191 1,  aged  seventy-one  years.  He  was  a  lieuten- 
ant in  the  civil  war,  serving  from  the  first  call  to  the  final  surrender  in 
Company  L,  Seventh  Regiment  Cavalry,  and  once  for  a  term  of  five 
days  was  acting  captain  of  his  company.  2.  Jacob  A.,  died  in  1864,  one 
of  the  victims  of  the  Salisbury  (North  Carolina)  prison  pen,  after  hav- 
ing been  held  a  prisoner  at  Libby  Prison  in  Richmond.  He  was  a  private 
of  the  Fifty-fifth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  3.  Wil- 
liam F.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Anna,  married  John  Mumma,  of  Lancaster 
county.  5.  Sarah,  married  Charles  Tole,  of  Lancaster  City.  6.  Mary 
Elizabeth,  married  Scott  Groff,  of  Lancaster  county,  whom  she  survives. 
7.  Susan  Rebecca,  married  Charles  Witmeyer,  of  Lancaster  county. 

(III)  William  Franklin,  son  of  Jacob  S.  and  Anna  (Bridegam) 
Snyder,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  16, 
1845.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  a  suitable  age  went 
to  Tamaqua,  Pennsylvania,  to  learn  the  trade  of  chairmaker,  serving 
one  and  a  half  years,  then  enlisted,  although  his  term  had  not  expired. 
He  enlisted,  in  1863,  in  Company  E,  Twenty-seventh  Regiment  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  six  months,  then  returned  home  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  593 

for  a  time  again  worked  at  his  trade.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Captain 
A.  B.  Sanno's  independent  cavalry  company,  serving  one  hundred 
days,  receiving  honorable  discharge,  September  16,  1864.  On  September 
17,  or  the  next  day,  reenlisted  in  Company  I,  Ninth  Regiment  Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry,  for  one  year,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
was  with  Sherman  in  his  march  from  "Atlanta  to  the  sea"  and  witnessed 
the  surrender  of  General  Johnston's  army.  After  the  war  he  finished 
learning  his  trade  and  worked  in  Lancaster  until  1867,  then  located  in 
Mififlintown,  where  he  was  married  a  year  later.  In  January,  1868, 
he  began  the  manufacture  of  chairs  for  his  own  account,  his  father-in- 
law,  Mr.  Sandoe,  conducting  an  undertaking  establishment.  He  con- 
tinued thus  until  1878,  then  purchased  ]\Ir.  Sandoe's  interest  and  has 
since  conducted  the  undertaking  business  in  Mifflintown  alone,  selling  out 
his  chair  manufacturing  to  his  son,  D.  L.  Snyder,  in  1909.  He  con- 
tinued his  undertaking  business  imtil  February  i,  1913,  when  he  .sold 
that  department  to  his  son,  D.  L.  Snyder,  and  retired.  He  has  been 
very  successful  in  business,  built  a  fine  store  building  in  1909,  and  now 
lives  in  a  residence  he  erected  in  1901.  During  the  years  he  spent  in 
undertaking  he  conducted  the  funerals  of  three  thousand  one  hundred 
and  thirty-four  persons,  his  business  extending  over  a  large  expanse  of 
territory  surrounding  Mifflintown.  He  is  a  Progressive  in  politics  and 
has  served  as  member  of  the  borough  council.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  ilethodist  Episcopal  church,  Mr.  Snyder  having  been 
a  member  forty-seven  years,  active  and  useful.  He  belongs  to  .D.  H. 
Wilson  Post,  No.  134,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic;  has  been  an  Odd 
Fellow  for  forty-three  years,  first  joining  Lodge  No.  131,  now  a  mem- 
ber of  Lodge  No.  911.  He  has  filled  all  the  official  chairs  in  the  local 
lodge  and  in  1876  was  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, sitting  in  Philadelphia. 

He  married,  December  24,  1867,  Isabella,  daughter  of  Anthony 
Sandoe,  an  early  settler  in  Mifflintown.  locating  there  in  1840,  and  died 
in  1905:  he  married  Rebecca  Coder,  who  died  in  Mifflintown  in  1897. 
Anthony  Sandoe  was  in  the  undertaking  business  in  Mifflintown  until 
1878,  when  he  sold  out  to  his  son-in-law  William  F.  Snyder.  Children 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder:  i.  Rebecca,  born  1870;  married  Cooper 
Moorehead  of  Newport,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Isabella 
and  Miriam.     2.  Mary  E.,  Iwrn  1873;  married  William  Frasier.  of  Lin- 


594  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

coin,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  3.  David  Lewis,  born  August  11, 
1882;  now  his  father's  successor  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  busi- 
ness; married  Frances  Gouchenour  and  has  a  son,  William  Franklin  (2). 


For  nearly  one  hundred  years  the  Hayes  family  has  been 
HAYES     prominent  in  the  Kishacoquillas  valley,  the  original  settler 

in  this  branch  being  John  Hayes.  He  was  the  son  of  An- 
drew and  Jane  (Alcorn)  Hayes,  both  born  in  county  Armagh,  Ireland, 
who  prior  to  the  revolution  came  to  this  country,  settling  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Andrew  and  Jane  (Alcorn)  Hayes  had  nine 
children:  Robert,  Thomas,  Edward,  Andrew,  John,  of  whom  further; 
Frank,  William,  Henry,  Sarah  and  one  who  died  young. 

(II)  John,  son  of  Andrew  and  Jane  (Alcorn)  Hayes,  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  6,  1797.  He  grew  to  manhood 
in  his  native  county,  attended  the  public  schools,  worked  at  farming  and 
learned  the  plasterer's  trade,  serving  a  regular  apprenticeship.  He  fol- 
lowed his  trade  for  a  time  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  in  1824 
moved  to  Mifflin  county.  He  worked  in  that  county  for  thirty  years, 
becoming  well  known  as  a  master  of  his  trade  and  a  reliable  con- 
tractor. In  1854  he  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  resided,  and 
there  died,  March  14,  1888,  aged  ninety-one  years,  a  worthy,  respected 
citizen.  John  Hayes  married  Jane,  born  March  11,  1803.  daughter  of 
John  Alexander,  of  Scotch  parentage,  whose  ancestors  lived  in  the 
vicinity  of  Sterling,  Scotland,  She  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  died  January  10,  1883.  Children:  William, 
born  July  2,  1825,  died  in  1838;  Henry,  born  November  3,  1826:  John, 
of  whom  further;  Francis,  born  March  i,  1830,  died  in  1866;  Josiah, 
born  April  i,  1833  ;  Jane  Ann,  born  July  19,  1838,  died  in  1843  I  William 
James,  born  October  20,  1843,  ^  farmer,  married,  May  14,  1890,  Emily 
Bigelow. 

(III)  John  (2),  son  of  John  (i)  and  Jane  (Alexander)  Hayes,  was 
born  in  Brown  township,  Mifflin  county,  near  the  famous  "Logan 
Spring",  July  9,  1828,  died  at  his  home  three  and  a  half  miles  west  of 
Reedsville,  March  23,  1887.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  town- 
ship and  attended  the  public  schools,  remaining  there  until  the  age  of 
twenty- four  years.  In  1852  in  company  with  his  brother  Henry,  he  made 
a  journey  to  California,  via  the  Isthmus,  remaining  until  1839,  but  dur- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  595 

ing  that  period  made  a  visit  home.  In  1S59  he  returned  to  :\lililin  county, 
married  and  located  in  Reedsville,  where  he  owned  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-five  acres.  This  he  improved  by  the  addition  of  new 
buildings  and  there  carried  on  general  farming  until  1870.  He  then 
retired  to  a  small  tract  of  six  acres,  three  and  a  half  miles  west  of 
Reedsville.  where  in  1830  his  father,  John  (i)  Hayes,  had  built  a  home. 
There  John  (2)  Hayes  lived  until  his  death  in  1S87.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics  and  an  attendant  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  married  Rebecca  J.  Reed,  born  in  Brown  township,  Mififlin  county, 
March  5,  1838,  died  at  sea,  December  14,  1910,  while  returning  from 
Yokohoma,  Japan,  to  San  Francisco.  Her  body  was  returned  to  her 
native  town,  Reedsville,  where  she  and  her  husband  sleep  in  East  Kisha- 
coquillas  Presbyterian  Cemetery;  she  having  been  a  member  of  that 
church  all  her  life.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Abner  Reed  and  his  second 
wife,  Rhoda  McKinney,  and  granddaughter  of  James  and  Jane  (Ogleby) 
Reed.  James  Reed,  with  his  half-brother,  William  Brown,  were  the 
first  white  settlers  in  the  Kishacoquillas  valley.  Children  of  John  (2) 
and  Rebecca  J.  Hayes:  Jane  Alexander,  died  agen  ten  months;  Rhoda 
McKinney,  now  residing  in  Broom  township,  at  the  old  home;  J.  Frank; 
Abner  Reed,  now  an  attorney  of  Lewistown,  married  Lucy  Parker,  of 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  Ann  Williamson,  now  living  in  Oakland,  California. 


Harry   C.    Smith,   of   Lewistown,   Pennsylvania,   descends 
SMITH     from  a   family  that  has  long  been  established   in  Juniata 

Valley,  Pennsylvania.  For  several  generations  they  have 
been  numbered  among  the  most  progressive  citizens  of  the  valley,  and 
have  been  justly  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  public. 

(I)  Jacob  Smith,  the  grandfather  of  Harry  C.  Smith,  passed  his 
entire  business  life  in  Lewistown.  L-pon  the  completion  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania canal  as  far  west  as  Lewistown  in  1829,  and  then  to  the  foot 
of  the  Allegheny  Mountains  two  years  later,  among  other  young  men 
of  energy  and  enterprise  attracted  to  Lewistown  as  a  location  for  busi- 
ness were  the  twin  brothers,  Jacob  and  Henry  Smith,  who  came  to  the 
growing  borough  from  York,  Pennsylvania.  In  May,  1832,  they  estab- 
lished a  coachmaking  business,  making  a  specialty  of  coaches,  doctors' 
gigs.  Dearborn  wagons  and  sleighs.  The  business  thrived  wonderfully, 
and  the  firm  turned  out  the  best  line  of  goods  then  on  the  market  in 


596  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

that  region.  The  same  year  these  twins  and  partners  in  business  traveled 
back  to  York  together  on  a  special  errand,  as  is  learned  from  the  fol- 
lowing notice  copied  from  a  Lewistown  paper : 

"July  5,  1832,  at  York,  Pennsylvania,  by  Reverend  Mr.  Clough, 
Henry  Smith,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  to  Miss  Rachael  Fahs.  At 
the  same  time  and  place,  by  Reverend  Mr.  Zeigler,  Jacob  Smith,  of 
Lewistown,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  S.  Welsh,  of  York,  Penn." 

Arriving  in  Lewistown  with  their  brides  on  the  canal  packet-boat, 
business  and  family  afifairs  were  at  once  united,  Henry  taking  charge  of 
the  painting  and  leather  branch,  and  Jacob  of  the  wood  and  iron  work. 
The  location  of  the  business  was  the  site  of  the  present  home  of  Mrs. 
Maggie  McCoy,  widow  of  General  Thomas  F.  McCoy,  and  children, 
on  North  Main  street;  the  ground  in  front  now  occupied  by  the  resi- 
dence being  used  as  a  yard  for  vehicles  awaiting  repair.  The  wooden 
building  now  in  the  rear  part  of  the  McCoy  property  was  the  workshop, 
which  stood  on  a  line  with  the  alley.  This  property,  valuable  for  busi- 
ness or  residence  purposes,  was  owned  by  Jacob,  who  later  in  1841, 
erected  the  brick  residence,  which  at  that  time  was  considered  the  linest 
dwelling  in  the  town.  April  i,  1833,  by  mutual  consent,  the  firm  of 
Smith  Brothers  was  dissolved,  each  continuing  in  the  same  line  of  busi- 
ness for  himself.  A  few  years  later  Henry  moved  to  Huntingdon. 
Pennsvlvania  ;  later  returning  to  Lewistown  to  open  a  grocery  and  follow 
sign  painting.  Some  time  in  the  decade  of  the  forties  Jacob  Smith 
moved  from  his  former  location  on  North  Main  street  to  a  property 
he  purchased  a  few  doors  farther  north,  the  site  now  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Frank  E.  Mann.  Here  he  carried  on  coachmaking  until  the  summer  of 
1849,  when  he  sold  the  business  to  John  Clarke,  a  practical  coachmaker, 
who  soon  moved  the  plant  to  North  Brown  street,  near  Market,  where 
Henrv  Zerbe  was  associated  as  a  partner.  A  few  years  after  its  intro- 
duction into  this  country  Jacob  Smith  studied  and  took  up  the  discovery 
of  Daguerre  in  a  practical  way,  and  opened  the  first  permanent  gallery 
for  practising  the  art  of  "taking  pictures"  in  Lewistown.  He  erected 
a  large  building  for  the  purpose  adjoining  his  home  on  the  site  of  the 
Mann  residence,  spoken  of  above.  In  this  calling,  which  was  in  after 
years  superseded  by  photography,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  James 
W.  Smith,  who  for  many  years  was  the  leading  photographic  artist  in 
the  town.    To  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Susan  (Welsh)  Smith  were  born  twq 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  597 

children:  James  Welsh,  of  whom  further;  Emma  Jane,  who  died  Oc- 
tober 9,  1850,  at  the  age  of  seven  years  and  a  few  months.  Elizabeth 
Susan  (Welsh)  Smith  died  in  Lewistown,  November  19,  i860,  aged 
fifty-two  years,  one  month  and  twenty-five  days.  Jacob  Smith  married 
(second)  Margaret  Markley,  of  Lewistown.  February  19.  1863.  One 
daughter  was  the  fruit  of  this  union,  Matilda,  who  married  Grant  Bur- 
lew. 

(II)  James  Welsh,  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Susan  (Welsh)  Smith, 
was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  probably  in  1833,  ^^^^  Novem- 
ber 10,  1891.  He  married  Annie  Comfort,  daughter  of  an  old  Penn- 
sylvania family,  a  native  of  Lewistown.  He  succeeded  to  his  father's 
photographic  business  and  was  for  many  years  the  leading  photographer 
of  Lewistown.  He  possessed  the  true  artistic  instinct,  and  the  posing. 
of  his  subject  was  copied  universally.  He  was  a  civil  war  veteran,  serving 
his  country  faithfully  and  loyally  during  the  time  of  stress.  He  enlisted 
first  on  the  nine  months'  call.  July,  1862.  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 
first  Regiment.  Company  D,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  his  full  enlistment.  Being  honorably  discharged  he  returned 
to  Lewistown.  took  up  the  broken  threads  of  life  and  again  began  his 
photographic  work.  He  reenlisted  February  5,  1865,  in  Company  C, 
Eighteenth  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  musician,  to  serve 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  v.-as  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  at 
Nashville,  Tennessee.  Again  he  returned  home  to  reenter  the  photo- 
graphic business.  One  child  only  was  born  to  James  Welsh  and  Annie 
(Comfort)  Smith:  Harry  Comfort,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  Harry  Comfort,  son  of  James  Welsh  and  Annie  (Comfort) 
Smith,  was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania.  July  31.  1868.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lewistown  and  on  leaving  them  he 
engaged  as  clerk  for  a  firm  in  Pennfield.  Pennsylvania,  for  a  few  months. 
From  December  14,  1887.  to  July  6.  1904.  he  was  employed  by  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad.  Leaving  this  company  he  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Glass  Sand  Company  as  assistant  bookkeeper,  re- 
maining in  that  position  until  the  organization  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Pulverizing  Company,  an  affiliated  concern,  and  has  remained  with  this 
company  until  the  present  time  (1913).  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics 
and  served  one  term  as  clerk  of  the  city  council,  at  the  time  the  sewage 
system  and  the  present  system  of  arc  lights  were  installed.     He  is  a 


598  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  is  treasurer  of  the  same.     Mr. 
Smith  is  unmarried. 


Dyson  Fisher,  of  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  is  an  example 
FISHER  of  what  a  progressive  man,  though  foreign  born,  may  ac- 
complish in  the  United  States  by  close  application  and  a 
determination  to  succeed  in  business  in  whatever  line  he  may  choose. 
Born  in  England,  reared  in  the  conservative  manner  of  the  subjects 
of  that  country,  living  there  until  he  had  reached  adult  age,  he  came  to 
this  country  to  confront  new  ideals,  new  labor  conditions  and  a  foreign 
people.     That  he  succeeded  goes  without  saying. 

(I)  William  Fisher,  grandfather  of  Dyson  Fisher,  was  a  native 
of  Denby  Dale,  England.  He  was  a  farmer,  farming  the  land  as  his 
ancestors  had  done  before  him  for  countless  generations.  Children:  i. 
Luke,  of  whom  further.  2.  Seth,  lives  in  Denby  Dale.  3.  William,  lives 
in  Sheffield,  England.  4.  Ellen,  deceased.  5.  Christiana,  lives  in  Denbv 
Dale.     6.  Christopher,  lives  in  Bradford,  England. 

(II)  Luke,  oldest  son  of  William  Fisher,  of  Denby  Dale,  England, 
was  born  in  Denby  Dale,  and  there  grew  up  and  married  his  wife,  Marv 
Lockwood,  daughter  of  William  Lockwood,  a  farmer  and  native  of 
Denby  Dale.  W^illiam  Lockwood  had  children :  Ann.  a  widow,  living 
in  Denby  Dale;  Eliza;  Mary,  mother  of  Dyson  Fisher;  James.  After 
the  marriage  of  Luke  Fisher  and  Mary  Lockwood  they  moved  to  Brad- 
ford, England,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  textile  industry  and  fol- 
lowed that  until  his  death,  in  Bradford,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six.  His 
wife  died  in  Bradford,  aged  fifty-four.  He  was  a  Conservative  in  poli- 
tics and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  communicants  of  the  Church  of 
England.  Children:  i.  Walter,  died  in  1912,  in  England.  2.  Ellen, 
widow  of  Thomas  Pickard,  of  Bradford.  3.  Clara,  died  aged  twenty- 
one,  unmarried.  4.  Dyson,  of  whom  further.  5.  Albert,  died  aged 
seven. 

(III)  Dyson,  son  of  Luke  and  Mary  (Lockwood)  Fisher,  was  born 
in  Bradford,  England,  June  21,  1862.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Bradford.  On  leaving  school,  while  yet  a  youth, 
he  entered  the  Boiling  Iron  Works,  of  Bradford,  to  learn  steel  making, 
and  remained  with  the  company  for  nine  years.  In  1882  he  came  to 
the  United  States  imbued  with  tiie  idea  of  more  rapid  advancement  than 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  599 

he  could  hope  for  in  his  native  country.  He  located  at  Logan,  now 
Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  the  seat  of  the  Logan  Iron  &  Steel  Works, 
and  has  made  his  home  there  since.  He  at  once  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Standard  Steel  Works,  in  the  hammer  shop  department,  working 
with  a  vim  and  energy  for  which  he  is  known.  In  two  or  three  years 
he  entered  the  boring  mills  department,  in  which  department  he  has 
remained.  From  1894  until  1909  he  was  general  foreman  of  the  depart- 
ment. He  then  resigned  and  has  since  done  contracting  in  the  same 
department.  Through  thrift  and  business  acumen  he  has  been  able  to 
accumulate  a  nice  property  in  Burnham.  He  has  erected  a  large  double 
house,  one  side  of  which  serves  for  his  home,  while  the  other  he  .rents. 
He  has  become  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the  United  States;  is  a  Republi- 
can in  politics,  and  has  been  school  director  of  Derry  township.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  is  a  Knight  of 
Pythias  in  high  standing,  a  Knight  of  Malta,  and  a  member  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Lewistown;  Lewistown  Chapter,  Lewistown 
Commandery,  and  also  the  Harrisburg  Consistory  and  the  Harrisburg 
Council. 

He  married,  July  16,  1881,  Edith  Emily  Shackleton,  born  in  Brad- 
ford, England,  daughter  of  George  and  Dinah  Shackleton,  both  de- 
ceased ;  Mrs.  Fisher  is  also  deceased.  One  child,  a  daughter,  Minnie, 
married  Calvin  Crownover,  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  son 
of  Samuel  Irvin  Crownover.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calvin  Crownover  have  one 
son,   Dyson  Lockwood. 


The  Baker  family  came  to  the  Juniata  Valley  from  eastern 
BAKER     Pennsylvania,  settling  in  Union  county,  thence  to  Snyder 

county,  where  John  Baker  owned  a  small  farm  and  lived 
until  his  removal  with  his  son  Daniel  to  Mifflin  county.  There  he  died, 
September  29,  1871,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  three  months  and  nine 
days.  He  married  (second)  Margaret  Reitz,  who  bore  him  nine  chil- 
dren. By  a  first  wife  he  had  two,  and  by  a  third  wife  one  child.  Both 
John  and  Margaret  Baker  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church:  their 
children  were:  Daniel,  of  whom  further:  Frederick,  died  in  Mifflin 
county:  David,  died  in  Snyder  county;  John,  died  aged  twenty-one 
years:  Absalom,  died  aged  twenty-two  years;  Sophia,  married  George 
Roath  and  died  in  Iowa;  Sarah,  married  George  Harmon  and  died  in 


6oo  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Ohio;  Mary,  married  a  Mr.  Harpster  and  died  in  Iowa;  Elizabeth,  mar- 
ried Daniel  Freese  and  died  in  Michigan. 

(II)  Daniel,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Reitz)  Baker,  was  born  in 
Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  25,  1817,  died  in  Mifflin  county, 
December  24,  1881.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Snyder  county,  remaining 
on  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  when  he  moved  to  Mifflin  county,  settling 
first  in  Oliver  township.  He  remained  there  seven  years ;  then  moved 
to  Granville  township,  thence  to  Armagh  township,  finally  settling  in 
Derry  township,  where  in  1865  he  bought  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres. 
He  was  an  industrious,  upright  farmer,  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  but  later  in  life 
became  Presbyterians. 

Daniel  Baker  married,  January  2,  1841,  Susanna  Ritter,  who 
died  September  19,  1898,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  eight  months  and 
thirteen  days.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  Ritter.  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  German  descent,  a  farmer  and  land  owner  of  Snyder  county. 
He  married  Magdalena  Brouse,  who  bore  him  children :  Henry,  George, 
Jacob,  Samuel,  Sarah,  Sophia,  Kate,  Susanna  and  Mary.  Both  Henry 
and  Magdalena  Ritter  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Children 
of  Daniel  and  Susanna  (Ritter)  Baker:  Susanna,  died  voung;  Sophia,  de- 
ceased, married  William  R.  Treaster,  who  now  lives  in  Kansas ;  Sarah, 
deceased,  married  Joseph  Shirey,  of  Derry  township:  Joseph,  of  whom 
further ;  Catherine,  married  Andrew  Weader  and  lives  in  Snyder  county ; 
Martha,  died  in  infancy;  Mary  Margaret,  deceased,  married  Jacob  Rich- 
ards, a  minister  of  the  German  Baptist  church;  H.  Albert,  married  Sally 
VVorley  and  lives  in  Juniata  county. 

(III)  Joseph,  son  of  Daniel  and  Susanna  (Ritter)  Baker,  was  born 
in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  12,  1850.  He  was  three  years 
of  age  when  his  parents  moved  to  Mifflin  county,  where  he  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools.  He  remained  at  the  home  farm  with  his 
father  and  after  the  death  of  the  latter,  bought  out  the  other  heirs  and 
became  sole  owner  of  the  two  hundred-acre  farm  in  Derry  township. 
He  continued  there  a  successful  farmer  until  the  spring  of  1907,  when 
he  bought  a  small  tract  of  fourteen  acres  at  Vira  and  there  lives  retired 
from  active  labor,  but  cultivating  his  small  farm.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  served  as  supervisor  of  Derry  township  for  several  years. 
For  many  years  Mr.  Baker  has  been  a  pillar  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
holding  the  office  of  elder.     He  has  led  an  active,  useful  life  and  holds 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  6oi 

the  respect  of  his  community  as  an  honorable,  upright  man.  his  life 
being  one  of  usefulness. 

He  married,  November  17,  1870,  Mary  A.  Burkheimer,  born  July 
30,  1845,  iri  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane 
Ellen  (McKinney)  Burkheimer,  both  deceased.  John  Burkheimer,  a 
blacksmith,  was  born  in  Center  county  and  died  there  in  1846.  Ellen, 
his  widow,  married  (second)  William  Hawlk  and  died  in  1864  in  Mif- 
flin county,  also  her  native  county.  Children  of  John  Burkheimer:  One 
died  in  infancy;  William  L.,  an  attorney,  now  living  in  Kohoka,  Mis- 
souri; John  E.,  a  minister  of  the  Free  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  now 
living  in  Venango,  Pennsylvania;  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Joseph  Baker.  Chil- 
dren of  Joseph  and  Mary  A.  (Burkheimer)  Baker:  An  infant,  died  un- 
named; Mary  Margaret,  died  in  infancy;  Thomas  Vernor,  died  in  in- 
fancy; Elizabeth,  died  in  infancy;  Susanna  Frances,  living  at  home; 
Daniel  B.,  died  aged  four  years;  Nellie  J.,  married  William  Baker  and 
died  July  9,  1900. 


The  Kyle  family,  of  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  herein  re- 
KYLE  corded,  descends  from  John  Kyle,  who  came  to  Pennsylvania 
from  the  town  Lorrademore,  in  the  south  of  Ireland.  He 
located  in  Lancaster  county,  there  married  and  about  1775,  with  wife 
and  child,  came  on  horseback  to  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  locating  in 
what  is  now  Brown  township,  Mifflin  county.  He  warranted  about  four 
hundred  acres  of  land  on  which  he  built  a  cabin  at  the  foot  of  Back 
mountain,  where  he  cleared,  farmed  and  lived  until  his  death,  dividing 
his  property  between  his  sons.  Joseph  and  Crawford.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  Presbvterians.  organizers  and  charter  members  of  the  East 
Kishacoquillas  Presbyterian  Church  of  Reedsville.  His  wife  was  a 
Miss  Crawford,  who  bore  him  three  children:  i.  Margaret,  married 
Hamilton  Kyle  (not  a  relative),  who  died  in  Sun  King  Valley,  Blair 
county,  Pennsylvania;  she  died  in  Brown  township,  Mififiin  county;  their 
only  son  was  killed  by  a  kicking  horse,  while  a  young  man.  but  their  six 
daughters  all  married  and  have  many  descendants  in  Blair  county.  2. 
Crawford,  of  whom  further.  3.  Joseph,  born  1781,  inherited  the  east- 
ern half  of  the  homestead,  became  a  prosperous  farmer  and  a  prominent 
man  in  church  and  state.  He  served  in  many  township  and  county 
offices;  was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature  and  on  February  25,  1845, 


602  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

was  commissioned  associate  judge  of  Mifflin  county.  He  was  an  elder 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  of  upright,  manly  character.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Brisbin,  (second)  Jeannette  McFar- 
lane,  of  Armagh  township,  Mifflin  county.     Issue  by  both  wives. 

(II)  Crawford,  son  of  John  Kyle,  the  immigrant,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1774,  died  in  Brown  township,  March 
8,  1842.  He  inherited  the  west  half  of  the  homestead  farm  and  there 
lived,  labored  and  died,  prosperous  and  contented.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  man  held  in  high  esteem  for  his  up- 
right, industrious  life.  He  married  (first)  Mrs.  Ann  (Taylor)  Mc- 
Nitt,  (second)  Jane  (Mcllhenny)  Black.  Children  by  first  wife:  Mary, 
born  February  10,  1800;  Jane,  July  25,  1801  ;  John,  April  19,  1803; 
Joseph,  January,  1805,  died  young;  Rhoda,  April  22,  1809;  Margaret, 
February  i,  1812;  Samuel,  August  4,  1814;  Joseph,  of  whom  further; 
James,  October  24,  1818;  Jean;  Rhoda,  Samuel  and  Janie,  died  in  in- 
fancy.    Child  of  second  wife:  Matilda,  married  James  Wilson. 

(III)  Joseph,  son  of  Crawford  Kyle  and  his  first  wife,  Mrs.  Ann 
(Taylor-McNitt)  Kyle,  was  born  in  Brown  township,  Mit^in  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  12,  1816,  died  in  November,  1879.  He  was 
educated  in  the  subscription  school  of  his  locality  and  grew  to  man- 
hood, his  father's  farm  assistant.  After  the  death  of  the  latter  he  pur- 
chased the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  the  homestead  farm  and  became 
its  sole  owner.  There  he  passed  his  entire  life,  and  bequeathed  to  his 
son  the  farm  first  owned  by  his  grandfather  (1775),  and  now  by  the 
widow  of  his  son,  William  Barr  Kyle.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married,  April  17,  1843, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  (Davis)  Barr.  Children:  i. 
Crawford,  born  March  13,  1844,  died  August  12,  1845.  2.  William 
Barr,  of  whom  further.  3.  Allen  Taylor,  born  August  26,  1848,  died 
1889;  married  Elizabeth  Reed  Mitchell,  who  survives  him,  residing  on 
the  old  Mitchell  farm  in  Brown  township.  4.  Jennie  Elizabeth,  married 
Rev.  John  C.  Oliver,  formerly  of  Spruce  Creek,  Center  county,  now  of 
Irwin,  Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  William  Barr,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Barr)  Kyle,  was 
born  on  the  Brown  township  homestead,  July  14,  1846,  died  in  Reeds- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  October  31,  1909.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
school,  Kishacoquillas  Academy,  which  he  entered  when  he  was  fifteen 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  603 

years  of  age,  and  Tuscarora  Academy,  at  Academia,  Pennsylvania.  He 
grew  to  manhood  at  the  homestead,  which  was  his  home  until  his  mar- 
riage, after  which  he  worked  the  old  Norris  farm,  which  his  father  had 
purchased.  Six  years  later  he  moved  to  the  Kyle  homestead,  which  he 
purchased  after  the  death  of  his  brother  Allen  T.,  and  there  resided  until 
1903,  when  he  moved  to  Reedsville  and  lived  a  retired  life  until  his 
death  in  1909.  He  was  the  fourth  generation  to  own  and  cultivate  the 
homestead  farm  and  under  his  skillful  management  it  was  made  a  very 
productive  property.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  his  calling  and  used 
all  modern  aids  to  success.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  local  grange. 
Patrons  of  Husbandry;  a  faithful  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
from  1896  until  his  death,  and  was  an  elder  for  fourteen  years.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  willing  worker  in  any  enterprise  for  the 
betterment  of  his  community.  He  married,  December  19,  1876,  Mary 
Taylor,  born  November  13,  1845,  i"  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Rhoda  (Taylor)  Henry.  Children:  i.  A  son,  died  un- 
named. 2.  Rhoda  Taylor,  born  January  18,  1883;  educated  at  Wilson 
College,  and  resides  with  her  mother  in  Reedsville.  3.  Joseph  Reed, 
born  April  21,  1885,  died  August  23,  1902;  educated  at  Reedsville  high 
school. 

Mrs.  Mary  T.  (Henry)  Kyle  is  a  granddaughter  of  William  and 
Nancy  (Beatty)  Henry,  both  born  in  Londonderry,  Ireland,  coming  to 
America  in  1770  in  the  same  ship,  but  unmarried.  Three  brothers  of 
William  Henry  came  with  him,  this  family  being  related  to  the  Patrick 
Henry  family  of  Virginia.  One  brother  settled  in  the  west,  one  in  the 
south,  William  and  another  brother  locating  in  Lancaster  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. There  William  married,  and  about  1790  moved  to  Mifflin 
county,  where  he  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  Brown  township.  He  cleared 
and  improved  his  farm  and  there  resided  until  his  death  in  1822,  leaving 
a  widow  and  family.  He  was  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and 
a  man  of  excellent  character.  Children :  James,  died  aged  twenty  years ; 
John,  see  forward ;  William,  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  died  in  Brown 
township,  leaving  a  son  William;  Reljecca,  married  Abner  Reed  (see 
McNitt-Reed  family  sketch);  Margaret,  married  Rev.  James  Sterrett; 
Lily,  married  James  McFarlane ;  Francis,  never  married. 

John,  son  of  William  and  Nancy  (Beatty)  Henry,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  November   17,   1783,  and  was  a  boy  of 


6o4  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

about  seven  years  when  his  parents  came  to  Mifflin  county,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood  and,  April  29,  1824,  married  Rhoda  Taylor,  born  in 
Union  township,  Mifflin  county,  November  16,  1804.  They  settled  on 
a  nearby  farm  in  Brown  township,  which  he  purchased,  containing  about 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres,  where  they  resided  continuously 
until  death.  Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church ;  he  was  an 
influential  Democrat  and  associate  judge  of  Mifflin  county.  He  died 
November  17,  1867,  she  died  April  23,  1868.  They  had  thirteen  chil- 
dren: I.  James  Beatty,  died  in  Reedsville,  leaving  a  son,  John  Thomp- 
son, now  living  in  Birmingham,  Alabama.  2.  Samuel  Williamson,  died 
in  San  Francisco,  in  June,  1912.  3.  William,  died  in  infancy.  4.  John, 
deceased;  married  Rebecca  L.  Garver  and  left  a  daughter,  now  Mrs. 
Lee  Homer  McNitt.  5.  Francis,  died  July  i,  1889.  6.  William,  died  in 
South  America  in  1869.  7.  Davis,  now  residing  in  Reedsville.  8. 
Robert  P.,  died  in  Brown  township,  February  19,  1863.  9.  Elizabeth 
Davis,  died  in  1883 ;  married  General  John  P.  Taylor.  10.  Joseph,  died 
at  the  home  farm  in  1872.  11.  Nancy  Jane,  married  John  R.  Garver, 
and  lives  at  Kishacoquillas,  Pennsylvania.  12.  Mary  Taylor,  married 
William  Barr  Kyle,  whom  she  survives  a  resident  of  Reedsville  (see 
Kyle  IV).  13.  Rhoda  Garver,  married  William  H.  Taylor  and  resided 
near  Reedsville  until  her  death,  in  191 1. 

Rhoda  (Taylor)  Henry,  wife  of  John  Henry,  was  a  descendant  of 
Robert  Taylor,  who  was  the  original  owner  of  a  tract  of  about  three 
thousand  acres.  His  son,  Henry  Taylor,  married  Rhoda  Williamson,  of 
the  Cumberland  Valley,  Pennsylvania,  and  had  children :  Robert ;  Samuel 
W.,  see  forward ;  Matthew,  Henry,  Joseph,  David,  Marv.  Ann,  Jane  and 
Rhoda. 

Samuel  W.  Taylor  was  born  November  6,  1778.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  fuller  and  until  his  marriage  worked  in  his  father's  mills, 
commonly  known  as  Taylor's  Woolen  Mills.  After  marriage  he  began 
farming,  an  occupation  he  followed  all  his  after  active  years.  He  died 
aged  eighty-four  years.  He  married,  about  1802,  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Foster)  Davis;  she  died  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years.  Children:  i.  Rhoda,  born  November  16,  1804  (of  previous 
mention),  married  John  Henry.  2.  Catherine,  born  October  10,  i8c6, 
married  Francis  McClure.  3.  Henry  P.,  born  February  19.  1809.  4. 
John  D.,  born  November  17,  181 1.     5.  Samuel  W.  (2),  February  25, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  605 

1816.     6.  James  I.,  June  19,  1818.     7.  Robert  M.     8.  Elizabeth  Jane, 
married  Matthew  Taylor. 

Since  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Mary  T.  (Henry)  Kyle  has 
continued  her  residence  at  Reedsville,  where  she  is  attended  by  her  only 
child,  Miss  Rhoda  Taylor  Kyle.  Both  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  interested  in  the  church  and  social  life  of  their  town. 


The  Freed  family  was  founded  in  America  by  Paul  Freed, 
FREED     born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  emigrated  to  this  country  in 

1752,  settling  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  became 
a  large  landowner  and  left  a  posterity  of  hardy,  self-reliant  men,  who 
are  yet  found  in  Richland  and  Milford  townships,  besides  those  who 
have  gone  out  into  other  parts  of  the  state  and  nation. 

(II)  Jacob,  son  of  Paul  Freed,  became  a  landowner  and  prosperous 
farmer  of  Bucks  county,  married  and  left  male  issue. 

(III)  Abraham,  son  of  Jacob  Freed,  was  a  native  of  Bucks  county. 
later  settling  in  Freeburg,  Snyder  county,  where  he  partly  cleared  a  farm, 
on  which  he  resided  until  his  death.  He  and  all  his  brothers  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Mennonite  church,  that  having  been  the  family  religion  from 
the  first  generation.  He  married  and  reared  a  family  of  six  children, 
two  sons  and  four  daughters,  the  latter  intermarrying  with  the  Delp, 
Motz,  Miser  and  Schnee  families.  Abraham,  the  second  son,  lived  and 
died  on  the  old  Snyder  county  homestead. 

(IV)  Jacob,  eldest  son  of  Abraham  Freed,  was  born  in  Snyder 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  10,  181 1,  died  July  30,  1895.  He  grew  to 
manhood  at  the  homestead  farm,  married  in  1837,  then  moved  to  Bea- 
vertown,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  established  a  tannery,  continuing  in 
successful  business  for  many  years.  Finally  he  retired,  and  until  his 
death,  was  out  of  all  active  business.  He  was  also  a  landowner,  and  a 
stockholder  in  Selinsgrove  National  Bank.  He  was  a  Whig,  later  a  Re- 
publican, holding  several  township  offices.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  he  having  abandoned  the  Mennonite 
faith  of  his  fathers.  He  married,  in  1837,  Susan  Ritzman.  born  Sep- 
tember 22,  1822,  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  died  February  25, 
1893,  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  Ritzman,  early  settlers  at  Cramer, 
Snyder  county.  John  Ritzman  was  a  miller,  owning  his  own  mill  prop- 
erty, also  a  large  farm  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death.     He  had  si.x 


6o6  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

children,  all  except  Susan  and  Henry  moved  to  Ohio,  where  they  died. 
Children  of  Jacob  and  Susan  (Ritzman)  Freed:  Amelia,  born  Decem- 
ber 8,  1839,  married  Joseph  Dreese  and  resides  in  Dayton,  Ohio;  Henry,' 
born  March  i,  1843,  died  about  1889;  Edward,  born  March  i,  1844,  now 
living  retired  at  Beavertown,  Pennsylvania;  Mary,  born  January  i,  1847, 
married  Alfred  Smith  and  resides  in  Beavertown;  Jacob,  born  March  11, 
1849,  resides  at  Beavertown;  Nathan,  born  October  i,  185 1,  resides  at 
Burnham,  Pennsylvania;  Susan,  born  October  28,  1853,  married  Robert 
Feese,  whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Beavertown;  John,  born  Sep- 
tember 12,  1859,  resides  in  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania;  S.  Lincoln,  born 
February  7,  1861,  died  1912;  William  Ritzman,  of  whom  further;  two 
other  children  died  in  infancy. 

(V)  William  Ritzman,  twelfth  child  of  Jacob  and  Susan  (Ritzman) 
Freed,  was  born  in  Beavertown,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  25, 
1863.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  grew  to  manhood  at 
the  home  farm.  At  age  of  twenty  years  he  entered  mercantile  life  as 
clerk  in  a  general  store  continuing  eight  years.  He  thoroughly  mastered 
the  details  of  merchandising  and,  about  1891,  located  in  Siglerville,  where 
he  bought  out  a  general  store,  and  successfully  conducted  business  for  six 
years.  He  then  sold  out  and  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  acres  in  Mifflin  county,  which  he  cultivated  for  five  years.  He  then 
located  in  Lewistown,  where  he  established  a  general  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  the  corner  of  Pine  and  Shaw  streets,  where  he  has  a  good  store 
building,  well  stocked.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  belongs  to  the  Patri- 
otic Order  Sons  of  America  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
of  Milroy. 

He  married,  May  10,  1892,  Ellie  B.  Ingram,  born  in  Mifflin  county, 
daughter  of  Augustus  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Sigler)  Ingram,  and  grand- 
daughter of  James  and  Martha  (Cottle)  Ingram.  Elizabeth  Sigler  was  a 
daughter  of  George  (3)  and  Sarah  (Townsend)  Sigler,  and  a  grand- 
daughter of  George  (2)  Sigler,  born  in  New  Jersey,  February  17,  1762, 
came  to  Pennsylvania  with  his  father,  also  George  Sigler,  and  when  a 
boy  was  captured  by  the  Indians,  carried  to  Canada  and  held  in  cap- 
tivity for  over  a  year.  He  finally  returned  to  his  home,  married  and 
built  the  "stone  house"  in  which  his  son  George  lived,  a  prosperous  far- 
mer. 

A  complete  account  of  the  capture  and  captivity  of  George  Sigler 


^M^^C.£.£^' 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  607 

(2)    will    be    found    in    this    work.      Air.    and    Mrs.    Freed    have    no 
children. 


The  McKinleys  of  Ireland  descend   from  Mac  Duff, 
McKINLEY     Thane  of  Fife,  Scotland,  whose  killing  of  Macbeth, 
December  5,  1056,  formed  a  theme  for  Shakespeare's 
pen,  his  "Macbeth"  containing  the  oft  quoted  lines  : 

"Lay  on  Macduff, 
"And  damn'd  be  he  that  first  cries,  'Hold,  enough' !" 

Through  twenty-one  generations  in  Scotland  the  descent  traces  to 
Findlay,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Pinkie,  1547,  while  bearing  the  royal 
banner  of  Scotland.  He  had  four  sons,  who  took  the  name  of  Maclnla. 
In  the  twenty-sixth  generation  "James  the  Trooper"  settled  in  Ireland 
(1690)  and  was  the  ancestor  of  most  of  the  Irish  McKinleys.  His  son, 
David  McKinley,  "the  weaver",  born  about  1705,  came  to  America,  set- 
tling in  Chanceford  township,  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  prior  to  1745. 
From  him  sprang  the  McKinleys  of  York  county  and  the  Juniata  Valley, 
and  W^liam  McKinley,  twenty-fifth  president  of  the  United  States. 
From  York  this  branch  settled  in  Juniata  county,  where  the  grand- 
parents of  George  W.  McKinley,  of  Burnham,  lived  and  died. 

(II)  Alexander  McKinley,  was  born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  married  Mary  Meloy,  also  born  in  Juniata  county.  He 
was  reared  a  farmer  and  always  followed  that  occupation.  He  was  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  a  man  of  excellent  reputation.  Children : 
William,  deceased;  James,  deceased;  Mary,  died  in  infancy;  John,  died 
in  infancy;  George  W.,  of  whom  further;  Lucinda,  deceased;  Lemuel 
and  Samuel  B. 

(III)  George  W.,  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Meloy)  McKinley, 
was  born  in  Tuscarora  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  22, 
1833.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school,  and  earl}-  in  life  began 
learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  later  added  to  his  activities  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  plasterer's  trade.  In  connection  with  his  trades  he  followed 
farming,  and  on  March  17,  1886,  settled  on  a  farm  at  McVeytown, 
where  he  remained  four  years.  He  then  settled  in  Newtown,  where  for 
twelve  years  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Standard  Steel  Works  Com- 
pany.   He  is  now  living  retired  in  Newtown,  a  well  respected  citizen.    He 


6o8  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  for  five  years  served  as  assessor  of  Derry 
township.     In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Methodist. 

He  married,  in  1856,  Mary  E.  Logan,  born  in  Franklin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  near  Dry  Run,  June  22,  1844,  daughter  of  John  Logan, 
an  early  settler  of  Franklin  county.  Children:  Samuel,  Lottie,  Harry, 
Wilson,  Xettie  and  Jolin,  died  in  infanc}'. 


One  of  the  substantial,  honorable  families  of  Penn- 
PRETTYLEAF     sylvania  is  that  of  the  Prettyleaf,  to  which  belongs 
John    Calvin    Prettyleaf,    of    Lewistown,    Mifflin 
county.     The  original  immigrant  of  the  family  came  direct  from  Ger- 
many, landing  in  New  York  and  later  going  into  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  Jacob  Prettyleaf,  the  immigrant,  came  from  Germany,  year 
unknown,  with  the  hope  of  bettering  his  fortunes  in  a  new  and  repuljli- 
can  country.  He  settled  in  Derry  township  and  there  worked  as  a  day 
laborer,  knowing  little  English  and  willing  to  do  whatsoever  came  to 
his  hand.  He  married  Rebecca  Parcley,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  one  of  whom  was  William,  of 
whom  further.  Jacob  Prettyleaf  prospered  in  his  new  home  and  sur- 
roundings and  at  his  death  left  quite  a  good  estate.  He  was  a  Lutheran, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  interred  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery  at  Lewis- 
town. 

(II)  William,  son  of  Jacob  and  Rebecca  (Parcley)  Prettyleaf,  was 
born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1829,  and  grew  up  there.  He 
began  farming  immediately  on  leaving  school.  Later  he  purchased  thirty 
acres  of  land  just  without  the  borough  limits,  it  having  since  been  in- 
corporated, and  there  he  lived  and  died  in  1900.  He  was  a  Republican 
and  held  minor  local  ofifices  under  the  party.  He  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Elizabeth  Forsythe,  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1833,  died  in  1902,  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Mar- 
garet (Kane)  Forsythe;  Mr.  Forsythe  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to 
America  when  quite  young;  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  de- 
scending from  an  old  and  long-established  family  of  Pennsylvania;  he 
settled  first  in  Decatur  township  and  later  came  to  Mifflin;  they  were 
the  parents  of  seven  children.  Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prettyleaf:  i. 
John  Calvin,  of  whom  further.  2.  William,  was  killed  in  a  railroad  acci- 
dent in  1898.     3.  Sarah,  married  J.  P.  Bradford,  of  Ferguson  Valley. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  609 

4.  Martha,  married  James  Dunn.     5.   Mollie,  married  Joseph  Lighter, 
Hving  on  Valley  street,  Lewistown.     6.  Annie,  married  Rush  Russler. 

(III)  John  Calvin,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Forsythe)  Pretty- 
leaf,  was  born  in  Derry  township.  May  18,  1853.  He  received  his 
preparatory  education  in  the  Lewistown  public  school,  then  attended 
the  Lewistown  Academy,  finishing  at  the  local  Normal.  Leaving  school 
he  engaged  in  teaching  and  continued  at  that  vocation  for  twenty-two 
years,  during  which  time  he  built  up  a  notable  reputation  for  himself  as 
an  educator.  In  1900  he  gave  up  pedagogy  and  opened  a  grocery  store 
and  a  coal  yard  in  Lewistown,  since  which  time  he  has  devoted  him- 
self to  these  enterprises.  He  has  over  $10,000  invested  in  the  business 
and  employs  seven  clerks,  and  the  business  is  growing  by  leaps  and 
bounds.  He  owns  one  hundred  and  seventy  desirable  acres  within  the 
borough  limit,  which  is  also  increasing  in  value  with  each  year.  He  is 
a  Republican,  but  has  never  held  or  asked  for  office.  He  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  for  thirty  years,  ranking  high  in  its 
councils.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married,  in 
1878,  MaVtha  Martz,  daughter  of  Amos  and  Sarah  (Ort)  Martz.  Chil- 
dren: I.  Maurice  E.,  of  whom  further.  2.  John  Calvin  Jr.,  married 
Harriet  Bogenreif,  of  Mifflinburg,  Pennsylvania;  one  child,  Jean.  3. 
Grace,  married  Harry  Goss ;  two  children :  Mabel  and  Nerr  Bryson.  4. 
Sarah,  married  Charles  R.  Hoffmann. 

(IV)  Maurice  E.,  son  of  John  Calvin  and  Martha  (Martz)  Pretty- 
leaf,  was  born  November  7,  1878.  He  was  educated  in  the  Lewistown 
public,  high  school  and  academy.  For  eleven  years  he  and  his  brother, 
John  Calvin  Jr.,  assisted  their  father  in  the  mercantile  business,  Maurice 
E.  being  manager.  In  191 1  Maurice  E.  bought  a  store  on  South  Main 
street.  No.  102,  where  he  is  now  doing  a  remarkably  good  business.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  attends  the  Lutheran  church.  He  mar- 
ried, June  10,  1901,  Laura  J.  Paul,  of  Lewistown,  daughter  of  William 
Paul,  of  Lewistown.  They  have  two  children:  Maurice  Elbert  and 
Francis  Paul. 

Jacob  Martz,  grandfather  of  Martha  (Martz)  Prettyleaf,  came  from 
Germany  and  located  in  Pennsylvania  where  there  were  many  of  his 
countrymen.  He  was  the  father  of  several  children,  among  them  being 
Amos.  Amos  Martz,  son  of  Jacob  Martz,  was  born  in  1818,  in  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania.    He  married  Sarah  Ort,  who  was  also  of  German 


6io  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

descent.  Amos  was  a  carriage  maker,  and  later  moved  to  Lewistown 
where  he  established  himself  in  that  business  in  the  fifties,  conducting 
it  until  his  death  in  1881.  His  wife,  Sarah,  died  in  1906.  He  was  a 
Democrat,  and  they  were  both  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Chil- 
dren :  Alonzo,  Eliphas,  Cloyd,  Robert ;  Joseph,  deceased  ;  James ;  Mar- 
tha, married  John  Calvin  Prettyleaf,  in  1878. 


C.  S.  Brindel,  general  merchant,  established  in  Burn- 
BRINDEL     ham,  Pennsylvania,   in   1909,  descends   from  Abraham 

Brindel,  born  in  Germany.  He  settled  first  in  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  about  the  year  1800,  later  moved  to  Lancaster 
county,  subsequently  returned  to  Berks  county  where  he  died  at  an  ad- 
vanced age  near  Adamstown.  Children:  John,  of  whom  further; 
Daniel,  Isaac,  Elizabeth,  and  two  other  daughters. 

(II)  John,  son  of  Abraham  Brindel,  grew  to  manhood  in  Lancas- 
ter county,  Pennsylvania,  receiving  the  limited  schooling  allotted  the 
farmer  boy  of  that  day.  He  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  his  mar- 
riage, then  moved  to  Mifflin  county,  locating  in  what  is  now  Union 
township.  About  1825  he  bought  a  tract  of  wild  land,  built  a  log  house 
and  shop  and  began  working  at  his  trade  of  cooper.  Later  he  moved 
to  Belleville,  where  he  purchased  land  adjacent  to  the  present  hotel, 
erected  a  house  and  shop  and  there  successfully  followed  his  trade  until 
his  retirement  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death.  He  was  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  held  several  township  offices,  maintained  an  active  interest 
in  public  affairs  and  was  a  highly  esteemed  citizen.  He  was  a  faithful 
member  and  an  official  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  INIechanicsville,  a 
church  he  was  largely  instrumental  in  organizing.  He  died  in  1882,  aged 
about  eighty  years.  He  married  Mary  Umbarger,  born  in  1801,  died 
1885,  daughter  of  John  Umbarger.  Children:  i.  Cynthia,  accidentally 
drowned  aged  three  years.  2.  Catherine,  died  in  infancy.  3.  Benjamin, 
married  Nancy  Mateer,  and  died  August  24,  1896,  leaving  four  chil- 
dren. 4.  Richard,  born  July  17.  1829;  married  Catherine  Taylor;  eleven 
children.  5.  Josiah,  married  Sarah  Hafford :  five  children.  6.  John  W., 
of  whom  further.     7.  Mary  Elizabeth,  married  R.  E.  Wills. 

(III)  John  W.,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Umbarger)  Brindel,  was 
born  in  Union  township.  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1834,  now  re- 
siding in  Granville,  Pennsylvania.     He  spent  all  of  his  active  life  in 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  6ii 

agricultural  pursuits  and  now  lives  retired.  He  married  Nancy  Ritten- 
house,  who  died  in  1907.  Children:  i.  Elwood,  now  a  broker  in  New 
York  City.  2.  Mary,  died  1908;  married  George  Kimberly,  of  McVey- 
town,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Charles  S.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Jennie,  mar- 
ried Adam  Kauffman;  resides  in  Granville,  Pennsylvania.  5.  George, 
resides  at  Lewistown  Junction.  6.  Harry,  resides  at  Alexander,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 7.  William,  resides  in  Granville.  8.  John,  resides  in  Altoona. 
9.  Robert,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio.     10.  Warren,  of  Granville,  Pennsylvania. 

(IV)  Charles  S.,  son  of  John  W.  and  Nancy  (Rittenhouse)  Brindel, 
was  born  in  Mifflin,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  i,  1861. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  followed  farming  nine  years 
in  early  life,  then  five  years  as  a  steel  worker.  He  then  learned  the 
milling  business,  locating  at  Maitland,  Pennsylvania,  continuing  success- 
fully until  1909,  when  he  located  in  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
established  the  mercantile  business  of  C.  S.  Brindel.  He  owns  the 
building  which  he  occupies  and  is  well  established  in  a  profitable  business, 
handling#the  usual  stock  of  a  general  country  store.  Mr.  Brindel  is  a 
capable,  energetic,  honorable  business  man,  and  has  in  his  son  an  efficient 
clerk.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  in  Maitland  served  as  super- 
visor. He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
interested  in  all  good  works.  He  married  Mae  Howenstein,  born  in 
Newport,  Pennsylvania,  in  1867,  daughter  of  William  and  Lucy  Howen- 
stein, both  deceased. 

(V)  William  A.  H.,  only  child  of  Charles  S.  and  Mae  (Howenstein) 
Brindel,  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  near  Lewistown,  Sep- 
tember 25,  1889.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  of  Maitland, 
Pittsburgh  high  school  and  Dickinson  Seminary,  Williamsport.  In  1909 
he  entered  the  employ  of  his  father,  C.  S.  Brindel,  at  Burnham,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  is  so  connected  at  this  date  ( 1913).  He  is  a  young  man  of 
sterling  business  qualities  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  pertains 
to  the  welfare  of  his  town.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church;  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  187,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows; 
Kappa  Delta  Phi   (Dickinson).     He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 


The  Croziers  are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  their  ancestors 

CROZIER     early  settlers  in  Juniata  county,  where  Armstrong  Cro- 

zier  was  born.      He  grew   to   manhood   on   the   farm. 


6i2  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

learned  the  mason's  trade  and  was  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
seven  acres  of  improved  land  in  Beale  township.  He  was  also  a  pros- 
perous farmer.  He  was  inlluential  in  his  community,  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics and  held  the  olifice  of  supervisor.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married,  at  Lost  Creek,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Richard  Bell,  of  Fermanagh 
township.  She  died  at  Johnstown,  Beale  township,  Juniata  county,  sur- 
viving her  husband,  who  died  there  on  January  28,  1847.  Children: 
Melinda,  died  in  childhood;  Elizabeth,  married  William  Olds;  Benjamin 
F.,  of  whom  further;  James  H.,  moved  west;  Mary  C,  married  D.  B. 
McWilliams. 

(II)  Benjamin  F.,  son  of  Armstrong  and  Sarah  (Bell)  Crozier,  was 
born  in  Beale  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  25,  1834, 
died  October  13,  1904,  at  Walnut,  Pennsylvania.  He  worked  at  the 
home  farm  and  attended  public  school  until  his  father's  death,  when 
he  was  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  then  was  compelled  to  leave  school 
and,  as  the  eldest  son,  take,  as  far  as  possible,  the  management  of  the 
farm.  He  continued  at  home  until  i860,  when  he  bought  of  Calvin 
Stewart  a  farm  of  fifteen  acres  in  Beale  township.  He  improved  his 
purchase,  but  sold  the  following  year  and  returned  to  the  old  home- 
stead, continuing  until  1864,  when  he  moved  to  Johnstown  in  the  same 
township.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  he  enlisted  at  Harrisburg  in  Company 
E,  Xinth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  He  served  under  General 
Sherman  and  was  with  him  in  the  famous  march  from  "Atlanta  to  the 
Sea".  He  escaped  all  injury  and  was  only  confined  in  the  hospital  once 
and  that  for  only  a  few  days.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  then  returned  to  Beale  township  and,  purchasing  the 
Jacob  Doughman  farm,  resumed  agricultural  operations.  He  sold  his 
farm  a  few  years  later  and  located  in  the  village  of  Walnut,  Juniata 
county,  learned  the  saddler's  trade  and  established  there  a  harness  and 
hardware  making  business  that  he  successfully  conducted  until  his  retire- 
ment. In  i>S()o  lie  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  held  that 
office  until  his  death.  He  was  a  conscientious,  fair-minded  justice,  few 
appeals  ever  Ijeing  taken  from  his  decisions  and  none  were  ever  reversed. 
.\tter  the  appointment  of  his  son  as  postmaster  at  Walnut,  Mr.  Crozier 
acted  as  deputy  postmaster.  He  was  well  known  and  highly  respected 
wherever  known  and  was  held  in  universal  respect  and  honor.     He  was 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  613 

a  devoted  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  taught  a  class  in  the  Sun- 
day school  (Sunday  school  superintendent  undenominational)  a  line  of 
Christian  work  that  always  interested  him.  He  was  an  ardent  Democrat, 
taking  active  part  in  town  affairs.  He  was  a  faithful  son,  a  good  soldier, 
an  honest  official  and  an  upright  citizen. 

He  married,  in  Beale  township,  ]\Iarch  16,  1858,  Mary  A.,  daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Catherine  Fry,  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children.  She  was 
born  in  Millerstown,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  9,  1829,  died 
October  5,  1894.  She  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and 
beloved  by  all  for  her  piety  and  benevolence.  Children:  Nevin  P., 
moved  west;  Mowry  L.,  deceased,  of  Port  Royal,  Pennsylvania;  Benja- 
min F.,  of  whom  further. 

(Ill)  Benjamin  F.  (2),  son  of  Benjamin  F.  (i)  and  Mary  A.  (Fry) 
Crozier,  was  born  in  Beale  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  16,  1866.  He  obtained  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  at  Tuscarora  Academy.  He  taught  school  for  sometime :  was  then  a 
clerk,  later  a  traveling  salesman,  continuing  "on  the  road"  three  years. 
He  resided  in  Walnut,  and  during  President  Cleveland's  second  admin- 
istration was  appointed  postmaster  of  that  village,  his  father  acting  as 
deputy.  In  1900  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Standard  Steel  Works 
Company  as  timekeeper,  and  in  191 1  established  a  mercantile  business  at 
Burnham,  which  is  managed  by  his  son.  Mr.  Crozier  is  a  man  of  ability 
and  in  every  position  in  which  he  has  been  placed  has  acquitted  himself 
with  credit.  He  is  a  member  of  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  187.  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Lewistown  Eyrie,  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles; 
Lewistown  Lodge,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose;  and  Lewistown  Lodge  of 
Owls.  In  political  faith  he  is  a  Democrat.  His  residence  is  on  Fifth 
avenue,  Burnham,  which  he  owns,  and  he  has  now  under  construc- 
tion a  large  store  building  to  accommodate  his  growing  mercantile 
business. 

He  married,  in  1892,  Clara  D.  Showalter,  born  in  Berks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1861,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  Showalter,  the 
former  dying  in  Berks  county,  the  latter  in  Burnham  in  1904.  The  only 
child  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Clara  D.  Crozier  is:  Eldred  G.,  born  May  18, 
1893;  educated  in  the  public  schools,  graduate  of  Burnham  high  school, 
class  of  1910,  now  (1913)  manager  of  the  mercantile  business  estab- 
lished by  his  father  in  191 1. 


6 14  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  Mitchell  family  of  Pennsylvania,  of  which  Elder 
MITCHELL     C.   Mitchell,  of  Derry  township,  Mifflin  county,  is  a 

member,  has  long  been  prominent  in  that  section  of  the 
state,  and  is  accounted  one  of  the  most  solid  and  honorable  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The  first  member  of  the  family  to  come  from  England  was  probably 
Robert  Mitchell,  who  landed  in  Massachusetts  about  1664,  from  one 
of  the  small  and  infrequent  sailing  vessels  that  touched  the  shores  of 
the  New  World.  He  married  the  daughter  of  a  neighbor.  Daniel  Elliott, 
and  by  her  had  a  large  family.  His  sons  and  his  sons'  sons  wandered  to 
different  provinces,  one  of  them  at  least  eventually  making  his  home  in 
Pennsylvania.  That  they  did  their  patriotic  duty  by  their  country  dur- 
ing the  revolutionary  war  is  proven  by  the  roster  of  the  various  com- 
panies furnished  by  the  colonies.  Several  Mitchells  were  among  the 
soldiers  of  the  Sixtieth  Royal  Americans  who  fought  General  Montcalm, 
his  French  soldiers  and  Indian  allies  near  the  lakes.  Also  the  lists  of 
the  civil  war  veterans  show  that  the  Mitchell  family  was  well  repre- 
sented, both  north  and  south,  throughout  the  entire  time  of  the  historic 
struggle. 

(I)  William  Mitchell  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  in  Mifflin  county, 
settling  east  of  Milroy  or  Perrysville.  He  was  a  farmer  and  a  landed 
proprietor,  a  man  of  great  importance  in  that  section  of  the  state.  He 
was  known  far  and  wide  for  his  abundant  hospitality.  Among  his 
numerous  children  was  Samuel,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Samuel,  son  of  William  Mitchell,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm 
in  Mifflin  county,  near  Milroy.  He  was.  like  his  father,  a  farmer,  and 
was  an  extensive  land  owner.  He  was  for  years  prominent  in  the  social, 
religious  and  political  life  of  his  section.  He  married  Margaret  (Carna- 
han)  Hosey.  a  daughter  of  an  old  family  long  established  in  Westmore- 
land county.  She  was  the  widow  of  Daniel  Hosey,  and  settled  in  Mifflin 
county  with  him  after  their  marriage.  After  her  marriage  with  Samuel 
Mitchell  they  located  in  Derry  township  on  a  farm,  and  here  their  chil- 
dren were  born.  They  lived  quiet,  retired,  useful  lives,  were  good 
neighbors  and  friends,  always  generously  extending  a  helping  hand  to 
those  less  fortunate  than  themselves.  They  were  devout  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  Children,  i.  Rosanna,  born  July  10,  1812; 
married  William  Sigler;  moved  to  Ohio  and  there  died.     2.  William, 


THE  NEW  YOHK 

PUBLIC  UBRARY 


'fy^^^.^^^r// 


'  ^-lyi"-  Historical  Fub.  Co. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  615 

born  April  2,  1814,  died  aged  eighteen.  3.  Mary,  born  July  18,  1816; 
married  Robert  Stewart;  both  died  in  Derry  township.  4.  Samuel,  of 
whom  further.  5.  John  McDowell,  born  September  21,  182 1,  died 
August  2,  18S9,  in  Derry  township;  married  Martha  Sharp  McNitt,  of 
Siglerville,  who  still  survives  him ;  he  was  one  of  the  substantial  men 
of  the  township,  highly  respected  and  greatly  esteemed. 

(III)  Samuel  {2),  son  of  Samuel  (i)  and  Margaret  (Carnahan- 
Hosey)  Mitchell,  was  born  November  2,  18 18,  on  the  old  homestead 
in  Derry  township,  died  January  14,  1899.  He  married  Margaret  G. 
McNitt,  born  July  19,  1828,  a  member  of  an  old  and  important  family  of 
that  part  of  the  state.  She  died  June  26,  191 1.  After  marriage  they 
lived  on  the  Mitchell  homestead  in  Derry  township.  His  father  dying, 
he  and  his  brother,  John  McDowell,  purchased  the  interests  of  the  heirs, 
modernized  the  buildings,  erected  others  and  brought  the  land  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  liberally  supporting  it,  he  being  treasurer  of  the  same.  He  was 
a  Democrat  in  politics  and  served  as  poor  director  for  three  years, 
school  director  nine  years,  and  supervisor.  Children:  i.  Nancy,  mar- 
ried J.  S.  McNitt;  lives  near  Milroy.  2.  Mary,  married  (first)  Adam 
Koons,  of  Newville,  Pennsylvania;  (second)  A.  Brown  Cummins;  lives 
in  Lewistown  (1913).  3.  Elder  C,  of  whom  further.  4.  John  Brown, 
lives  at  19  East  Third  street,  Lewistown;  is  a  farmer  by  occupation; 
he  married  Rachel  Sterrett.  3.  Martha  Ellen,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
nine  months. 

(IV)  Elder  C.  son  of  Samuel  (2)  and  Margaret  G.  (McNitt) 
Mitchell,  was  born  on  an  adjoining  farm  to  his  present  residence  in 
Derry  township,  June  29,  1853.  He  was  given  all  the  educational  ad- 
vantages afforded  by  the  public  schools  of  the  township  and  Airy  View 
Academy,  and  was  reared  on  the  homestead.  On  leaving  school  he 
began  farming,  and  came  to  his  present  home,  the  one  adjoining  his 
father's,  to  be  with  an  uncle  and  aunt,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  McDowell 
Mitchell.  At  the  death  of  his  uncle  he  inherited,  co-jointly  with  his 
aunt,  the  farm.  His  aunt  is  still  living  with  her  husband's  nephew,  and 
is  one  of  the  brightest  of  women  for  her  advanced  years.  She  takes  a 
vivid  interest  in  things  outside  her  home  life  and  is  still  active  in 
social  and  religious  matters.  Mr.  Mitchell  does  general  farming  and 
stock  breeding.     He  organized  and  is  president  of  the  Dry  Valley  Tele- 


6i6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY 

phone  Company,  and  is  also  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the  Little  Valley 
Presbyterian  Church. 

He  married,  April  23,  1896,  Frances  Anna  Cummins,  born  January 
15,  1858,  at  McAlevys  Fort,  the  fourth  daughter  of  Sterrett  and  Agnes 
(McNitt)  Cummins,  of  an  old  and  distinguished  family,  whose  lineage 
runs  back  to  colonial  days.  One  son  has  been  born  to  Elder  C.  and 
Frances  Anna   (Cummins)   Mitchell,  Samuel  Cummins,  born  May  29, 

1897-  ^___^ 

Early  in  the  colonial  days  three  brothers  by  the  name  of 
STEWART     Stewart  came  from  Scotland  and  settled  in  America, 

William,  James  and  John.  One  at  least  of  these 
brothers  settled  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  had  a  son 
William,  born  in  Cumberland  county,  who  settled  in  the  Tuscarora  val- 
ley. He  took  up  land  on  Tuscarora  creek,  at  which  place  he  met  a  tragic 
death,  having  been  killed  by  the  Indians  while  searching  for  his  horses 
that  had  strayed.  From  him  came  Joseph  Stewart,  of  the  third  genera- 
tion, one  of  the  sturdy  pioneers  of  his  day,  an  energetic,  progressive 
man.  He  was  a  farmer  of  the  Big  Valley,  returning  late  in  life  and  set- 
tling at  Burnham,  in  Derry  township.  He  married  Sarah  Creswell,  and 
both  are  buried  in  the  Methodist  cemetery  at  Vira,  Pennsylvania.  Chil- 
dren:  I.  Robert,  born  in  the  Kishacoquillas  valley,  October  31,  1818, 
died  October  28,  1856;  married  Mary  Mitchell.  2.  Thomas  Miller,  of 
whom  further.  3.  Jane,  twin  of  Thomas  M.,  married  Peter  Webner.  4. 
Rebecca,  married  James  Riden.  5.  Mary,  married  Peter  Albright  and 
moved  to  Red  Cloud,  Nebraska  6.  Elijah,  married  Anna  Belle  Van 
Arden  and  moved  to  Red  Cloud,  where  he  died.  7.  Sarah,  married 
Isaac  Price.  8.  Ann,  married  John  McGee.  9.  Samuel,  married  Mary 
Albright,  and  lived  in  Yeagertown. 

(IV)  Thomas  Miller,  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Creswell)  Stewart, 
was  born  in  the  Kishacoquillas  valley,  near  Reedsville,  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  i,  1821,  and  died  in  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1908.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  attended  the  public 
school  and  early  in  life  began  work  at  the  iron  furnaces  in  Mifflin  and 
Center  counties.  Later  he  moved  to  Blair  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  worked  at  the  Bald  Eagle  Furnaces  until  1868,  then  returned  to 
Mifflin  county,  where  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  life.    He  was  a  Repub- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  617 

lican  in  politics  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church.  He  married  Ann  Taylor,  born  in  Center  county, 
Pennsylvania,  near  Stormstown,  May  2-],  1827,  died  at  Burnham,  June 
7,  1905.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Nathan  Taylor,  an  early  settler  of 
Cumberland  county,  who  died  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania.  Chil- 
dren of  Thomas  Miller  Stewart:  i.  Nathan,  of  whom  further.  2.  Joseph, 
born  October  18,  1850.  3.  Samuel,  January  28,  1852.  4.  Sarah,  No- 
vember 9,  1854.  5.  Robert,  December  i,  1856.  6.  Thomas  J.,  Novem- 
ber 14,  1859.  7.  Mary  E.,  October  18,  1861.  8.  William  T.,  November 
3,  1863.  9.  Lemuel,  December  14,  1865,  died  in  infancy.  10.  Henry, 
June  21,  1867,  deceased.  11.  Emma  A.,  January  27,  1870.  12.  Charles 
F.,  November  11,  1879. 

(V)  Nathan,  eldest  of  the  twelve  children  of  Thomas  Miller  and 
Ann  (Taylor)  Stewart,  was  born  at  Bald  Eagle  Furnaces.  Blair  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  5,  1848.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  lived 
in  Blair  county  until  1868,  when  the  family  returned  to  Mifflin  county. 
He  worked  at  the  iron  furnaces  in  Blair  county  and  on  January  i,  1872, 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Standard  Steel  Company  at  Burnham.  where 
he  is  yet  in  active  service.  He  thoroughly  understands  his  part  in  the 
manufacture  of  iron  and  steel  and  is  a  most  reliable  workman.  He 
built  his  present  residence  at  No.  107  Newton  street  in  188 1.  and  is 
now  serving  his  fourth  successive  term  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He 
joined  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  97,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
in  1872,  and  in  187 1  was  made  a  member  of  the  Juniata  Lodge,  No.  270, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  holding  membership  in  both  lodges  at  the  present 
date  (1913).  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  is  a  consistent  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  taken  active  part  in  the 
affairs  of  his  town  since  becoming  a  taxpayer  and  is  held  in  highest  re- 
spect by  his  townsmen. 

He  married,  October  26,  1871,  Elizabeth  Starr,  born  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  at  Spring  Grove  Forge,  April  3,  185 1,  daughter 
of  James  Winfield  and  Lydia  (Glass)  Starr,  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
came  to  Newtown,  Pennsylvania,  during  the  war,  where  both  died. 
He  was  a  farmer,  a  Democrat,  and  both  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  Their  children :  Elizabeth,  of  previous  mention :  Susan,  Ellen, 
John  Winfield;  George  W.,  deceased;  James  Buchanan;  Thomas  J.,  de- 
ceased; Mary  E.,  deceased;  and  two  who  died  in  infancy.     Children  of 


6i8  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA  VALLEY 

Nathan  and  Elizabeth  (Starr)  Stewart:  i.  Agnes,  deceased.  2.  James 
Thomas,  married  Jennie  Wilson;  no  issue.  3.  Nathan  Winfield,  married 
Minnie  Nearhoof :  children:  Frank  G.,  Ernest  R.,  James  R.,  Kenneth  W., 
Elizabeth  and  an  infant,  deceased.  4.  Beulah,  married  Owen  Swisher; 
children :  Nathan  Stewart,  lone  Grace.    5.  Nellie  Dawn.    6.  Susan  Starr. 


This  family  came  to  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  in  1862,  from 
STARR     Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  James  W.  Starr  was 

born  February  26,  1824.  He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life  and 
for  thirty-four  years  lived  in  Mifflin  county.  He  died  in  Burnham, 
September  8,  1896.  His  wife,  Lydia  Glass,  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  April  11,  1829,  died  in  Burnham  December  11,  1895. 
Children:  Elizabeth,  Susan,  Ellen,  John  W.,  George  VV.,  deceased; 
James  B.,  of  whom  further;  Thomas  J.,  deceased;  Mary  E.,  deceased; 
and  two  died  in  infancy.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  he  was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

James  B.,  son  of  James  W.  and  Lydia  (Glass)  Starr,  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county.  Pennsylvania,  at  Spring  Grove,  August  24,  1861.  One 
year  later  his  parents  moved  to  Burnham,  Mifflin  county;  his  early  life 
was  spent  on  the  Derry  township  farm,  and  his  education  obtained  in 
the  public  school.  He  entered  the  employ  of  the  Standard  Steel  Works 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  and  for  thirty-four  years  has  been  a  work- 
man in  the  hammer  shop  for  that  corporation,  a  record  of  faithful, 
continuous  service  hard  to  duplicate.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and 
in  religious  faith  a  Lutheran. 

He  married.  January  22,  1882,  Margaret  Shannon,  born  in  Tyrone, 
Pennsylvania.  September  20,  1868,  died  in  Burnham,  October  4,  1903. 
Children:  i.  Harry  Walter,  born  October  19,  1886:  married  Mollie 
Shirey;  no  children.  2.  Myra  Lorinda,  born  December  i,  1888,  died 
May  27,  1890.  3.  Hazel  May,  born  June  11,  1891 ;  married  Lloyd  W. 
Kell;  one  child.  James  J.  4.  Alfred  Clair,  October  3,  1894.  5.  Irma 
Elizabeth,  March   13,   1897. 


Two   brothers,    John   and   Christian   Fretz,    with    a   third 
FRETZ     brother  (name  unknown  and  who  died  on  the  voyage)  emi- 
grated from  near  the  city  of  Manheim,  in  the  Grand  Duchy 
of  Baden.  Germany,  formerly  known  as  the  Palatinate  or  Rhenish  Prus- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  619 

sia.  They  were  of  German  origin,  spoke  and  wrote  the  German  language, 
and  were  connected  with  a  distinctly  German  church,  the  Mennonite. 
They  probably  came  between  the  years  1710  and  1720,  although  the 
exact  date  is  not  known.  Christian  Fretz  settled  at  what  is  now  known 
as  Heaney's  run  in  Tinicum  township,  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  but 
where  John  settled  first  is  not  known.  He  is  first  found  definitely  lo- 
cated in  Plumstead.  now  Bedminster  township,  Bucks  county,  on  what 
is  yet  known  as  the  old  Fretz  homestead,  situated  about  one  mile  north- 
east of  Bedminsterville  and  yet  owned  in  the  Fretz  name.  This  home- 
stead, originally  containing  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  was  bought 
by  John  Fretz  in  1737  or  1738,  and  cost  him  one  hundred  and  six  pounds. 
It  was  improved,  but  on  all  sides  surrounded  by  wild  timber  land.  Here 
John  Fretz  lived  and  plied  his  trade,  weaving,  in  connection  with  farm- 
ing. He  was  known  as  "Weaver"  John,  and  little  is  known  of  him 
further  than  stated  and  the  additional  facts  following.  He  was  one  of 
the  committee  in  1741  to  form  the  new  township  of  Bedminster,  setting 
it  of?  from  Plumstead.  He  was  a  Mennonite  and  worshipped  at  the  old 
log  church  at  Deep  Run,  Bucks  county,  which  stood  for  a  full  century. 
He  died  in  1772,  his  will,  dated  January  29  of  that  year,  was  probated 
March  3,  following.  He  divided  his  property  between  his  wife  and 
children,  stipulating,  however,  that  his  son  Christian  should  have  the 
homestead  and  pay  therefor  eight  hundred  pounds,  which  indicates  that 
either  property  had  greatly  advanced  in  value,  or  that  large  additions 
had  been  made  to  its  area,  one  hundred  and  six  pounds  being  the  pur- 
chase price  in  1737.  "Weaver"  John  was  twice  married,  but  his  wives' 
surnames  have  not  been  preserved.  His  first  wife,  Barbara,  bore  him 
five  children;  his  second  wife,  Maria,  bore  him  three.  If  there  were 
other  children,  they  died  young.  Children  in  order  of  birth:  John, 
Jacob,  Christian,  Abraham.  Elizabeth,  Mark,  Henry,  of  whom  further; 
Barbara. 

(II)  Henry,  son  of  "Weaver"  John  Fretz  and  his  second  wife  Maria 
Fretz,  was  born  in  Bedminster.  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  November 
II,  1755.  and  died  there  May  30,  1831.  He  lived  on  a  farm  in  Bedmin- 
ster township,  three  miles  west  of  Bedminsterville,  later  owned  by  his 
son-in-law,  Joseph  Wister.  He  was  a  shoemaker  and  followed  his 
trade  in  connection  with  farming.  He  was  widely  known  as  "Shoe- 
maker" Henry  and  it  is  said  that  his  funeral  was  so  largely  attended 


620  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

that  several  calves  were  killed  and  prepared  for  the  funeral  dinner  and 
that  over  one  hundred  carriages  formed  the  funeral  procession.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Deep  Run  Mennonite  Church  and 
are  buried  in  the  churchyard.  He  married  Barbara  Oberholtzer,  born 
October  lo,  1757,  died  August  10,  1834.  Children:  i.  Mary,  died 
Ai)ril  10,  1827,  the  second  wife  of  William  Godshalk.  2.  Jacob,  died  in 
Ohio  without  issue.  3.  John,  of  whom  further.  4.  Mark,  married  a 
Miss  Wisner  and  left  issue.  5.  Esther,  born  October  19,  1790,  died 
March  28,  1865;  married  Christian  Cayman  and  left  issue.  6.  Henry, 
married  Susan  Godshalk.  7.  Jonas,  married  Elizabeth  Alderfer  and  left 
issue.  8.  Abraham,  born  May  19,  1793,  died  April  23,  1875;  married 
Susanna  Bergy;  he  was  a  regularly  ordained  minister  of  the  Mennonite 
church  and  from  1743  until  1775  faithfully  served  that  church.  10. 
David,  born  October  12,  1801,  died  August  5,  1869;  married  Mary 
Engleman;  no  male  issue. 

(III)  John,  son  of  "Shoemaker"  Henry  and  Barbara  (Oberholtzer) 
Fretz,  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  5,  1784,  died 
February  25,  1843.  ^^  was  a  farmer  and  drover  and  lived  on  a  farm 
on  the  Durham  road,  about  one  mile  north  of  Gardenville.  It  is  the 
"Old  homestead"  of  this  branch,  and  for  over  a  century  has  been  in 
the  Fretz  family.  He  and  his  family  were  members  of  the  Mennonite 
church  and  faithful  to  their  obligations.  He  married,  x\ugust  16,  1808, 
Susana  Haldeman,  born  February  2,  1783,  died  April  14,  1875,  aged 
ninety  years  two  months  and  twelve  days.  Children:  i.  Tobias,  born 
July  4,  1809,  married  Elizabeth  Overholt  and  left  two  sons.  2.  Henry, 
born  August  10,  1810,  married  Mary  Fretz  and  left  five  sons.  3.  Mary. 
4.  Jonas,  of  whom  further.  5.  John,  born  November  27.  1817,  married 
Sarah  Leatherman  and  had  six  sons.  6.  Elias,  born  June  i,  1820,  died 
.April  I,  1882;  married  (first)  Catherine  Gotwalls,  married  (second) 
I'lizabcth  Leatherman  and  left  three  sons  by  second  wife.  7.  Sarah, 
burn  January  4,  1826,  married  Daniel  Gotwalls  and  left  issue.  8.  Susan, 
born  August  20,  1828,  married  Thomas  Shelly. 

(IV)  Jonas,  son  of  John  and  Susana  (Haldeman)  Fretz,  was  born 
in  Bucks  county,  July  7,  1815.  He  was  a  merchant  of  North  Wales  and 
Lumlierville,  Pennsylvania,  for  many  years  and  a  large  land  owner.  He 
moved  from  Lumberville  to  North  Wales,  where  he  lived  a  retired  life. 
He  was  a  Mennonite  in  religion  and  a  most  capable  and  shrewd  live- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  621 

headed  business  man.  He  married,  September  28,  1841,  Mary  Ann 
Stover,  who  died  November  3,  1883,  a  descendant  of  an  old  Bucks 
county  family.  Children:  Amanda  C,  born  October  9,  1844,  married 
in  1875,  J.  Fennel  Berger,  a  merchant  at  North  Wales,  Pennsylvania; 
both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church;  children:  Mary  A.  and 
Henry  J.  2.  Harvey,  of  whom  further.  3.  Anna  Malinda,  born  De- 
cember 8,  1847,  died  March  16,  1852.  4.  Susanna,  born  March  13,  1855, 
died  March  23,  1855. 

(V)  Harvey,  son  of  Jonas  and  Mary  Ann  (Stover)  Fretz,  was  born 
in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  18,  1846,  died  in  Lahaska, 
Bucks  county.  He  was  educated,  grew  to  manhood,  and  married  in  Bucks 
county,  then  moved  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  a  manufacturer  of 
brooms,  brushes,  wooden  and  willow  ware.  His  factory  was  located  on 
Water  street,  but  later  at  No.  717  Second  street,  where  he  transacted  a 
large  and  profitable  business.  In  1902  he  retired  and  returned  to  his  na- 
tive county  where  he  died.  He  was  a  man  of  splendid  business  qualities, 
ranking  high  in  the  commercial  world.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married  in  1868,  Mary  P. 
Price,  who  survives  him,  a  resident  of  Abington,  Pennsylvania.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  John  N.  and  Christiana  (Polk)  Price,  old  residents 
of  Doylestown.  Pennsylvania,  and  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  Children:  Beatty,  died  in  the  Union  army;  Samuel,  of  Doyles- 
town, a  veteran  of  the  civil  war;  Edwin,  of  Doylestown,  a  veteran  of 
the  civil  war;  Sidney,  married  Joseph  Matthews;  Mary  P.,  widow  of 
Harvey  Fretz.  Children  of  Harvey  and  Mary  P.  (Price)  Fretz:  i. 
Christiana,  married  Harry  R.  Clinger  and  died  at  Milton,  Pennsylvania. 
2.  Jonas  Harvey,  of  whom  further.  3.  Edgar  B.,  now  residing  at  Abing- 
ton, Pennsylvania. 

(VI)  Jonas  Harvey,  eldest  son  of  Harvey  and  Mary  P.  (Price) 
Fretz,  was  born  at  Lumberville,  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  9, 
1871.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Philadelphia,  finishing 
in  the  high  school.  He  then  entered  his  father's  employ  and  for  several 
years  was  associated  with  him  in  the  Philadelphia  factory.  After  the 
death  of  his  father  he  took  a  course  at  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Em- 
balming and  then  spent  three  years  with  Oliver  H.  Bair  in  the  under- 
taking business. 

In  February,  1905,  he  located  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  as  assist- 


622  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

ant  to  \V.  H.  Felix,  the  local  undertaker  and  his  father-in-law.  After 
the  death  of  Mr.  Felix,  Mr.  Fretz  purchased  the  business  from  the  estate 
and  has  continued  it  successfully  until  the  present  date  (1913).  His 
mortuary  rooms  and  funeral  equipment  are  complete  and  modern  in 
every  detail,  and  Mr.  Fretz  is  thorough  master  of  the  embalmer's  art. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows;  Knights  of  Pythias;  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  x\merica,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  married  in  November,  1896,  Cartie,  daughter  of  W.  H.  and  Sarah 
(Robins)  Felix,  of  Lewistown.     Child:  Sarah  Felix. 


Otis  H.  Snook,  of  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  is  one  of  the 
SNOOK     live  business  men  of  the  town.     He  descends  from  English 
stock  that  was  first  planted  in  New  Jersey  and  which,  fol- 
lowing the  trend  of  the  times,  drifted  into  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  The  first  of  the  name  in  Pennsylvania  was  John  Snook,  who 
came  from  New  Jersey,  settled  west  of  Beaver  Springs,  in  Snyder 
county,  and  there  died.  Among  his  children  was  Phillip,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 

(II)  Phillip  Snook,  son  of  John  Snook,  of  New  Jersey,  was  born  in 
New  Jersey  and  reared  in  that  state,  and  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia. He  was  a  farmer  and  followed  that  vocation  until  his  death.  He 
was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
church.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Anthony  Peters,  an  early 
settler  in  Mifflin  county,  and  they  reared  a  large  family.  Children :  John 
P.,  deceased;  Jackson,  deceased;  William;  Amos,  deceased;  Joseph; 
Lydia,  deceased;  Sarah;  Mary,  deceased;  Edward,  of  whom  further; 
Isaac,  deceased ;  Wilson,  deceased ;  Francis,  deceased. 

(III)  Edward,  son  of  Phillip  and  Elizabeth  (Peters)  Snook,  was 
born  February  22,  1848,  in  Mifflin  county.  He  was  brought  up  on  the 
farm  and  educated  in  New  Lancaster,  Mifflin  county.  When  eighteen 
years  old  he  moved  to  St.  Joseph  county,  Michigan,  where  he  entered 
school  in  Colon  township.  He  returned  to  Mifflin  county  for  a  short 
time,  then  went  again  to  Michigan,  where  he  worked  for  Eli  Wagner,  on 
his  farm,  and  for  Richards  &  Shearer  in  their  stove  plant.  He  then  went 
to  Kent  county  for  a  short  time,  and  again  returned  to  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania.     Six  years  after  his  marriage  he  moved  to  St.  Joseph 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  623 

county,  Michigan,  and  located  at  Colon,  where  he  remained  eight  years. 
He  returned  to  Mifflin  county  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  and  farmed 
with  great  success  until  1905,  when  he  established  a  meat  market  and 
butcher's  business  in  Reedsville,  where  he  has  since  remained,  and  where 
he  has  accumulated  property.  In  1871  he  married  Emma  L.  Worrell,  of 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Catherine 
Worrell,  who  came  from  Chester  county  to  Mifflin  county  in  the  sixties 
and  settled  at  Mt.  Rock.  Mrs.  Snook  died  January  5,  1912.  Children: 
Orville  C,  Elizabeth,  Mary;  Otis  H.,  of  whom  further;  Belle,  Effie, 
Anna,  Grace,  Frank. 

(IV)  Otis  H.,  son  of  Edward  and  Emma  L.  (Worrell)  Snook,  was 
born  August  31,  1876,  in  Anna  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  in  the  townships  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Michigan,  and  in  the  towns  in  which  his  parents  lived  during  his 
school  days.  He  became  associated  in  1905  with  his  father  in  the  meat 
business  in  Reedsville,  and  has  succeeded  in  establishing  a  remunerative 
patronage.  He  married,  June  23,  1903,  Laura  Catherine  Fisher,  born  in 
Mifflin  county,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Herman  Fisher,  a  former  well- 
known  citizen  of  the  county.  Children:  i.  Edward,  born  March  12, 
1904.  2.  Otis  Reed,  born  February  23,  1907.  3.  Franklin  Worrell,  born 
August  29,  191 1. 


The  first  representative  of  this  family  in  Belleville  was  Wil- 
UTTS     son  S.   ( i )   Utts,  who  came  when  a  young  man.     He  was 

born  in  1822,  died  1871.  He  was  a  tinner  by  trade,  and  in 
Belleville  erected  a  suitable  building  and  established  a  hardware  store 
that  he  successfully  conducted  until  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of  enter- 
prise, a  good  workman  and  prosecuted  his  tinning  and  hardware 
business  with  vigor.  In  political  faith  he  was  a  Republican,  in  religion  a 
Presbyterian.  He  married  Margaret  Hampson,  born  in  Huntingdon 
county  in  1826,  died  in  Belleville  in  1871.  Children:  Sylvester,  de- 
ceased; Hampson,  deceased;  Ella,  deceased;  Milford;  Warner;  Nettie, 
deceased;  Thomas,  deceased;  Ollie ;  Margaret;  Wilson  S.,  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  Wilson  S.  (2).  youngest  child  of  Wilson  S.  (i)  and  Margaret 
(Hampson)  Utts,  was  born  in  Belleville,  Pennsylvania,  April  13,  1867. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  and  learned  the  tinner's  trade  with  his 
brother  Hampson,  who  succeeded  their  father  in  business.     Hampson 


624  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA  VALLEY 

Utts  died  March  30,  19 12,  but  for  eight  years  prior  to  his  death  had  re- 
tired from  business.  In  1905  l:e  sold  out  to  Wilson  S.  Utts,  who  still 
conducts  a  tinning  and  hardware  business  in  the  same  store  erected  by 
his  father.  He  also  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  homestead,  and 
has  prospered  in  all  his  undertakings.  He  thoroughly  understands  the 
technical  detail  of  his  business,  is  a  master  workman  and  a  capable,  hon- 
orable business  man.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  of  Belleville  Lodge,  No.  302,  Independent  Or- 
der of  Odd  Fellows. 

Air.  L'tts  married,  April  i,  1892,  Olive  Finkle,  of  Belleville,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  JNIargaret  Finkle. 


Thomas  Jefferson  White,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  de- 

WHITE     scends  from  the  English  family  of  the  same  name  that  for 

centuries  has  lived  in  the  south  of  England.     The  first  of 

the  name  to  reach  the  shores  of  the  New  World  was  Andrew,  who  was 

among  the  passengers  of  the  "Planter"  in  1674.     He  located  in  New 

Hampshire,  and  his  sons  and  sons'  sons  drifted  into  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  Joseph  White,  the  first  of  the  name  of  whom  the  Pennsylvania 
branch  have  any  definite  record,  was  a  native  of  Chester  county.  He 
married  Mary  Faddis,  also  of  an  old  English  family.  He  was  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  and  an  inventor.  He  invented  the  old  iron  bar  plow- 
share, and  for  many  years  he  and  his  sons  manufactured  them  by  hand. 
At  his  death  his  sons  continued  in  the  business,  though  not  as  a  company. 
He  was  a  staunch  Whig,  always  voting  with  that  party,  and  died  aljout 
1852.  Children:  George  Washington,  of  whom  further;  Jefferson,  Re- 
becca, James,  Joseph,  Isaac,  Lewis,  Hannah,  John,  Robert ;  all  of  them 
are  dead. 

(II  j  George  Washington,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Faddis)  White, 
was  born  in  Chester  county,  in  1804,  died  in  1874,  in  Pennsylvania.  His 
education  was  gained  in  the  common  schools  of  Chester  countv.  He  en- 
gaged with  his  father  in  the  smithy  and  assisted  him  in  the  manufactur- 
ing of  plows.  He  lived  near  Downingtown,  Pennsylvania,  very  nearly 
all  of  his  adult  life.     He  was  first  a  Whig,  and  afterward  a  Republican. 

Like  the  rest  of  his  family,  he  was  reared  a  Quaker,  while  his  wife 
was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  married  Esther  A.  Richardson, 
daughter  of  a  neighboring  farmer.     Children:     i.  Joseph,  deceased.     2. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  625 

Julia  Ann,  wife  of  James  Miller,  of  Coatesville,  Chester  county.  3. 
James,  was  a  civil  war  veteran.  He,  with  two  brothers,  were  members 
of  the  I92d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  after  serving  four 
months  he  was  discharged.  James  had  previously  served  as  first  sergeant 
in  the  49th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  4.  Lewis,  was  also  in  the 
civil  war.  He  was  in  Carlisle  when  the  barracks  were  burned,  and  was 
dispatch  carrier.  He  lives  in  Parkersburg,  Chester  county.  5.  Isaac 
was  a  member  of  the  I92d  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  6.  Thomas 
Jefferson,  of  whom  further.  7.  Rebecca,  deceased.  8.  Susannah,  de- 
ceased. 9.  Mary  E.,  living  in  Pennsylvania.  10.  Ella,  married  Frank 
Bernard,  of  Chester  county. 

(Ill)  Thomas  Jefferson,  son  of  George  W.  and  Esther  A.  (Richard- 
son) White,  was  born  September  17,  1848,  in  Chester  county,  near 
Downingtown.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  after 
which,  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  by  working  in  the  smithy  of  his 
father.  He  remained  here  one  year,  then  went  to  Downingtown,  where 
he  stayed  a  year :  from  thence  moved  to  Newport,  Pennsylvania,  and 
then  to  Decatur,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  over  two  years.  He  then 
went  back  to  Newport,  Pennsylvania,  and  purchased  the  blacksmith  shop 
of  his  former  employer,  and  ran  it  for  twenty  years.  In  1898  he  moved 
to  Lewistown,  and  established  a  coach  manufacturing  plant  in  partner- 
ship with  J.  H.  Zinn.  In  1904  he  sold  his  half  interest  to  Mr.  Zinn,  and 
engaged  with  the  Standard  Steel  Company.  He  owns  three  houses  on 
Montgomery  avenue,  and  lives  in  his  own  home  on  Depot  street.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  I92d  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  served  four  months.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Colonel  Huling  Post,  No.  176,  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public. 

He  married,  June  29,  1872,  Eliza  Ann  Bair,  born  November  15,  1847, 
in  Buck's  Valley.  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Eliza  (Baskin)  Bair.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church.  Children:  i.  Carrie  Gertrude,  born  August  29, 
1873,  died  April  27,  1895  ;  married  Paul  Rider  Hombach.  2.  Mary  Ella, 
born  March  4,  1875;  married  Elmer  Ulsh.  3.,  4.  and  5.  Fannie  L., 
Annie  L.  and  Laura  (triplets),  born  .^pril  11,  1877,  and  died  in  infancy. 

Jacob  Bair,  father  of  Eliza  Ann  (Bair)  White,  was  born  in  Buck's 
Valley,  Perry  county,  September  29,  1823.    He  married,  August  8,  1844, 


626  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Eliza  Baskin,  born  August  lo,  1825,  also  in  Perry  county.  He  died  in 
July,  1876,  and  his  wife  died  in  March,  1905.  They  were  among  the 
old  and  highly  respected  residents  of  that  section.  Children:  i.  Sarah 
Jane.  2.  Eliza  Ann,  wife  of  Thomas  Jefiferson  White  (see  White  III). 
3.  Catherine  Louisa.  4-  Lucy  Elizabeth.  5.  Margaret  Lucinda.  6. 
Jacob  Resler.  7.  Samuel  Elias.  8.  Agnes  Minerva.  9.  Clara  Cecilia. 
10.  Mary  Ellen. 

The  earliest  record  found  of  this  Laub  family  is  of  Jacob 
LAUB  Laub,  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  soldier  of  the 
civil  war,  who  died  in  the  service,  then  past  the  age  of  usual 
military  service.  Three  of  his  sons  also  served  in  the  Union  army  with 
their  father:  George,  killed  at  Antietam :  Jacob,  who  now  resides  in 
Shasta  county,  California;  and  Henry  Harrison,  of  whom  further. 
Jacob  married  Elizabeth  Dietrich,  also  born  in  Lancaster  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Dietrich,  who  in  1844  came  by  packet  on  the  canal  to 
Thompson's  Lock,  near  Thompsontown,  Juniata  county,  and  there  set- 
tled. The  Laubs  had  also  moved  from  Lancaster  county,  and  near  by 
the  great-grandfather  of  Henry  H.  Laub,  Jacob  Dietrich,  had  a  mill.  It 
was  also  from  Juniata  county  that  Jacob  Laub  enlisted,  although  he  met 
and  married  Elizabeth  Dietrich  in  Lancaster  county. 

(II)  Henry  Harrison,  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Dietrich)  Laub, 
was  born  in  Hinkleton,  near  New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  10.  1840.  He  was  quite  young  when  his  parents  moved 
to  Juniata  county,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  at 
McAlisterville  Academy.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  was  a 
successful  contractor  of  Snyder  county  until  about  1885,  when  he  became 
a  fruit  farmer  of  Snyder  county.  He  had  been  a  resident  of  that  county 
from  about  i860,  going  there  with  the  intention  of  teaching  school,  but 
giving  up  that  profession  and  enlisting  in  April,  1862,  in  Company  H, 
149th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  serving  three  years  and  re- 
ceiving honorable  discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war.  At  the  battle  of 
Antietam  he  was  wounded,  but  soon  recovered  and  rejoined  his  regi- 
ment. He  then  returned  to  Snyder,  where  he  is  engaged  in  fruit  farm- 
ing. He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
church.  He  married  Louisa  Shout,  born  at  Beaver  Springs,  Snyder 
county,  February  26,  1844,  died  in  December,  1910,  daughter  of  Adam 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  627 

and  Sarah  (Howell)  Shout;  Adam  Shout  was  a  cooper  of  Snyder 
county,  combining  light  farming;  owning  a  good  farm  three  miles  west 
of  Beaver  Springs,  where  both  he  and  his  wife  died.  Sarah  Howell, 
wife  of  Adam  Shout,  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Howell,  of  Beavertown, 
Snyder  county,  who  died  there  aged  eighty  years.  Children  of  Henry 
Harrison  Laub:  Henry  Harrison  (2),  of  whom  further;  Sarah  Jane, 
George  Albert,  Jacob  Adam,  twin  of  George  A. ;  Elizabeth  Isophine  and 
Grace. 

(Ill)  Henry  Harrison  Jr..  eldest  son  of  Henry  Harrison  and  Louisa 
(Shout)  Laub,  was  born  at  Beaver  Springs,  West  Beaver  township,  Sny- 
der county,  Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1862.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  early  in  life  learned  telegraphy.  He  became  thor- 
oughly proficient,  and  on  March  23,  1883,  was  appointed  operator  at  Mc- 
Clure,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  continued  there  until  Decem- 
ber 26,  1884,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  re- 
maining there  until  February,  1 886  ;  three  months  later  he  was  appointed 
operator  and  clerk  in  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  station  at  Lewistown, 
remaining  until  July  i,  1889,  when  he  was  appointed  station  agent  at 
Reedsville  for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  continuing  in  that  position  un- 
til October  i,  1897.  On  the  latter  date  he  was  appointed  railroad  station 
agent  at  Lewistown  which  position  he  now  holds.  The  station  is  an  im- 
portant one  and,  under  his  direction,  Mr.  Laub  has  twenty-one  men  em- 
ployed in  the  passenger,  freight  and  baggage  departments.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lewistown  Board  of  Trade;  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
the  Lewistown  Hospital;  of  the  Masonic  Association;  of  the  Lewistown 
Market  House  Company,  of  which  he  is  treasurer;  of  the  State  Horticul- 
tural Association;  secretary  of  the  Mifflin  County  Horticultural  and  Ag- 
ricultural Association;  member  of  the  board  and  treasurer  of  Lewistown 
school  district;  and  president  of  the  Mifflin  County  Jewelry  Company. 
He  served  seven  years  as  secretary  of  the  local  board  of  health;  four 
years  as  secretary  to  the  chairman  of  the  Mifflin  County  Republican  Com- 
mittee; was  elected  to  the  Republican  State  convention  in  1906;  and  is  at 
present  a  member  of  the  Republican  standing  committee  of  Mifflin 
county.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  belonging  to  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  203,  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons; Lewistown  Chapter,  No.   186,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Lewis- 


628  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

town  Commandery,  No.  26,  Knights  Templar.     He  also  belongs  to  the 
Royal  Arcanum. 

He  married,  April  15,  1891,  Sarah  Olive  Knepp,  born  at  McVeytown, 
Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  Child:  Anna  Louisa,  born  November  4, 
1896. 

This  branch  of  the  Orr  family  in  the  United  States  descends 
ORR     from  Alexander  Orr,  born  in  county  Antrim,  Ireland,  from 

whence  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  boyhood.  He 
found  a  home  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  there 
grew  to  mature  years  and  married  Catherine  Gardner,  of  Scotch  descent. 
After  his  marriage  Alexander  Orr  purchased  a  farm  in  the  township, 
prospered  there,  and  reared  his  family  of  four  children.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  his  wife,  both  being  active  church 
workers.  Children :  Mary  Jane,  married  Andrew  Cubbison,  both  de- 
ceased;  Catherine,  married  George  Kearns,  and  resides  in  Lewistown; 
George,  deceased ;  William  Allen,  of  whom  further. 

(II )  William  Allen,  son  of  Alexander  and  Catherine  (Gardner)  Orr, 
was  born  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1838, 
died  in  Ohio  while  on  a  visit  to  that  state.  He  was  a  man  of  education,  a 
prosperous  farmer  and  prominent  in  public  affairs.  He  was  elected 
county  commissioner  of  Mifflin  county;  county  auditor,  and  for  many 
years  was  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  His 
home  was  the  old  Orr  farm,  he  having  purchased  the  interests  of  the 
other  heirs.  He  married  Martha  Orwig,  born  in  Union  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, removing  to  Mifflin  county  in  girlhood.  Children:  Allen  Alex- 
ander, of  whom  further;  Mary  Grace,  married  G.  E.  Smith,  and  lives  in 
Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  Allen  .\lexander,  only  son  of  William  Allen  and  Martha  (Or- 
wig) Orr,  was  born  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  10.  1864.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  Bloomsburg 
State  Normal  School  and  Williamsport  Business  College.  During  this 
period  he  had  also  taught  in  the  public  schools  five  years.  In  1890  he 
located  in  Lewistown,  where  he  established  his  present  insurance  agency, 
now  one  of  the  oldest  and  largest  in  the  borough.  Besides  representing 
some  eighteen  of  the  representative  home  and  foreign  lire  insurance  com- 
panies, Mr.  Orr  conducts  a  real  estate  business.     He  is  a  Democrat  in 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY  629 

politics,  and  since  coming  to  Lewistown,  has  been  active  and  prominent 
in  county  politics.  He  is  president  of  the  school  board ;  served  six  years 
as  chairman  of  the  Democratic  county  committee;  was  secretary  of  the 
borough  council  six  years;  county  treasurer,  1903-04-05;  served  six 
years  as  justice  of  the  peace;  in  1913  was  commissioned  postmaster  at 
Lewistown,  Pennsylvania.  In  1912  he  was  the  delegate  to  the  Demo- 
cratic national  convention  at  Baltimore,  which  nominated  W'oodrow 
Wilson  for  president.  In  the  long  fight  for  a  candidate  at  that  conven- 
tion the  Pennsylvania  delegate  was  a  tower  of  strength  to  the  Wilson 
cause,  voting  for  him  solidly  until  victory  was  theirs,  at  the  end  of  the 
forty-sixth  ballot.  Mr.  Orr  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  is  a  man  of  integrity,  ability  and  influence. 

He  married,  in  June,  1898,  Mary  A.,  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylva- 
nia, daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Spratt,  formerly  of  Philadelphia. 
They  have  one  child:     Allen  Alexander  Jr.,  born  July  20,  1899. 


John  \V.   Kearns,  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  had 
KEARNS     for  his  emigrant  progenitor  John  Kearns,  of  Germany, 

who  came  to  this  country  while  yet  it  was  in  its  swaddling 
clothes.  It  is  thought  that  he  first  located  in  New  York  state,  afterward 
joining  some  of  his  countrymen  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  became  a 
farmer  and  owned  a  large  tract  of  land.  Among  his  children  was  John 
W.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  John  W.,  son  of  John  Kearns,  of  Germany,  was  an  early  and 
prominent  resident  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  moved  from 
there  to  Mifflin  county  while  it  was  yet  in  its  infancy,  purchased  a 
large  tract  of  land  in  Decatur  township,  cleared  a  portion  of  it,  cul- 
tivated it  and  there  lived  with  his  family  until  his  death.  He  was 
one  of  the  progressive  men  of  the  day  and  was  largely  instrumental 
in  introducing  modern  (for  that  time)  methods  of  local  government. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Stroup,  like  himself  of  sturdy  German  origin,  and 
she  proved  herself  a  worthy  helpmeet  in  every  way.  They  were  both 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  rearing  their  children  in  that  creed 
with  great  strictness.  Children,  all  of  whom  are  dead:  Margaret,  mar- 
ried Mr.  Hoover;  Thomas;  Sophia,  married  Mr.  Preston;  Sarah,  mar- 
ried Mr.  Townsend ;  Phillip  S. ;  John  \V. ;  Joseph ;  Elias  Calvin,  of  whom 
further. 


630  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(III)  Elias  Calvin,  son  of  John  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Stroup)  Kearns, 
was  born  February  17,  1839,  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, died  August  13,  18S8,  in  Derry  township,  the  same  county.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  time,  and  on  leaving  he  began 
farming.  He  married  and  located  in  Derry  township,  Mifflin  county, 
buying  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  and  here  lived  until  his  death,  a 
prosperous,  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  the  county.  Like  his  forbears  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  his  wife,  and  in  that 
faith  reared  his  children.  He  was  a  staunch  Democrat,  advocating  and 
supporting  actively  the  principles  of  the  party ;  and  was  elected  through 
it  to  many  of  the  local  offices,  in  which  he  served  faithfully  and  for 
the  good  of  the  township.  He  was  poor  director  for  some  time,  doing 
all  in  his  power  to  alleviate  the  distress  of  the  county  charges.  He  was 
greatly  mourned  at  his  death.  He  married  Nancy  J.  Sieber,  born  July 
25,  1844,  in  Juniata  county,  died  in  Derr}^  township,  April  4,  1905,  a 
daughter  of  a  German  family  long  established  in  Juniata  county.  Chil- 
dren:  I.  Samuel  C,  born  March  26,  1866,  died  October  22,  1878,  in  an 
accident.  2.  John  W.,  of  whom  further.  3.  George  E.,  a  postal  clerk; 
lives  on  Logan  street,  Lewistown.  4.  Nancy  Elizabeth,  unmarried ;  lives 
with  her  brother  Charles.  5.  Anna  Gertrude,  married  R.  L.  Howe,  and 
lives  in  Philadelphia.  6.  Charles,  unmarried ;  a  farmer  near  Lewistown, 
and  is  also  employed  by  the  Standard  Steel  Works. 

(IV)  John  William  Kearns,  of  Lewistown,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, son  of  Elias  Calvin  and  Nancy  J.  (Sieber)  Kearns,  was  born  No- 
vember 14,  1867,  in  Derry  townslaip,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  east 
of  Lewistown.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  at  the  Lewistown  Academy.  On  leaving  school  he  engaged  in 
farming,  with  great  success.  In  1895  he  bought,  in  Derry  township, 
ninety-three  acres,  and  there  lived  until  1910,  when  he  purchased,  in  the 
same  township,  one  hundred  and  forty-one  acres,  moved  to  it,  still  re- 
taining the  first  farm  and  cultivating  both.  He  does  general  farming 
while  making  a  specialty  of  potatoes,  which  he  harvests  for  the  market. 
Ten  acres  arc  devoted  to  this  particular  branch  of  agriculture,  and  from 
it  lie  realizes  liandsomely.  Naturally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
ciuirch.  as  is  his  wife.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  has  served  as 
school  director,  Mr.  Kearns  not  only  farms  successfully,  but  is  inter- 
ested in  real  estate  to  some  extent  and  owns  two  houses  and  lots  in  Lewis- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  631 

town,  on  Walnut  street,  which  he  rents,  the  value  of  which  have  in- 
creased with  each  year.  He  married,  November  6,  1896,  Mary  Beaver, 
born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  George  E.  and  Eliza- 
beth Beaver,  of  Perry  county,  where  they  rank  as  prominent  members  of 
the  county.  Children:  George  Edwin,  Paul  William,  Edith  Margaret, 
Elias  Calvin,  Hugh  Beaver. 


Miss  Mary  Hoofnogle,  a  highly  esteemed  resident 
HOOFNOGLE     of  Reedsville,  is  the  daughter  of  George  Hoofnogle, 

born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1795,  died 
near  Vandyke,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  1877.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Berks  county,  learned  the  mason's  trade,  and  while  still  a 
young  man  moved  to  Snyder  county,  establishing  his  home  near  Beaver 
Springs,  where  he  married.  Later  he  moved  to  near  Vandyke,  Juniata 
county,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  incapacitated  by  age,  lived 
retired  for  several  years  and  died.  He  married  Catherine  Gleckner, 
born  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  1845,  leaving  five  chil- 
dren. Mr.  Hoofnogle  never  again  married,  living  a  widower  for 
thirty-two  years.  Children:  i.  Sarah,  married  Wilson  Dellett;  lived 
in  Milroy,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  died  in  1906.  2.  Rebecca,  mar- 
ried George  Smith,  whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Juniata  county.  3. 
Melinda,  married  Louis  Rousch ;  resides  at  McClure,  Pennsylvania.  4. 
Catherine,  married  William  Horner;  resides  at  Center  Hall,  Pennsylva- 
nia.   5.  Mary,  now  living  in  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania. 

(II)  Mary,  youngest  daughter  of  George  and  Catherine  (Gleckner) 
Hoofnogle,  was  born  near  Vandyke,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1841.  Her  mother  dying  in  1845,  the  child  Mary  was  taken  by  a  kind 
family,  with  whom  she  was  reared  and  educated.  On  arriving  at  wom- 
anhood she  became  housekeeper  for  Robert  Taylor,  remaining  in  that 
position  until  his  death  in  1896.  In  that  year  she  moved  to  Reedsville, 
Pennsylvania,  which  is  yet  her  home.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  her  many  friends.  Miss 
Hoofnogle,  many  years  ago,  in  memory  of  the  kindness  shown  herself 
when  a  motherless  child  adopted  a  young  girl,  Elizabeth  Shafer,  on 
whom  she  has  lavished  a  mother's  love  and  care  and  to  whose  children 
she  is  indeed  the  typical,  fond  and  indulgent  grandmother.  Miss  Shafer 
married  Harry  Smith,  and  now  resides  in  Akron,  Ohio,  with  their  chil- 


632  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

dren:      Hazel,   Robert,   Mildred,  Leroy  and  Luella,   twins;   Mabel   G., 
Harry  S. 


Robert  Taylor,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the  Taylor  fam- 
TAYLOR  ily  of  Pennsylvania,  and  also  in  New  England,  landed 
from  a  small  sailing  vessel  at  New  York,  about  1680. 
There  he  remained  until  after  his  marriage  with  the  daughter  of  another 
emigrant.  He  moved  with  his  family  to  the  western  part  of  the  province 
of  New  York,  near  the  Pennsylvania  line,  and  there  settled.  At  that 
time  it  was  one  of  the  most  dangerous  portions  of  the  province  of  New 
York,  as  the  Indians  were  always  on  the  warpath  and  made  living  in  the 
wilderness  a  hazardous  experiment.  Mr.  Taylor  remained  on  the  clear- 
ing that  he  made  and  on  which  he  erected  a  semi-block  house,  tilled  his 
land,  fought  his  neighbors,  the  Indians,  and  reared  his  family.  Later 
his  grandsons  migrated  to  Pennsylvania  and  there  established  themselves. 
Taylor  is  one  of  the  notable  names  of  the  United  States.  One  of  the 
name  has  been  its  president;  several  have  filled  the  gubernatorial  chairs; 
many  have  sat  upon  the  bench  as  chief  justices;  others  have  served  in  the 
army  and  navy,  and  still  others  have  been  plain,  honorable  citizens,  bear- 
ing their  share  of  the  burdens  of  the  great  Republic  which  their  progen- 
itors helped  to  make. 

(I)  Robert  Taylor,  a  direct  descendant  of  the  tirst  Robert  Taylor, 
and  the  colonial  progenitor  of  the  Taylor  family  of  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, took  out  warrants  in  1754  for  a  tract  containing  three  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  part  of  which  is  still  in  possession  of  the  family,  in 
Mifflin  county,  as  it  is  now  known.  He  was  one  of  the  dominating  fac- 
tors in  the  upbuilding  of  that  part  of  the  colony  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
cleared  a  portion  of  the  land  of  its  forest  growth,  erected  substantial  and 
protective  log  houses  on  it,  and  here  lived  and  reared  his  family.  Among 
his  children  was  Matthew,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Matthew,  son  of  Robert  Taylor,  was  born  and  reared  on  the  ex- 
tensive Taylor  homestead  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  at  that  time  held  in  log  houses.  He  also 
farmed  on  the  homestead.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  revolution,  and  again 
offered  his  services  to  his  country  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Mrs. 
Sarah  (Sample)  Mayes,  a  widow,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons:  Robert, 
John,  Henry,  of  whom  further;  Sample. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  633 

(III)  Henry,  son  of  Matthew  and  Sarah  (Sample-Mayes) Taylor, 
was  born  on  the  Taylor  homestead,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  began  farming 
on  reaching  his  majority.  He  married  (first)  Ann  McNitt;  (second) 
Rosanna  McFarlane;  (third)  Priscilla  Turbett.  Children  by  third  mar- 
riage: I.  Sarah  Jane,  married  Samuel  Laird,  of  Juniata  county.  2. 
Anna,  married  James  Kyle.  3.  Henry,  of  whom  further.  4.  Priscilla, 
married  William  Thompson,  of  Center  county.  5.  Alatthew  B.,  married 
Eliza  Jane  Means.    6.  James,  married  Nancy  Hughes. 

(IV)  Henry  (2),  son  on  Henry  (i)  and  Priscilla  (Turbett)  Taylor, 
was  born  November  25,  1825,  on  the  Taylor  homestead  at  the  head  of 
Tea  creek,  Brown  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  died  February 
22,  1905.  He  was  educated  in  the  township  schools,  and  at  the  Tus- 
carora  Academy,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  began  farming  for  him- 
self. He  was  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  of  his  section,  and  in 
1884  bought  the  J.  Ferren  Mann  place.  He  retired  twenty  years  before 
his  death  from  active  participation  in  the  business  world.  He  was  a  Re- 
publican, advocating  the  principles  of  that  party  in  all  national  issues. 
He  was  a  zealous  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  a  liberal- 
minded,  public-spirited  man,  co-operating  with  his  fellow  citizens  in  all 
laudable  ways  for  promoting  the  public  good.  He  married  (first)  Pris- 
cilla Ann  Kyle.  Children:  i.  William  Henry,  married  Rhoda  Henry. 
2.  Joseph  Charles,  married  Lula  Spear;  resides  in  Albany,  Texas.  3. 
James,  married  Elizabeth  Taylor.  Henry  Taylor  married  (second) 
Mary  Ann  (Jack)  Johnson,  widow  of  James  Johnson.  She  was  born  near 
New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  9,  1834,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Ann  Eliza  ( De  Haven)  Jack.  She  married  (first) 
James  Johnson,  November  30,  1854,  and  lived  in  Center  county  until  her 
marriage  (the  second  time)  to  Henry  Taylor,  January  15,  1874.  They 
had  one  child,  George  De  Haven,  of  whom  further.  Mrs.  Taylor  was 
the  daughter,  as  has  been  said,  of  James  and  Ann  Eliza  (De  Haven) 
Jack.  He  was  the  grandson  of  James  Jack,  who  came  from  Belfast, 
Ireland,  to  America  to  colonial  days,  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  there 
lived  and  died.  His  name  appears  on  the  church  record  at  Brandy  wine 
Manor,  Chester  county,  in  1756;  he  was  a  farmer.  His  son  Adam  was 
born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  Warren  county,  Ohio. 
Among  his  children  was  James,  who  was  born   in   1806,   in  Chester 


634  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew  up.  While  yet  a  young  man  he 
moved  to  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  near  New  Holland.  He  was  a 
wheelwright  by  trade,  but  later  farmed  in  various  places,  among  them 
being  Center  county.  He  married  Ann  Eliza  De  Haven,  a  member  of 
an  old  family  of  that  part  of  the  state.  They  had  one  child,  Mary  Ann 
(Jack)  Taylor.  In  their  old  age  they  moved  to  the  home  of  their  daugh- 
ter. He  died  in  1886  and  his  wife  in  1878.  They  were  both  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

(V)  George  De  Haven,  son  of  Henry  (2)  and  Mary  Ann  (Jack- 
Johnson)  Taylor,  was  born  February  21,  1876,  near  Reedsville,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  received  his  preparatory  education  in  the  public  schools  and 
finished  at  the  State  College,  supplementing  his  education  with  a  me- 
chanical course.  Leaving  school  he  was  employed  by  the  Standard  Steel 
Works  at  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  for  seven  years. 
Leaving  the  company  he  went  to  Albany,  Texas,  with  his  brother,  Joseph 
Charles  Taylor.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years  he  returned  to  Pennsyl- 
vania and  formed  a  partnership  with  H.  Gottschalk  for  the  manufacture 
of  baker's  machinery.  They  began  in  a  small  way  at  Burnham,  but  the 
business  increased  to  such  proportions  that  at  the  end  of  a  year  they  de- 
cided to  enlarge  it  and  moved  to  Reedsville  for  that  purpose.  They  pur- 
chased the  old  opera  house  on  the  Honey  creek  road,  a  building  fifty  by 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet,  and  installed  their  machinery.  The 
increase  in  their  output  was  wonderful,  but  it  did  not  keep  pace  with 
the  demand.  They  now  employ  from  eight  to  twelve  men,  and  their 
products  are  special  machinery,  dough  mixers  and  pan  filling  machines. 
Their  products  find  ready  markets  all  over  the  world,  in  Australia  as 
well  as  England.  Their  establishment  is  one  of  phenomenal  growth  and 
they  are  adding  special  and  new  inventions  all  the  while,  all  of  which 
are  patented.  The  factory  is  up-to-date  in  equipment  and  the  machinery 
ordered  is  made  and  changed  to  suit  the  conditions  and  individual  re- 
quirements of  their  patrons.  They  take  the  greatest  precautions  in  fill- 
ing orders,  and  are  expeditious  as  circumstances  will  permit.  The  busi- 
ness grew  to  such  proportions  that  it  was  incorporated  in  April,  1909, 
with  II.  Gottschalk  as  president,  and  George  De  Haven  Taylor  as  secre- 
tary and  treasurer,  with  the  stock  held  and  controlled  by  Messrs.  Gott- 
schalk and  Taylor.  Mr.  Taylor  adheres  to  the  Republican  party,  giving  it 
his  vote  and  influence.    He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  635 

church,   and   he   of  Lewistown  Lodge,    No.   203,    Free  and   Accepted 
Masons. 

He  married,  June  30,  1902,  Mary  Ella  Gilmore,  born  in  Wellington, 
Kansas,  daughter  of  F.  H.  and  Mary  S.  Gilmore,  prominent  people  in 
Kansas.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  have  no  children. 


The  Shumaker  family,  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylva- 
SHUMAKER  nia,  is  evidently  of  German  origin,  and  they  have  in- 
herited the  endurance,  loyalty,  industry  and  patriot- 
ism which  characterize  the  natives  of  Germany.  The  name  was  probably 
spelled  Schuhmacher  in  the  mother  country,  and  a  slight  change  has  an- 
glicized it.  They  have  borne  their  share  bravely  in  all  the  trials  and 
troubles  which  have  fallen  to  the  lot  of  this  country,  since  the  earliest 
member  of  the  family  made  his  home  here.  The  grandfather  of  John 
A.  Shumaker  was  in  active  service  during  the  revolutionary  war,  giv- 
ing not  alone  his  time  and  services,  but  generously  of  his  means  to  fur- 
ther the  cause  of  American  liberty.  His  team  wagon  was  driven  by  him 
from  place  to  place  during  that  memorable  struggle,  and  was  always  to 
be  found  where  it  could  be  of  the  greatest  service. 

(II)  Daniel  Shumaker,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  1814,  and 
died  in  April,  1885.  He  married  Sarah  Ann  Bailey,  who  was  born  in 
1 81 7,  and  died  in  September,  1891.  They  are  both  interred  in  the  Pres- 
byterian cemetery  at  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania.  They  had  children: 
Mary  E.,  married  Jeremiah  Slagle,  and  has  five  children;  John  A.,  see 
forward;  Anna  L.,  married  Joseph  Forsyth,  and  has  two  children;  Mat- 
thew T..  married,  and  removed  to  Kansas,  where  he  died;  Charles  D.,  re- 
moved first  to  Iowa,  then  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  died,  leav- 
ing a  widow  and  one  child,  a  daughter;  Samuel,  died  in  Iowa;  James,  a 
farmer  in  Brown  township;  \^'illiam.  also  of  Brown  township,  married 
Rebecca  Maybin. 

(III)  John  A.,  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  Ann 
(Bailey)  Shumaker,  was  born  near  Lewistown,  Mifflin  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  28,  1841.  The  public  schools  of  his  native  township 
gave  him  the  means  of  acquiring  a  satisfactory  education,  and  when  this 
had  been  completed  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home- 
stead farm.  With  the  exception  of  twelve  months  he  was  thus  occupied, 
during  this  short  period  his  employment  being  on  another  farm.    He  was 


636  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

one  of  the  earliest  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  his  country  upon  the  out- 
break of  the  civil  war,  and  his  patriotism  and  personal  bravery  are 
worthy  of  an  extended  record.  Enlisting  August  15,  1861,  he  became 
a  member  of  Company  H,  Forty-ninth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, Captain  Ralph  L.  Maclay.  The  many  forced  marches  and  fatigue 
duty  this  company  was  called  upon  to  endure  proved  the  individual 
worth  of  its  members.  The  battles  in  which  Mr.  Shumaker  was  engaged 
were  as  follows:  Yorktown,  Williamsburg,  Goldens  Farm,  Savage  Sta- 
tion, Malvern  Hill,  White  Oak  Swamp,  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  and 
Antietam. 

At  the  battle  of  Goldens  Farm,  Mr.  Shumaker  earned  espe- 
cial distinction.  There  had  been  a  call  for  two  volunteers  for  especially 
perilous  work  and  Mr.  Shumaker  volunteered,  providing  a  certain  com- 
rade would  accompany  him.  Colonel  Irwin,  of  the  regiment,  happened 
to  be  present  on  this  occasion  and  was  a  witness  of  the  brave  devotion  of 
Mr.  Shumaker.  Not  long  afterward,  at  White  Oak  Swamp,  Mr.  Shu- 
maker again  had  an  opportunity  to  earn  distinction.  The  Union  forces 
had  had  uninterrupted  fighting  for  four  days  in  succession,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  this  were  exhausted  by  long  marches.  They  were  overtaken  while 
on  the  march  by  General  "Stonewall"  Jackson,  and  were  in  an  open  field, 
hemmed  in  by  their  wagon  trains  and  artillery,  when  the  rebel  general 
opened  fire  upon  them  with  a  large  and  well  conditioned  force.  There 
was  almost  a  panic  among  the  men,  who  had  suffered  so  greatly  from 
loss  of  rest  and  exposure,  and  the  ofiicers  were  practically  helpless  and 
would  have  lost  control  completely  were  it  not  for  a  few  cool-headed  ones 
among  the  rank  and  file.  Promuient  among  these  was  Mr.  Shumaker 
who,  as  his  captain  was  not  on  hand  at  the  time,  succeeded  in  rallying  the 
scattered  members  of  his  company  in  so  effective  a  manner  that  it  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  Colonel  Irwin,  who  was  passing  near  by.  He  at 
once  declared  that  bravery  of  so  high  an  order  well  merited  a  commis- 
sion, and  he  would  see  that  it  was  reported  in  the  proper  quarters.  This 
was  never  done,  as  Colonel  Irwin  was  wounded  very  shortly  afterward, 
and  Mr.  Shumaker  having  been  sent  to  a  hospital  on  sick  leave,  the  mat- 
ter was  never  taken  up.  By  the  time  Mr.  Shumaker  returned  to  the 
army  his  regiment  had  been  consolidated  with  another.  He  never  took 
any  steps  to  claim  any  reward  for  the  arduous  and  dangerous  duty  he 
had  so  gallantly  performed,  although  he  was  very  justly  entitled  to  one. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  637 

At  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  Mr.  Shumaker  was  in  the  front  rank 
and,  while  repelling  an  attack  of  cavalry,  his  gun  was  struck  by  a  ball 
which  glanced  downward  and  wounded  him  in  the  leg,  while  the  recoil 
of  the  gun  against  his  head  threw  him  to  the  ground.  At  Cold  Harbor, 
June  I.  1864,  a  musket  ball  inflicted  a  wound  in  his  left  arm  and  thus 
ended  his  active  military  service.  He  was  honorably  discharged  Oc- 
tober 24,  1864. 

Upon  his  return  to  Mifflin  county,  he  commenced  to  farm  on  shares 
with  Crawford  Kyle  in  Brown  township,  and  three  years  later  purchased 
land  in  the  same  township,  cultivating  it  alone  for  a  further  period  of 
three  years.  During  the  next  nine  years  he  was  engaged  in  cultivating 
rented  ground,  and  amassed  a  considerable  fortune  by  this  proceeding. 
In  1883  he  purchased  the  homestead  of  eighty  acres  near  Milroy,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  has  made  many  improvements  on  this  piece  of  property. 
He  lived  on  this  homestead  until  1899,  when  he  removed  to  Milroy  and 
there  erected  two  houses  and  engaged  in  the  harness  business  with  which 
he  is  still  identified.  He  is  active  in  the  public  ai¥airs  of  the  community, 
and  is  a  man  of  influence  in  the  councils  of  the  Republican  party.  His 
religious  connections  are  with  the  Congregational  church  at  Milroy.  He 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Colonel  Hulings  Post,  No.  176,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  at  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Shumaker  married,  March  12,  1867,  Sarah  Ann,  second  daughter 
of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Peters)  Witman.  and  granddaughter  of  John 
and  Eva  (Hile)  Witman,  whose  children  were:  Isaac,  mentioned  above, 
and  Catherine,  who  married  Jesse  W.  Horton.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shumaker 
have  had  children :  i.  and  2.  Grace  and  Bessie,  twins,  who  died  in  child- 
hood. 3.  Boyd,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  4.  Elsie,  married 
John  Krotzer,  and  has  five  children :  Bertha,  Boyd,  Blaine,  Estella  and 
Bartley.  5.  Mary  B.,  married  Archie  Grove,  and  has  one  child,  Lorena. 
6.  Margaret,  attending  school  at  Berea,  Kentucky,  where  she  is  taking  a 
six-vear  course,  will  be  a  graduate  in  the  class  of  1914. 


The  Witman  family  has  been  identified  with  the  agri- 
WITMAN  cultural  and  other  interests  of  the  state  of  Pennsylva- 
nia for  very  many  years,  the  progenitors  of  the  family, 

the  great-grandparents  of  Lewis  Elwood  Witman,  having  come  to  this 

country  from  the  hardy  little  country  of  Switzerland. 


638  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(I)  Washington  Witman  was  a  large  land  owner  in  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  the  greater  part 
of  his  life.  He  attained  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  devoting  time  to  agriculture,  he  conducted  a  well  known  hotel  for 
the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  was  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Whig  party  until  the  birth  of  the  Republican  party,  when 
he  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  latter.  In  religious  faith  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Evangelical  church.  He  married  and  had  children : 
John,  who  was  also  a  farmer,  died  in  Hamburg,  Pennsylvania ;  Cyrus, 
for  many  years  followed  boating  on  the  Schuylkill  canal,  and  is  now 
living  in  retirement;  Henry,  see  forward;  Washington  Jr.,  who  served 
with  honor  during  the  civil  war;  Charles  H.,  spent  his  entire  Hfe  in 
Schuylkill  county,  where  he  was  in  business  as  a  merchant  and  grocer; 
William,  a  hotel  and  restaurant  proprietor  in  Schuylkill  county;  a  daugh- 
ter. 

(II)  Henry,  son  of  Washington  Witman,  was  born  in  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania.  His  death  was  caused  by  drowning  on  a  very 
dark  night  in  the  canal.  For  some  years  he  was  engaged  in  farm  labors, 
but  abandoned  them  in  favor  of  the  life  of  a  boatman  on  the  canal,  and  it 
was  while  in  discharge  of  these  duties  that  his  accidental  death  occurred. 
His  residence  in  Schuylkill  county  was  considered  a  very  fine  one.  He 
married  in  Schuylkill  county,  Amelia,  daughter  of  Gabriel  and  Margaret 
Krohn,  of  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Krohn  had  been  a  sailor  for  many  years, 
and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two.  Mr.  Witman  was  a  staunch  Republi- 
can in  political  matters,  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Evan- 
gelical church.  They  had  children:  i.  Joanna  Margaret,  born  in  1857; 
married  Robert  Garth,  who  is  employed  in  Philadelphia,  and  they  have 
a  number  of  children.  2.  Lewis  Elwood,  see  forward.  3.  Edward  De- 
catur, born  in  August,  i860;  lives  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  the  tea  and  spice  business ;  married  Annie  Karcher,  and  they  have 
one  daughter.  4.  Gabriella,  born  in  1862 ;  married  Ephraini  Sherman,  a 
barber  in  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania.  5.  William  Henry,  born  in  1864,  lives 
in  Philadelphia;  was  formerly  engaged  in  farming,  and  is  now  in  the 
dairy  business;  married  (first)  Laura  Bartlett,  (second)  Amy  Wager. 
6.  Elmira,  born  in  1866;  married  Thomas  Long,  a  stone  cutter  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

(Ill)   Lewis   Elwood,  eldest  son   and   second  child  of   Henry  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  639 

Amelia  (Krohn)  Witman,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  Haven,  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania,  April  11,  1858.  He  was  educated  in  the  district 
school  of  his  native  county,  but  this  education  was  a  very  limited  one. 
In  many  respects  Mr.  Witman  may  be  considered  a  self-educated  man, 
as  he  has  never  lost  an  opportunity  of  acc^uiring  useful  knowledge,  and 
his  keen  powers  of  observation  have  been  a  great  and  decided  advantage 
to  him. 

From  his  earliest  youth  he  was  bright  and  wide-awake  and  the 
varied  occupations  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  were  of  material 
assistance  to  him  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge.  In  his  early  manhood 
he  was  engaged  for  a  period  of  four  years  as  a  driver  for  a  boat  on  the 
canal,  but  finding  the  occupation  becoming  monotonous  after  a  time,  he 
sought  and  found  employment  in  the  woolen  mills.  He  made  a  special 
study  of  that  branch  connected  with  the  dyeing  of  the  materials,  and 
learned  the  intricacies  of  this  in  every  detail.  He  then  established  him- 
self independently  in  the  dyeing  business,  with  which  he  has  now  been 
connected  in  a  very  successful  manner  for  thirty  years.  He  removed 
from  Philadelphia  to  Milroy,  in  1904,  and  has  since  that  time  resided 
there.  He  has  three  acres  of  ground  around  his  residence,  and  during 
the  past  three  years  has  made  a  specialty  of  raising  chickens.  He  is 
esteemed  by  his  townsmen  as  a  good  citizen,  casting  his  vote  for  the 
Republican  party.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  IMethodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Order  of  American 
Mechanics,  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  \\'itman  married,  September  i,  1880,  Mary  Ann,  born  April 
4,  i860,  daughter  of  Francis  and  Harriet  (Winterbottom)  Garth,  both 
natives  of  England,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1845.  Mr.  Garth 
was  a  hand  mule  spinner  who  made  his  home  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
died  November  18,  1909,  his  wife  having  died  June  7,  of  the  same  year. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Witman  have  had  children:  i.  Frank  Elwood,  born 
June  7,  1883;  is  a  dyer  in  Groveville,  New  Jersey;  married  Mary  Field- 
ing, and  has  two  children,  Grace  E.  and  Frank  E.  2.  Russell  Garth, 
born  May  10,  1886;  is  now  studying  medicine  in  Philadelphia;  married 
(first)  Esther  B.  Erhart,  who  died  September  29,  1908;  he  married 
(second)  Margaret  Kohler,  of  Philadelphia;  his  only  child,  Russell 
Garth  Jr.,  born  May  i,  1907,  is  being  raised  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Witman. 
3.  Ross  Henry,  born  October  19,  1890,  died  December  21,  1892. 


640  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  name  Lynn  is  one  well  known  in  both  Scotland  and 
LYNN  Ireland  and  was  anciently  borne  by  a  distinctive  Scotch  fam- 
ily. A  branch  settled  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  from  whence 
in  1870  came  Samuel  Lynn  and  his  wife.  Mary  E.  Dougal.  They  were 
both  born  in  the  North  of  Ireland  and  on  coming  to  the  United  States 
settled  in  Milton,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died 
in  1900,  she  in  1907.  Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  he  was  a  Republican  in  political  faith.  Children:  James  D.,  of 
whom  further;  George  F.,  Samuel,  Mary,  John,  Annie,  Arthur  and 
Norris;  all  living. 

(II)  James  D.,  eldest  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  E.  (Dougal)  Lynn, 
was  born  in  the  North  of  Ireland  March  31,  1862.  He  was  eight  years 
of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
educated,  finishing  in  the  high  school.  He  began  business  life  as  a 
clerk  in  the  store  of  N.  A.  Dougal,  at  Milton,  remaining  one  and  a  half 
years.  In  1879  he  entered  the  employ  of  Spencer  L.  Finney,  of  Milton, 
continuing  until  1893.  He  was  with  Somerville  &  Company,  of  Wind- 
burne,  Clearfield  county,  until  1905.  For  the  next  six  years  he  was  em- 
ployed in  different  stores  in  Jersey  Shore,  Phillipsburg  and  Ehrenfeld, 
Pennsylvania,  coming  to  Burnham  in  191 1,  as  manager  of  Logan  &  Com- 
pany (incorporated)  Stores,  a  position  he  now  holds.  He  is  a  progressive 
Republican,  and  while  in  Windburne  served  for  four  years  as  school 
director.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  holding  membership  in 
Moshannon  Lodge,  No.  391,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  married 
in  April,  1891,  Minnie  A.  Trego,  born  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania.  Chil- 
dren :     John.  Robert,  Mary,  Minnie,  Harry  and  Edward. 

This  particular  branch  of  the  Smith  family  has  been  domi- 
SMITH     ciled  in  the  state  of   Pennsylvania  for  three  generations, 

where  they  have  left  their  impress  upon  business  and  social 
life.  They  came  from  Germany,  where  the  name  was  originally  spelled 
Schmidt,  but  became  anglicized  in  the  course  of  years. 

(I)  Daniel  Smith  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  LTnited 
States  after  his  marriage.  He  decided  upon  Miller  township  as  his  place 
of  residence,  and  it  was  there  that  his  death  occurred.  In  his  native 
country  he  had  been  a  traveling  shoemaker,  and  he  pursued  that  calling 
after  his  arrival  here.     In  addition  to  this  occupation  he  engaged  in 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA  VALLEY  641 

farming,  having  acquired  by  purchase  a  considerable  amount  of  land. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Of  their  thirteen 
children  the  following  names  are  on  record :  William,  Daniel,  Jacob, 
John,  Henry,  Kate,  Peggy  and  Charles  K.,  mentioned  below. 

(II)  Charles  K.,  youngest  child  of  Daniel  Smith,  was  born  in  Perry 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  May,  1827.  For  a  time  he  was  engaged  in 
farming,  then  commenced  the  manufacture  of  bricks,  being  the  pioneer 
in  that  field  of  industry  in  Perry  county.  Subsequently  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  acres,  which  he  cultivated  until 
his  death  in  1899.  He  was  a  staunch  Democrat  in  political  matters,  and 
a  devout  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church.  Mr.  Smith  married 
Angeline  C,  daughter  of  Jacob  Sheibley,  a  farmer  and  large  land  owner 
near  Bridgeport,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Smith  was  bom  in  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  May  7,  1837,  and  died  May  26,  1913.  They  had  chil- 
dren: Carrie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years;  Annie,  Sallie  and 
Minnie,  who  died  in  infancy;  Jacob,  living  in  Newport,  married  Ocilla 
Stephens,  is  a  land  owner  and  engaged  in  farming;  Singer  J.,  men- 
tioned below. 

(III)  Singer  J.,  son  of  Charles  K.  and  Angeline  C.  (Sheibley) 
Smith,  was  born  in  Miller  township,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  Decem- 
ber 27,  1868.  The  common  schools  of  Newport,  Pennsylvania,  fur- 
nished his  education  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  ten  years,  and  he 
was  then  obliged  to  remove  to  the  farm  with  his  parents  and  bear  his 
share  in  its  cultivation  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  Then  until 
his  thirty-first  year  he  was  in  the  employ  of  others,  also  at  farming  work 
until  1899,  when  he  came  to  Newport  where  he  purchased  a  butcher 
shop,  remaining  thus  employed  for  three  years,  after  which  he  clerked 
in  a  hotel ;  then  he  purchased  a  wholesale  liquor  establishment  which  he 
carried  on  for  three  years.  In  191 1  he  came  to  Mifflin  and  bought  his 
present  hotel.  It  is  a  large  hotel  and  well  equipped  for  the  purpose 
for  which  it  was  intended.  The  cuisine  is  of  the  best  and  the  service 
unexceptionable,  and  it  has  a  reputation  which  is  far  more  than  a  merely 
local  one.  Mr.  Smith  has  also  been  engaged  in  building  operations,  and 
erected  the  first  complete  flat  which  was  constructed  in  Perry  county. 
He  is  greatly  interested  in  whatever  concerns  the  welfare  of  his  town, 
state  or  the  country  at  large,  and  is  earnest  in  his  support  of  Demo- 
cratic principles.     He  is  a  regular  attendant  at  the  Reformed  church, 


642  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopahan  denomination.  His  fra- 
ternal affiliations  consist  of  membership  in  Newport  Lodge,  No.  102, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Newport. 

Air.  Smith  married,  March  2,  1905,  Nora,  daughter  of  Arthur 
Priestley.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  England,  and  came  to  this  country 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  years. 


Elliot  Groninger,  of  Port  Royal,  Juniata  county, 
GRONINGER     Pennsylvania,  descends  on  the  paternal  side   from 

good  Dutch  stock  which  has  long  been  planted  in 
this  country.  Many  of  the  name  fought  with  the  Continentals  in  their 
war  of  independence  with  the  English,  and  some  of  them  left  a  bril- 
liant record.  They  also  established  records  as  Indian  fighters,  and 
were  among  the  first  to  be  called  on  for  defense  of  the  wilderness  block- 
houses, which  were  erected  in  nearly  every  settlement  for  the  protection 
of  the  women  and  children. 

(I)  John  Daniel  Groninger  came  direct  from  Holland  in  the  small 
sailing  vessel,  the  "Marbourgh",  and  landed  at  Philadelphia  September 
23,  1741.  He  established  himself  soon  thereafter  as  a  farmer,  taking 
up  wild  land,  clearing  and  improving  it,  building  thereon  houses  for  his 
family.  He  was  successful  in  all  his  ventures  and  when  he  died,  in 
Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1786.  he  left  quite  a  large  estate.  Among 
his  children  was  Leonard  S.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Leonard  S.,  son  of  John  Daniel  Groninger,  was  born  in  1758, 
on  his  father's  farm.  His  meager  education  was  obtained  at  such  schools 
as  the  times  afforded.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  died  on  his 
farm  in  Milford  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  had 
spent  most  of  his  life.  Fle  was  a  soldier  of  the  revolution  as  well  as  an 
Indian  scout.  In  1780.  previous  to  his  coming  to  Milford  township,  he 
was  on  a  hunting  and  scouting  expedition  when  he  was  surprised  and 
taken  captive  by  the  Indians.  He  was  held  by  them  for  two  years,  and 
at  last  succeeding  in  making  his  escape,  he  found  his  way  through  the 
almost  impenetral)le  forests  to  his  home.  He  lived  a  long  and  useful 
life,  dying  in  1831.  He  married,  in  1788,  Barbara  May,  the  daughter 
of  a  neighbor.  Children:  Leonard  Jr.;  Henry;  George,  married  Miss 
Martin;  Jacob,  of  whom  further;  Margaret,  married  John  Hench ; 
Susannah,  married  John  Wisehaupt;  Mary,  married  Jacob  Kepner. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  643 

(III)  Jacob,  son  of  Leonard  S.  and  Barbara  (May)  Groninger,  was 
born  March  6,  1799.  died  in  1892,  in  Mil  ford  township,  where  he  was 
born  and  reared.  Necessarily  his  education  was  b'mited  to  the  ad- 
vantages offered  by  the  schools  of  that  day,  and  on  leaving  them  he 
entered  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  took  up  two  hundred  virgin 
acres  in  the  forest,  cleared,  erected  buildings  on  it  and  cultivated  it, 
putting  in  corn  and  such  crops  as  the  time  and  seasons  permitted.  He 
was  unusually  successful,  and  at  his  death  left  a  nice  estate.  He  was  a 
staunch  Presbyterian,  supporting  his  church  generously,  and  was  a  good 
man,  friend  and  neighbor,  which  meant  much  more  in  those  days  of 
isolation  from  human  companionship  than  it  does  today.     He  married 

(first)  Nancy  Hench,  who  died  in  1831 ;  married  (second)  Sidney  Wil- 
son, born  March  14,  18 14,  died  July  3,  1892.  Children  by  first  mar- 
riage: John,  who  was  twice  married;  Mary  Ann,  married  Abram  Car- 
liaugh ;  Barbara,  married  Stewart  T.  Turbett ;  Elizabeth,  married  Jesse 
Reynolds ;  Leonard,  of  whom  further ;  Jacob,  marri-ed  ]\Iargaret  Jacobs ; 
Orrin,  married  Malinda  Jacobs;  Henry,  married  Mary  Jacobs.  Children 
by  second  marriage :  Wilson,  married  Elizabeth  Notestine :  Han- 
nah J.,  married  D.  K.  Sulofif;  George,  married  Amanda  Rhine; 
Samuel,  married  Elizabeth  Galbraith ;  William,  married  Catherine 
Ritzman;  Benjamin,  married  Matilda  Kepner;  Euphemia,  married 
John  G.  Hertzler:  James,  married  .Mice  Hertzler;  ]\Iatilda,  married 
Jonas  K.  Hertzler. 

(IV)  Leonard,  son  of  Jacob  and  Nancy  (Hench)  Groninger,  was 
born  in  Milford  township,  Juniata  county,  on  the  Groninger  homestead. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  engaged 
in  farming  while  yet  a  youth.  He  purchased  land  in  ]\Iilford  township 
after  his  marriage  and  lived  on  it  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1905. 
He  was  an  active  worker  in  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  was  a 
member,  as  was  his  wife.  He  advocated  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  voted  with  it  since  it  was  organized  in  1857-59.  He  married 
Margaret,  a  daughter  of  William  Reynolds,  a  long  time  resident  of 
Fermanagh  township,  a  farmer  and  land  owner.  Mr.  Reynolds  was 
one  of  the  prosperous  and  prominent  men  of  his  section,  and  had  a 
notable  military  record.  His  children  were:  Mar>',  married  Enoch 
Horning;  Jesse,  married  Betsey  Groninger;  Robert,  married  Miss  Robin- 
son; George,  was  a  civil  war  veteran,  died  unmarried;  Margaret,  mar- 


644  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

ried  Leonard  Groninger,  and  died  in  1902.  Children  of  Leonard  and 
Margaret  (Reynolds)  Groninger.  i.  Stewart,  a  locomotive  engineer, 
killed  in  an  accident ;  married  Rosa  Shaffner.  2.  Mary,  married  Everitt 
Meloy,  a  farmer  of  Milford  township,  both  deceased.  3.  John,  married 
Anna  Beale ;  he  is  a  telegraph  lineman  at  Reading,  Pennsylvania.  4. 
Elliot,  of  whom  further.  5.  Jacob,  died  on  reaching  majority.  6. 
George,  married  Laura  Weildman ;  he  is  a  farmer  in  Milford  township. 
7.  Jesse,  married  Gertrude  Arbagast. 

(V)  Elliot,  son  of  Leonard  and  Margaret  (Reynolds)  Groninger, 
was  born  February  12,  1856,  in  Milford  township,  Juniata  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  received  a  common  school  education  in  the  township,  and 
on  leaving  school  began  farming  with  his  father.  He  moved  to  his  pres- 
ent home  in  1889,  which  was  known  as  the  Professor  Wilson  place,  near 
Port  Royal,  and  has  one  hundred  acres  in  a  high  state  of  productiveness. 
He  does  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  the  dual  occupation  netting 
handsome  sums  each  year.  He  is  a  Republican,  was  associate  judge 
from  1906  to  191 1,  and  has  held  other  minor  offices.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church,  while  his  wife  attends  the  Presbyterian.  He  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Hamilton)  McLaughlin,  the 
latter  agent  for  several  fire  insurance  companies  in  Turbett  township. 
Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Groninger:  i.  Homer,  born  in  1885  ;  graduate 
of  West  Point  Military  Academy,  in  1908;  at  present  serving  in  the 
Fifth  Cavalry,  \J.  S.  A.  2.  Stoey,  born  in  1889;  a  teacher.  3.  Hugh, 
born  in  1892;  a  student  in  State  College.  4.  Sarah,  born  in  1894:  at 
home  with  parents. 


George  D.  Herrington,  of  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
HERRINGTON     sylvania,  descends  on  the  paternal  side  from  hon- 
orable English  stock,  and  on  the  distaff  side  from 
thrifty  German  people,  a  happy  combination,  as  has  been  proven  on  many 
occasions  and  in  many  American  families. 

(I)  Daniel  Herrington.  the  grandfather  of  George  D.  Herrington, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  His  forbears  probably  came  to  this  country 
in  the  early  part  of  1700,  as  there  are  many  of  the  name  in  the  New  Eng- 
land states  who  claim  early  emigrants  from  England  about  that  time. 
Daniel  passed  his  entire  life  in  his  native  state,  spending  most  of  it  in  the 
Juniata   Valley.      He  married   a  native  of   the  valley.      Children:      i. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   JLWTATA    X'ALLEY  645 

Hiram,  was  a  laborer  in  Juniata  Valley.     2.  Reuben,  of  whom  further. 
3.  James,  a  drayman  at  the  Osceola  Alills. 

(II)  Reuben,  son  of  Daniel  Herrington,  was  born  in  Juniata  Valley, 
June  II,  1830,  and  was  killed  in  a  sand  mine,  November  11,  1873.  He 
was  a  farmer  in  early  life  and  a  boatman  on  the  Juniata  canal,  afterward 
engaging  with  the  railroad.  At  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  between  the 
north  and  south  he  enlisted  in  a  Pennsylvania  company  and  served  out 
the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He  was  a  Democrat,  taking  an  active  inter- 
est in  all  political  questions,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  He  married  (first)  Mary  Davis,  December  16,  1851;  she 
died  August  4,  1854.  He  married  (second)  Catherine  Minehart.  born 
November  16,  1832,  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  died  March  6, 
1900.  daughter  of  John  and  ]^Iary  (Lyons)  Alinehart.  Children  by  first 
marriage :  i.  James  Horace,  born  October  22,  1852 ;  a  farmer  in  Texas. 
2.  ]\Iary.  died  in  infancy.  Children  by  second  marriage:  3.  John,  born 
July  14.  1861  ;  owns  a  steam  laundry  in  Lewistown;  married  Susie 
Hochenberry.  4.  Sarah  H.,  born  July  16,  1863,  died  aged  fourteen.  5. 
Mary  E.,  born  April  10.  1865;  married  Peter  Lower,  an  axe  grinder  at 
Yeagertown.  6.  Rachel  Annie,  born  December  6,  1867;  married  Henry 
Knepp;  lives  at  Lima,  Ohio.  7.  Elbertha  A.,  born  January  27,  1870, 
died  aged  seven.  8.  George  D.,  of  whom  further.  9.  Reuben  Alfonzo, 
born  March  i.  1874,  died  in  infancy.  John  and  Mary  (Lyons)  Mine- 
hart  came  from  Butler  county  to  ^lifflin  county  with  their  family,  and 
he  took  up  land  in  Granville  township,  about  two  hundred  acres.  He 
cleared  and  improved  it  and  he  and  his  wife  died  on  it,  he  at  the  age 
of  seventy-two  and  she  eighty-six.  The\-  were  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  and  were  highly  respected  in  the  community. 
They  both  were  God-fearing  and  law-abiding  members  of  society,  and 
reared  their  children  to  be  such.  Children:  William;  Catherine,  mar- 
ried Reuben  Herrington ;  Ard. 

(III)  George  D.,  son  of  Reuben  and  Catherine  (Minehart)  Herring- 
ton, was  born  June  4.  1872,  in  Granville  township,  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
township,  and  as  a  young  man  engaged  with  the  various  farmers  of  the 
township  and  with  his  brother.  In  1900  he  established  a  milk  dairy 
business,  which  he  has  since  followed  with  great  success.  In  1906  he 
bought  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  five  miles  from  Lewistown, 


646  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

and  has  brouglit  ihcm  up  to  a  high  state  of  productiveness.  He  does 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  gives  his  franchise  to  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  has  done  so  since  reaching  his  majority,  but  has  never 
held  nor  aspired  to  office.  He,  with  his  wife,  attends  the  Baptist  church, 
of  which  she  is  a  member. 

He  married.  :\Iarch  2.  1897,  jMary  E.,  daughter  of  Ellis  and  Tillie 
(Rittenhou.se)  Donahey,  the  former  a  prominent  farmer  of  Granville 
townshii).  Mrs.  Herrington  died  July  i,  1912.  Children:  i.  Wilbur, 
born  October  24.  1899.  2.  Matilda  Catherine,  born  September  22,  1900. 
3.  George  Walker,  born  September  i,  1905.  4.  Ethel  May,  born  July  2y, 
1907.  5.  Horace  Reuben,  born  March  24,  1909.  6.  Mary  Donahey, 
born  June  2.  1912,  died  in  infancy. 

\\'illiam  J.   Crissman.  of  Lewistown,   Mifflin  county, 

CRISSMAX     Pennsylvania,  must  be  classed  by  learned  ethnologists 

as  a  true  American,  in  that  he  descends  from  three  of 

the  different  races  that  have  combined  to  produce  the  American  nation  of 

to-day,  the  English,  Irish  and  German. 

(I)  Adam  Crissman,  the  forbear  of  the  Crissman  family  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  born  in  Lower  Pennsylvania  while  it  was  yet  a  province 
of  England.  He  was  a  farmer  and  reared  his  family  on  the  first  clear- 
ing that  he  made  after  his  marriage.  An  Adam  Crissman  is  named  as 
one  of  the  soldiers  from  Pennsylvania  that  enlisted  in  the  continental 
army,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  it  was  he.  He  was  the  father 
of  a  large  family,  and  among  his  sons  was  John,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  John,  son  of  Adam  Crissman,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  farm  of  his  father.  He  was  a  farmer  and  a  land 
owner,  and  at  one  time  had  under  cultivation  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres.  He  also  possessed  valuable  timber  lands  in  Havice  Vallev.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Rothrock,  born  in  Dauphin  county,  daughter  of  a 
prominent  German  family  in  that  community.  Immediately  after  mar- 
riage they  came  to  Mifflin  count}-  and  settled  near  Siglerville,  where 
they  soon  became  identified  with  the  social  and  religious  life  of  that 
section.  Both  were  members  at  one  time  of  the  German  Reformed 
church,  but  later  in  life  affiliated  with  the  Presbyterian.  Children: 
I.  Adam,  died  in  Clearfield  county:  was  a  bookkeeper  and  later  a  pros- 
perous merchant :  married  Sarah  Hudson.     2.  George  W.,  a  farmer  of 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  647 

Armagh  township ;  married  (first)  Ehzabeth  Longwell ;  (second)  Louise 
Wagner.  3.  Lavina,  married  Frederick  Havice,  a  farmer  of  Armagh 
township.  4.  Margaret,  married  Christian  Brown,  a  farmer  of  Armagh 
township.  5.  Ehzabeth,  married  Thomas  Longwell,  a  carpenter  and  con- 
tractor of  Siglerville.  6.  John  M.,  of  whom  further.  7.  Susannah, 
married  \V.  H.  Glass,  a  prominent  educator  and  a  civil  war  veteran, 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

(Ill)  John  M.,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (  Rothrock)  Crissman,  was 
born  December  5,  1834,  near  Siglerville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
died  March  7,  1902,  at  Siglerville.  He  farmed  during  his  entire  life  in 
Armagh  township,  and  owned  a  large  place  on  which  he  erected  sub- 
stantial houses  and  reared  his  family  of  ten  children.  He  was  a  staunch 
Republican  as  soon  as  that  party  came  into  existence,  supporting  it  and 
working  for  it.  He  was  honored  by  his  neighbors  with  many  township 
offices.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
of  which  he  was  an  elder  for  twenty-five  years.  He  advocated  at  all 
times  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number,  and  there  was  no  ques- 
tion of  public  policy  that  did  not  have  his  approval  when  it  was  for  the 
benefit  of  the  public.  He  married  Mary  J.  Aitkens,  born  May  9,  1840, 
in  Mifflin  county,  near  Siglerville,  died  June  4,  1905,  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  John  A.  Esh.  She  was  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Eliza  (Close)  Aitkens.  Mr.  Crissman  was  widely  mourned  at  his  death. 
as  his  township  offices  and  generosity  had  brought  him  in  close  contact 
with  many  people  of  the  township.  Children,  i.  William  J.,  of  whom 
further.  2.  Hallie  Elizabeth,  born  March  20,  i860;  married  W.  G.  Ram- 
sey, a  farmer  of  Armagh  township:  she  is  deceased.  3.  Ada  J.,  born 
December  17,  1861 ;  married  A.  F.  McClintic,  a  gentleman  farmer  and 
merchant.  4.  James  Mead,  born  August  23,  1863;  a  farmer  and  later 
a  mail  route  carrier;  married  the  widow  of  Samuel  M.  Brown.  5. 
Samuel  Rush,  born  April  20,  1865,  died  in  infancy.  6.  Edward  Bruce, 
born  January  28,  1867.  died  March  25,  1913;  married  (first)  Jennie 
Sailor;  (second)  Margaret  Esh.  7.  Minnie  May,  born  October  30, 
1868;  married  T.  W.  Lawver,  an  educator  and  farmer  of  Milroy;  she 
is  deceased.  8.  Walter  Clark,  born  September  28,  1871 ;  a  school  teacher 
and  farmer;  married  Rhoda  Sample.  9.  Bertha,  born  September  26, 
1873;  married  John  A.  Esh,  a  farmer  of  Armagh  township.  10.  Mary 
M.,  born  October  8,  1878,  deceased;  married  Clyde  Stull. 


648  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(IV)  William  J.,  son  of  John  M.  and  Islary  J.  (Aitkens)  Crissman, 
was  born  August  26,  1858.  in  Armagh  township,  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  the  Crissman  homestead.  He  received  his  preparatory  edu- 
cation in  the  public  school  of  the  township,  finishing  at  the  Milroy  high 
school.  Being  the  eldest  of  a  large  family  of  children  he  considered  it 
his  dutv  to  remain  on  the  farm  with  his  father,  and  did  so  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-eight.  In  1904  Mr.  Crissman  moved  from  his 
one  hundred  and  forty-one-acre  farm  in  Granville  township  to  Lewis- 
town  and  established  a  meat  market,  supplying  it  largely  from  his  own 
farm,  where  he  makes  a  specialty  of  stock  raising  for  his  market.  Since 
the  establishment  of  the  business  it  has  grown  wonderfully,  assisted, 
not  onlv  by  the  demand  for  excellent  meats,  but  also  by  the  courte- 
ous and  fair  treatment  of  the  public.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  like  his  father  he  votes  with  the 
Republican  party,  but  has  never  held  nor  asked  for  office.  He  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  substantial,  progressive  business  men  of  Lewis- 
town.  He  married,  December  28,  1887,  Juniata  J.,  daughter  of  Lemuel 
A.  and  Margareta  (Koons)  Kepner,  of  German  descent  and  prominent 
people  of  Turbett  township.  Juniata  county,  where  Mr.  Kepner  had  a 
large  farm. 

(The  .\itkens  Line). 
The  -\itkens  family,  long  established  in  Pennsylvania,  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  William  Aitkens  came  from  Scotland  in  1742,  and  settled 
in  Pennsylvania.  His  son,  William,  also  located  in  Pennsylvania.  John, 
the  son  of  William,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  but  moved  to  an  ad- 
joining county  on  reaching  his  majority.  William,  son  of  John,  lived 
and  died  near  Siglerville,  Mifflin  county.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  a  farmer  during  the 
greater  part  of  his  life,  and  erected  on  his  farm  a  smithy  that  was  largely 
patronized  by  the  community  as  well  as  the  farmers  in  adjoining  town- 
ships. He  married  (first)  Eliza  Close,  daughter  of  Mr.  Close,  of  Eng- 
lish extraction;  married  (second)  Maria  Jones,  of  Clearfield  county. 
Children  by  first  marriage:  i.  Thomas,  a  farmer;  married  Susannah 
Crissman,  the  widow  of  W.  H.  Glass.  2.  Mary  J.,  married  John  M. 
Crissman  (see  Crissman  III).  3.  Samuel  D.,  a  mail  carrier  and  farmer 
in  Armagh  township,  lives  on  Aitkens  homestead;  married  Maggie 
Adams.    4.  .\(la  J.,  married  Wilson  W.  Nale,  a  farmer  of  Center  county 


HISTORY    OF   THE   JUXIATA   VALLEY  649 

and  later  of  Armagh  township.  Children  by  second  marriage:  5.  Sarah, 
married  Charles  J.  Ehrenfield,  a  farmer  and  land  owner  of  Armagh 
township.  6.  Maggie  B.,  married  S.  H.  Crissman.  7.  Martha,  married 
A.  B.  Cummings,  a  farmer  of  Armagh  township. 


Simon  E.  Hess,  the  el^cient  yard  conductor  for  the  Pennsyl- 
HESS  vania  railroad  at  Marysville,  is  a  son  of  Henry  E.  and  Mary 
Jane  (Eppler)  Hess.  Henry  E.  Hess  was  born  in  1841,  has 
been  a  railroad  man  for  many  years  and  is  now  train  master  for  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad,  stationed  at  Baltimore,  Maryland.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  has  held  several  offices  local  in  character  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  married  Mary  Jane  Eppler, 
born  in  1852  in  East  Pennsboro  township,  Cumberland  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter  of  Simon  G.  and  Catherine  (Hebisonj  Eppler  and  grand- 
daughter of  John  Eppler  and  his  wife,  a  Miss  Garver.  John  Eppler  was 
a  farmer  and  land  owner  of  Perry  county,  later  moving  to  the  town  of 
Marysville  where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death.  He  left  issue,  among 
whom  were:  Simon  G.  (see  forward);  Herman;  Reuben;  Solomon; 
Aaron;  Leah,  married  David  Brightall ;  Susan,  married  Jacob  Zang. 

Simon  G.  Eppler  was  born  December  31,  1831,  on  an  island  in  the 
Susquehanna  river,  just  below  Harrisburg  in  Londonderry  township, 
Dauphin  county,  died  in  Marysville,  Pennsylvania,  October  5,  1899.  He 
was  a  railroad  engineer  for  many  years  at  Marysville,  but  in  later  life 
opened  a  shoe  store  there.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Church  of  God. 

He  married  Catherine  Hebison,  born  in  East  Pennsboro  township, 
Cumberland  county,  November  22,  1830,  died  December  5.  191 1;  chil- 
dren: Mary  Jane,  born  June  12,  1852,  married  Henry  E.  Hess  (of  pre- 
vious mention)  ;  Aaron  H.,  born  April  3,  1857,  died  aged  eight  years; 
Sarah  Ann,  born  August  29,  1858,  married  Philip  Zimmerman,  a  mer- 
chant of  Highspire,  Dauphin  county;  Catherine,  born  January  29,  i860, 
never  married.  Children  of  Henry  E.  and  Mary  Jane  Hess:  Catherine, 
residing  at  home;  Simon  E.,  of  whom  further;  Lily,  married  James  Sib- 
bits  and  resides  in  Baltimore;  .\nna,  resides  in  Baltimore;  Mary,  mar- 
ried Lindsay  Pettit  and  resides  in  Washington,  D.  C. ;  George,  now  an 
electrical  engineer  in  Altoona,  Pennsylvania. 

(II)   Simon  E.,  eldest  son  of  Henry  E.  and  Mary  Jane  (Eppler) 


650  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Hess,  was  born  in  Marysville,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  7, 
1875.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  as  clerk  at  the 
Marysville  station.  Later  he  entered  the  train  service  as  brakeman, 
winning  promotion  to  his  present  position  of  yard  conductor  at  Marys- 
ville. He  is  a  member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railroad  Trainmen;  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America ;  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married  in  1897  Cora,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Freed) 
Hippie,  he  a  farmer  of  Rye  township.  Mary  Freed  was  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Sarah  Freed,  natives  of  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  later 
resided  on  their  farm  in  Perry  county.  Children  of  John  and  Mary 
(Freed)  Hippie:  Arbie  E.,  married  Delia  Colyer  (?)  ;  Sarah,  married 
James  White:  Nettie,  unmarried;  Walter,  unmarried;  Richard,  mar- 
ried Anna  Bell  Eppley;  Cora,  married  Simon  E.  Hess,  of  previous  men- 
tion: children:  Miriam,  born  April  30,  1899;  Theodore,  February  4, 
1909. 

This    branch    of    the    McLaughlin     family    was 
McLAL'(jHLIN     founded   in   Pennsylvania  by  Hugh   McLaughlin, 

born  in  Ireland,  who  settled  in  Lancaster  on  first 
coming  to  America.  The  date  of  his  coming  to  Juniata  county  is  fixed 
at  1793  or  1794,  by  deeds  and  land  transfers.  His  lands  were  in  Turbett 
township  and  there  he  lived  until  death.  He  married  in  Ireland  and 
brought  a  family  to  this  country  with  him. 

(II)  James,  son  of  Hugh  McLaughlin,  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came 
to  Pennsylvania  with  his  father  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  He  moved 
to  Juniata  county,  married  and  settled  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Turbett 
township,  where  his  after  life  was  spent.  During  the  war  of  1812  he 
raised  a  company,  and  was  always  active  and  useful  in  town  affairs. 
He  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  locating  the  old  Mount  Hope  school- 
house  and  was  given  the  honor  of  bestowing  upon  it  a  name.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics.  He  married  Elizabeth  Swyler,  born  in  Germany, 
hut  came  to  this  country  when  a  girl.  Children :  John,  died  in  Juniata 
county,  a  farmer  and  insurance  agent :  Mary,  married  Joseph  Steager 
and  died  in  Indiana:  James  (2),  of  whom  further;  EHzabeth,  married 
George  DcX'auIt  and  died  in  Illinois;  Jane,  married  William  Hench  and 


->d''   /7v  c>clcL.^^^^^X<^ 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUXIATA   VALLEY  651 

died  in  Turbett  township ;  Margaret,  married  Michael  DeVault  and  died 
in  IlHnois ;  Frank,  died  in  Turbett  township ;  Hugh,  died  aged  seventeen 
years;  Samuel,  died  in  Spruce  Hill  township,  formerly  Turbett. 

(HI)  James  (2),  son  of  James  (i)  and  Elizabeth  (Swyler)  Mc- 
Laughlin, was  born  in  Turbett  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  4,  1817,  died  in  the  same  township,  March  15,  1901.  He  re- 
mained at  the  home  farm  until  his  marriage,  then  in  1850  purchased  a 
farm  to  which  he  added  until  he  had  one  hundred  acres  of  fertile,  well 
cultivated  land.  From  1876  until  1879  he  was  a  commissioner  of 
Juniata  county,  elected  as  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  man  of  high  character 
and  held  in  universal  esteem.  He  married  (first)  Mary  Wharton,  who 
bore  him  three  children,  now  all  deceased:  William  K.,  Rebecca  J.,  mar- 
ried Elias  Arbogast;  Edward  P.,  died  in  South  Dakota.  He  married 
(second)  Elizabeth  Irvine,  born  in  Perry  county,  January  2,  1821,  died 
in  Turbett  township,  February  15,  1901,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Milligan)  Irvine.  Her  parents  were  both  born  in  Saville  township. 
Perry  county,  where  William  Irvine  followed  his  trade  of  blacksmith 
until  his  death,  aged  forty  years.  His  widow  never  remarrying,  died 
aged  sixty-nine  years.  Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church; 
their  children  were :  James,  died  in  Perry  county,  a  farmer ;  Jane,  died 
unmarried;  Elizabeth,  married  James  (2)  McLaughlin;  Sarah,  died 
unmarried ;  John,  is  living  in  Virginia,  aged  eighty  years.  Children  of 
James  (2)  and  Elizabeth  (Irvine)  McLaughlin:  John,  died  aged  three 
years;  James  Scott,  of  whom  further;  Sarah  Ann,  married  D.  B.  McWil- 
liams,  a  worker  in  the  Standard  Steel  Works,  at  Burnham,  Pennsyl- 
vania, also  their  residence. 

(IV)  James  Scott,  only  son  of  James  (2)  and  Elizabeth  (Irvine) 
McLaughlin,  was  born  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  in  Turbett  town- 
ship, Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  29,  1859.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  Airy  View  Academy,  and  has  always 
lived  on  the  homestead  farm.  There  his  youth  was  spent  as  his  father'^ 
assistant,  later  he  purchased  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs  and  has 
since  added  adjoining  acres.  He  has  erected  a  new  residence  on  the 
property  and  otherwise  enhanced  its  value.  Mr.  McLaughlin  was  one 
of  the  principal  organizers  of  the  People's  National  Bank  of  Mifflin  and 
was  chosen  its  first  president,  an  office  he  has  most  ably  filled.  He  is 
also  the  owner  of  a  grist  mill  at  old  Port  Royal,  and  interested  in  other 


65-'  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

business  enterprises.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry. Mr.  McLaughlin  is  a  fine  type  of  the  business  farmer,  loves 
the  soil,  and  the  associations  clinging  around  the  old  home  farm  have 
always  held  him  closely. 

He  married,  December  22,  1886,  Blanche  M.  Caldwell,  born  at  White 
Deer,  Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Mil- 
liken)  Caldwell,  who  both  died  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania.  Children: 
Tames  I.,  a  miller  of  Missouri,  but  a  plumber  by  trade;  Mary  C,  mar- 
ried Charles  Finnefrock  and  resides  in  Mifflintown;  Grace  E.,  residing 
at  home;  Paul  E.,  a  student  at  Port  Royal  high  school. 

The  Creightons  of  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  are  of 
CREIGHTON  English  descent  paternally,  their  forbears  being  early 
settlers  in  the  Juniata  Valley.  William  Creighton 
came  to  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  at  an  early  date,  settling  first  in 
Decatur  township,  later  in  Derry  township,  at  the  present  town  of  Burn- 
ham,  where  he  died,  aged  eighty-eight  years.  He  was  a  shoemaker  and 
an  auctioneer,  successful  in  all  his  undertakings  and  a  man  much  re- 
spected. He  owned  forty  acres  of  land  in  Derry  township,  half  of  which 
was  later  sold  to  the  Standard  Steel  Works,  the  balance  yet  remaining 
in  the  family.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  married  Elizabeth  Jacobs, 
who  died  in  1873.  Children:  Abraham,  Samuel,  Amanda,  Mary 
Jane,  Lsaac  Thompson,  of  whom  further;  William.  Elizabeth  and  Mar- 
garet. 

(II)  Isaac  Thompson,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Jacobs) 
Creighton,  was  born  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1843,  died  August  5,  1902,  in  Derry  township,  same  county.  He 
grew  to  manhood  in  the  latter  township,  was  educated  in  the  public 
school  and  Wright  jjrivate  school,  later  learning  the  carpenter's  trade. 
He  followed  his  trade  for  many  years,  and  was  also  for  several  years 
employed  at  the  Standard  Steel  Works.  He  was  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  He  was  a  man  of  industry  and  integrity,  holding  the  respect 
of  his  community. 

He  married,  December  31,  1872,  Lucinda  Herbster,  born  in  Snyder 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  653 

county,  March  15,  1847,  daughter  of  Gabriel  and  Hannah  (Young) 
Herbster.  He  was  born  in  Snyder  county,  died  in  Snyder  county;  she 
was  born  in  Decatur  township,  Mifflin  county,  and  died  in  Snyder  county 
in  1854.  Children  of  Gabriel  and  Hannah  Herbster:  William,  a  veteran 
of  the  civil  war,  deceased;  Thomas,  a  veteran,  now  living  in  Snyder 
county ;  Priscilla,  married  Samuel  Bottorff,  of  Downs,  Kansas ;  Amanda, 
married  Samuel  Chestnut,  of  DuBois,  Pennsylvania;  Lucinda,  married 
Isaac  T.  Creighton,  whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Burnham,  Penn- 
sylvania;  Hiram,  Nathaniel,  deceased;  Jacob,  deceased.  Children  of 
Isaac  T.  and  Lucinda  (Herbster)  Creighton:  i.  Emma  Elizabeth,  born 
November  i,  1873  ;  married  Mitchell  Barr,  of  Yeagertown,  Pennsylvania, 
now  a  foreman  at  the  Standard  Steel  Works;  children:  Edward  Creigh- 
ton, Rosemond  Lucinda  and  Kenneth  SheatTer.  2.  William  Andrew, 
born  1876,  educated  in  the  public  school  and  Williamsport  Seminary, 
formerly  a  merchant,  now  with  the  Standard  Steel  Works.  He  married 
Rose  L.  Willett,  of  Burnham  and  has  children :  Doris  Bywater,  Averial 
and  William  Edger.  3.  Edward  Roy,  born  1879,  educated  in  the  public 
school,  learned  the  molder's  trade,  later  that  of  machinist,  which  he  now 
follows.     He  married  Albertina  Smith. 


The  Gibboneys,  of  Belleville,  Pennsylvania,  are  of 
GIBBONEY  Welsh  origin,  the  emigrant  settling  in  Bucks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  prior  to  the  revolution,  in  which  his  sons 
bore  a  part.  The  founder  of  the  family  in  the  Juniata  Valley  was  Alex- 
ander ( I )  Gibboney,  born  in  Bucks  county,  where  he  became  a  manu- 
facturer of  cloth.  He  served  in  the  commissary  department  of  the  con- 
tinental army,  and  later  settled  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  had  a  small  farm  of  thirty  acres  near  Belleville,  then  called  Green- 
wood. There  he  built  the  first  woLilen  mill  ever  erected  in  that  section, 
operated  it  for  many  years,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years. 
He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  active  and  enterprising  in  business,  and 
of  high  standing  in  his  community.  He  married  a  Miss  Garver,  born  in 
Berks  county,  of  German  parentage.  They  were  both  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  are  buried  in  the  Presbyterian  cemetery  at 
Belleville.  Children:  i.  Davis.  2.  Alexander  (2),  of  whom  further. 
3.  James,  for  one  term  sherifif  of  Mifflin  county,  elected  1833,  and  for 
two  terms  prothonotary,  first  elected   1839;  he  married  Annie  Horrell, 


654  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

who  lived  to  be  ninety-one  years  of  age.    4.  Benjamin.     5.  Jemima.     6. 
Sarah. 

(II)  Alexander  (2),  son  of  Alexander  (i)  Gibboney,  was  educated 
in  the  subscription  schools  of  his  section,  Mifflin  county,  and  assisted 
his  father  in  the  woolen  mill  near  Belleville,  and  later  became  a  manufac- 
turer of  woolen  goods.  He  was  an  active,  energetic  man  and  con- 
tinued in  prosperous  business  until  his  death.  He  was  a  Democrat  and 
took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  married  Elizabeth  Alexan- 
der, born  in  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  and  with  her  iiusband  belonged  to 
the  Presbyterian  church.  He  reared  a  family  including  a  son,  Albert 
G.,  see  forward. 

(III)  Albert  G.,  son  of  Alexander  (2)  Gibboney,  was  born  near 
Belleville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  25,  1818,  died  April  2, 
1887.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  Levvistown  Academy, 
but  all  his  life  was  a  student  and  pursued  a  course  of  wide  reading. 
He  worked  with  his  father  in  the  woolen  mill  until  he  was  twenty-one, 
then  followed  farming  until  1861,  in  Union  township,  then  established 
the  first  drug  store  in  Belleville,  in  partnership  with  his  brother.  Dr. 
Samuel  Gibboney,  continuing  there  in  successful  business  all  his  re- 
maining years.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  a  debating  society,  deeply 
interested  in  nature  study,  and  a  regular  correspondent  for  the  news- 
papers of  his  section.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  serving  for  twenty- 
five  years  as  school  director.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  all  progres- 
sive movements  in  his  town,  and  a  faithful  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

He  married  Penninah,  daughter  of  John  Morrison,  a  farmer.  Chil- 
dren: I.  Howard  Eugene,  married  Mary  Steeley.  2.  Elizabeth  Alex- 
ander. 3.  Granville  M.,  born  August  7,  1847.  a  merchant  of  Reeds- 
villei  married  Marian  Cordelia  Bell;  two  children,  Albert  and  Irene.  4. 
William  Morrison,  of  whom  further.  5.  Charles  Bowers,  married  Jen- 
nie Brindle.  6.  Samuel  Rush,  a  druggist  of  Salina,  Kansas,  unmarried. 
7.  -Albert  Victor,  died  aged  five  years.  8.  Kate  Morrison,  died  aged 
four  years.    9.  Thomas  Sherman,  married  Margaret  Fultz. 

(IV)  William  Morrison,  son  of  Albert  G.  and  Penninah  (Morri- 
son) Gibboney,  was  born  on  the  Gibboney  homestead,  near  Belleville. 
Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  17,  1852.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  school  of  Belleville,  and  began  business  life  as  a  clerk  in  his 


HISTORY   OF   THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY  655 

father's  drug  store,  going  from  there  to  a  similar  position  in  a  drug  store 
at  Roaring  Springs,  Blair  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  spent  a  year  in 
the  drug  business  in  South  Bend,  then  returned  to  Belleville,  succeeding 
his  father  in  business  at  the  death  of  the  latter,  continuing  until  1895, 
when  he  sold  his  interest.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  of 
the  Kishacoquillas  Valley  railroad,  and  served  as  treasurer  during  its 
construction.  In  the  year  1900  he  was  chosen  auditor  of  the  railroad, 
a  position  he  yet  holds.  He  has  prospered  in  business  and  is  one  of 
the  substantial,  respected  men  of  his  town.  He  is  an  elder  of  the  Belle- 
ville Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  political  faith  is  a  Democrat,  serving 
as  postmaster  from  1884  to  1892. 

He  married,  in  1881,  Letitia  Strayer,  born  at  Port  Royal,  Pennsyl- 
vania, died  May  i,  1905,  daughter  of  George  and  Susan  Strayer.  He 
married  (second)  in  1907,  Mrs.  Amelia  Hassinger,  of  Milroy.  Chil- 
dren by  tirst  marriage:  i.  Leonore,  born  in  1883.  deceased:  married 
A.  C.  Helfrick.  2.  Hazel  S.,  born  August  4,  1888:  now  a  student  at 
Millersville  State  Normal.  3.  Albert  G.  (2),  born  July  17,  1893;  grad- 
uate of  Belleville  High  School,  class  of  1909,  and  post-graduate  1910; 
he  is  a  druggist  in  Belleville  in  the  store  his  father  repurchased  in  1912. 


Samuel  Wills,  the  first  recorded  ancestor  of  this  family  in 
WILLS  America,  was  one  of  the  very  earliest  settlers  in  Kishaco- 
quillas valley,  where  he  located  in  about  the  year  1780,  two 
miles  and  a  half  south  of  Belleville,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent,  living  a  quiet  and  industrious  life,  and  deporting  himself  in 
every  respect  as  a  worthy  and  most  respectable  citizen.  He  acquired  a 
considerable  amount  of  land  and  cultivated  a  farm  which  was  a  very 
large  one  for  those  days,  and  which  at  his  death  was  divided  among  his 
several  sons.  A  part  of  this  original  tract  is  still  owned  by  a  Wills,  a 
great-grandson.  He  died  on  the  homestead  in  1799,  and  was  buried  in 
the  old  Kishacoquillas  cemetery  three  miles  west  of  Belleville.  His 
wife  was  Miss  Martha  Brown,  a  sister  of  Judge  William  Brown,  who 
was,  like  himself,  a  staunch  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent. 

(II)  James  Wills,  son  of  Samuel  and  Martha  (Brown)  Wills,  was 
born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Kishacoquillas  valley  near  Belleville,  where 
he  grew  to  maturity.     He  was,  like  his  father,  a  cultivator  of  the  soil; 


65G  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

and  inherited  the  homestead  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1845. 
His  share  of  the  paternal  property  after  the  division,  was  three  hundred 
and  sixty  acres;  and  this  was  divided  at  his  death  among  his  three 
surviving  sons,  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  to  each.  He  married 
Rachel  Jackson,  who  was  born  at  McAlevys  Fort  in  Huntingdon  county, 
and  had  eight  children :  Joseph  Jackson,  sold  his  share  of  the  homestead 
and  died  in  Iowa;  Samuel  Brown,  lived  and  died  on  his  share;  William 
John,  died  in  childhood;  James  Thomas,  of  further  mention;  Margaret, 
deceased,  wife  of  John  \V.  Wilson;  Mary,  deceased,  wife  of  William 
John  Fleming;  Alartha,  deceased,  wife  of  John  Fleming  Wilson;  Rachel, 
deceased,  wife  of  Samuel  McKinney  Fleming. 

(III)  James  Thomas  Wills,  son  of  James  and  Rachel  (Jackson) 
Wills,  was  born  December  14,  1834,  on  the  old  Wills  homestead,  where 
he  passed  his  entire  life,  dying  there  May  2,  1900.  He  was  a  prominent 
man  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived,  being  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  and  serving  in  various  township  offices,  supervisor,  school 
director  and  as  assessor  for  a  period  of  nine  years.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church  which  he  served  as  trustee  for  many 
years.  On  February  i,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Jane  Fleming, 
who  was  born  on  the  old  Fleming  homestead  midway  between  Belle- 
ville and  Allensville,  September  11,  1845,  and  died  September  21,  1900. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church;  and  was  the  daughter 
of  James  and  Eliza  B.  (Wills)  Fleming  (see  Fleming  Family).  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wills  had  one  son,  James  Fleming,  of  further  mention. 

(IV)  James  Fleming  Wills,  son  of  James  Thomas  and  Mary  Jane 
(Fleming)  Wills,  was  born  at  Belleville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  12,  1871.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools 
and  at  Indiana  State  Normal  School,  where  he  graduated  in  1894.  Mr. 
Wills  had,  however,  taught  school  two  years  prior  to  his  graduation; 
and  at  the  close  of  his  school  work  at  Indiana,  resumed  his  occupation 
of  teacher,  devoting  ten  more  years  to  this  career  in  the  common 
schools.  He  was  principal  of  the  Belleville  High  School  for  six  years, 
and  for  one  year  was  principal  at  Allensville.  So  satisfactory  had  been 
his  career  as  teacher  that  in  May,  1905,  he  was  elected  superintendent  of 
the  schools  of  Mifflin  county,  being  reelected  in  1908  to  fill  the  same  posi- 
tion, and  again  reelected  in  191 1.  He  was  the  first  official  in  the  county 
to  be  twice  reelected  to  this  position,  and  enjoyed  the  highest  confidence 


HISTORY    OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  657 

and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens  for  the  fine  educational  work  which  he 
achieved.  Mr.  Wills  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  as  all  of 
his  forefathers  have  been,  and  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  session  in  said  church.  Mrs.  Wills,  to  whom  he  was 
married  on  October  10,  1895,  was  Miss  Margaret  May  McClintic,  a 
native  of  Belleville  and  daughter  of  Mr.  Joseph  H.  McClintic,  a  sketch 
of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Mr.  Wills  owns  the  old 
family  homestead  and  has  also  a  comfortable  home  in  Belleville.  He 
and  his  wife  have  four  children:  Margaret  Rachel,  born  October  13, 
1898;  Mary  Elizabeth  Jane,  November  25,  1900;  Nellie  Allegra,  October 
I,  1903;  James  Henderson,  August  29,  1904. 

(The  Fleming  Family). 

(I)  The  Fleming  family  in  Pennsylvania  is  a  very  large  one,  having 
many  collateral  lines  in  descent  from  the  original  ancestor.  The  progeni- 
tor of  the  line  under  consideration  was  Robert  Fleming,  who  located 
in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  in  about  the  year  1700.  He  married 
the  daughter  of  John  Welch,  whose  wife  was  a  daughter  of  John  Knox, 
the  Scotch  apostle  of  Calvinism.  They  had  a  son,  William,  mentioned 
below. 

(II)  William  Fleming,  son  of  Robert  Fleming,  removed  to  Chester 
county  while  yet  a  young  man,  and  resided  near  the  place  where 
Henry  Wilson's  house  now  stands.  He  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Wil- 
son) Gettys,  who  lies  buried  in  the  old  West  Kishacoquillas  Presbyterian 
cemeter}'.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  he  moved  further  west,  and  may 
have  settled  in  Armstrong  county;  but  this  is  not  certain.  Among  his 
sons  was  Joseph,  of  further  mention. 

(III)  Joseph  Fleming,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Fleming,  was 
born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  early  to  Mifflin  county, 
probably  with  his  father.  He  did  not  go  west  with  his  father,  but  set- 
tled in  Menno  township  where  he  followed  farming  all  his  life.  His 
wife  was  Elizabeth  Martin,  daughter  of  John  Martin,  a  soldier  of  the 
revolutionary  war,  who  fought  at  Paoli  under  General  Wayne  in  1777, 
and  was  killed  there.  Among  the  children  of  Joseph  Fleming  were 
James,  of  further  mention ;  John.  Martin,  Joseph,  Margaret,  Elizabeth, 
and  Ann,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  years. 

(IV)  James  Fleming,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Martin)  Flem- 


658  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

ing  was  born  probablv  in  Menno  township,  where  he  grew  to  maturity 
and  became  a  farmer  and  land  owner.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  prom- 
inent man  in  his  party  in  the  township  and  county,  servmg  one  term 
as  county  commissioner  and  leaving  a  record  for  good  administration. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  also  his  wife,  who 
was  Miss  Eliza  B.  Wills  before  her  marriage.  They  had  six  children : 
Samuel  M.,  died  on  the  farm  in  Menno  township;  Elizabeth,  deceased, 
married  Henry  S.  Wilson;  Joseph  Henderson,  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
died  in  Franklin  county;  John  Martin,  retired  farmer,  living  in  Belle- 
ville; Mary  Jane,  married  to  James  Thomas  Wills  (see  Wills  III); 
James  R.,  a  merchant  of  Belleville. 

This  name  was  introduced  in  Pennsylvania  by  German 
YEAGER  emigrants  from  the  Valley  of  the  Rhine,  who  came  be- 
tween the  years  1710  and  1765.  They  settled  in  what 
was  then  Philadelphia  county,  but  now  included  within  the  limits  of 
Montgomery  county.  They  had  numerous  descendants  and  in  the  revo- 
lutionary records  of  Pennsylvania,  the  names  of  Adam,  Christian, 
Christopher,  Andrew,  Matthew,  Casper,  George,  Frederick.  Peter  and 
John  Yeager  appear  as  brave  soldiers  in  the  war  of  independence.  Of 
these  Andrew  is  the  progenitor  of  the  line  herein  recorded. 

(II)  Andrew  Yeager,  who  married  Anna  Barbara  Schuster  of 
Lachen,  near  Heidelberg.  Germany,  in  1755,  was  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers in  Lykens  Valley  and  his  name  appears  as  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers of  the  Lykens  Valley.  He  served  in  the  revolution  under  three 
enlistments.  In  1776  he  was  a  member  of  Captain  Albright  Deibler's 
company  of  Associators  and  was  at  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Prince- 
ton; in  1779,  a  private  of  Captain  John  Rutherford's  company,  and  in 
1 78 1  served  in  Captain  Martin  Weaver's  company.  He  married  and 
left  issue. 

(III)  John,  son  of  Andrew  Yeager,  "the  Patriot",  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  Pennsylvania,  February  19,  1767,  died  February  19, 
1835,  the  sixty-eighth  anniversary  of  his  birth.  He  purchased  three 
hundred  acres  in  the  Lykens  Valley  and  is  said  to  have  built  the  first 
bank  barn  in  the  valley.  He  was  baptized  and  confirmed  in  the  Re- 
formed church  and  bis  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Isaac 
Gerhart,  of  that  church,  who  chose  for  his  text  on  that  occasion  a  quota- 


HISTORY    OF   THE   JUNL\TA   VALLEY  659 

tion  from  Isaiah  57-2:  "He  shall  rest  hi  peace".  John  Yeager  married, 
July  I,  1788,  Catherine  Rau,  also  of  German  descent.  Children:  si.x 
sons  and  three  daughters. 

(IV)  Jacob,  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Rau)  Yeager,  was  born  in 
Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  11,  1793.  He  was  a  soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812,  and  later  moved  to  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
the  village  of  Yeagertown  is  named  in  his  honor.  He  purchased  'an  old 
flouring  mill  there  in  1842  which  stood  until  1857,  then  was  torn  down, 
and  after  being  rebuilt  was  operated  by  Jeremiah  M.,  a  son  and  later 
by  Jesse  Arin,  a  grandson  of  the  founder  of  the  family  at  Yeagertown. 
Jacob  Yeager  was  also  a  farmer  and  a  man  of  considerable  inventive 
genius.  He  patented  in  1830  a  mold  board  for  a  plow  that  came  into 
universal  use  in  the  United  States.  He  married,  in  1815,  Mrs.  Susanna 
Fisher,  daughter  of  George  and  Barbara  (Hoffman)  Buffington,  who 
bore  him  eight  children.  Susanna  Bufiington  was  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Richard  Buffington,  born  in  Great  Marlow,  Buckinghamshire,  England, 
1654,  and  came  to  the  United  States,  where,  according  to  a  statement 
made  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gasette  (published  in  Philadelphia,  for  week 
ending  July  5,  1739),  his  eldest  son  was  the  first  English  child  born  in 
the  province  of  Pennsylvania.  Susanna  was  a  daughter  of  George  Buf- 
fington, a  soldier  of  the  revolution  and  the  founder  of  the  Buffington 
family  in  the  Lykens  Valley.  He  married,  September  2,  1782,  Barbara, 
born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  31,  1763,  daughter  of  Peter 
Hoffman,  born  in  Germany,  1709,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1739  on 
the  ship  "Robert  and  Alice". 

(V)  Jeremiah  M.,  youngest  of  the  eight  children  of  Jacob  and 
Susanna  (Buffington)  Yeager,  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  26,  1832,  died  in  Yeagertown,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, December  30,  1906.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  but  when  a 
boy  of  ten  years  began  working  in  his  father's  flour  mill  at  Yeager- 
town. He  continued  in  the  milling  business,  and  when  the  old  mill,  that 
had  stood  for  over  sixty  years  was  torn  down  in  1859,  and  a  new  mill 
erected,  Jeremiah  M.  Yeager  was  its  proprietor  and  his  own  "head 
miller".  He  seems  to  have  had  a  patriotic  milling  force,  for  during  the 
war  between  the  states  five  of  his  assistant  millers  left  him  to  enlist  in 
the  Union  army.  Mr.  Yeager  continued  in  the  milling  business  many 
years,  prospered  and  built  up  a  large  business.     He  was  quiet  and  unob- 


66o  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

trusive  in  manner,  yet  forceful,  and  of  such  upright  character  that  his 
name  stood  as  a  synonym  for  probity,  sobriety,  charity  and  honorable 
dealing.  The  business  he  inherited  from  his  father  he  passed  on  to  his 
son,  greatly  enlarged,  but,  better  still,  he  left  a  name  unsullied  and 
ranking  in  the  commercial  world  among  the  best.  He  married  (first) 
Mary  J.,  daughter  of  William  Creighton  of  Scotch  and  Welsh  ancestry. 
She  was  Ijc^rn  in  Derry  township  in  that  part  now  included  in  Yeager- 
town,  died  March  22,  1873,  aged  38.  He  married  (second)  December 
22,  1874.  ^Irs.  Anna  Maria  (Mann)  Brisbin,  daughter  of  William  (2), 
founder  of  the  Mann  axe  and  tool  works  near  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania. 
The  only  living  child  of  the  second  marriage  is  Bertha  M.,  who  married 
Charles  .A..  Rice  of  Reedsville.  Children  of  first  marriage:  i.  William 
J.,  now  a  member  of  Spanogle  Yeager  Milling  Company  of  Reedsville 
and  Lewistown.  Pennsylvania:  married.  May  20,  1880,  Almira  Spa- 
nogle; children:  Andrew  J.,  Mary  Edith  and  William  J.  (2).  2.  Rev. 
James  Martin,  D.  D.,  graduate  of  Wesleyan  University,  Middletown, 
Connecticut,  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  president  of 
Drew  Ladies'  Seminary,  1891  to  1899;  member  of  Pennsylvania  House 
of  Assembly  in  1907-8:  a  preacher,  orator,  educator  and  lecturer  of 
national  fame,  now  residing  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania.  In  1907  he 
was  appointed  by  President  Roosevelt  Lhiited  States  marshal  for  the 
Middle  District  of  Pennsylvania,  which  office  he  still  holds  (1913).  He 
married,  October  13,  1886,  Emma  McElroy,  of  Rhinebeck,  New  York; 
children  :  James  Creighton  and  Marion.  3.  Jesse  Orin,  of  whom  further. 
(VI)  Jesse  Orin,  youngest  son  of  Jeremiah  M.  Yeager  and  his  first 
wife,  Mary  J.  Creighton,  was  born  in  Yeagertown,  Pennsylvania,  May 
II,  1864.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  Lewistown  Academy 
and  Dickinson  Seminary  (Williamsport,  Pa.),  whence  he  was  graduated 
B.  S..  class  of  1883.  He  supplemented  his  classical  education  by  a 
course  at  Eastman's  Business  College,  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  whence 
he  was  graduated  in  1884,  then  returned  to  Yeagertown  and  entered 
the  milling  business  with  his  father.  He  was  made  manager  of  the  mills, 
his  father's  weight  of  years  gladly  yielding  the  burdens  of  business  to 
the  younger  man.  The  history  of  the  Yeager  mills  so  long  in  the  fam- 
ily is  an  interesting  one.  The  original  mill  erected  in  1776  was  bought 
l)y  Jacob  Yeager  in  1S42,  rebuilt  by  him  in  1857  and  operated  by  Jere- 
miah  M.    until  succeeded   by  his  son;   rebuilt   in    1892   and  the  roller 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  66i 

process  of  flour  manufacture  installed,  and  since  then  remodelled  and 
modern  machinery  erected  as  new  inventions  came  into  use.  Originally 
a  flour  and  grist  mill,  the  output  now  is  entirely  whole  wheat  flour, 
which  is  shipped  all  over  the  United  States,  being  the  only  mill  in 
Pennsylvania  entirely  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  whole  wheat  flour. 
The  capacity  is  seventy-five  barrels  daily,  employing  from  ten  to  fifteen 
men.  In  1886  Mr.  Yeager  added  to  his  milling  business  a  coal  and 
lumber  yard  and  later  a  complete  line  of  building  materials.  In  1908 
he  installed  an  electric  power  plant  in  Yeagertown,  with  a  capacity  of 
from  three  hundred  to  four  hundred  kilowatts  daily,  which  has  been 
furnished  to  the  Penn  Central  Light  &  Power  Company  under  con- 
tract. The  plant  is  one  of  the  most  modern  in  the  state  and  so  per- 
fectly appointed  that  for  the  past  year  (1913)  not  an  hour  has  been 
lost.  Mr.  Yeager  is  a  director  of  the  Citizens"  National  Bank  and 
secretary  of  the  board;  director  of  the  Lewistown  and  Reedsville  Water 
Company,  and  interested  in  several  other  corporate  enterprises.  He  is  a 
progressive,  capable  man  of  affairs,  and  possesses  the  entire  confidence 
of  his  business  associates.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  served 
as  supervisor  of  Derry  township.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  family  home  is  at  Yeager- 
town. He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle  and  the 
Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America. 

He  married  June  21,  1892,  Josephine  L.  Case,  of  Denver,  Colorado, 
daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Susannah  (Madden)  Case,  of  an  old  New 
England  family. 


This  family  is  of  German  origin,  John  Keister  and  his 
KEISTER     wife  Lydia,  natives  of  Germany,  having  come  to  this 

country  somewhere  about  the  beginning  of  the  last  cen- 
tury and  settled  in  Lancaster  or  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania. 
They  remained  in  the  place  of  their  first  location  for  awhile,  removing 
subsequently  to  Union  county,  where  Mr.  Keister  followed  the  vocation 
of  farming  for  many  years. 

(II)  Levi  Keister,  son  of  John  and  Lydia  Keister,  was  born  in  the 
year  1808,  in  LInion  county,  where  his  parents  made  their  permanent 
home  after  arriving  in  America,  settling  in  Pennsylvania.  He  became 
a  miller,  locating  at  Doyles  Mills,  in  Juniata  county,  removing  afterward 


662  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

to  Lewistown,  where  he  continued  this  occupation.  With  the  idea  of 
improving  his  fortunes  and  bettering  his  trade  he  again  moved,  locating 
successively  at  Oakland  Mills  and  Caymans  Mills,  and  finally  took  up 
his  permanent  residence  in  Mexico,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  entered  the 
service  of  the  Pennsylvania  railway,  in  which  he  remained  until  his 
death,  in  May.  1S57.  In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Keister  was  an  old 
time  Whig.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  also 
his  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  while  in  Juniata  county.  She  was  a 
Miss  Susanna  Cooper  before  her  marriage,  and  was  born  in  Tuscarora 
valley,  in  the  year  1817,  dying  in  1877,  twenty  years  after  the  death  of 
her  husband.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Abigail  (Okeson) 
Cooper,  and  was  of  mingled  English  and  Dutch  descent,  her  father  hav- 
ing been  of  English  ancestry  and  her  mother's  people  having  come  from 
Holland.  After  their  marriage  they  made  their  home  in  Tuscarora 
valley,  where  Mr.  Cooper  became  a  farmer,  owning  his  land,  which  he 
cultivated  with  much  profit  for  a  number  of  years,  the  former  dying  in 
Mexico,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  at  Port  Royal.  They  belonged  to 
the  Baptist  and  Presbyterian  churches.  Six  children  were  born  to  them : 
Thomas,  died  a  few  years  ago  at  Paw  Paw,  West  Virginia :  John,  died 
in  boyhood;  Samuel,  died  in  Port  Royal;  William,  died  in  Cumberland, 
Maryland ;  Mary  Jane,  married  William  Hoopes,  now  deceased ;  Susanna, 
became  Mrs.  Keister. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keister  had  seven  children :  John,  killed  on  an  engine 
in  the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania  railway,  March  5,  1876;  Catherine, 
a  school  teacher,  died  unmarried  in  the  fall  of  1909,  aged  sixty-seven 
years;  .\ll)ert,  died  young;  William,  died  young;  Joseph  and  Samuel  A., 
twins,  the  former  being  engineer  at  the  round  house  in  Harrisburg,  and 
the  latter  mentioned  further. 

(Ill)  Samuel  Albertson  Keister,  son  of  Levi  and  Susanna  (Cooper) 
Keister,  and  twin  brother  of  Joseph  Keister,  was  born  January  19,  1854, 
in  Lost  Creek  Valley,  near  Mc.\listerville,  Juniata  county.  He  attended 
the  pul)lic  schools  of  the  county  until  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  when 
he  entered  business  life  as  a  fireman  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  re- 
maining in  this  capacity  for  ten  years.  While  a  fireman  he  let  the  first 
dijjpcr  down  on  the  Pennsylvania  railway  to  take  water  while  the  train 
was  running.  P>eing  injiu-ed  in  the  performance  of  his  duties  as  fire- 
man on  the  road,  he  was  promoted  to  tlie  rank  of  engineer,  and  left 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  663 

the  railway  service  altogether  in  1904  to  go  into  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count at  Port  Royal.  Here  he  built  a  store  in  which  he  carried  on  a 
general  merchandise  business,  making  a  specialty  of  produce.  He  owns 
a  fine  brick  property.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  various  indus- 
tries, and  is  esteemed  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  in  the  com- 
munity. In  politics  Mr.  Keister  is  a  Republican,  and  so  highly  is  he 
regarded  among  his  fellow  citizens  that  he  has  been  called  upon  to  serve 
as  a  member  of  the  town  council.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  as  is  also  his  wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Mary  McManigil ;  they  were 
married  October  24,  1893. 

Mrs.  Keister  is  a  native  of  Huntingdon  county,  having  been  born 
May  14,  1854,  daughter  of  John  and  Jennie  (Rudy)  McManigil,  natives 
also  of  Huntingdon  county.  Mr.  McManigil  was  a  hotel  keeper  at 
various  localities  in  the  state — at  Bellefonte,  Center  county,  then  at 
Petersburg.  Huntingdon  county,  and  finally  at  Port  Royal,  Juniata 
county.  Here  he  retired  from  business,  and  died  January  12,  1887,  his 
wife  surviving  him  and  dying  March  9,  1903.  Mr.  McManigil  had  also 
at  one  period  of  his  life  been  a  dealer  in  cattle  and  horses.  His  parents, 
William  and  Lydia  (McClellan)  McManigil,  of  Scotch  descent,  were 
also  natives  of  Huntingdon  county,  their  parents  having  been  early  set- 
tlers of  the  county  and  dying  there.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McManigil  had  four 
children:  Mary,  became  Mrs.  Keister;  Lucretia,  married  J.  Emery 
Fleisher  and  lives  at  Newport,  Pennsylvania;  William  and  John,  both 
died  at  Port  Royal.  Mrs.  Keister's  maternal  grandparents,  Henry  and 
Martha  Rudy,  were  also  natives  of  Huntingdon  county;  Mr.  Rudy  was 
a  farmer,  having  lived  and  died  in  that  county.  His  father  had  been 
a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  A.  Keister 
have  no  children. 


The  first  McNitt  settlement  in  Pennsylvania  was 
McNITT-REED     in  Cumberland  county,  near  Carlisle,  where  five 

McNitt  brothers,  John.  Alexander,  Robert.  Wil- 
liam and  James  McNitt.  settled  at  comparatively  an  early  day.  They 
were  Scotchmen  and  came  direct  from  their  native  land  to  Pennsylvania. 
In  1755  they,  with  the  exception  of  James,  journeyed  to  what  is  now 
Mifflin  county,  where  each  brother  selecting  a  tract,  settled  thereon. 
Their  farms,  averaging  about  two  hundred  acres  each,  were  in  Armagh 


664  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

township  and  warrants  were  issued  to  all,  September  8,  1755.  Each 
brother  built,  cleared  and  improved  his  land,  and  all  remained  thereon 
until  death,  except  James,  who  went  west  and  was  never  after  heard 
from.  All  married  and  left  descendants,  who  now  occupy  these  original 
McNitt  farms.  From  the  branch  herein  described  springs  John  McNitt, 
perhaps  the  eldest  of  the  brothers,  who  married  Mary  Brown,  of  Cum- 
berland Valley,  Pennsylvania,  and  left  sons,  including:  i.  John,  who 
served  with  Commodore  Perry  in  the  war  of  1812  and  was  engaged  in 
the  memorable  battle  on  Lake  Erie.  A  medal  awarded  him  by  Congress 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  family.  He  died  in  Illinois,  without  leav- 
ing any  children.  2.  Robert,  married  Sarah  Glasgow.  3.  Alexander 
Brown,  of  whom  further.  John  (i)  McNitt  and  his  sons  were  men 
of  strength  and  endurance  and  lived  lives  of  toil  and  hardship,  as  is 
ever  the  pioneer's  lot,  but  did  their  full  share  in  establishing  an  orderly 
community.  They  helped  erect  schools,  churches  and  other  evidences 
of  a  civilized  people  and  at  death  bequeathed  an  honored  name  to  their 
posterity. 

(II)  Alexander  Brown,  son  of  John  McNitt,  inherited  the  old  home- 
stead, upon  which,  after  1800,  he  erected  a  substantial  stone  dwelling 
that  is  yet  used  as  a  residence  by  his  descendants.  He  was  an  industrious, 
prosperous  farmer,  and  bore  his  part  in  subduing  the  forest  and  bringing 
prosperity  to  his  section.  He  married  Nancy  Sterrett,  born  in  Armagh 
township,  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  Hannah  Sterrett.  Children : 
I.  Elizabeth  Hannah,  married  Samuel  Sharp  and  moved  to  Logansport, 
Indiana,  where  both  died.  2.  Mary  Jane,  married  John  McNitt,  son  of 
her  uncle  Robert  McNitt  and  his  wife  Sarah  Glasgow.  They  lived  and 
died  on  the  homestead  he  settled  upon,  near  Salem  Church.  3.  Sarah, 
married  Robert  Ross  and  lived  at  Spring  Mills,  Center  county,  where 
both  died.  4.  Brown,  married  Vesta  Marston,  lived  and  died  on  a  farm, 
adjoining  his  father's,  now  owned  by  his  son  John  A.  McNitt.  5.  Mar- 
garet Glass,  married  Samuel  I.  Mitchell  and  both  died  on  their  farm 
near  Vira,  now  owned  by  their  son  John  Mitchell.  6.  John  (see  sketch 
below).  7.  David  Sterrett,  made  his  home  with  his  brother  John  and 
there  died;  unmarried.  8.  Agnes,  married  Sterrett  Cummins  and  both 
died  in  Stone  Valley,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  9.  Catherine 
Ann,  married  Robert  Cummins,  lived  in  Stone  Valley,  but  died  in  Reeds- 
ville.     10.  Martha,  married  John  i\Iitchell.  and  lives  in  Dry  Valley,  the 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBUC  UBRARY 


MTOn,  LtMVK    MM 


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HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  665 

only  survivor  of  this  family  of  eleven.     11.  Alexander  Brown,  of  whom 
further. 

(Ill)  Alexander  Brown  (2),  youngest  child  of  Alexander  Brown 
(i)  and  Nancy  (Sterrett)  McNitt,  was  born  in  the  stone  house  on  the 
homestead  erected  by  his  father  in  Armagh  township,  ]\Iifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  November  28,  1S37,  and  died  August  30,  1900,  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  township  and  became  a  prosperous  farmer.  After  the  death  of 
his  father  he  bought  out  the  other  heirs  and  became  sole  owner  of  the 
homestead  to  which  he  added  materially  by  the  purchase  of  adjoining 
acres.  He  also  owned  other  lands  in  the  township  and  had  considerable 
real  estate  in  Center  county.  He  was  a  thoroughly  upright  and  capable 
business  man,  but  steadily  refused  all  offers  to  enter  into  large  business 
enterprises,  always  remaining  a  farmer  and  conducted  all  his  business 
alone.  He  was  noted  for  his  honorable,  upright  dealing  and  was  held 
in  highest  esteem.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  beyond  local 
offices,  had  no  desire  for  public  life,  and  although  a  devoted,  active 
member  of  the  East  Kishacoquillas  and  later  ]\Iilroy  Presbyterian 
Church,  would  not  accejit  the  office  of  elder,  modestly  asserting  he  did 
not  think  he  was  a  suitable  person  to  hold  that  position.  He  married, 
December  21,  1865,  Sarah  Reed,  who  survives  him  (see  Reed  line). 
Children:  i.  Abner.  died  aged  three  years.  2.  David  Sterrett  (see 
sketch  following).  3.  Nancy  Margaret,  resides  with  her  mother.  4. 
Andrew  Reed,  graduate  of  Bucknell  L'niversity,  class  of  1891,  and  of 
Princeton  University,  class  of  1895,  department  of  electric  engineering, 
now  a  lumberman,  residing  in  Bellefonte,  Pennsylvania :  unmarried. 
5.  Rhoda  McKinney,  educated  at  Bucknell  University,  resides  with  her 
mother.  6.  Alexander  Brown,  died  in  infancy.  7.  Alexander  Brown, 
educated  at  i\lillersville  State  Normal  school  and  now  resides  on  the 
old  homestead.  He  married  Edna  Elizabeth  Close  and  has :  Eleanor 
Frances,  Catherine,  Elizabeth,  Alexander  Brown  and  Anna  Grace.  8. 
Mary  Taylor,  educated  at  Millersville  State  Normal  School,  married 
Rev.  William  E.  Steckel,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  re- 
sides in  Doylestown,  Pennsylvania ;  child :  Sarah  Elizabeth.  9.  Oglebv 
James,  educated  at  Bucknell  L'niversity,  now  a  quarry  operator  and 
resides  with  his  mother  in  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania;  unmarried.  10. 
Robert  Cummins,  educated  at  Norristown  (Pennsylvania)  Academv  and 


666  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

J'ierce  Business  College,  at  Philadelphia,  resides  at  home  and  is  engaged 
in   lumbering   enterprises    in    ^Maryland ;   unmarried.      ii.    John    Reed, 

died  in  infancy. 

In  1906  Mrs.  Sarah  (Reed).  McNitt,  with  her  unmarried  children, 
moved  to  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  erected  a  substantial  brick 
residence  on  Alain  street,  which  is  now  her  home.  This  residence  stands 
on  land  which  was  sold  by  her  father,  Abner  Reed,  in  1839  and  after  a 
lapse  of  sixty-seven  years  returned  to  his  daughter.  Mrs.  McNitt  and 
her  daughters  arc  memljers  of  the  Milroy  Presbyterian  Church. 

(The  Reed  Line). 
The  coming  of  the  Reed  family  to  Juniata  Valley  was  coincident  with 
that  of  the  McNitts,  1755,  although  the  American  ancestor,  James  Reed, 
first  visited  the  valley  in  1751,  but  did  not  long  remain.  James  Reed,  of 
Scotch  ancestry  and  perhaps  born  in  Scotland,  came  to  the  Kishacoquillas 
valley  about  1751,  and  about  one  year  later  he  was  accompanied  by  his 
half-brother  William  Brown,  who  held  a  commission  as  justice  of  the 
peace  from  the  English  crown.  They  are  said  to  have  been  the  first 
white  settlers  in  the  valley,  which  they  thoroughly  explored  before 
choosing  a  location  and  fixing  a  permanent  residence.  He  met  the 
famous  Indian  chief.  Logan,  at  a  point  now  known  as  Logan  Spring. 
about  one  mile  north  of  Reedsville.  and  formed  a  lasting  friendship. 
James  Reed  returned  eastward  in  the  fall,  locating  at  Carlisle,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  married  Jane  Ogleby  and  the  following  spring  returned 
to  the  Kishacoquillas  valley,  where  their  son  James  was  born  during 
the  summer,  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  valley.  William  Brown. 
who  afterward  became  Judge  Brown,  gave  his  name  to  Brown  town- 
shij).  in  which  James  Reed  took  up  government  land  with  others.  The 
Indians  gave  signs  of  hostility  toward  the  few  whites  in  the  valley  and. 
acting  on  the  advice  of  Chief  Logan.  James  Reed  and  others  returned 
to  Carlisle,  remaining  there  until  1755.  when  he  returned  to  the  valley 
and  had  land  patented  to  him  in  Brown  township  in  1755.  consisting  of 
live  hundred  acres,  on  which  the  town  of  Reedsville  now  stands.  He 
cleared  and  improved  his  land,  but  always  lived  in  Reedsville,  his  home 
being  about  in  the  center  of  the  present  town.  He  was  one  of  the 
signers  to  a  call  lUr  the  first  church  built  in  the  valley,  now  known  as 
East   Kisliaco(iuillas  Presbyterian  Church.     The  first  church  was  built 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  667 

of  logs  and  at  the  early  services  held  there  the  men  came  armed  with 
their  rifles,  as  the  Indians  were  still  hostile.  The  log  church  was  suc- 
ceeded by  one  built  of  stone,  then  one  of  brick  and  finally  the  congrega- 
tion built  in  Reedsville,  where  the  church  is  now  located.  In  all  the 
plans  for  improvement  and  upbuilding  his  community,  James  Reed  bore 
a  prominent  part  and  his  long  life  of  eighty  years  was  filled  with  good 
deeds.  He  died  in  1803,  and  is  buried  in  Church  Hill  Cemetery.  Chil- 
dren: I.  James,  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  Kishacoquillas  valley, 
lived  and  died  near  Reedsville,  a  farmer.  He  married  Nancy  Milroy. 
2.  Mary,  married  John  Thompson  and  died  in  New  York.  3.  W'illiam. 
married  Abigail  Kerr  and  died  in  Ohio.  4.  Sarah,  married  Henry 
Steely,  and  both  spent  their  lives  on  their  farm  at  the  east  end  of  the 
valley.  5.  Thomas,  moved  to  New  York  state,  where  he  died.  He 
married  Margaret  Van  Houten.  6.  Andrew,  married  Hannah  Conklin 
and  also  died  in  New  York.  7.  Alexander,  lived  and  died  in  Reedsville, 
as  did  his  wife  Jane.  8.  John,  died  in  infancy.  9.  Joseph,  died  in  Reeds- 
ville after  1840,  aged  twenty-seven  years;  unmarried.  10.  John,  died 
aged  thirty-four  years  ;  made  his  home  with  his  brother  Abner.  1 1.  Jane, 
died  young.     12.  Abner,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Abner,  twelfth  child  of  James  and  Jane  (Ogleby)  Reed,  was 
born  October  i,  1787,  died  October  13,  1855.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  which  then  existed  in  his  neighborhood  and  passed  his 
entire  active  years  engaged  in  agriculture.  He  became  possessed  of  a 
large  amount  of  improved  and  unimproved  land  and  to  the  development 
of  his  estate  he  devoted  his  life.  He  lived  in  Reedsville  many  years,  but 
spent  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  on  his  back  mountain  farm.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  were  devoted  Presbyterians  and  liberal  supporters  of  the 
East  Kishacoquillas  Church.  He  married  (first)  Rebecca  Henry  Brown, 
who  died  in  1826.  leaving  three  children:  i.  Joseph,  died  in  1861.  2. 
Nancy  Margaret,  married  Abner  Thompson  and  had  children :  Mary, 
John,  Ella,  Walter  and  Edward.  3.  Alexander,  a  farmer,  married  Mary 
L.  Taylor,  lived  and  died  in  Reedsville.  Abner  Reed  married  (second) 
Rhoda,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Taylor)  McKinney,  and  widow  of 
John  Brown.  By  her  first  husband  she  had  a  son  who  died  in  infancy 
and  a  daughter  Mary  (Polly)  Ann  Brown,  who  married  Samuel  W. 
Taylor  and  had  a  daughter,  Rhoda  McKinney  Taylor.  After  being 
widowed  a  second  time   Mrs.    Rhoda    ( McKinney-Brown )    Reed  lived 


668  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

with  her  children  until  her  death  in  1877,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  "Polly"  Ann  Taylor.  Children  of  Abner  Reed  and  his  second  wife  : 
I.  John,  now  president  of  the  Reedsville  National  Bank  and  of  the 
Farmer •$  National  Bank  of  Belleville.  He  married  Elizabeth  Taylor; 
children:  Henry  Taylor  and  Rhoda  M.  2.  Andrew,  graduate  of  Dart- 
mouth College,  a  lawyer  of  Lewistown  until  his  death  at  the  home  of 
his  sister,  Rebecca;  unmarried.  3.  Ogleby  James,  a  farmer  of  part  of 
the  homestead  until  his  death  in  Reedsville.  He  married  Agnes  Jane 
Cummins;  children:  John  Milton,  Mary  Brown,  Anna  Cummins  and 
James  Andrew.  4.  Rebecca  Jane,  died  on  shipboard  en  route  from  Japan 
to  America  and  is  buried  in  Reedsville.  She  married  John  (2)  Hayes, 
of  Brown  township;  children:  Jane  A.,  died  young;  Rhoda  M.,  John 
Francis,  A.  Reed  and  Anna  W.  5.  Sarah,  of  previous  mention,  educated 
in  the  public  schools,  Ercildoun  Seminary,  at  Coatesville,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Kishacocjuillas  Seminary.  She  married  Alexander  Brown  McNitt, 
whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Reedsville  (see  iMcNitt  III). 


(Ill)  John  McNitt,  son  and  sixth  child  of  Alexander 
McNITT  Brown  McNitt  (q.  v.)  and  Nancy  (Sterrett)  McNitt,  was 
born  at  Siglerville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  February 
7,  1824,  died  near  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  December  9,  1900.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  near  Siglerville  and  grew  to  manhood  at 
the  home  farm.  After  his  marriage  he  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  in  Brown  township,  Mifflin  county,  near  Reedsville,  where  his 
after  life  was  spent.  He  was  an  energetic,  capable  business  man,  a 
worthy  descendant  of  his  Scotch  paternal  ancestor,  John  (i)  McNitt, 
the  founder  of  this  branch  of  the  McNitt  family  in  the  Kishacoquillas 
valley.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  East  Kishacoquillas 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  political  faith  he  was  a  Republican,  hold- 
ing several  township  offices.  Fle  married  in  December,  1858,  Nancy 
Martha  Cuniniings,  born  February  19,  1837,  died  November  18,  1907. 
Slie  was  the  daughter  of  Colonel  William  Cummings,  an  old  resident  of 
the  Kishacoquillas  valley,  whose  farm  was  near  the  center  of  the  vallev. 
The  Cummings  family  descends  from  William  (i)  Cummings.  of 
Scotch-Irish  i)arentage,  who  came  to  America  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  eighteenth  century,  settling  first  in  Lancaster  county  and  later  came 
to  MifHin  county,  where  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  sixtv-four  acres, 


'''HE  NEwTorT 

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HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  669 


b 


on  which  he  built  a  cooper  shop  and  followed  his  trade.  Both  he  and  hi 
wife  Sarah  died  on  the  farm.  They  had  children:  James,  Robert, 
Charles.  Margaret,  William  and  David,  the  latter  of  whom  died 
young. 

Col.  William  Cummings  was  a  prominent  farmer,  a  very  religious 
man  and  a  leader  in  the  Seceder  Church. 

Children  of  John  and  Nancy  Martha  (Cummings)  McNitt:  i. 
Agnes  Young,  born  October  31,  1859,  educated  in  Kishacoquillas 
Seminary,  lived  many  years  on  the  home  farm  and  now  resides  on 
Walnut  street,  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania.  2.  William  Alexander, 
born  June  12,  1861,  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser  at  Cedar  Hill.  He 
married  Margaret  Utts,  born  January  5,  1865;  children:  i.  Plum- 
mer  Elder,  born  March  23,  1883,  married  Mary  Heim.  ii.  June 
Estella,  born  June  15,  1887.  iii.  Blaine  Hampson,  December  i,  1889. 
iv.  Helen  Cummings,  September  22,  1892,  married  Banks  Seiber.  v. 
Hazel  Margaret,  September  23,  1896.  vi.  John  Stewart,  May  27,  1898. 
vii.  William,  died  in  infancy.  3.  Jane  McElheney,  born  January  7,  1863, 
died  May  30,  1865.  4.  Martha  Alice,  born  January  26,  1865;  married 
Rush  Alexander  Gibboney,  a  woolen  manufacturer  of  Cedar  Hill.  Chil- 
dren :  i.  Ora  Jeannette,  born  May  2,  1888.  ii.  An  infant,  died  unnamed, 
iii.  Dell  Harrison,  died  in  infancy,  iv.  Stella  Webb,  May  4,  1891.  5. 
Rhoda  Henry,  born  September  30,  1866,  married  (first)  Foster  Taylor, 
who  died  September  10,  1900;  married  (second)  Daniel  Snyder  and 
moved  to  Ohio.  Children  by  first  marriage :  Mabel  Cummings,  born 
May  27,  1891  ;  Robert  Williamson,  1893.  6.  Janet  McElheney,  born  De- 
cember 6,  1867,  married  Wilson  Maxwell  and  resides  in  Logansport, 
Indiana.  7.  Sarah  Cummings,  born  May  15,  1869,  resides  in  Reedsville, 
Pennsylvania.  8.  Margaret  Mitchell,  born  January  16,  1871,  resides 
with  her  sisters  in  Reedsville.  9.  David  Homer,  born  June  23,  1872,  a 
farmer  near  the  old  homestead ;  married  Rhoda  Henry.  Children : 
John  Henry,  born  January  9,  1899:  Earl  Cummings,  December  28, 
1901 ;  Carver  Milliken,  October  7,  1910.  10.  Laura,  born  February  25, 
1874,  married,  February  23,  1898,  Dr.  Cassius  Wilson  and  resides  in 
Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  ri.  John  Arthur,  born  October  5, 
1876,  a  farmer  near  the  McNitt  homestead.  He  married  Anna  Elizabeth 
Creighton;  children:  John  Creighton,  born  May  8,  1904;  Paul  Eugene, 
born  March  i,  191 1,  died  November  20,  191 1. 


670  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(IV)  David  Sterrett  McNitt,  second  son  of  Alexander 
McNITT  Brown  (2)  McNitt  (q.  v.).  and  Sarah  (Reed)  McNitt, 
was  born  near  Siglerville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  6,  1868,  died  January  25,  1913,  from  the  resuU  of  an  accident 
at  the  (juarries  of  the  National  Limestone  Company,  at  Shraders,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  Lewistown  Academy 
and  new  Bloomfield  Academy  and  spent  the  years  preceding  his  marriage 
engaged  in  farnnng.  After  marriage  he  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred acres  near  Siglerville,  where  he  resided  for  fourteen  years.  In  1898 
he  became  interested  in  the  lumber  business,  operating  alone  in  Mitiflin  and 
Center  counties  and  at  various  points  in  Central  Pennsylvania  until 
1902,  wlien  he  admitted  his  brother,  Andrew  Reed  McNitt,  to  a  partner- 
ship and  in  1903,  formed  with  E.  M.  Huyett,  the  McNitt,  Huyett  Lum- 
ber Company,  which  yet  continues,  operating  chiefly  in  Center  county, 
their  own  stores,  mills  and  railroads.  In  1907  Mr.  McNitt  moved  his 
residence  to  Lewistown  and  in  1909  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Juniata  Lumber  Company,  the  firm  consisting  of  H.  C.  Hower,  R.  C. 
McNitt  and  the  McNitt,  Huyett  Lumbe.  Company..  The  mills  and  tim- 
ber land  of  this  company  being  locat^  at  Midlothian,  Maryland.  He 
also  became  interested  in  and  was  a  director  of  the  Maryland  Lumber 
Company,  located  at  Denmar,  Pocahontas  county.  West  Virginia.  This 
company  owns  seventeen  thousand  acres  of  timber  land  and  manufac- 
tures one  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber  daily,  employing  two  hun- 
dred and  twentv-five  men.  He  also  was  president  of  the  Dana  Lumber 
Company  of  Lombard,  Powell  county,  Kentucky.  While  his  initial  en- 
terprises, and  perhaps  his  most  important,  were  connected  with  the  manu- 
facture of  lumber,  he  also  acquired  important  connections  with  other 
large  corporations  and  firms.  He  was  president  of  the  Lewistown  Foun- 
dry &  Machine  Company;  director  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of 
Lewistown;  director  of  the  Sunbury  Bridge  Company:  the  Sunbury 
.\musenient  Company;  the  Sunbury  and  Selinsgrove  Electric  Railway 
Company  and  was  largely  interested  in  the  National  Limestone  Com- 
pany witli  quarries  at  Naginey,  near  Milroy.  Although  one  of  the  most 
active  influential  business  men  of  his  county,  Mr.  McNitt  was  not  a  man 
of  one  idea  or  purpose.  He  recognized  his  duties  as  a  citizen  and  his 
oljligations  to  his  fellow  men,  neglecting  nothing  in  the  way  of  duty, 
nor  the  welfare  of  his  communitv.     He  was  chairman  of  the  executive 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  671 

committee  of  the  Lewistown  board  of  trade,  an  elder  and  trustee  of  the 
Lewistovvn  Presbyterian  church,  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  and  a 
member  of  the  pubhc  morals  committee  of  the  Mitfiin  County  Inter- 
Church  Federation.  In  pohtical  faith  he  was  a  Republican,  but  never 
sought  public  office.  He  rose  to  a  leading  position  in  the  business  world 
by  honorable,  energetic  effort  and  his  success  was  fairly  earned.  His 
nature  was  sympathetic  and  generous,  responding  to  every  call  from 
those  less  fortunate  than  himself,  but  in  a  quiet,  unostentatious  way  that 
efifectually  concealed  his  many  benefactions.  Mr.  McNitt  was  a  great 
church  worker  and  when  the  new  church  edifice  was  erected  he  con- 
tributed very  liberally  to  the  fund  and  in  other  ways  assisted  in  clearing 
the  indebtedness.  Viewed  from  whatever  point,  the  short  life  of  Mr. 
McNitt  was  a  successful  one  and  worthy  of  emulation. 

David  Sterrett  McNitt  married,  December  22,  1892,  Catherine  Ann 
Cummins,  of  McAlevys  Fort,  daughter  of  Sterrett  and  Agnes  Cummins, 
who  survives  him.  a  resident  of  Lewistown.  Sterrett  Cummins  was  a 
son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Sterrett)  Cummins,  and  grandson  of  William 
and  Sarah  Cummins.  William  Cummins,  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  came 
to  this  country  prior  to  the  year  1800  and  settled  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  cooper  by  trade  and  after  moving  to  the 
Kishacoquillas  valley,  followed  his  trade  in  connection  with  farming, 
having  a  shop  on  his  farm.  He  prospered  and  in  addition  to  his  home 
farm  of  three  himdred  and  sixty-four  acres  owned  a  large  tract  in 
Huntingdon  county,  Jackson  township,  on  which  he  placed  his  son  Rob- 
ert as  manager.  Robert  Cummins  was  also  a  successful  farmer  and  an 
elder  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church  of  Jackson  township.  He  died 
May  27,  1858,  aged  about  seventy-three.  He  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  David  Sterrett,  who  died  aged  seventy-two  years.  Children :  Rev. 
Cyrus,  married  Nancy  Collins;  William  David,  died  young;  Samuel, 
died  young;  James,  died  aged  thirty-two  years;  Elizabeth,  died  aged 
twenty-two  years;  Sarah,  married  George  W.  Porter;  Samuel,  married 
Catherine  Smith;  Nancy,  married  John  A.  Wilson;  Sterrett,  of  previous 
mention,  married  Agnes  McNitt ;  Jane,  married  Ebenezer  Magill.  Chil- 
dren of  Sterrett  and  Agnes  Cummins:  Mary  Alice,  born  May  24,  1853 
Nancy  Martha,  September  17.  1854;  Elizabeth  Jane,  January  22,  1856 
Frances  Anna,  January  15,  1858;  Margaret  Magill,  August  30,  1859 
Mila  McNitt,   March   12,   1861 ;  Robert   Alexander,  March   14,   1863 


672  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Sarah  Armetta,  December  12,  1864;  Catherine  Ann,  December  9,  1868. 
married  David  Sterrett  McNitt;  Adolphus  McNitt,  January  2,  1870: 
Cora,  February  i,  1871  ;  and  three  children  died  in  infancy.  Children 
of  David  Sterrett  and  Catherine  Ann  (Cummins)  McNitt:  i.  Sarah 
Reed,  born  April  17,  1894,  now  a  student  at  college  in  New  Wilmington, 
Pennsylvania.  2.  Allen  Cummins,  born  October  17,  1895,  now  a  student 
at  preparatory  school.  3.  Alexander  Brown,  died  aged  three  years.  4- 
Berenice,  died  aged  20  months.  5.  David  Sterrett,  born  December  22, 
1904.     6.  Frances  Anna,  born  September  21,  1909. 

The  family  of  Arnolds  have  long  been  settled  in  Penn- 
ARNOLD     sylvania.      They    originalh'    came    from    England,    and 

many  of  the  name  are  widely  scattered  over  the  United 
States.  Thomas  Arnold  was  among  the  early  land  owners  in  Perry 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1806.  He  married  Mary  Folk,  daughter  of  John  Folk,  of  MifBin 
county:  she  was  born  in  ^^lifflin  county,  in  18 10.  He  eventually  moved 
to  Mifflin  county,  where  he  lived  for  forty  years,  dying  at  the  age  of 
eighty-three.     Among  his  children  was  George,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  George  Arnold,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Folk)  Arnold,  was 
born  in  Perry  county  in  1836,  died  in  1898.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  Will,  who  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  Mifflin 
county,  where  he  died.  Elizabeth  (Will)  Arnold  was  born  in  1847  and 
died  in  1889.  George  Arnold  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  and  was  brought  up  on  the  farm.  He  was  a  Democrat,  voting 
with  and  working  for  the  party;  and  l>nth  he  and  his  wife  were  devout 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Children:  Isaac;  Amanda;  Daniel  J.. 
of  whom  further ;  John  T. ;  Anna :  Margaret  E. ;  George  H. 

(III)  Daniel  J.,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Will)  Arnold,  was 
born  October  5.  1867,  in  Mifflin  county.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools.  On  leaving  school  he  farmed,  then  turned  his 
attention  to  railroading.  In  1889  he  secured  a  position  as  brakeman  on 
the  Pennsylvania  road.  He  was  made  fireman  and  worked  at  this  for 
some  time.  In  i8g8  he  was  ])romoted  to  the  engineer's  place  on  the 
locomotive,  which  he  has  held  ever  since.  Fie  has  accumulated  quite  a 
handsome  property  by  economy  and  wise  investment.  In  1903  he  built 
a  handsome  residence  at  23  North  Grand  street,  Lewistown,  where  he 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA  VALLEY  673 

now  resides.  He  also  built  nine  other  houses,  seven  of  them  he  still 
owns,  including  a  double  one  at  Lewistown  Junction,  all  of  which  he 
rents.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  Brotherhood 
of  Locomotive  Engineers  and  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He 
married,  November  7,  1889,  Mary  Kitting,  daughter  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Yearick)  Kitting;  she  was  born  April  12,  1872,  in  Lewistown, 
Pennsylvania.  Children:  Grace,  born  October  27,  1890;  Ruth.  No- 
vember 19,   1893;  Grant,  March  30,  1895. 

(The    Kitting    Line). 

Abraham  Kitting  and  his  wife,  Mary  (East)  Kitting,  were  born 
in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  there  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married. 
After  marriage  they  moved  to  Lewistown,  and  he  was  a  painter  and 
chairmaker.  He  established  a  large  chair  factory  on  Valley  street,  in 
Lewistown.  and  superintended  it  until  his  death  in  1892.  He  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  business  ventures  and  accumulated  much  property.  He 
was  a  staunch  Democrat,  and  was  a  member  of  the  city  council,  and  a 
devout  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Children :  Kate,  married  John 
A.  Loque,  now  dead;  William,  married  Sallie  Mathers,  dead;  John,  of 
whom  further;  Charles,  a  cigar  manufacturer;  Abraham,  cigar  manu- 
facturer on  Chestnut  street,  married  Sophia  Bossinger;  Mollie,  dead, 
married  Frank  Wearam;  Maggie,  died  unmarried. 

John  Kitting,  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary  (East)  Kitting,  was  a 
cabinetmaker  and  painter;  much  of  his  cabinet  work  is  to  be  found  in 
Lewistown  to-day,  where  it  is  greatly  prized  because  of  its  beauty  of 
finish.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
He  married  Margaret  Yearick  and  to  them  were  born  six  children : 
Mary,  wife  of  D.  J.  Arnold  (see  above);  Harry;  Annie;  Margaret, 
dead ;  Elizabeth  ;  John. 


Benjamin  Sharp,  of  Belleville,  Pennsylvania,  descends  on 
SHARP     the  paternal  side  from  hardy  English,  and  on  the  distafif 

side  from  sturdy  German  stock — a  combination  that  has 
made  great  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  has  forged  it  to  the  front  rank 
in  the  sisterhood  of  states  of  the  Union.  They  were  of  that  important 
class  of  citizens  so  necessary  to  the  stability  and  upbuilding  of  any 
nation — farmers ;  and  they  have  performed  their  duty  well  in  the  main- 


674  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

taining  of  their  section  of  the  country.  His  forefathers  from  the  first 
immigrant,  Benjamin,  landing  in  1732,  were  farmers,  and  he  remains 
one  to-day.  The  Sharps  for  generations  have  played  their  part  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  the  original  American  ancestor  migrated  after  landing. 
They  were  detailed  to  watch  the  Indians,  and  were  appointed  to  garrison 
duty;  a  Sharp  was  in  the  war  of  the  English  against  the  French,  and 
there  were  many  of  them  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Taken  all  in  all  it  is 
a  fine  record  for  an  American  family  to  have. 

(I)  Peter  Sharp  is  the  first  of  the  immediate  family  of  whom  there 
is  any  definite  record.  He  was  born  about  1752,  and  enlisted  in  the  Con- 
tinental army  in   1776.     He  was  in  many  battles,  and  was  at  Valley 

Forge  with  Washington.     He  married   Gertrude  ,   probably  of 

German  descent,  as  several  of  the  children  bore  German  names,  notably 
that  of  Christian.  They  settled  at  Back  Mountain,  where  he  was  a 
small  farmer.  He  took  up  wild  land,  cleared  and  tilled  it,  and  built 
thereon  a  substantial  house  of  logs,  and  there  reared  a  large  family 
under  many  difiiculties.  The  Indians  were  still  troublesome  and  he  was 
away  from  home  in  the  war  for  years,  during  which  time  his  heroic 
wife  and  small  sons  carried  on  the  farm,  provided  for  the  family,  and 
gave  assistance  to  less  fortunate  neighbors  and  contributed  to  the  revo- 
lutionary cause.  He  was  a  good,  honest,  upright  man,  and  a  patriot. 
He  was  highly  esteemed  by  his  neighbors.  Among  his  sons  was  Chris- 
tian, of  whom  further. 

(II)  Christian  Sharp,  son  of  Peter  and  Gertrude  Sharp,  was  born 
at  Back  Mountain,  in  an  humble  log  house.  His  father,  as  has  been 
said,  was  of  English  descent,  and  his  mother  German,  for  reasons  given 
above,  the  specific  one  being  his  own  name.  He  received  the  minimum 
of  education  at  the  district  school  that  was  held  only  three  months  in 
the  year,  and  if  the  parents  of  the  children  were  hurried  with  the  work 
of  the  farm,  dairy  or  house,  the  children  remained  away  to  assist. 
Naturally  his  education  was  limited.  He  married  Magdalena,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Catherine  Zook,  old  time  German  settlers  at  Front  Moun- 
tain. They  were  both  members  of  the  Amish  Mennonite  church  at 
Front  Mountain.  Jacob  Zook  was  a  wealthy  farmer,  and  lived  and  died 
at  Front  Mountain,  where  his  large  family  of  children  grew  to  adult 
age.  Christian  Sharp  owned  twenty  acres  of  highly  productive  land  in 
Mifflin   county,   Pennsylvania,   and   there   lived   and   died.      He  was  a 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY  675 

weaver  by  trade  and  kept  a  shop  during  middle  age.  He  was  an  ardent 
Republican,  and  though  working  indefatigably  for  the  ticket  he  never 
aspired  to  office.  With  his  wife  he  was  a  member  of  the  Amish  Men- 
nonite  church.  He  died  about  1866,  and  his  wife  survived  him  until 
1900.  Children:  i.  Benjamin,  of  whom  further.  2.  Catherine,  mar- 
ried Samuel  Gluck ;  lives  in  Belleville.  3.  Gideon,  deceased.  4.  Barbara, 
deceased;  married  Christian  Kanagy.  5.  Jacob,  deceased.  6.  Christian, 
lives  in  Milroy,  Pennsylvania. 

(Ill)  Benjamin  Sharp,  son  of  Christian  and  Magdalena  (Zook) 
Sharp,  was  born  at  Front  Mountain,  January  28.  1844.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  the  home  township  and  at  Ore  Bank  school.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm  of  his  father  and  remained  with  him  on  the 
farm  after  leaving  school  until  he  was  grown.  In  February,  1872,  he 
married  Barbara  E.  Peachey,  daughter  of  Jacob  Peachey,  a  farmer  and 
old  resident  of  the  county.  After  marriage  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  L'nion  township,  liut  later  sold  fourteen  acres.  He  lived 
there  until  1904,  when  he  erected  a  pretty  home  in  Belleville,  or  "Mid- 
dletown",  as  it  is  called,  and  has  remained  there  since.  He  does  a 
general  and  successful  farming.  In  politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican, 
always  voting  the  straight  ticket,  but  has  never  aspired  to  nor  held  an 
office.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Peachey  church,  giving 
generously  toward  its  support.  Children:  i.  Died  in  infancy.  2.  Reu- 
ben, died  aged  four  and  a  half  years.  3.  Annie,  died  aged  twenty-one, 
of  consumption. 


Christian   D.    Druckenmiller,    of   Lewistown 
DRUCKENMILLER     Junction,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  is  an 

able  representative  of  a  thrifty  American 
family  of  Pennsylvania.  The  family  is  a  well  known  one  in  Center 
county ;  for  centuries  it  has  lived  near  the  Rhine,  in  Germany,  and  there 
many  of  its  members  still  make  their  home. 

(I)  Peter  Druckenmiller,  the  progenitor  of  the  Druckenmiller  fam- 
ily of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Center  county  and  came  to  Snyder 
county  while  yet  a  youth,  about  1800.  Later  he  located  in  Center  county. 
His  wife,  Katie  Eddinger,  was  born  in  this  county  and  there  grew  up. 
Her  parents  were  of  German  origin,  and  were  the  second  generation  in 
America.     Peter  married  Katie  Eddinger  in  Center  county,  moved  to 


6/6  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Snyder  county,  and  by  dint  of  economy  and  thrift  succeeded,  with  the  aid 
of  his  wife,  in  saving  enough  to  buy  a  farm,  on  which  they  Hved  and 
eventually  died.  Both  were  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church. 
Children:  i.  Michael.  2.  John,  killed  while  serving  in  the  civil  war,  as 
was  also  Peter.  3.  Peter.  4.  Harvey.  5.  Katie.  6.  Adaline.  7.  Jere- 
miah.    All  but  Michael  born  in  Snyder  county. 

(II)  Michael,  first  son  of  Peter  and  Katie  (Eddinger)  Druckenmil- 
ler,  was  born  in  1834  in  Center  county,  and  is  living  in  Mifflin  county, 
Decatur  township.  He  received  his  meager  education  in  the  schools  of 
the  township,  and  on  leaving  school  he  engaged  in  the  blacksmith's 
trade,  and  established  a  smithy  near  his  home  in  Decatur  township.  He 
is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  thoroughly  useful  men  in  that  part 
of  the  county,  and  is  highly  respected.  He  is  a  Democrat,  voting 
the  straight  ticket,  taking  in  it  an  active  interest,  even  in  his  late  years. 
He  attends  the  Lutheran  church  with  his  wife  and  family.  He  mar- 
ried Rosana  Frane,  born  April  12,  1836,  in  Mifflin  county,  a  daughter 
of  Christian  Frane,  who  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  and  came  with 
his  wife,  Catharine  Bishop,  also  born  in  Dauphin  county,  to  Mifflin 
county  about  181 2,  and  located  in  Decatur  township,  where  he  was  for 
many  years  a  farmer  and  land  owner.  He  died  at  the  age  of  ninety, 
while  his  wife  died  while  yet  a  }-oung  woman.  He  married  (second) 
Betsy  Hunt,  widow  of  John  Hunt.  Children  of  Christian  Frane  by  first 
marriage:  i.  Anna,  married  George  Reigle,  a  farmer  in  Decatur  town- 
ship. 2.  Rosana,  married  Michael  Druckenmiller.  3.  George,  a  farmer 
in  Decatur  township,  and  a  soldier  in  the  civil  war :  married  Liba  \\^ide- 
meyer.  Children  of  Michael  and  Rosana  (Frane)  Druckenmiller:  i. 
Christian  D.,  of  whom  further.  2.  Matthew  George,  born  February  7, 
1858,  a  workman  in  Burnham;  married  Nettie  Yetter.  3.  William,  born 
July  I,  1859.  a  farmer  in  Derry  township:  married  Maggie  Marx.  4. 
Peter  Franklin,  born  December  5,  1862;  a  farmer  in  Decatur  township; 
married  Sarah  Knepp.  5.  Margaret,  born  April  12,  1865:  married 
Kirkland   Stump,  a  railway  employee. 

(III)  C"hristian  D.,  eldest  son  of  Michael  and  Rosana  (Frane) 
Druckenmiller.  was  born  Feliruary  16,  1856,  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsvl- 
vania.  He  received  his  limited  education,  such  as  was  afforded  by  the 
school  facilities  of  that  day,  in  the  township,  leaving  it  at  an  early  age 
to  enter  the  arena  of  life  as  a  farmer.     At  first  he  worked  as  a  laborer, 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUXIATA   VALLEY  677 

gradually  rising  until  he  owned  his  own  farm,  and  at  the  present  time 
has  a  valuable  body  of  land,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-six 
acres,  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  followed  farming  for  six 
year,  after  which  time  he  moved  to  Lewistown  Junction  and  became  a 
trusted  employee  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  until  1906 
when  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Jackson  Supply  Company.  He 
has  invested  his  earnings  in  four  houses  and  lots  at  the  Junction,  one  of 
which  he  occupies,  renting  the  other  three.  Like  his  father  before  him, 
he  is  a  staunch  Democrat,  supporting  the  party  on  all  occasions.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  fraternal  organization,  the  Owls,  of  Lewistown,  in 
which  he  stands  high.  He  has  been  employed  by  various  corporations 
since  reaching  adult  age  and  after  giving  up  farming.  He  married, 
February  21,  1884,  Amanda  Arnold,  born  in  Mifflin  county,  April  12, 
1866,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Wills)  Arnold,  of  a  family 
long  established  in  that  part  of  the  state.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Druckenmil- 
ler  were  born:  i.  Jay  William,  born  June  23.  1889:  a  steel  molder  at 
the  Standard  Steel  \\'orks.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles  and  of  the  Owls,  both  lodges  located  in 
Lewistown.  He  married,  August  5,  1910,  Mary  E.  Brown,  daughter  of 
James  and  Clara  Brown.  They  have  one  child,  Ruth  \^,  born  July  6, 
191 1.  2.  Anna  Margaret,  born  July  8,  1891 :  educated  in  the  public 
schools;  unmarried.  3.  Christian  D.  Jr.,  born  July  10,  1894.  4.  Russel, 
born  March  3,  1900. 


The  Mussers  are  of  Swiss-German  descent  and  came  to 
MUSSER     the  Juniata  Valley  from  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Their  first  settlement  was  in  what  is  now  Perry  county, 
where  the  father,  Samuel  Musser,  of  Burnham,  was  born. 

( I )  William  Musser  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  Janu- 
ary 31,  1800.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county,  and  there 
learned  the  miller's  trade.  In  1825  he  moved  to  Spring  Mills,  Center 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  operated  a  mill,  and  prior  to  1845  moved 
to  Jackson  township,  Huntingdon  county,  where  he  owned  and  cultivated 
a  farm,  also  owned  and  operated  a  grist  mill  at  McAlevy's  Fort  until  his 
death  in  1866.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Epi.s- 
copal  church.  He  married  Eliza  E.  Mayes,  born  in  Dauphin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  March,  1807,  died  1885.     Children:    Elias,  Mary  Ann, 


678  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Sarah,  Ellen  and  Elizabeth,  all  deceased;  Samuel,  of  whom  further;  Cor- 
dilla,  living:  Nancy  Jane  and  Mahala,  both  deceased;  James  Hall,  a 
veteran  of  the  civil  war,  serving  in  the  Forty-fifth  Regiment,  Volunteer 
Infantry,  now  an  attorney  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania;  John  Bush, 
killed  in  1864  in  the  six  days'  fight  in  the  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  a 
private  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teer Infantry. 

(IT)  Samuel,  son  of  William  and  Eliza  E.  (Mayes)  Musser,  was 
born  in  Jackson  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  December 
II,  1835.  He  attended  the  public  school  of  the  township,  and  later 
learned  the  trade  of  millwright,  which  he  followed  for  many  years  in 
the  counties  of  the  Juniata  Valley.  In  1859  he  erected  a  mill  for  Jere- 
miah Yeager  at  Freedom  Forge,  near  what  is  now  Burnham,  and  in 
18S2  returned  to  that  neighborhood  and  purchased  the  Isaac  Price  farm, 
on  which  Burnham  partly  is  built.  He  sold  twenty-two  acres  of  his  farm 
to  the  Burnham  Land  Improvement  Company,  and  has  also  disposed  of 
many  building  lots  to  private  individuals.  A  part  of  the  farm  is  also 
within  the  limits  of  Birch  Hill  cemetery.  Mr.  Musser  is  a  director  of 
the  Lewistown  Trust  Company  and  also  interested  in  the  Reedsville 
National  Bank.  He  has  been  very  successful  and  has  real  estate  interests 
other  than  those  mentioned.  He  is  interested  in  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  is  rated  as  one  of  the  enterprising  and  substantial  men  of 
his  town.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  an  ardent  temperance 
advocate.  He  was  the  "No  License  Candidate"  for  associate  judge  of 
Mifflin  county  in  one  campaign  and  only  failed  of  an  election  by  sixty 
votes.  He  helped  create  the  anti-liquor  sentiment  that  in  igo8  placed 
Mifflin  county  in  the  "No  License"  column  which  gives  him  more  satis- 
faction than  holding  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America  and  of  the  temperance  societies  of 
the  county. 

He  married,  July  4,  1865,  Harriet  Amanda  Creighton,  born  near 
Burnham,  daughter  of  William  Creighton,  an  early  settler  of  Mifflin 
county,  and  an  influential  citizen,  who  died  in  1891.  Two  of  his  sons. 
Rev.  Abraham  and  Rev.  Samuel  Creighton,  are  prominent  ministers  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Children:  (i)  James  Ira,  of  whom 
further;  (2)  Scwell  Asbury,  now  a  merchant  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania; (3)  Frank  M.,  a  pharmacist  with  the  Millard  Drug  Company  of 


a^  ^^u^ 


lUU^-^-t^ 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  679 

Philadelphia;  (4)  William  C,  his  father's  business  assistant;  (5)  Mary, 
deceased;  (6)  An  infant  daughter,  died  unnamed.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  June  6,  1901. 

(Ill)  James  Ira,  son  of  Samuel  and  Harriet  Amanda  (Creighton) 
Musser,  was  born  in  Yeagertown,  Pennsylvania,  June  6,  1866.  He  was 
educated  in  public  schools  and  Bloomfield  Academy.  For  about  two 
years  he  was  connected  with  William  Mann,  Jr.,  &  Company,  and  in 
1885  became  an  employee  of  the  Standard  Steel  Works,  in  a  clerical 
capacity,  continuing  until  the  present  time  (1913).  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  a 
member  of  Lewiston  Lodge,  No.  203,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Lew- 
iston  Chapter,  No.  186,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Lewiston  Commandery, 
No.  26,  Knights  Templar;  Harrisburg  Consistory,  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite. 

He  married,  August  22,  1889,  Minnie  E.  Lewis,  of  Burnham,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  George  W.  and  Mary  (Ott)  Lewis,  the  former 
deceased  and  the  latter  now  living;  Mr.  Lewis  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Logan  Iron  and  Steel  Company,  connected  with  it  for  many 
years.     Child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Musser:    Lewis  J. 


This    family   came  to   the  Juniata   Valley   in    181 3    from 
SIEBER     Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  Christian  Sieber  was 

born  in  1801.  He  came  to  Juniata  county  with  his  par- 
ents in  1813,  and  became  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Fermanagh  township, 
owning  two  hundred  acres  of  good  land.  He  married  and  had  issue : 
Christian,  John,  Samuel,  Jonas,  of  whom  further;  Solomon,  Daniel, 
Abraham,  David,  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Witmer;  William,  Joseph. 
Mary,  Catherine  and  Elizabeth.  These  children  all  married  and  had 
families  ranging  in  size  from  two  to  thirteen. 

(II)  Jonas,  fourth  son  of  Christian  Sieber,  was  born  in  Fermanagh 
township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  Walker  township, 
in  the  same  county.  He  owned  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  in  Walker 
township,  there  married,  lived  and  died.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  married  (first)  Lydia  Funk,  also 
born  in  Juniata  county,  died  in  Walker  township.  Children:  Samuel 
Funk,  of  whom  further;  William,  now  living  in  Missouri;  Lucien,  last 
known  to  have  been  living   in  Harrisburg,   Pennsylvania,  a   butcher; 


68o  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Sarah,  married  Peter  Mertz,  moved  to  Indiana,  where  both  died.  Jonas 
Sieber  married  (second)  Barbara  Kauffman.  Children:  Gideon,  now  a 
farmer  of  Juniata  county;  EHzabeth,  married  Edward  Beaver  and  lives 
in  Foutzs  Valley;  Mary,  married  a  Mr.  McCauley  and  moved  west; 
Eliza,  married  Samuel  Click  and  lives  in  Walker  township;  Cora,  died 
in  1907,  married  George  Heckman. 

(Ill)  Samuel  Funk,  eldest  son  of  Jonas  Sieber  and  his  first  wife, 
Lydia  (Funk)  Sieber,  was  born  in  Walker  township,  Juniata  county, 
Pennsylvania,  November  16,  1834.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  farm.  After  his  marriage,  in 
1862,  he  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  his  native 
township,  which  he  cultivated  successfully  until  i8y8,  when  he  moved 
to  Van  Wert,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  August,  1909.  He  was 
a  Republican  in  politics,  serving  Walker  township  as  school  director. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He 
married,  February  13,  1862,  Susanna  Miller,  born  in  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania,  who  survives  him,  a  resident  of  Van  Wert,  making  her 
home  with  her  daughter  Nora.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  a  lady  greatly  beloved  by  all  who  know  her.  Children  :  i.  Clara,  mar- 
ried John  Breniser  and  resides  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania ; 
children :  Ruth,  Clarence  and  Martha.  2.  Emma,  married  Horace  G. 
Gaston  and  resides  in  Webb  City,  Missouri;  children:  Paul  and  Richard. 
3.  Nora,  married  A.  J.  Sausman  and  resides  at  the  old  home  in  Van 
AVert,  with  her  widowed  mother;  no  issue.  4.  Annie,  married  George 
Cisney  and  resides  in  Brooklyn,  New  York;  children:  Samuel  Homer, 
Harold  and  Lenore ;  Samuel  Homer  died  in  boyhood. 

Mrs.  Susanna  (Miller)  Sieber  is  a  granddaughter  of  George  and 
Barbara  (Manbeck)  Miller,  both  born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania. 
After  their  marriage  they  moved  to  Locust  Run,  Juniata  county,  where 
George  Miller  was  a  merchant  and  farmer,  and  where  both  died.  Isaac, 
son  of  George  and  Barbara  Miller,  was  born  in  Snyder  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  there  resided  until  two  years  after  his  marriage,  when  he 
moved  to  Walker  township,  Juniata  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing until  his  death  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Margaret  Benfer, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Susanna  Benfer,  old  residents  of  Snyder  county, 
where  Daniel  Benfer  owned  and  operated  a  mill.     Mrs.  Margaret  (Ben- 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  68i 

fer)  Miller  survived  her  husband,  remarried,  and  died  in  1909,  aged 
eighty-five  years.  Children  of  Isaac  and  Margaret  Miller:  Susanna,  the 
widow  of  Samuel  Funk  Sieber;  Delilah,  married  Harrison  Crist  and 
died  in  Ohio;  Henry,  now  living  near  Mexico,  Pennsylvania,  a  carpenter; 
Mary,  widow  of  James  Weaver;  Ellen,  married  Frank  Myers  and  re- 
sides in  Ohio;  Isaac,  now  a  farmer  of  Walker  township. 


The  father  of  Edwin  Cross  of  Lewistown,   Pennsylvania, 
CROSS     was  born  in  Lancashire,  England,  where  he  died  in  1869  at 

the  youthful  age  of  thirty-four  years.  In  1881  his  widow, 
Mary  (Allan)  Cross,  also  born  in  Lancashire,  came  to  the  United  States 
with  her  son  Edwin,  but  in  1886  she  returned  to  England,  where  she  died 
in  1906,  aged  seventy  years.  James  Cross  was  a  leather  merchant,  lo- 
cated at  Manchester,  England,  where  he  was  well  established  in  a  good 
business  until  his  early  death.  Children:  Henry,  now  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania;  Hannah,  residing  in  England;  Edwin,  of  whom  further; 
Charles,  residing  in  England. 

(II)  Edwin,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Allan)  Cross,  was  born  in 
Manchester,  England,  January  21,  1865.  He  attended  the  public  and 
technical  schools  of  Ramsbottom,  Lancashire,  and  in  1881  came  to  the 
United  States,  accompanied  by  his  widowed  mother.  He  located  in  New 
York,  where  he  began  an  apprenticeship  in  a  foundry,  working  in  New 
York  and  Philadelphia  several  years,  then  going  to  England,  where  he 
finished  his  trade,  becoming  an  expert  workman,  and  thoroughly  familiar 
with  foundry  details.  He  then  returned  to  the  United  States,  locating 
in  Philadelphia,  where  he  worked  for  the  Chambers  Brothers  a  numljer 
of  years,  then  for  a  time  worked  in  a  foundry  at  Chester,  Pennsylvania. 
He  then  moved  to  High  Bridge,  New  Jersey,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
steel  manufacture.  In  1898  he  located  in  Lewistown,  and  for  ten  years 
was  in  charge  of  the  foundries  of  the  Standard  Steel  Works  at  Burn- 
ham.  In  1908  he  formed  a  connection  with  the  Mount  Rock  Foundry 
and  Machine  Company,  which  was  later  merged  with  the  Lewistown 
Foundry  and  Machine  Company,  and  of  the  reorganized  company  Mr. 
Cross  is  general  manager.  His  long  and  intimate  connection  with  the 
foundry  and  steel  business  has  given  him  valuable  experience  and  ren- 
ders him  particularly  useful  in  capably  managing  this  important  trust. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  popular  member  of  the  fraternal 


682  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

societies  of  Lewistown.  He  is  a  member  of  Levvistown  Lodge,  No.  203, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Lewistown  Chapter,  No.  186,  Royal  Arch 
Masons ;  Lewistown  Commandery,  No.  26,  Knights  Templar ;  the  Royal 
Arcanum;  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  97,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows ;  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Edwin  Cross  married,  in  1888,  Emma  Redfern,  in  Ramsbottom, 
England,  died  in  Lewistown,  February  20,  1912.  Children:  Jane  and 
Annie. 


The  first  LTtts  of  record  in  this  branch  was  Wilson  S.  Utts, 
UTTS     who  came  when  a  young  man  to  Belleville,  Mifflin  county. 

The  name  is  no  doubt  a  form  of  the  German  Utz,  but  in  its 
present  spelling  LUts  has  existed  for  at  least  three  generations.  Wilson 
S.  Utts,  born  in  1822,  died  in  1871.  He  worked  at  the  tinning  business 
in  Belleville,  later  erected  a  building  and  established  a  hardware  store, 
which  he  successfully  conducted.  He  married  Margaret  Hampson,  born 
in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1826,  died  in  Belleville  in  1871. 
Hampson  S.,  son  of  Wilson  S.  and  Margaret  (Hampson)  Utts,  was 
born  in  Belleville,  January  27,  1848,  died  March  28,  1912.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  on  arriving  at  a  suitable  age  learned 
the  tinner's  trade,  working  with  his  father  until  the  death  of  the  latter 
in  1 87 1.  He  then  succeeded  to  the  hardware  and  tinning  business, 
founded  by  his  father,  at  first  with  his  mother,  but  later  alone,  and  most 
successfully  conducted  it  until  1905,  when  he  sold  out  to  his  brother, 
Wilson  S.  Utts,  Jr.,  who  now  owns  and  operates  the  business,  which  has 
been  in  the  family  for  over  sixty  years  at  the  same  stand.  Hampson  S. 
Utts  was  careful  and  conservative  as  a  business  man,  upright  in  all  his 
dealings,  and  although  handicapped  from  his  fourteenth  year  by  entire 
deafness,  was  one  of  the  successful  men  of  his  town,  living-  during  his 
last  seven  years  retired  from  all  business  in  the  home  on  Main  street, 
now  the  residence  of  his  widow.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  were  communicants  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Hampson  S.  Utts  married  in  December,  1874,  Ellie  E.  Smith,  born 
in  Mechanicsville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  4,  1852,  who 
survives  him,  a  resident  of  Belleville.  She  is  the  daughter  of  George 
and  Maria  (Haffley)  Smith;  he  was  born  in  Center  county,  January  25, 
1826,  coming  to  Mifflin  county  when  a  boy  with  his  widowed  mother, 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA  VALLEY  68:5 

Elizabeth  (Hubler)  Smith.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  chair- 
maker's  trade  with  his  stepfather,  John  Klepper.  George  Smith  died 
July  5,  1886.  His  wife,  Maria  Haffley,  was  born  in  Mifflin  county, 
April  7,  1831,  died  September  6,  1872;  children:  Ellie  E.,  of  previous 
mention,  widow  of  Hampson  S.  Utts ;  Joseph  Haffley,  Laura  A.,  Lavanda 
Irene,  Mary  Jane,  John  C,  Sarah  Margaret,  Samuel  George  and  Jessie 
Adams.  Children  of  Hampson  S.  and  Ellie  E.  Utts:  i.  Mabel  Clare, 
born  November  19,  1875,  died  in  1880.  2.  Cora  Maud,  born  October  24, 
1881,  educated  in  the  public  school,  Irving  College  and  Susquehanna 
University;  she  taught  two  years  prior  to  her  marriage,  February  24, 
1903,  to  Jesse  Cloyd  Horton,  son  of  Isaac  Horton;  children:  Jesse  Ell- 
wood,  born  September  10,  1904,  and  Harold  Hampson,  born  March  9, 
1908.  3.  Son,  born  November  9,  1887,  died  unnamed.  4.  George  Wil- 
son, born  March  6,  1894,  graduate  of  Belleville  High  School,  class  of 
1912. 


The    Shatsers    came    to    Lewistown     from     Franklin 
SHATSER     county,   Pennsylvania,  where  David  Shatser  was  born 

in  July,  1812,  and  lived  until  about  1892.  He  lived  for 
a  time  in  Center  county,  then  settled  in  Lewistown,  where  he  worked  at 
his  two  trades,  carpenter  and  shoemaker.  He  was  first  a  carpenter,  but 
while  working  on  the  Presbyterian  church  fell  and  so  injured  himself 
that  he  was  obliged  to  select  a  trade  requiring  less  activity.  He  then 
turned  his  attention  to  shoemaking,  following  that  occupation  for  many 
years;  he  died  in  1892.  He  resided  in  the  si.xth  ward  of  Lewistown  from 
1870  to  1892.  In  earlier  life  a  Whig,  he  entered  the  Republican  party 
at  its  formation  and  always  remained  an  ardent  supporter  of  that  politi- 
cal organization.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Lutheran.  He  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Gross,  an  early  settler  of  Franklin  count\-, 
who  died  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1863.  Children:  E.xann, 
Amos  Alexander,  Richard,  of  whom  further:  David,  a  veteran  of  the 
civil  war,  died  in  a  soldiers'  home ;  Frederick  Galvin,  John  Henry  and 
Thomas  W. 

(11)  Richard,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Gross)  Shatser,  was  born 
in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1844.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  and  when  his  parents  came  to  Lewistown  remained  three 
years  with  his  grandfather,  Nicholas  Gross,  later  joining  the  family  in 


684  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Lewistown.  In  I^'ebriiary,  1862,  being  then  in  his  eighteenth  year,  he 
enhsted  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Regiment  Pennsyl- 
vania Vohmteer  Infantry,  commanded  by  Colonel  McCoy,  serving  with 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  until  August  19,  1864,  when  he  was  captured 
by  the  Confederates  and  sent  to  Libby  Prison  in  Richmond,  Virginia. 
Later  he  was  sent  to  Belle  Isle,  thence  to  Salisbury,  North  Carolina, 
where  he  was  confined  until  the  latter  part  of  February,  1865,  when  he 
was  released  and  came  home  on  furlough  in  March,  1865;  at  Annapolis, 
Maryland,  he  joined  his  regiment  in  May,  remaining  until  July  13,  1865. 
He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Glay-Morgan  Iron  Company,  with 
whom  he  remained  twenty  years;  and  in  1890  he  was  employed  in  the 
treasury  department  at  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  remained  three 
years.  He  is  now  private  watchman  for  George  L.  Russell,  a  position  he 
held  with  Mr.  Russell's  father,  before  the  war,  in  the  same  bank,  and 
has  been  so  engaged  since  1894.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  has 
served  as  borough  councilman,  and  for  the  past  fifteen  years  has  served 
on  the  local  board  of  health.  He  has  always  been  interested  in  the  work 
of  the  borough  fire  department  and  rendered  efficient  service  in  raising 
funds  to  erect  the  building  now  occupied  by  Brooklyn  Hose  Company, 
No.  3.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  in  all 
things  a  consistent,  useful  citizen. 

He  married,  in  1867,  Mary  Ellen  Coffman,  born  in  Derry  township, 
Mifflin  county,  died  in  1882,  daughter  of  Eunie  Coffman.  .\fter  his 
marriage  Mr.  Shatser  moved  to  the  si.xth  ward,  where  he  yet  resides. 
Children:  i.  Harry,  married  Rosa  dinger  and  has  a  daughter  Cath- 
erine. 2.  Bertha,  married  John  Riden,  whom  she  survive-;  children: 
Mary,  Richard,  May,  Anneta,  Marion,  Edna  and  Lillian.  3.  Amos  A., 
married  Mamie  Carl  and  has :  leannette,  Marion  and  Amos  Richard. 


The  Reeds  of  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  are  of  Scotch  an- 
REED  cestry,  James  Reed,  the  first  of  the  family,  settling  near 
Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  before  coming  to  Mifflin  county. 
About  the  year  1751  he  came  with  his  half-brother,  William  Brown,  a 
justice  of  the  peace  under  the  King.  They  thoroughly  investigated  each 
part  of  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley  before  choosing  a  location  in  what  is 
now  Brown  township,  Mifflin  county.  While  in  the  Valley,  Mr.  Brown 
was  drinking  at  the  later  well-known  "Logan  Spring"  when  the  famous 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  685 

Indian  Chief  Logan  suddenly  appeared.  Brown  at  once  prepared  to 
fight,  but  Logan  extended  his  hand  in  friendship  and  an  acquaintance 
was  there  begun  that  was  lasting  and  of  great  value  to  the  two  young 
pioneers,  probably  the  first  settlers  in  that  valley.  On  this  visit  James 
Reed  selected  land  that  was  later  patented  to  him  and  on  which  Reeds- 
ville  now  stands.  In  the  fall  the  young  men  returned  to  Carlisle,  where 
James  Reed  married  during  the  following  winter  Jane  Ogleby.  In  the 
spring  he  came  with  his  bride  to  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  and  built  a 
log  cabin,  in  which  his  son  James,  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  valley, 
first  saw  the  light.  He  cleared  and  improved  his  land,  his  home  being 
at  what  is  now  about  the  center  of  the  village  of  Reedsville.  He  was  a 
Presbyterian  and  signed  a  call  for  the  first  church  built  in  the  valley  and 
helped  to  build  the  first  log  church  in  which  was  formed  the  East  Kish- 
acoquillas Presbyterian  Church,  now  located  in  a  handsome  church  in 
Reedsville,  but  the  first  church  standing  on  a  hill  three-quarters  of  a 
mile  away. 

The  Indians  were  still  troublesome,  and  at  the  early  services  held  in 
the  log  house  James  Reed  and  the  other  men  always  carried  their  rifles. 
Mr.  Reed  became  a  prosperous  land  owner  and  farmer  and  bore  a 
prominent  part  in  all  the  undertakings  for  the  settlement  and  develop- 
ment of  Reedsville,  named  in  his  honor.  Pie  died  in  1803,  after  a  long, 
useful  life  of  eighty  years,  and  is  buried  in  the  Presbyterian  cemetery 
at  "Church  Hill,"  the  site  of  the  first  log  church  he  helped  to  build.  His 
original  farm  of  five  hundred  acres,  patented  to  him  in  1755,  is  yet 
partly  owned  in  the  family. 

Children  of  James  and  Jane  (Ogleby)  Reed:  i.  James,  the  first 
white  child  born  in  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  lived  and  died  near  Reedsville, 
a  farmer:  he  married  Nancy  Milroy.  2.  Mary,  married  John  Thomjj- 
son;  died  in  New  York.  3.  William,  married  Abigail  Kerr;  died  in 
Ohio.  4.  Sarah,  married  Henry  Steely  and  both  spent  their  lives  on 
their  farm  at  the  east  end  of  the  valley.  5.  Thomas,  moved  to  New 
York  state,  where  he  died :  he  married  Margaret  Van  Houten.  6.  .An- 
drew, married  Hannah  Conklin;  also  died  in  New  York.  7.  Alexander, 
lived  and  died  near  Reedsville,  as  did  his  wife  Jane.  8.  John,  died  in 
infancy.  9.  John,  died  in  Reedsville  after  1840.  10.  Joseph,  killed  in 
a  race  at  age  of  twenty-seven  years,  unmarried.  11.  Jane,  died  young. 
12.  Abner,  of  whom  further. 


686  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(II)  Abner,  twelfth  child  of  James  and  Jane  (Ogleby)  Reed,  was 
born  in  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  October  i,  1787,  died  October  13, 
1855.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  that  then  existed  in  his 
neighborhood,  and  passed  his  entire  active  years  engaged  in  agricuhure. 
He  became  possessed  of  a  large  amount  of  unimproved  land  and  to  the 
development  of  his  estate  he  devoted  his  life.  He  lived  in  Reedsville 
many  years,  but  spent  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  on  his  Back  Mountain 
farm.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  devoted  Presbyterians  and  liberal 
supporters  of  the  East  Kishacoquillas  church. 

He  married  (first)  Rebecca  Nancy  Henry,  daughter  of  William  and 
Nancy  (Beatty)  Henry,  he  an  early  settler  and  farmer.  She  died  in 
1826,  leaving  three  children:  i.  Joseph,  died  in  1861.  2.  Nancy  Mar- 
garet, married  Abner  Thompson;  children:  Mary.  John,  Ella,  Walter. 
3.  Alexander,  of  whom  further.  Abner  Reed  married  (second)  Rhoda, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Taylor)  McKinney,  and  widow  of  John 
Brown.  By  her  first  husband  she  had  a  son  who  died  in  infancy  and  a 
daughter,  Mary  ("Polly")  Ann  Brown,  who  married  Samuel  W.  Tay- 
lor and  had  one  daughter,  Rhoda  McKinney  Taylor.  After  being 
widowed  a  second  time,  Mrs.  Rhoda  Reed  lived  with  her  children  until 
her  death  in  1877  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Polly  Ann  Taylor. 
Children  of  Abner  Reed  and  his  second  wife:  i.  John,  now  president 
of  the  Reedsville  National  Bank  and  of  the  Farmers  National  Bank  of 
Belleville ;  married  Elizabeth  D.  Taylor ;  children :  Henry  Taylor  and 
Rhoda  M.  2.  Andrew,  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College ;  a  lawyer  of 
Lewistown  until  his  death  at  the  home  of  his  sister  Rebecca  Jane,  un- 
married. 3.  Ogleby  James,  a  farmer  of  part  of  the  homestead  until  his 
death  in  Reedsville ;  married  Agnes  Jane  Cummins :  children :  John  Mil- 
ton, Mary  Brown  and  Ann  Cummins.  4.  Rebecca  Jane,  died  on  ship- 
Ijoard  en  route  from  Japan  to  America  and  is  buried  in  Reedsville ;  mar- 
ried John  (2)  Hayes,  of  Brown  township;  children:  Jane  A.,  died 
young;  Rhoda  M.,  John  Francis,  A.  Reed  and  Anna  M.  5.  Sarah,  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools ;  Ercildoun  Seminary  at  Coatesville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Kishacoquillas  Seminary;  married  Alexander  Brown  McNitt, 
whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Reedsville. 

(TIT)  Alexander,  son  of  Abner  and  Rebecca  Nancy  (Henry)  Reed, 
was  born  at  the  Reed  homestead  farm,  where  the  village  of  Reedsville 
now  stands,   October  11,   1823.     His  mother  died  when  he  was  very 


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HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  687 

young,  but  he  was  reared  under  the  wise  guidance  of  his  father,  whose 
second  wife  gave  him  a  mother's  care.  He  attended  the  Reedsville 
schools  and  remained  with  his  father  until  reaching  legal  age.  In  1844, 
in  partnership  with  iiis  brother,  Joseph,  he  began  farming  and  cattle 
dealing.  After  carrying  on  his  business  successfully  on  a  large  farm 
which  they  owned,  part  of  the  original  Reed  tract,  they  began  the  manu- 
facture of  grain  drills  in  Reedsville,  also  a  successful  venture.  In  1852, 
enticed  by  the  "lure  of  gold,"  Alexander  Reed  made  the  journey  to  Cali- 
fornia, via  Nicaragua,  arriving  safely  at  Sacramento  City  after  a  long 
and  dangerous  trip.  At  Sacramento  he  contracted  typhoid  fever,  but 
after  a  serious  illness  recovered  sufficiently  to  enter  government  employ, 
being  too  weak  for  work  in  the  mines.  He  was  in  the  party  under  Gen- 
erals Denver,  Raines  and  Estelle,  who  commanded  an  overland  relief 
train  for  the  succor  of  emigrants,  making  their  way  to  California  across 
the  Rock}-  and  Sierra  mountains.  A  few  months  spent  with  this  party 
in  the  healthful  outdoors  of  that  section  completely  restored  his  health, 
and  on  his  return  to  Sacramento  he  continued  under  the  employ  of  Gen- 
eral Estelle  and  the  State  of  California  on  guard  at  San  Ouentin.  In 
1856,  after  four  years  absence,  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania  via  Panama. 
He  resumed  farming  at  Reedsville  and  so  continued  until  a  few  years 
prior  to  his  death.  Pie  was  a  friend  of  all  improvement  and  aided  mate- 
rially in  the  upbuilding  of  his  home  town.  He  was  a  Republican  in 
politics,  always  interested  in  local  political  affairs,  but  never  an  office- 
seeker. 

He  finally  retired  and  removed  to  Reedsville.  where  he  Iniilt  a 
residence  in  1898,  and  there  died  June  5,  1899.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  active  members  of  the  East  Kishacoquillas  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  in  1892  and  1893  he  was  president  of  the  building  committee  in 
charge  of  the  new  church  erected  in  Reedsville  by  that  congregation, 
after  worshipping  on  "Church  Hill"  one  hundred  and  ten  years.  Pie 
was  a  warm  friend  of  the  cause  of  education  and  gave  his  children  the 
benefit  of  the  best  advantages  the  section  afforded. 

Alexander  Reed  married,  September  29,  1858,  Mary  Lyon  Taylor, 
born  in  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  December  23,  1837,  who  survives  him, 
a  resident  of  Reedsville.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  P.  and  Elizabeth 
(Forsythe)  Taylor,  granddaughter  of  Samuel  Williamson  and  Elizal)ctli 
(Davis)  Taylor,  and  a  great-granddaughter  of  Captain  lienry  Taylor, 


688  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

an  officer  of  the  revolution,  and  his  wife,  Rhoda  (Wilhamson)  Taylor. 
Captain  Taylor  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel  Taylor,  who  lived  near  Phila- 
delphia, a  Scotch-Irish  settler,  who  probably  died  soon  after  his  arrival 
as  no  further  trace  of  him  is  found.  Henry  P.  Taylor  lived  and  died  in 
the  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  a  farmer  and  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
legislature  in  1852  and  1853.  He  died  in  1902,  aged  ninety-three  years; 
his  wife  died  in  1840  at  Bedford  Springs,  Pennsylvania,  leaving  two 
daughters:  Mary  Lyon,  now  widow  of  Alexander  Reed,  residing  in 
Reedsville;  Elizabeth,  deceased.  Children  of  Alexander  and  Mary 
Lyon  (Taylor)  Reed:  i.  Elizabeth,  married  John  McDowell,  of  Reeds- 
ville; children:  Alexander  Reed  and  Mary  Lyon  McDowell.  2.  Mary, 
married  William  S.  Ellis,  of  Pottstown,  Pennsylvania,  whom  she  sur- 
vives. 3.  Henry  Taylor,  a  farmer  of  the  old  homestead;  married  Sarah 
Means;  children:  Mary  Kyle,  Alexander,  Elizabeth.  4.  Abner  Joseph, 
a  farmer,  residing  with  his  mother.  5.  Lillie  Henry,  married  Rev. 
Samuel  T.  Linton,  of  Ridley  Park,  Pennsylvania ;  child :  Mary. 


William  Foy  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
FOY     183 1,    died    in   Lewistown,    Pennsylvania.      He    was    left    an 

orphan  at  an  early  age  and  was  reared  by  an  uncle,  Henry 
Arent,  of  Ferguson  Valley,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  attended 
the  public  school,  and  worked  at  farming  until  1888.  when  he  came  to 
Lewistown.  He  prospered,  and  at  his  death  owned  considerable  land 
and  several  houses.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married,  February  14,  1875,  Ellen  Lynch,  born  in  Ferguson 
Valley,  ]\Iiiflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  28,  1836,  now  deceased, 
daughter  of  Lawrence  and  Bertha  (Nelson)  Lynch,  both  born  in  Ire- 
land, coming  when  young  and  settling  in  Ferguson  Valley,  where  Law- 
rence Lynch  died  in  1884.  Children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lynch:  i.  Dr. 
Horatio  L..  a  physician,  shot  and  killed  by  a  negro  while  sitting  in  a 
chair  in  his  own  office.  2.  Catherine,  married  Samuel  Logan,  and  died 
in  1878.  3.  Margaret,  married  James  Mackey,  and  lives  in  Ferguson 
Valley.  4.  Ellen,  of  previous  mention.  5.  Henry,  died  in  Colorado. 
6.  Alary,  married  .\lbert  Kerns,  of  Frankfort,  Indiana.  7.  Lawrence, 
decea.sed.  Children  of  William  and  Ellen  (Lynch)  Foy:  i.  Florence, 
died  in  .\pril,  1879,  aged  twenty-one  years.     2.  Effie,  married  George  K. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  689 

McCurtis,   and  died  in   1883,  aged  twenty-two  years.     3.  Maud,  died 
February  19,  1877,  aged  fifteen  years. 


The  Zinns  are  of  ancient  German  ancestry,  the  founders  of 
ZINN     this  branch  coming  from  Berlin  in  1868.     The  grandchildren 

of  Andrew  Zinn  comprise  the  third  generation  in  the  L'nited 
States,  and  the  second  of  American  birth.  The  founders,  Andrew  and 
Margaret  (Deal)  Zinn,  were  both  born  in  Berlin,  Germany.  He  was 
educated  in  his  native  land,  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  married,  and 
in  1868,  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine  years,  came  to  the  United  States,  set- 
tling at  Huntingdon.  Pennsylvania.  He  was  weighmaster  at  the  coal 
wharf  for  twenty-five  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Reformed  church.  He  died  January,  1907,  aged  sixty-eight 
years.  His  widow  still  survives,  aged  seventy  years.  Children:  J. 
Phil.,  John  H.,  of  whom  further;  Harry  John,  Edward  A.,  Katherine, 
Charles,  George,  Frank,  all  living.       , 

(II)  John  H.,  son  of  Andrew  and  Margaret  (Deal)  Zinn,  was 
born  in  Huntingdon.  Pennsylvania,  May  5,  1868.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  school,  and  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age  remained  in 
Huntingdon.  In  1887  he  came  to  Lewistown,  and  there  learned  the 
carriage  builder's  trade.  He  established  in  business  for  himself,  and  in 
1907  built  his  present  plant  at  No.  90  Montgomery  street.  His  residence 
is  at  No.  25  Depot  street.  Mr.  Zinn  prospered  and  is  held  in  high  esteem 
as  a  business  man  and  citizen.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  fraternal  order  is  the  Knights  of 
the  Maccabees. 

He  married,  in  1898.  Millie  Montgomery,  daughter  of  Robert  H. 
Monts-omerv,    formerly    of    Lewistown,    now    deceased.      Child,    Mar- 

o  - 

garetta,  born  December  25,  1900. 


This  record  of  the  Hughes  family  begins  with  Theoph- 
HUGHES     ilus  Hughes,  a  drummer  boy  of  the  war  of  1812.     He 
was  a  resident  of  Pennsylvania,  there  married  and  reared 
a  family  which  included  a  son.  Ellis. 

(II)  Ellis,  son  of  Theophilus  Hughes,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1800,  there  grew  to  manhood,  married  Catherine  McDarah  and  moved 
to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  where  his  wife  died  in  1843.    Ellis  Hughes 


690  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY 

then  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  settling  in  Columbia,  and  later  was  a 
resident  of  York  county.  He  was  for  some  time  a  pdot  on  the  Susque- 
hanna river.  Later  he  again  went  west  and  died  in  Galena,  Ilhno.s.  m 
1885  He  was  a  Democrat  in  early  life,  but  after  the  civil  war  became  a 
Republican.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Methodist.  Children:  Whil- 
den,  Grant,  Mary,  Joseph  W.,  of  whom  further. 

(Ill)     Joseph  W.,  son  of  Ellis  and  Catherine  (McDarah)   Hughes, 
was  born  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  September  16,  1840.     His  mother  died  when 
he  was  a  child  of  two  years,  and  he  was  reared  by  an  aunt,  Mrs.  Joseph 
Weaver,  of  Pottsville,   Pennsylvania.     He  was  educated  in  the  public 
school,  and  in  1854,  being  then  fourteen  years  of  age,  he  began  work- 
ing in'  a  drug  store  at  Mechanicsburg,  Pennsylvania,   remaining  there 
until  1861  and  becoming  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  drug  i)usiness.     In 
April,   1 86 1,  he  enlisted  in  the  York    (Pennsylvania)    Rifles,  and  later 
served  in  the  Fifty-fifth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Infantry.     He  was  a 
prisoner  of  war  nine  months,  seven  of  which  he  spent  at  Andersonville. 
He  served   four  years  and  two  months,  receiving  honoralile  discharge 
at  the  close  of  the  war.     He  then  returned  to  Mechanicslxirg,  where  he 
was  for  a  time  clerk  in  a  hardware  store,  later  operated  a  bakery.     In 
187 1  he  came  to  Lewistown  and  there  entered  the  employ  of  The  Fran- 
cisus  Hardware  Company.     He  was  appointed  manager  of  their  store  at 
:\Iil"flintown,  Juniata  county,  there  remaining  seventeen  years.     He  was 
then  appointed  manager  of  their  Lewistown  store,  holding  that  respon- 
sible position  thirteen  years.     He  then  resigned,  and  until  his  retirement 
was  engaged  in  the  retail  coal  business.     In  1909  he  retired  from  active 
business,  but  has  been  interested  in  improving  his  property  on  Valley 
street  by  the  erection  of  residences  at  Nos.  149-151-153.     He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  jiolitics,  has  served  on  the  borough  council,  and  at  the  session 
of  the  slate  legislature  in  191 1  was  appointed  doorkeeper.    He  is  a  mem- 
lier  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Department  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  of  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  203,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  having 
been  made  a  Mason  in  Mechanicsburg  Lodge,  No.  302.     He  is  president 
of  Lewistown  Board  of  Trade  and  w-as  president  of  the  Mifflin  County 
Mutual  Insurance  Company  from  its  organization  until  January  i,  191 2. 
He  is  a  man  held  in  high  esteem  by  all. 

Mr.  Hughes  married,  in  1869,  Carolyn  Hopper,  who  died  in  1871, 
daughter  of  ]\Iartin  Hopper,  of  Lewistown,  a  pioneer  settler.     Children 


HISTORY    OF    THE    TUMATA    VALLEY  691 

of  Joseph  W.  and  Carolyn  Hughes:  i.  Robert  T.,  married  Catherine 
Owens,  of  Lewistown.  2  Carolyn,  married  Charles  M.  Rice,  of  Lewis- 
town. 


This  family  came  to  Pennsylvania  from  Germany,  and  in 
RICE  early  records  the  name  is  written  in  the  German  style,  Rees. 
It  was  soon  anglicized  and  became  Rice.  The  founder  of  the 
family,  Zachariah  (also  written  Zachary)  Rice,  was  one  of  the  thirty 
thousand  German  emigrants  who  landed  in  Philadelphia  between  the 
years  1727  and  1776.  He  was  born  in  Germany  in  1731.  and  in  his 
native  land  learned  the  trade  of  millwright.  He  came  to  Phuadelphia 
in  the  ship  "Edinborough"  and  at  once  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
King  of  England.  His  first  work  of  importance  was  to  build  a  mill  for 
the  separating  of  clover  seed.  The  machinery  has  disappeared,  but  the 
mill,  built  on  Pickering  creek,  near  Pikeland  station,  Chester  county,  is 
still  standing. 

In  1757  he  married  Maria  .Appolonia  (afterward  called  Abigail  to 
shorten  the  name)  Hartman,  daughter  of  Johannes  and  Margaret  Hart- 
man,  German  emigrants,  who  came  in  1750.  She  was  born  September  4, 
1742,  in  Germany,  died  November  6,  1789,  the  mother  of  twenty-one 
children,  seventeen  of  whom  walked  in  procession  to  her  grave.  Her 
grave  at  Pikeland  church  is  lost,  the  stone  having  been  destroyed.  The 
young  couple  began  housekeeping  on  a  farm  in  Pikeland  township, 
where  in  addition  to  farming  he  worked  at  his  millwright  trade  and  at 
carpentering.  During  the  revolution  he  worked  on  the  government  hos- 
])ital,  built  at  Yellow  Springs,  in  Pikeland.  for  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers,  and  also  did  other  work  for  the  government.  He  prospered 
and  purchased  the  farm  of  two  hundred  and  five  acres  on  which  he  lived. 
In  May,  1786,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  additional.  He 
built  in  1767  a  stone  house  and  there  his  children  w-ere  born.  They 
attended  St.  Augustine's  Lutheran  Church  at  the  Trappe.  thirteen  miles 
away,  until  I77i,when  St.  Peter's  Church,  a  log  church  edifice,  was  built 
at  Pikeland. 

During  the  revolution  the  hospital  at  Yellow  Springs  was  filled  with 
wounded  soldiers,  to  whom  Mrs.  Rice  was  a  frequent  visitor,  carrying 
food  and  delicacies.  During  these  visits  she  contracted  typhus  fever, 
from  which  she  never  fully  recovered.    After  the  battle  of  Brandywine, 


692  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY 

it  is  said  \\-ashington,  retreating  across  Chester  Valley,  stopped  at  the 
Rice  home,  receiving  from  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Rice  a  coolmg,  refreshing 
drink     Here  they  lived  in  peace  and  prosperity  until  the  spring  of  I7«9. 
when  his  farm  was  seized  by  the  foreclosure  of  an  old  English  mort- 
gage     Zacharv  Rice  and  one  hundred  and  thirteen  other  farmers  lost 
their  entire  property,  through  the  rascality  of  Andrew  Allen,  a  Phila- 
delphia merchant  and  a  member  of  the  Continental  congress,  who  mort- 
gaged the  tract  and  divided  it  into  two  and  three  hundred  acre  farms, 
which  he  sold  to  the  German  emigrants,  as  they  arrived,  and  who  trusted 
him  so  entirely  that  they  did  not  question  his  title.     Zachary  not  being 
able  to  redeem  his  property,  it  was  sold  and  immediate  possession  taken. 
A  few  months  later  his  wife  died  and  the  old  emigrant's  cup  of  sorrow 
was  full.     But  he  was  made  of  stern  material,  and  in  1790,  with  his 
seventeen  children,  five  of  whom  were  married,  he  started  westward  in 
search  of  cheaper  land.     They  crossed  the  Susquehanna  at  Harrisburg 
and  settled  in  [Nlilford  township,  now  Juniata  county.    They  had  brought 
their  household  goods  with  them  in  wagons  and  soon  obtained   land, 
buill  log  houses  and  began  clearing.     The  Indians,  had  all  disappeared, 
their  foes  being  the  wild  beasts.     Zachary  bought  the  tract  upon  which 
he  settled  in  1700  and  paid  for  it  in  1801,  five  thousand  dollars,  the  result 
of  his  farming,  lumbering  and  mill  building  operations,  in  which  he  was 
assisted  by  his  unmarried  children.     He  cut  and  drew  to  the  site  the  first 
log  used  in  the  erection  of  Lebanon  church,  built  at  Loysville,  Perry 
county,  in  1794,  and  continued  at  hard  labor  until  a  few  years  before  his 
death,  then  spending  his  time  traveling  around    among  his   children, 
settled  in  Juniata,  Perry  and  Mifilin  counties.    He  died  August  11,  1819, 
aged  eighty  years,  and  was  buried  at  Church  Hill,  Juniata  county,  Penn- 
sylvania.   He  was  the  grandfather  of  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  chil- 
dren, and  the  great-great-grandfather  of  eight  thousand  and  thirty-six 
Rice  descendants.     His  son,  John  Rice,  was  appointed  administrator, 
and  on  January  i,  1803,  Jacob  Rice  bought  the  farm,  paying  five  thou- 
sand and  seventy-six  dollars  therefor.     The  administrator's  accounts, 
dated  Xnvcmbcr  3,  1812,  show  heirs:    John,  Peter,  Jacob,  George  Con- 
rad, Zaciiariaii,  Henry,  Benjamin,  Elizabeth,  Margaret,  Susannah,  Ma- 
riah,  Mary,  Sally.  Kitty,  Betsey  and  Polly,  the  seventeen  living  children. 
The  family  were  noted  for  their  longevity,  eighty  and  ninety  years  being 
the  usual  age.     .\11  were  men  of  athletic  build,  hard  workers  and  good 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  693 

citizens.     From  this  old  German  "patriarch"  sprang  Jacob  Rice,  grand- 
father of  Charles  Miller  Rice,  of  Lewistown. 

(III)  Jacob  {2),  a  grandson  of  Zachariah  and  Abigail  (Hartman) 
Rice,  was  born  in  Perry  county,  probably  a  son  of  Jacob  (i)  Rice,  who 
settled  first  in  Juniata  county,  later  in  Spring  township.  Perry  county, 
and  left  sons,  Jacob  (2)  and  Henry.  Jacob  (2)  Rice  was  a  farmer. 
He  married  a  Miss  Haynaker  and  had  eleven  children. 

(IV)  Frank,  son  of  Jacob  (2)  Rice,  was  born  in  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1846.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Perry  county,  learned 
the  carriage  building  trade,  married,  and  moved  to  the  state  of  Indiana, 
where  he  remained  three  years.  He  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania, 
locating  in  Lewistown,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1912.  He  then 
joined  his  son  in  the  management  of  the  Juniata  Poultry  Farm,  in  which 
business  he  is  now  successfully  engaged.  He  specializes  in  the  raising  of 
White  Leghorn,-  White  Orpington  and  White  Rock  chickens,  and  White 
Holland  turkeys,  and  has  a  plant  rapidly  increasing  in  value. 

He  is  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  having  served  with  the  Two  Hun- 
dred and  Fifth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was 
engaged  in  many  of  the  hard  battles  fought  by  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac, including  the  Seven  Days'  fighting  before  Richmond,  Antietam, 
Petersburg.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  He  married  Isabel  Miller,  born  in  Mififlin  county  in 
1847,  daughter  of  Christian  Miller,  who  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany, 
came  to  the  United  States  about  1840  with  his  wife  and  settled  in  Lewis- 
town,  Pennsylvania.  He  drove  a  stage  coach  over  the  mountains  in  the 
early  days,  later  was  manager  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  station  in 
Lewistown,  continuing  until  1876,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  three  miles 
from  the  town  on  which  he  lived  until  death.  His  children  were :  Wil- 
liam and  Charles,  both  deceased,  and  Mabel,  wife  of  Frank  Rice.  Chil- 
dren of  Frank  Rice:  i.  Annie  E.,  married  G.  A.  Shiveley  and  resides 
at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Frank,  Isabel  and  Dorothy.  2. 
^^'illiam  M.,  married  Emma  Cherry  and  resides  in  Altoona;  children: 
Charles  and  Austin.     3.  Charles  Miller,  of  whom  further. 

(V)  Charles  Miller,  youngest  son  of  Frank  and  Isabel  (Miller) 
Rice,  was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  September  23,  1873.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  later  took  a  special  course  at  East- 


694  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA  VALLEY 

man's  Business  College,  Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  In  1889  he  entered 
the  employ  of  David  Grove,  a  grocer  of  Lewistown,  as  clerk,  and  con- 
tinued in  his  employ  until  1902,  when  he  was  admitted  to  a  partnership, 
the  firm  becoming  Grove  &  Rice.  They  are  located  at  No.  16  East  Mar- 
ket street,  and  have  a  well-stocked  store  and  a  prosperous  business.  He 
is  also  interested  in  Lewistown  real  estate  and  with  his  father  in  the 
poultry  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  Amer- 
ica and  the  Royal  Arcanum;  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and,  with  his 
wife,  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

He  married,  in  1903,  Carolyn  Hughes,  born  in  Mechanicsburg,  Cum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Joseph  W.  Hughes.  She 
came  to  Lewistown  with  her  parents  when  she  was  a  babe.  Children: 
Carolyn,  born  February  25,  1905:  Marjorie.  August  24,  191 1. 

The  paternal  ancestor  of  Daniel  Rowe  Stratford,  of 
STR.\TFORD     Lewistown,   Pennsylvania,   was  Thomas   Stratford. 

who  lived  and  died  in  England.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Presl)yterian  church.  Children:  i.  Sabina. 
2.  Julia.  3.  Frederick,  an  eminent  educator,  who  for  his  services  in 
the  English  schools  was  pensioned  l)y  the  government  in  his  latter  years ; 
he  was  also  a  well-known  and  accomplished  vocal  musician,  for  years  a 
member  of  the  choir  of  one  of  London's  famous  churches.  4.  Wil- 
liam. 5.  Charles  John,  of  whom  further.  6.  Angeline,  who  married  a 
Mr.  Higgins  and  moved  to  Benton  county,  Iowa. 

(II)  Charles  John,  son  of  Thomas  Stratford,  was  born  in  England 
in  1818,  died  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  May  6,  1893.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  school,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  left  his  home 
and  native  land.  In  1836  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  there  working  for  a  time  on  the  wharves  as  stevedore. 
He  soon  left  the  city  and  in  a  short  time  was  located  at  Easton,  Penns}'!- 
vania,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  marblecutter,  serving  an  apprentice- 
'-hip  nf  nearly  seven  years.  Mis  employer  was  a  hard  drinker  and  treated 
liis  a])prcniice  with  such  severity  that  he  would  not  remain  his  full  term, 
l)Ut  i)aid  iiis  employer  to  release  him  six  months  sooner.  He  then  lo- 
cated in  Lewistown.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade,  form- 
ing a  partnership  with  a  Mr.  Kcmmerling.  They  were  a  successful  firm 
and  thrcint;h  their  united  efforts  established  a  prosperous  marble  yard. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  695 

Mr.  Stratford  was  an  expert  worker  in  marble,  and  to  his  artistic  de- 
signing and  fine  workmanship  many  fine  monuments  and  gravestones  in 
the  Juniata  Valley  bear  silent  testimony.  Mr.  Kemmerling  later  sold  out 
to  his  partner,  and  for  forty  years  thereafter  Mr.  Stratford  conducted  a 
large  and  prosperous  business.  Although  devoted  to  business  and  a  man 
of  great  energy,  he  was  public-spirited,  a  student,  and  kept  pace  with 
the  thought  of  his  day.  He  was  a  student  of  Greek  and  Latin,  and  a 
great  lover  of  books,  owning  a  good  library  consisting  of  the  best  classic 
literature  of  the  English  and  other  languages.  He  embraced  the  cause 
of  temperance  with  all  the  ardor  of  his  nature  and  would  often  walk 
fifteen  or  twenty  miles  to  deliver  a  temperance  lecture.  He  gained  more 
than  local  fame  as  a  lecturer  and  worker  for  temperance,  and  in  1870 
visited  England  in  the  interest  of  the  cause.  So  highly  was  he  re- 
garded that  he  carried  abroad,  among  his  credentials,  a  letter  from  Gov- 
ernor John  \V.  Geary,  over  his  own  signature,  and  the  great  seal  of  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  recommending  him  to  the  confidence  of  the  Eng- 
lish people  as  a  "good  citizen  and  of  high  character,  especially  distin- 
guished for  his  active  labors  on  behalf  of  temperance  reform."  While 
in  England,  Mr.  Stratford  established  a  lodge  of  the  then  popular  tem- 
perance fraternity  known  as  the  Order  of  Good  Templars.  This  was  the 
first  lodge  of  that  order  to  be  organized  in  England.  After  his  return 
from  England  he  continued  his  active  temperance  work,  only  death 
causing  him  to  cease  from  his  labors. 

He  married,  January  16,  1837,  Catherine,  who  died  aged  sixty-five 
years,  daughter  of  Daniel  Rowe,  of  German  descent,  and  an  old  settler 
in  Lewistown.  where  he  died  leaving  a  large  family.  Children  of 
Charles  John  and  Catherine  (Rowe)  Stratford:  i.  Temperance,  died 
aged  three  years.  2.  Charles,  married  Elizabeth  Gray.  3.  Loveday 
Susan,  deceased ;  married  Timoth)-  Swany.  4.  Frederick,  married  Eliz- 
abeth M.  Kramer.  5.  Prudence,  married  Alfred  Smithers.  6.  Annie 
E.,  died  aged  about  twenty-three  years.  7.  Daniel  Rowe,  of  whom  fur- 
ther.  8.  Laura  Helen,  married  Grafton  Anderson  and  moved  to  Dakota. 

(Ill)  Daniel  Rowe,  seventh  child  of  Charles  John  and  Catherine 
(Rowe)  Stratford,  was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  May  21, 
1852.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  Lewistown  Academy  until  he 
was  fifteen  years  of  age,  then  spent  two  and  a  half  years  in  Iowa,  work- 
ing on  a  farm.     He  then  returned  home  and  began  learning  the  stone 


696  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

cutter's  trade  under  the  instruction  of  his  father.  In  1870  Charles  John 
Stratford  retired,  his  son  Charles  succeeding  him.  Daniel  R.  continued 
his  years  of  apprenticeship  under  his  brother,  becoming  an  expert  work- 
man and  a  capable  artistic  designer  of  monuments  and  ornamental 
marble  work.  In  1878  he  started  in  business  for  himself,  competing 
with  his  brother  for  ten  years.  In  1888  the  two  yards  were  consoli- 
dated inidcr  the  firm  name,  The  Lewistown  Marble  and  Granite  Works. 
The  Ijrothers  conducted  a  prosperous  business,  both  were  splendid  work- 
men and  capable  business  men  with  enviable  reputations  as  honorable 
and  trustworthy  business  men.  In  1906  they  were  awarded  the  contract 
for  erecting  the  Soldiers  and  Sailors'  Monument,  now  standing  in  the 
public  square  at  Lewistown.  Before  this  contract  was  completed,  the 
partnership  existing  between  the  brothers  was  dissolved,  Charles  Strat- 
ford retiring,  Daniel  C.  continuing  the  business  and  completing  the  con- 
tract. The  monument,  sixty  feet  in  height,  was  designed  by  D.  C. 
Stratford  from  an  idea  suggested  by  Dr.  Parcels,  a  member  of  the 
committee,  and  was  erected  with  but  slight  change  from  the  plans  as  sub- 
mitted by  Mr.  Stratford  and  is  a  fitting  memorial  to  the  brave  dead. 
Since  becoming  sole  owner,  he  changed  the  name  of  the  firm  and  it  is 
now  The  Stratford  Marble  and  Granite  Works.  His  business  has  won- 
derfully increased  in  the  past  six  years,  the  volume  having  doubled,  and 
extends  over  the  counties  of  Mifflin,  Center,  Juniata,  Huntingdon  and 
Perry.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  is  public-spirited  and  helpful  in  all  that  tends  to  the  public  good,  and 
is  held  in  highest  respect  by  his  community. 

He  married,  October  28,  1875,  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Julia 
Ann  (Brown)  Ettinger,  of  German  descent,  both  deceased.  Children: 
I.  Harry,  born  November  29,  1877.  died  aged  eleven  months.  2.  Laura 
Edith,  born  1891,  died  1894.  3.  Charles  E.,  born  1876.  4.  Sarah 
Grace,  born  October  8,  1881 ;  married  A.  L.  Bickle.  5.  William  F.,  born 
October  8.  1883 ;  married  Mabel  Davis.  6.  Julia  Ann,  born  October  2, 
1885.     7.  Roy,  born  July  2^.  1887. 


The  Taylor  family,  of  which  General  John  P.  Taylor,  of 
TAYLOR     Reedsville.  is  a  representative,  was  founded  in  the  Juni- 
ata Valley  by  Robert  Taylor,  who  came  to  Mifflin  county 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  UBRARY 


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//■or 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  697 

from  Pine  Ford,  on  Swartara  Creek,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  took  out  warrants  for  several  acres  of  land  in  the  Kishacoquillas 
Valley,  much  of  which  is  yet  owned  in  the  family.  Robert  Taylor  mar- 
ried and  had  issue:  Henry,  William,  Robert  (2),  John,  and  Matthew. 

(II)  Matthew,  son  of  Robert  Taylor,  the  pioneer  settler,  came  to 
Mifflin  county  with  his  father;  he  became  a  prosperous  farmer  of  "the 
valley."  He  married  Sarah  ( Sample)  Mayes,  widow  of  John  Mayes, 
and  had  issue :  Robert  (3)  ;  John,  of  whom  further;  Henry  and  Sample. 

(III)  John,  son  of  Matthew,  and  grandson  of  Robert  (i)  Taylor, 
"the  settler,"  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  ]\Iarch  6,  1775, 
died  in  1843.  He  attended  such  schools  as  the  locality  then  aflorded, 
later  going  to  Center  county,  where  he  served  a  regular  apprenticeship 
in  a  tannery,  thoroughly  learning  that  business.  Returning  home,  he 
erected  a  tannery  on  the  homestead  farm,  and  for  the  remainder  of  his 
life  followed  tanning  and  farming.  He  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  very 
energetic  and  prosperous.  Pie  married,  February  12,  1813,  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Neal  and  Margaret  (Thompson)  McManigal.  She  sur- 
vived him  twenty-six  years,  dying  in  1869,  aged  eighty-three  years.  The 
young  couple  made  their  first  home  in  a  corner  of  the  tannery  building, 
but  as  prosperity  came  erected  a  comfortable  home.  Children:  Sarah 
Sample,  married  James  Watts;  Rebecca  McManigal,  married  David 
Brisbin;  Matthew,  married  Jane  E.  Taylor;  Margaret  Thompson,  died 
aged  two  years;  Margaret  Isabella,  married  Oliver  Perry  Smith;  John 
P.,  of  whom  further;  Elizabeth,  married  Samuel  McWilliams. 

(IV)  General  John  P.  Taylor  was  born  on  the  Taylor  homestead 
in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  16,  1827.  He  was  named  John, 
but  to  distinguish  him  from  other  John  Taylors,  he  added  "P."  to  his 
name.  Another  writer,  competent  from  personal  knowledge  to  speak  of 
the  boyhood  of  General  Taylor,  has  said:  "Having  been  born  and 
brought  up  in  a  community  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage  (also  his  own),  it 
was  impossible  for  him  not  to  inherit  the  stern  and  patriotic  virtues 
which  characterized  his  ancestry.  His  boyhood  was  spent  chiefly  on 
his  father's  farm,  but  even  there  the  future  man  was  discernible  in  the 
prompt  and  energetic  manner  in  which  he  executed  his  father's  com- 
mands." After  attending  school  at  the  old  log  house  he  was  at  an  early 
age  placed  under  the  care  of  Professor  David  Wilson,  whose  instruction 
he  enjoyed  for  several  years,    \^'hile  at  Tuscarora  Academy  he  acquired 


698  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

a  good  English  education,  also  a  knowledge  of  Latin,  then  returned  to 
the  farm  where,  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war  between  the  states,  he 
was  engaged  with  his  cousin,  James  I.  Taylor,  in  stock  dealing,  and  with 
his  brother  ^Matthew  in  working  the  homestead  farm,  succeeding  in 
both.  There  was,  however,  a  strain  of  military  ardor  in  his  blood,  prob- 
ably from  a  warlike  ancestor  of  long  ago,  for  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years  he  was  jjlanning  to  enlist  in  the  American  army,  then  in  Mexico 
under  the  famous  generals,  Taylor  and  Scott.  His  patriotic  impulse 
was  however  checked  by  the  refusal  of  his  parents  to  give  their  consent, 
and  he  continued  in  peaceful  pursuit  until  1861.  He  had  been  active  in 
organizing  the  company  of  cavalry,  in  1859,  called  the  Mifflin  County 
Dragoons,  of  which  G.  V.  Mitchell  was  captain;  John  P.  Taylor,  first 
lieutenant,  and  William  Mann,  second  lieutenant.  After  the  company 
had  l)ecome  well  drilled  and  had  appeared  in  public  several  times.  Lieu- 
tenant Taylor,  always  the  leading  spirit  of  the  company,  deemed  that 
the  time  had  come  to  prove  to  the  people  that  they  were  not  "tin  sol- 
diers." Accordingly,  at  a  meeting  of  the  company  held  in  Reedsville 
January  26,  1861,  he  moved  that  the  services  of  the  company  be  offered 
the  governor  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  offer  was  at  once  accepted  but 
was  quickly  followed  by  another  telegram  stating  that  a  cavalrv  company 
could  not  be  used,  but  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness.  So,  while  their 
offer  was  the  first  on  record  at  Harrisburg,  another  Mifflin  county  com- 
pany, the  famous  "Logan  Guards,"  hold  the  honor  of  being  the  first 
company  to  have  their  services  accepted  by  the  state.  The  Dragoons 
confidently  expected  to  be  called  for  under  Lincoln's  first  demand  on 
the  loyal  states  for  seventy-five  thousand  men ;  each  memljer  was  noti- 
fied and  was  holding  himself  in  readiness,  but  the  Pennsylvania  c^uota 
was  filled  without  calling  on  the  cavalry.  No  amount  of  persuasion  pre- 
vailed, although  Lieutenants  Taylor  and  Mann  visited  Harrisburg  per- 
sonally. When  Governor  Curtin  organized  the  First  Regiment  of  Penn- 
sylvania cavalrx',  August  7,  1861,  the  Dragoons  became  part  of  Com]3an.\-. 
C.  and  before  leaving  Harrisburg.  Lieutenant  Taylor  was  elected  captain 
of  that  company.  The  regiment  was  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
George  I).  P.ayard,  who  gallantly  led  his  brave  troops  until  killed  at 
Fredericksburg  in  1862. 

General  Taylor's  military  career  was  a  distinguished  one,  marked 
by  daring  courage,  devotion  to  dut>-  and  rapid  promotion.     He  was  en- 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA  VALLEY  699 

gaged  with  his  company-  and  regiment  in  thirty-one  pitched  battles  and 
nearly  forty  skirmishes,  as  commander  of  company,  regiment  and 
brigade.  He  received  many  commendatory  notices  in  the  reports  of  his 
superior  officers;  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862;  colonel,  January  30,  1863,  and  was  brevetted  brigadier- 
general  August  5,  1864.  He  fought  at  Grangeville,  December,  1861  ; 
Cedar  Mountain,  1862,  where  his  horse  was  shot  and  fell,  injuring  him 
severely  and  leaving  him  dismounted  within  the  enemy's  lines  but  es- 
caping capture:  Second  Bull  Run;  Fredericksburg;  Brandy  Station — the 
greatest  cavalry  battle  of  the  war,  where  he  led  the  sabre  charge  and  in 
the  midst  of  battle  succeeded  to  the  command  of  his  regiment;  Gettys- 
burg, where  his  regiment  was  held  in  reserve  at  Meade's  headcpiarters ; 
Sheppardstown ;  Culpeper,  where,  dismounted,  he  led  his  regiment  to  vic- 
tory; Mine  Run,  where  he  captured  the  entire  skirmish  line  of  the  en- 
emy; with  Sheridan  in  his  hard  campaigns — in  short,  wherever  there 
was  work  for  the  cavalry  during  the  three  years  he  campaigned  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  there  Colonel  Taylor  was  found  in  the  thick 
of  the  fight.  At  the  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Malvern 
Hill,  and  in  all  his  battles,  he  proved  over  and  over  again  his  soldierly 
qualities  and  his  capacity  for  leadership,  whether  as  captain,  colonel  or 
general  of  brigade.  When  mustered  out,  August  31,  1864,  he  was  the 
only  officer  left  that  assembled  with  the  regiment  at  Harrisburg  at  the 
christening  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  The  following  extract 
from  his  farewell  order,  August  31,  1864,  sums  up  in  beautiful,  patriotic 
language  the  service  of  his  regiment: 

"Officers  and  soldiers  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Cavalry : 
You  have  now  experienced  three  \'ears  nf  terrible  devastating  war;  you 
are  familiar  with  its  toils,  its  hardships  and  scenes  of  bloodshed.  Dur- 
ing this  time,  there  has  been  no  toil  that  your  manly  efiforts  have  not 
overcome,  no  hardships  that  you  have  not  courted  for  your  country's 
sake,  no  field  of  strife  too  terrible  to  prevent  your  planting  your  banner 
in  the  face  of  your  traitorous  foes,  and  in  every  instance  you  have  borne 
it  ofi^  in  triumph.  Many  have  been  the  fields  on  which  you  have  dis- 
tinguished yourselves  by  your  personal  valor.  From  your  first  victorious 
blood  spill  at  Danesville  down  to  that,  more  green  in  your  memories, 
such  as  Hawes  Shop,  Todd's  Tavern.  Childsburg.  Barker's  Mills,  White 
House,  St.  Mary's  Church,  and  last,  but  not  least,  the  bloody  summit 
of  Malvern  Hill,  are  still  sounding  in  your  ears  and  eternally  engraven 


700 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY 


on  your  hearts.  But  now  you  have  reached  a  goal  worthy  ot  your 
ambition;  vou  have  won  for  yourselves,  your  regiment,  your  state  an 
enviable  reputation;  your  military  career  has  been  a  brave  and  a  clear 
record,  in  which  vou  have  acquitted  yourselves  like  men  But  the  war 
is  not  ended  vet ;  there  are  more  battles  to  be  fought  and  more  lives  to 
be  offered  on 'the  altar  of  liberty.  For  this  end,  some  of  you  will  remain 
here  and  manv  more  of  you  will  be  back  to  battle  for  a  just  and  holy 
cause  But  whenever  you  may  answer  the  bugle's  call,  and  upon  what- 
ever field  you  mav  strike  the  black  shield  of  reljelhcm.  let  the  memory 
of  your  fallen  comrades  strengthen  your  arms  and  encourage  your 
hearts,  ever  mindful  that  vou  were  once  members  of  the  First  Pennsyl- 
vania '  Reserve  Cavalry.  'May  the  God  of  battles  and  of  mercy  be 
your  shield  and  protection." 

After  the  above  order  had  been  read,  Colonel  Taylor  addressed  the 
regiment  in  most  eloquent,  patriotic  and  feeling  terms,  paying  this  just 
tribute  to  their  fallen  leader  of  the  earlier  years  : 

"What  you  were  then  and  what  you  have  since  proved  yourselves, 
you  owe  to  the  might^•  impulses  of  ywir  first  great  and  mible  com- 
mander, George  D.  Bayard.  Imbued  with  the  influence  of  his  mighty 
genius,  you  saw  the  star  of  his  glory  rising  and  shining  brighter  in 
the  military  sphere  and  alas!  too  soon  to  set  before  it  had  reached  its 
zenith — following  in  his  wake,  ever  ready  to  stand  by  you  in  the  hour 
of  danger,  to  share  with  you  your  toils  and  hardships,  to  cheer  you  on 
in  your  conflicts,  following  strictly  in  the  footsteps  of  his  illustrious  pre- 
decessor, the  champion  of  your  rights  and  reputation,  came  your  second 
commander,  Colonel  Owen  Jones." 

To  all  of  these  encomiums  Colonel  Taylor  was  as  justly  entitled,  but 
of  himself  he  said  with  becoming  modesty: 

"Officers  and  Soldiers:  Through  your  esteem  I  had  the  honor  to  be 
your  next  commander,  and  as  such  I  deem  it  a  high  honor  today  to 
stand  before  the  remnant  of  what  was  once  a  large  regiment,  to  thank 
you  for  your  esteem  and  the  willingness  with  which  you  have  acceded 
to  my  every  rec[uest  and  complied  with  every  command,  and  for  the 
manner  in  which  you  have  so  nobly  and  faithfully  discharged  your  duty 
as  soldiers.  I  believe  I  am  the  only  officer  now  left,  of  those  who  assem- 
bled at  the  call  of  the  Governor  and  witnessed  the  organization  of  the 
regiment,  in  the  presence  of  his  staff,  and  heard  it  christened  the  First 
Pennsylvania  Reserve  Cavalry.  And  it  gives  me  pleasure  today  to  think 
tliat  we  can  return  to  our  native  state  those  colors  entrusted  to  our  care, 
tattered  and  torn  though  they  be,  without  a  tarnish  or  stain  upon  the 
reputation  of  the  regiment.     Officers  and  soldiers  of  the  First  Pennsyl- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  701 

vania  Reserve  Cavalry,  you  are  the  veterans  of  more  than  thirty  engage- 
ments, your  banner  has  proudly  floated  over  almost  every  field  on  which 
this  historic  army  has  been  engaged;  the  graves  of  your  comrades  are 
strewn  from  Gettysburg  to  James  river,  your  war  paths  may  be  traced 
by  the  blood  of  your  fallen  heroes,  and  by  the  strength  of  justice  and 
the  might  of  mercy,  you  have  plumed  your  arms  with  honor  and 
victory." 

To  his  brave  men,  who  had  elected  to  remain  with  the  army  until  the 
end,  he  said : 

"Enlisted  veterans :  When  you  re-enlisted  my  lips  were  sealed  from 
encouraging  you,  because  circumstances  unavoidably  rendered  my  re- 
maining with  you  impossible.  Let  not  our  leaving  discourage  you,  but 
go  on  to  greater  deeds  of  valor, — be  faithful  and  obedient,  prompt  and 
cheerful  in  duty,  as  you  always  have  been;  a  hopeful  country  waits  to 
crown  you  and  we  shall  not  forget  you.  We  shall  continue  to  breathe  the 
desired  hope  and  Christian  prayer  that  you  may  soon  be  permitted  to 
return  to  your  homes  when  the  red-handed  monster  war,  whose  pes- 
tiferous breath  blasts  with  withering  death  everything  lovely  on  earth, 
may  be  banished  from  our  distracted  land  and  peace,  sweet  peace,  again 
returning,  shall  ever  pour  her  Heaven-born  blessings  on  our  fair  Colum- 
bian soil." 

On  the  departure  of  the  regiment  for  home.  Colonel  Taylor  received 
from  the  division  commander.  General  Gregg,  a  very  complimentary 
letter,  in  part  as  follows : 

"For  nearly  two  3'ears  the  First  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  has  been  under 
my  command.  I  can  proudly  say  its  record  is  without  a  blemish.  Many 
officers  and  enlisted  men  have  fallen.  They  met  death  facing  the  foe ; 
let  them  be  properly  remembered  by  those  who  survive.  To  you. 
Colonel,  my  thanks  are  due  for  the  efficient  manner  in  which  you  have 
always  performed  your  duty,  whether  as  a  regimental  or  brigade  com- 
mander. You  return  to  your  home  well  satisfied  you  have  failed  not 
in  your  duty,  bearing  with  you  the  sincere  friendship  of  myself  and 
all  your  companions  in  arms." 

After  closing  his  brilliant  military  career.  General  Taylor  returned 
to  his  estate  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  a  part  of  the  tract  patented 
by  his  great-grandfather,  Robert  Taylor,  in  1755.  His  residence  is  the 
old  stone  mansion  of  solid,  dignified  appearance,  "beautiful  for  situa- 
tion," erected  by  his  grandfather,  Matthew  Taylor,  who  in  1823  also 
remodeled  and  enlarged  it.     Here  General  Taylor  has  ever  resided,  and 


/ 


02 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


amid  the  beautiful  surroundings  of  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley  he  is  pass- 
ing an  honored  old  age.  In  personal  appearance  General  Taylor  is  about 
six  feet  tall,  well  proportioned,  of  florid  complexion  and  sandy  hair,  now 
whitened  by  age.  He  has  always  enjoyed  good  health  and  today  car- 
ries his  years,  eighty-five,  with  a  surprising  vigor.  His  sterling  charac- 
ter has  won  hini  the  love  and  respect  of  a  large  circle  of  friends,  and 
nowhere  is  a  man  held  in  higher  general  esteem  than  General  John  P. 

Taylor. 

In  political  faith  he  is  strongly  Republican,  but  has  persistently  re- 
fused the  many  tenders  of  public  office  made  by  his  party  leaders.  He 
accepted,  in  1892.  the  office  of  department  commander  of  Pennsylvania 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  to  which  he  was  elected  by  acclamation, 
and  the  appointment  by  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania  to  membership  on 
the  Pennsylvania  Monumental  Commission,  and  was  president  of  the 
board.  The  object  of  the  commission  was  to  have  in  charge  the  marking 
of  the  battlefield  of  Gettysburg  with  suitable  monuments,  showing  the 
position  of  the  different  regiments  engaged  in  that  battle.  This  has  re- 
sulted in  intelligently  beautifying  this  sacred,  holy  ground,  the  scene  of  a 
great  conflict  and  the  spot  on  which  President  Lincoln's  immortal  ad- 
dress was  delivered.  A  monument  has  been  erected  to  every  Pennsyl- 
vania regiment  engaged  during  General  Taylor's  presidency ;  also  eques- 
trian statues  to  Generals  Meade.  Hancock  and  Reynolds,  three  great 
generals  in  action  at  Gettysburg. 

General  Taylor  married  (first)  in  May,  1863,  Sarah  Harriet  Nourse, 
who  died  December  25,  1870,  daughter  of  Rev.  James  and  Sarah  (Har- 
vey) Nourse.  and  granddaughter  of  Colonel  Michael  Nourse.  He  mar- 
ried (second),  June  i,  1876,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Hon.  John  and 
Rhoda  (Taylor)  Henry.  Three  months  after  their  marriage,  while 
visiting  the  Centennial  Exposition  in  Philadelphia,  she  received  injuries 
in  a  street  car  accident  that  caused  her  almost  instant  death.  She  was 
aged  forty-two  years  and  si.x  months. 

In  1906,  and  again  in  1910,  General  Taylor  toured  the  Holy  Land, 
and  in  his  beautiful  home  has  many  relics,  both  of  the  war  and  of  the 
Holy  Land,  together  with  many  specimens  of  the  rare  and  antique  in 
furniture.  One  of  tiicse  relics  was  found  on  his  own  farm,  a  German 
silver  spoon,  bearing  the  name  of  William  Penn  on  its  handle  and  on  the 
reverse,  the  British  crown  and  the  word  "Yates," 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  703 

The  Burlews  are  of  French  descent,  the  ancestor  coming 
BURLEW  to  Pennsylvania  at  an  early  date  and  serving  at  Fort  Pitt 
in  the  French  and  Indian  war  against  England  and  the 
colonies.  His  son.  Cornelius,  grandfather  of  W.  F.  Burlew,  of  Lewis- 
town,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  serving  in  the  American  armv 
against  the  British.  He  married  Mary  Miller,  and  they  were  early  set- 
tlers of  Mifflin  county. 

(III)  Alexander,  son  of  Cornelius  and  Mary  (Miller)  Burlew, 
was  born  near  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  in  1830,  died  October,  1910. 
He  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  but  later  became  a  superintendent  of  mines. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  He  was  twice  married  and  the  father  of  seventeen  chil- 
dren, thirteen  of  whom  are  living.  He  married  (first)  Catherine  East, 
born  in  Lewistown  in  1831,  died  in  1873,  the  mother  of  eight  children, 
six  living  (1913).  She  was  the  daughter  of  Abraham  East,  who  worked 
on  the  state  canal  in  the  early  days  and  married  a  Miss  Lotz. 

(IV)  William  F.,  son  of  Alexander  and  Catherine  (East)  Burlew, 
was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  February  5,  1857.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools,  finishing  his  studies  in  Lewistown  high 
school.  He  began  business  life  as  a  clerk,  and  in  1885  engaged  in  busi- 
ness for  himself,  continuing  for  twenty  years.  He  manufactured  build- 
ing blocks,  cement  pavement,  and  was  a  contractor  and  builder,  erecting 
among  others  the  building  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  On  December 
24,  191 1,  he  opened  a  grocery  store  at  No.  35  Valley  street,  where  he 
has  built  up  a  prosperous  business.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics ;  has 
always  been  active  in  party  afifairs,  and  in  1900  was  elected  treasurer  of 
Mifflin  county,  serving  three  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
the  Golden  Eagle,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

He  married,  August  19,  1878,  Alice  Brown,  born  in  Blair  County, 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Michael  Brown.  Children:  i.  William  A., 
born  May  28,  1880;  he  was  educated  in  the  high  school,  began  life  as 
clerk  in  a  store,  later  was  for  several  years  employed  in  the  post  office, 
and  is  now  (1913)  a  partner  with  his  father  in  the  grocery  business, 
established  December  24,  191 1,  under  the  firm  name  W.  F.  Burlew  and 
Son;  he  married,  in  1900,  Edna  Pearl  Reddy;  two  children:  Florence 
and  William  F.     2.  Florence  Elizabeth,  born  January,   1882;  married 


704  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Walter  H.  Schell,  a  seed  merchant  of  Harrisburg,  their  present  home; 
cliild,  WilHam  Matthew. 


The  Doj-le  family,  which  has  been  known  in  the  state  of 
DOYLE  Pennsylvania  for  a  number  of  generations,  and  of  which 
John  C.  Doyle,  of  Fermanagh  township,  Juniata  county, 
Pennsylvania,  is  a  descendant,  has  been  identified  mainly  with  the  mill- 
ing and  agricultural  interests  of  the  state.  In  these  fields  of  industry 
they  have  borne  their  share  as  good  citizens,  and  when  the  country  had 
need  of  their  services  as  soldiers,  they  have  nobly  arisen  in  defence  of 
its  rights  and  liberties. 

(I)  John  Doyle,  grandfather  of  John  C.  Doyle,  was  of  Hunting- 
don county,  Pennsylvania,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  milling  dur- 
ing the  active  years  of  his  life. 

(II)  Richard,  son  of  John  Doyle,  was  born  in  1814.  He  was  a 
resident  of  Beil  township,  and  a  miller  by  occupation.  L'pon  the  out- 
break of  the  civil  war  he  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  district  to  volunteer 
his  services,  and  fought  bravely  during  that  struggle.  In  the  ranks  of 
the  Republican  party  he  wielded  considerable  influence,  and  for  a  long 
period  of  time  he  served  as  internal  revenue  assessor.  Thrifty  and  in- 
dustrious, he  amassed  a  considerable  fortune,  and  was  the  owner  of  a 
large  amount  of  real  property.  He  married  Nancy  Criswell,  a  member 
of  the  well-known  Criswell  family  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania. 
'J'heir  children  were:  Adeline  and  Nannie,  who  died  in  infancy;  John 
C,  see  forward ;  James,  Ella,  Margaret,  Jennie,  Charles  and  Evelina, 
who  died  in  infancy. 

(III)  John  C.  son  of  Richard  and  Nancy  (Criswell)  Doyle,  was 
born  in  Beil  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  12,  1847. 
He  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town- 
ship, then  became  a  student  for  several  years  at  the  Tuscarora  Acad- 
emy, from  which  he  was  graduated.  In  his  early  manhood  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  learn  the  trade  of  printing,  with  which  he  was  occupied  for 
a  period  of  five  years.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  dentistry,  but  never 
engaged  in  active  practice  in  this  profession.  For  some  years  he  was 
busily  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  then  having  become  associated 
witii  railroad  work,  was  thus  occupied  in  various  positions  for  twenty- 
eight  years.     Always  a  great  lover  of  nature,  he  now  returned  to  farm 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  705 

occupations,  and  has  continued  in  this  direction  up  to  the  present  time. 
He  has  a  beautiful  farm  of  sixty-three  acres,  and  keeps  this  in  a  fine  state 
of  cuhivation.  In  pohtical  matters  Mr.  Doyle  entertains  progressive 
ideas,  and  prefers  to  form  his  own  opinions  independently  rather  than 
have  them  formed  for  him.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Mifflin. 

Mr.  Doyle  married,  in  1868,  Margaret  C,  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Hannah  (Souders)  Goshen,  the  former  a  farmer  of  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  had  children  as  follows:  Harry  R.,  unmar- 
ried, is  in  the  employ  of  the  Carnegie  Steel  Works,  at  Homestead,  Penn- 
sylvania ;  George,  who  is  in  the  west ;  Belle,  now  deceased,  married  John 
Cibulka,  a  tailor;  Nellie,  married  Dr.  Hammond,  of  Westmore- 
land county,  Pennsylvania;  Mamie,  is  a  trained  nurse  in  Philadelphia; 
Anna,  married  Robert  Spanogle,  a  dentist  of  Cambria  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Grace,  died  in  childhood;  Mildred,  died  in  1910,  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  years. 


The  Beyer  family  of  Pennsylvania  are  of  German  descent, 
BEYER     and  have  been  settled  in  the  state  for  a  number  of  senera- 

tions,  greatly  to  its  benefit.  They  have  proved  themselves 
to  be  of  industrious  habits,  have  been  actively  interested  in  whatever 
concerned  the  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  they  resided,  and 
have  always  occupied  places  high  in  the  esteem  of  their  fellow  citizens. 
(I)  Philip  Beyer,  grandfather  of  the  particular  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  IMonteur  county,  Pennsylvania, 
coming  thence  from  Burkes  county.  Like  the  majority  of  the  people  of 
those  days,  his  time  was  principally  occupied  with  farming.  He  was  the 
owner  of  a  considerable  amount  of  land  and  was  considered  as  being  one 

of  the  wealthy  men  of  the  town.     He  married ,  and  had 

children:  Solomon,  a  farmer  in  the  state  of  Kansas;  Peter  M.,  see  for- 
ward ;  Edmond,  a  farmer  near  Danville,  Pennsylvania ;  Philip,  a  farmer 
in  Danville,  Pennsylvania;  Mary,  married  John  Snyder,  of  Kansas; 
Lizzie,  married  Henry  Snyder,  a  farmer  in  Michigan ;  Jennie,  who  be- 
came the  second  wife  of  Rastus  Fleck;  Tillie,  the  first  wife  of  Rastus 
Fleck ;  John,  a  farmer  in  Kansas.  As  far  as  is  known,  all  of  these  chil- 
dren were  living  in  191 3. 


7o6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(II)  Peter  M.,  son  of  Philip  Beyer,  was  born  in  Burkes  county, 
March  28,  1843,  and  was  but  two  weeks  of  age  when  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Monteur  county.  His  main  occupation  throughout  his  Hfe  was 
mining,  but  in  addition  to  this  he  engaged  to  a  certain  extent  in  farmmg. 
He  was  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land,  and  an  influential  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church.  In  political  matters  he  gave  his  adherence  to  the 
Republican  party.  His  death  occurred  May,  1910,  in  Union  county. 
He  married  Mary  E.  Hilkert,  born  February  19,  1844,  who  is  now  living 
in  Union  county  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Rayback.  Mrs.  Beyer  was  the 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca  Hilkert,  both  of  German  descent,  and 
people  of  wealth  in  Monteur  county,  where  they  were  the  owners  of  a 
large  farm  which  they  cultivated  themselves.  They  had  children :  Mary 
E.,  mentioned  above ;  Emma  Jane,  married  Daniel  Mull  and  died  shortly 
after  her  marriage ;  Samuel,  was  in  active  service  during  the  civil  war, 
and  died  at  home  of  the  smallpox:  Joseph  and  James,  farmers  in  Mon- 
teur county ;  Thomas,  who  was  a  farmer  of  Monteur  county ;  Solomon, 
who  lived  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beyer  had  children:  William,  a  resident  of  Lewisburg, 
married  Dora  Carr;  Edward,  a  miller  in  Union  county,  married  Eliza- 
beth Hauselman;  James  Wesley,  lives  in  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania, 
and  married  EHza  Fernwalt:  Andrew  J.,  see  forward:  Alice,  married 
Charles  Harshbarger,  a  railroad  man  of  Northumberland  county;  Nora, 
married  Joseph  Fisher,  in  public  office  in  Milton ;  Calvin,  an  insurance 
agent  at  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania;  Ada,  married  Blaine  Raybeck,  a 
farmer  of  Union  county. 

(Ill)  Andrew  J.,  fourth  son  and  child  of  Peter  M.  and  Mary  E. 
(Hilkert)  Beyer,  was  born  in  Monteur  county,  Pennsylvania.  August  19, 
1872.  He  was  the  recipient  of  a  good,  practical  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  county,  and  he  made  the  best  use  of  his  opportunities 
there.  In  his  early  manhood  he  was  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
milling  business  and  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm,  being  thus  employed 
for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  He  came  to  Juniata  Valley  in  1900,  and 
purchased  the  mill  located  at  Jones  Mills,  and  this  is  still  in  his  posses- 
sion. In  1912  he  removed  to  Mifflintown,  where  he  established  himself 
in  the  rcstaur.-int  business,  in  which  he  is  successfully  engaged  at  the 
jirescnt  time.  He  keeps  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  every  particular, 
and  the  attention  he  has  given  to  public  afifairs  has  made  him  a  man  of 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  707 

note  in  the  Republican  party.  His  religious  affiliations  are  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  at  which  he  is  a  devout  attendant.  He  is  a 
member  of  McCalastenville  Lodge,  No.  716,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows;  of  Camp  No.  717,  Patriotic  Order  of  Free  Sons  of  America; 
and  the  K.  O.  F.  M.  of  Lewistown. 

Mr.  Beyer  married,  February  26,  1896,  Virginia,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Keyser,  a  trucker  and  farmer  of  Northumberland  county,  and  they  have 
had  children:  Leonard  K.,  born  November  16,  1897,  is  a  student  in  the 
high  school  at  Clifton;  Clifton,  born  March  14,  1905,  died  in  1907; 
Dartha,  born  August  21,  1907. 


William  Thompson  McCoy,  of  Lewistown,  Alifflin  county, 
McCOY     Pennsylvania,  is  of  Irish  extraction,  his  emigrant  progeni- 
tor  landing   in  America  previous   to    1790.     The   McCoy 
family  has  lived  largely  in  Pennsylvania,  and  has  helped  make  history 
for  the  state,  as  well  as  assist  in  its  upbuilding. 

(I)  Robert  McCoy  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  this  country 
before  1790.  He  probably  landed  in  New  York  with  his  family,  and 
driven  by  the  zeal  that  characterized  his  life  as  a  minister  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  he  went  to  Pennsylvania  in  1790,  and  settled  for 
a  while  in  Bucks  county.  Here  he  farmed  as  best  he  could,  for  he  was 
blind  for  forty  years  before  his  death,  on  February  11,  1829,  and 
preached  in  the  little  log  house  set  aside  for  that  purpose.  He  moved 
from  Bucks  county  in  1825  to  Allensville,  Mifflin  county,  and  there  re- 
mained until  his  death.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  those  who  knew  him, 
and  his  charges  in  the  various  churches  under  his  care  lamented  his 
death.  He  married  Mary  Iliff.  in  Ireland,  who  accompanied  him  across 
the  Atlantic  to  the  wild  new  country,  in  which  he  was  destined  to  accom- 
plish much  good.  Children:  i.  John,  a  saddler  in  Lewistown,  married 
Sarah  Willis.  2.  Joseph,  a  farmer  in  Huntingdon  county.  3.  Mercy, 
married  William  Brown,  a  farmer  of  Brady  township.  4.  Wesley,  died 
in  infancy.  5.  Wesley,  a  farmer  in  Granville  township;  married  Sarah 
McCord.  6.  Mary,  died  young.  7.  Elizabeth,  married  Thomas  Mc- 
Cord,  a  farmer  in  Granville  township.  8.  Edward,  died  in  youth.  9. 
Samuel,  of  whom  further.  10.  Benjamin,  a  farmer  in  Granville  town- 
ship: married  Sarah  Anderson.  All  the  children  of  Mr.  McCoy  are 
dead.     For  years  after  his  death  the  good  influence  of  his  life  was  felt. 


7o8  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

his  patience  and  submission  to  his  great  affliction  binding  him  to  his 
friends  and  parishioners. 

(II)  Samuel  Harvey  McCoy,  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (IHff) 
McCoy,  was  born  December  i,  1818,  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  died  June  8,  1890,  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  edu-, 
cated  in  the  township  schools  and  under  the  direction  of  his  father,  who 
was  well  educated  for  a  Dissenter  minister.  He  began  farming  while 
young,  anil  through  thrift  and  energy  was  finally  able  to  purchase  a  large 
body  of  land,  which  he  converted  into  an  up-to-date  farm  for  those  da}-s. 
He  was  one  of  the  progressive  citizens  of  the  county,  advocating  at  all 
times  the  principles  of  progress,  not  only  for  himself  but  his  neighbors 
as  well.  He  became  a  Republican  on  the  organization  of  that  party  and 
supported  it  staunchly  and  actively.  He  held  many  township  offices, 
giving  satisfaction  in  each.  He  married  Rachael  J.  Anderson,  born 
January  2}^,  1S24,  in  Granville  township,  and  died  Jime  16,  1903,  in 
Lewistown,  ^lifflin  county.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane 
(McCord)  Anderson,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland,  but  settled  in  Mif- 
flin county  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  distiller  near  Longfellow,  Mifflin  county,  and  was  wonderfully  pros- 
perous until  his  accidental  death  by  drowning  while  he  was  in  his  prime. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Cliilclren : 

I.  Rachael,  married  Samuel  Harvey  McCoy.  2.  Sarah,  mar- 
ried Benjamin  McCoy.  3.  Mary,  married  Thompson  Bell,  a  farmer  in 
Derry  township,  Mifflin  county.  Children  of  Samuel  Harvey  and  Ra- 
chael J.  (Anderson)  McCoy:  i.  Francis  I.,  born  January  16.  1847,  a 
fanner:  died  in  1907:  married  Rebeca  Pennapaker.  2.  Charles  How- 
ard, born  February  10.  1851,  a  grain  dealer  in  the  west;  married  Lillian 
'I'aylor.  3.  Anna  M.,  born  March  16,  1853,  unmarried.  4.  William 
Thompson,  of  whom  further.  5.  Samuel  Edward,  born  March  i,  i860, 
unmarried :  makes  home  with  his  sister  Anna  in  Lewistown. 

(  11  h  William  Thompson  McCoy,  son  of  Samuel  Harvey  and  Ra- 
chael j.  (  Anilerson)  McCoy,  was  born  December  25.  1857.  in  Granville 
townshii).  Milllin  county.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  township  and  as  a  young  man  followed  farming  as  an 
occupation,  and  has  done  so  until  the  present  time  (1913).  His  home 
farm  comprises  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  well-tilled  acres,  on  which 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  709 

he  does  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  dairy- 
ing. He  has  another  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  in 
Granville  township  which  he  rents.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  held,  accept- 
ably, township  offices. 

William  T.  McCoy  married.  May  16,  1883,  Juniata  A.  Collins, 
born  April  14,  i860,  in  Mt.  L'nion,  Huntingdon  county,  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  ]\Iargaret  (Hooper)  Collins.  Children:  i.  Eva  Margaret, 
born  March  13,  1884;  married  Morris  Amon,  a  farmer  of  Oliver  town- 
ship, Mifflin  county.  2.  George  W.,  born  October  26,  1885,  unmarried. 
3.  James  Hugh,  born  August  18,  1887,  at  home.  4.  Robert  Thompson, 
born  April  3,  1890,  at  home.  5.  Samuel  Honnan,  born  September  26, 
1893,  graduated  from  Lewistown  high  school,  and  is  now  an  employee 
in  Standard  Steel  Works.  6.  Mary  Rachael,  twin  of  Samuel  H.  7. 
Grace,  born  September  17,  1898.  8.  Elizabeth  Collins,  born  July  5, 
1902. 

(The  Collins  Line). 

James  Collins,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  William  Thompson 
McCoy,  lived  in  Fulton  county,  Pennsylvania.  Later  he  moved  to 
Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  an  iron  worker  by  trade. 
He  married  Mariah  Reeder,  and  among  their  children  was  Thomas,  of 
whom  further. 

(II)  Thomas  Collins,  son  of  James  and  ]\Iariah  (Reeder)  Collins, 
was  born  March  12,  1834,  in  Fulton  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  an 
iron  worker  in  his  younger  days,  but  in  later  years  was  employed  by  the 
Pennsylvania  Railway.  He  married  Margaret  Hooper,  born  February 
24,  1835,  in  Huntingdon  county,  a  daughter  of  Phillip  and  Margaret 
(Robinson)  Hooper,  who  were  early  settlers  in  Huntingdon  county, 
where  he  was  a  farmer  and  an  extensive  land  owner.  Thomas  Collins 
enlisted  in  the  civil  war  in  Company  K,  Two  Hundred  and  Second  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  nearly  a  year,  or  the  full 
time  of  his  enlistment.  He  died  December  5,  1883,  and  his  wife  fol- 
lowed him  July  15,  1885.  Both  were  highly  esteemed  in  the  various 
places  in  which  they  lived  in  their  long  life.  Children:  i.  Juniata, 
married  William  Thompson  McCoy  (see  McCoy  III).  2.  Alice,  mar- 
ried C.  C.  Morrison.  3.  Selina,  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  4.  James 
Howard,  married  Mary  Hammelbaugh.     6.   Elsie,  died  in  youth. 


7IO  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

From  far-off  Germany  came  Peter  Dreyer,  born  in  that 
DREYER  country  July  ii,  1854,  son  of  Fulton  and  Katerine 
(Cashdollar)  Dreyer,  who  were  born,  lived,  and  died  in 
Germany.  Peter  was  one  of  the  four  sons  of  Fulton  Dreyer,  his 
brcjlhcrs  Jacob,  Frank  and  Deobalt  all  being  deceased.  Peter  and  his 
brother  Frank  left  their  native  land,  came  to  the  United  States,  and 
settled  first  at  Pine  Grove,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  soon 
afterward  Peter  came  to  Lewistown,  his  brother  returning  to  Germany. 
Peter,  before  coming  to  the  United  States,  had  served  in  the  German 
arm\-  and  partly  learned  the  barber's  trade.  After  coming  to  Lewis- 
town  he  finished  his  trade,  became  an  expert  worker,  and  in  1870  estab- 
lished in  business  for  himself.  He  has  been  very  successful  and  has  a 
well-equipped  and  well-patronized  shop  at  Valley  street.  For  about 
three  years  he  engaged  in  the  poultry  business,  and  otherwise  has  been 
in  business  continuously.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  belongs  to  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  203, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle.  He  married,  June  11,  1875,  Re- 
becca Davis,  daughter  of  William  Davis,  an  early  settler  in  Lewistown, 
coming  from  England,  with  his  wife,  Susan  (Bice)  Davis,  both  de- 
ceased. Children  of  Peter  and  Rebecca  Dreyer:  Frederick,  Sadie,  Jean- 
ncttc.  Catherine,  Paul  Edgar. 


John  Henry  Saxton,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  is  of 
SAXTON     good  old  Englisli  stock  that  has  been  planted  in  America 

nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  years.  The  first  mention 
of  John  Saxton  was  in  the  records  of  Massachusetts  in  1668,  and  it  is 
thought  that  from  him  have  sprung  the  Saxtons  of  the  United  States. 

John  Henry  Saxton,  son  of  Leonard  and  Anna  (McCullough)  Sax- 
ton  (see  Leonard  Saxton,  this  work),  was  born  December  16,  1875,  in 
Lewistown.  Pennsylvania.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and 
during  vacations  drove  his  father's  boat.  Leaving  school  while  yet 
young,  he  clerked  for  Wills  and  Jackson  in  their  grocery  store.  In  1893 
he  was  apprenticed  to  the  Lewistown  Gazette  and  took  such  a  vivid  in- 
terest in  ;ill  ilial  pertains  to  a  i)rinting  office  of  a  newspaper  that  six 
years  later  he  was  made  foreman,  the  mechanical  skill  displayed 
in  the  paper  speaking  for  his  ability  in  that  capacity.     He  is  a  Repub- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  711 

lican  in  politics,  working  for  that  party  at  all  times.  He  was  borough 
auditor  for  three  years  and  secretary  of  the  town  council  since  19 10.  In 
191 1  he  was  elected  county  auditor,  which  position  he  fills  at  the  present 
time  (1913),  and  is  also  secretary  of  the  council.  He  is  a  member  in 
high  standing  in  the  Lewistown  Lodge  of  A.  F.  A.  M.,  No.  203,  and  of 
the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  and  P.  O.  of  A.,  the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Loyal 
Association,  and  has  been  secretary  of  the  P.  O.  S  of  A.  since  1901.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  attending  with  his  family.  He 
married,  November  4,  1897,  Emma  Baum  Shatzer,  born  at  New  Castle, 
Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  John  Henry  Shatzer,  a  brother  of  Richard 
Shatzer,  who  was  a  son  of  David  Shatzer  (see  Shatzer,  this  work). 
Children:  i.  John  Leonard.  2.  George  Robert.  3.  Henry  McCul- 
lough.  4.  Donald  Kimball.  5.  James  Richard,  all  of  whom  make  their 
homes  with  their  parents,  No.  207  South  Brown  street,  Lewistown. 


The  Peters  family  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  herein 
PETERS     recorded,  are  of  Scotch-German  ancestry.     The  paternal 

progenitor,  George  Peters,  being  of  Scotch,  his  wife, 
Elizabeth  Wagner,  of  German  ancestry.  George  Peters  grew  to  man- 
hood near  Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  at  the  home  of  his  foster  parents, 
the  Beichtels,  where  he  learned  the  tailor's  trade.  He  worked,  as  was 
the  ancient  custom,  among  the  families  of  the  neighborhood,  going  to 
their  homes  and  living  until  outfits  for  the  whole  family  were  completed. 
He  continued  this  mode  of  work  until  after  his  marriage,  then  settled 
in  Reedsville,  Mifflin  county,  where  he  opened  a  shop  and  had  trade 
come  to  him.  He  was  a  good  workman  and  continued  business  until  old 
aae  called  a  halt.  He  was  for  fourteen  vears  sexton  of  the  East  Kisha- 
coquillas  Presbyterian  Church,  although  both  he  and  his  wife  were 
Lutherans.  In  later  life  Mr.  Peters  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  died  in  1875,  ^g^^  eighty-four  years,  his  wife  following 
him  to  the  grave  in  1880,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  He  married  (first) 
a  Miss  Deemer,  who  bore  him  two  children ;  Isaac,  settled  in  Zanesville, 
Ohio,  and  Betsey,  married  Isaac  Whitman,  of  Belleville,  Pennsylvania. 
He  married  (second)  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Mary  (Knepp) 
\\'agner:  she  was  one  of  a  family  of  eleven.  Children  of  George  and 
Elizabeth  (Wagner)  Peters:  i.  Levi,  a  soldier  of  the  Mexican  war, 
under  Captain  Irwin,  in  which  he  contracted  a  disease  from  which  he 


712  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

died  sliortly  after  his  return,  aged  twenty-five  years.  2.  Elizabeth,  died 
in  infancy.  3.  Mary,  died  in  infancy.  4.  Aaron,  died  in  19 10,  aged 
seventy-eight  years;  married  (first)  Sophia  Beaver,  one  child;  married 
(second)  Lavina  Hassinger,  thirteen  children.  5.  Harriet,  died  in  1863, 
married  (first)  William  Hockenberry,  (second)  Edward  Treaster.  6. 
Jacob,  died  aged  seventeen.  7.  Henry  Tillman,  of  whom  further.  8. 
William,  a  farmer  of  Reedsville;  died  soon  after  his  marriage  to  Mary 
Fultz.  9.  George,  died  in  1910  at  Cold  Water,  Michigan;  married 
Sarah  Camp.  10.  Polly  Ann,  died  in  1908  at  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania; 
married  William  Hulbrook.  11.  Catherine,  married  (first)  Joseph 
Purcell,  a  corporal  in  the  civil  war;  (second)  John  Wagner;  they  now 
reside  at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania.  12.  Louisa,  died  in  childhood.  13. 
Died  in  infancy. 

(II)  Henry  Tillman,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (W^agner) 
Peters,  was  born  in  Decatur  township,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  4.  1837,  and  is  now  (1913)  living  retired  in  Lewistown,  Pensyl- 
vania.  He  attended  the  old  "Church  Hill"  school  in  Brown  township, 
his  parents  settling  there  in  1838.  Later  they  moved  to  Reedsville, 
where  Henry  T.  grew  to  manhood.  He  worked  for  the  neighboring 
farmers  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  then  entered  the  employ  of 
the  William  Mann  Axe  Company,  where  he  worked  for  twenty-seven 
years  as  polisher  and  wheel  dresser.  He  then  retired,  but  continued  to 
live  at  Reedsville  until  1898.  when  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty-three  acres  in  Granville  township  on  which  he  resided  seven 
years ;  then  moved  to  Lewistown,  where  he  purchased  a  good  stone  house 
on  Electric  avenue  in  which  he  lived  until  1901.  In  the  latter  year  he 
l)uilt  a  residence  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  avenue,  in  which  he  now 
resides,  retired  from  business  life  and  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  years  of 
industry  in  a  quiet  way.  He  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party  all  his 
life  until  1904,  then  and  since  supporting  Republican  national  nominees, 
but  locally  voting  independently.  He  served  as  supervisor  of  Brown 
township  three  years,  but  has  never  sought  public  office.  In  religious 
faith  he  is  a  Methodist. 

He  married  (first),  October  i,  1859,  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Barbara  (Houser)  Wagner.  Henry  Wagner  died  February,  1878, 
aged  sixty-nine  years;  his  wife  Barbara  died  in  1889,  aged  seventv-eight 
years ;  their  children  were :    Matilda,  married  Joel  Price ;  Mary,  married 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


/M 


William  Nieman;  Catherine,  married  Frank  Price;  Amos,  married  Lucy 
Ann  Price;  Adam,  married  and  moved  to  Michigan;  Sarah  M.,  married 
Henry  T.  Peters,  and  died  on  Christmas  Day,  1896;  \\'illiam.  married 
Mary  Lyter;  Jacob,  died  in  infancy;  Elias,  married  and  moved  to  ^lich- 
igan;  Absalom,  married  Nettie  Bell;  John,  married  Annie  Shoop,  died  in 
1897;  Joseph,  married  Mattie  McGary.  Henry  T.  Peters  married  (sec- 
ond), January  23,  1898,  Mrs.  Caroline  (Gilbert)  Miller,  widow  of 
Charles  Miller  and  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Teats)  Gilbert, 
old  settlers  of  Middleburg,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of 
Henry  T.  and  Sarah  M.  Peters:  i.  Barbara,  married  Joseph  Kelley  and 
resides  in  Reedsville.  2.  William  John,  a  plumber  and  justice  of  the 
peace  at  Mill  Hall,  Pennsylvania,  an  axemaker.  3.  Charles  Walter,  of 
whom  further.  4.  Emma,  married  Harry  Boyer  and  resides  in  Denver, 
Colorado.  5.  Harry,  resides  in  Lewistown.  6.  Clark,  a  tinner  and 
plumber  of  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania ;  married  Mary  Conley.  7.  Theo- 
dore W.,  died  aged  five  years.  8.  Calvin  Oscar,  died  aged  three  vears; 
he  and  his  brother  Theodore  died  within  a  week,  in  February,  1878.  9. 
Robert,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  stationed  at 
Beaver  Meadow,  Pennsylvania.  10.  Ira  Clay,  a  merchant  of  Burnham, 
Pennsylvania. 

(Ill)  Charles  \\'alter,  son  of  Henry  T.  Peters  and  his  first  wife, 
Sarah  M.  (\\"agner)  Peters,  was  born  in  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  Jan- 
uary II,  1865.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  on  arriving 
at  a  suitable  age  learned  the  tinning  and  plumbing  business.  He  became 
an  expert  workman  and  for  several  years  traveled  the  states  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio,  Kentucky  and  West  Virginia,  working  as  a  journeyman. 
He  finally  located  in  Huntington,  West  Virginia,  and  there  engaged  in 
the  plumbing  business  for  about  fifteen  years.  In  1905  he  came  to  Lew- 
istown, built  a  good  home  on  Electric  avenue,  just  outside  the  city  lim- 
its, and  opened  a  business  place  on  the  Pike  at  Burnham,  where  he 
successfully  conducts  a  plumbing  and  tinning  business.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics  and  has  served  on  the  school  board,  also  was  mayor  of 
the  town  of  Kenova,  West  Virginia.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Master 
Plumbers  Association,  also  of  the  American  Guild;  the  LTniform  Rank, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  He  is  an  active,  energetic  business  man  and  excels 
in  all  that  pertains  to  his  craft. 


714  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

He  married,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Carrie  J.  Burger,  born  in  Kentucky, 
daughter  of  John  and  Pauline  (Newman)  Burger.  Children:  i.  Ray. 
2.  Fay,  twin  of  Ray,  both  died  in  infancy.  3.  Hazel  Marie,  died  in 
1912;  married  Earl  Challenger,  and  had  Pauline  and  Earl  Linn.  4. 
Charles  Walter  (2),  a  plumber.  5.  Erma  Lucille.  6.  Pauline,  died  in 
infancy.     7.  John  Henry,  a  plumber.     8.  Ruth  May. 


The  first  record  found  of  the  Wentz  family  in  Montgom- 

WENTZ     ery  county,  Pennsylvania  (then  Philadelphia),  is  in  1755, 

when  Jacob  Wentz,  a  German,  bought  land  in  Worcester 

township  for  four  hundred  and  sixty-two  pounds.     He  had  been  in  the 

county  some  time  and  owned  other  lands. 

(II)  Abraham,  son  of  Jacob  Wentz,  was  assessed  in  1762  in  Whit- 
pain  township,  ]\Iontgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  as  an  innkeeper  and 
the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  farm  land,  which  remained 
in  the  family  nearly  a  century  and  a  half. 

(III)  Samuel,  son  of  Abraham  Wentz,  was  living  in  Center 
Square,  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  18 19,  but  during  the  war 
of  1812  was  living  in  Philadelphia,  which  was  also  the  city  in  which  he 
died.    He  married  Sarah  Tatum  and  had  issue. 

(IV)  William  T.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Tatum)  Wentz,  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  and  died  in  1876.  He  was  a  Douglas  Democrat, 
but  after  the  war  a  Republican,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  married  Elizabeth  Waithman,  born  at  Cape 
May,  New  Jersey,  died  in  1892,  aged  eighty-two,  at  Tottensville, 
New  York ;  her  father,  a  sea-faring  man,  was  a  resident  of  Dennisville, 
Cape  May  county.  New  Jersey.  Of  the  seven  children  of  William  T. 
Wentz,  three  are  living:   William,  Sarah  and  Frank  H. 

(V)  Frank  H.,  son  of  William  T.  and  Elizabeth  (Waithman) 
Wentz,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  February  28,  1844.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  in  1858,  came  to 
Lewistown,  where  he  began  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  cabinetmaking 
with  R.  H.  McClintic.  In  186 1  he  enlisted  in  the  Logan  Guards,  and 
with  them  went  to  the  front  as  three-months  men.  The  "Guards"  were 
the  first  company  to  report  for  duty  at  Harrisburg  and  the  first  Penn- 
sylvania troops  sworn  into  the  United  States  service  from  that  state. 
They  passed  through  Baltimore,  one  day  before  the  Sixth  Massachusetts 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY  715 

Regiment,  and.  although  hooted  and  jeered  by  the  mob,  were  not  at- 
tacked. After  his  three  months  term  expired,  Mr.  Wentz  reentered  for 
three  years  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Regiment  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  commanded  by  Colonel  T.  F.  McCoy.  He 
was  in  continuous  service,  fighting  with  the  army  of  the  Potomac  at 
Cedar  Mountain,  Thoroughfare  Gap,  Second  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  South 
Mountain  and  Fredericksburg.  When  he  entered  his  second  enlistment 
he  was  sworn  in  as  orderly  sergeant,  and  on  March  25,  1863,  was  com- 
missioned lieutenant  of  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Se\enth  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  was  wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  i, 
1863,  and  for  a  few  days  held  a  prisoner  by  the  Confederates.  After 
his  recovery  he  was  assigned  to  duty,  first,  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  later  at  Fort  Mifflin,  as  post  adjutant.  1864-1865,  acting  as 
assistant  quartermaster  and  assistant  commissary  of  substance.  In  1865 
he  was  brevetted  captain  for  "gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  on  the 
field  of  battle."  He  returned  to  Lewistown  after  the  war  and  was  in  the 
shoe  business  for  a  time.  About  1872  he  established  a  bottling  business, 
which  he  has  conducted  most  successfully  ever  since.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  for  the  past  eighteen  years  has  been  through  successive 
elections  auditor  of  Mifflin  county.  He  was  chief  engineer  of  the  fire 
department  for  several  years  and  is  a  member  of  Lewistown  Lodge,  No. 
203,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  which  he  joined  in  1868.  He  was  for- 
merly a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  was 
vice-president  of  The  First  Defenders  Association,  1910-1911  and  1912. 
Captain  Wentz  married,  January  30,  1868,  Emmeline  JMiller,  born 
March  28,  1844,  in  Lewistown,  died  April  29,  1905,  daughter  of  George 
Miller.  Children:  i.  Charles,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years.  2.  George 
Miller,  born  October  23,  1871.  now  living  in  Lewistown.  3.  Mary, 
married  Edward  Mavberrv  and  resides  in  Lewistown. 


James  D.  Studer,  of  Belleville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsyl- 
STL^DER     vania.  descends  from  German  ancestry  in  a  direct  line  on 

the  paternal  side.  His  great-grandfather  crossed  the  At- 
lantic from  the  Fatherland  during  the  first  part  of  the  last  century  and 
established  himself  with  his  family  in  Pennsylvania.  From  him  and  his 
sturdy  sons  have  descended  all  of  the  name  in  and  around  Belleville. 
Among  his  children  was  one,  Jacob,  of  whom  further. 


7i6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(I)  Jacob  Studer,  son  of  the  original  immigrant  of  the  name,  was 
a  native  of  Germany,  coming  to  Pennsylvania  with  his  father.  He 
married  Racey  ]\Iiller,  and  located  in  Union  township.  He  was  a  watch 
and  clock  repairer  by  vocation  and  traveled  over  a  large  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania plying  his  trade,  his  itinerary  often  taking  him  far  from  home. 
Through  this  he  came  to  be  well  and  favorably  known  to  a  large  num- 
ber of  patrons.  Among  his  children  was  one,  Joseph  W.,  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  Joseph  W.  Studer,  son  of  Jacob  and  Racey  (Miller)  Studer, 
was  born  and  reared  in  Union  township.  He  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  was  a  stone  mason  and  farmer  combined.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Democrat  and  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  married  Rebecca  Bethlehem,  the  daughter  of  a  neighbor.  He  was 
born  in  1839  and  she  in  1847  ^t  Greenwood  Furnace,  in  Stone  Valley. 
Children:  i.  William,  a  stone  mason  in  Belleville.  2.  James  D.,  of 
whom  further.  3.  Jennie,  married  Rufus  Peachey  of  Belleville.  4. 
Archie,  a  stone  mason.    5.  Joseph  Alvin,  a  stone  mason. 

(III)  James  D.  Studer,  son  of  Joseph  W.  and  Rebecca  (Bethle- 
hem) Studer,  was  born  April  27,  1871,  in  Union  township,  MifHin 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
township.  Leaving  school,  he  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade  under 
the  tutelage  of  his  father  and  brother  William  when  fourteen  3'ears  of 
age.  He  followed  this  occupation  until  August,  1912,  when  he  accepted 
a  position  with  Hertzler  and  Zook  in  their  machine  shop  at  Belleville, 
where  he  now  resides.  During:  the  vears  that  he  worked  at  the  stone 
mason's  trade  he  accumulated  quite  a  nice  property.  He  invested  his 
savings  in  real  estate,  erected  houses  on  it,  and  resold  at  a  profit.  He  is 
now  owner  of  a  block  of  houses  on  Main  street  in  Belleville,  besides  the 
home  in  which  he  lives.  Like  his  forbears,  he  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, always  voting  the  straight  ticket.  He  is  a  member  of  the  P.  O.  S. 
of  America,  and  with  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
He  married  (first)  Rosana  Hunter,  in  1896,  who  died  in  1899.  leaving 
no  children.  He  married  (second)  Elizabeth  Bennett,  of  Belleville,  born 
May  15,  1880,  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Clara  (Wise)  Bennett.  Chil- 
dren: I.  Earl,  born  July  27,  1901.  2.  Joseph,  born  January  4,  1903. 
3.  James,  born  .\pril  18,  1905. 

Edmund  Bennett,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  James  D.  Studer  (Eliza- 


/  V 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

beth  Bennett),  was  of  English  extraction.     He  married  Margaret ■, 

who  died  in  1908.     He  died  when  only  thirty-eight  years  old.     Among 
his  children  was  one,  Nelson,  of  whom  further. 

Nelson  Bennett,  son  of  Edmund  and  Margaret  Bennett,  was  born  in 
1853,  died  1908.  He  married  Clara  Wise,  born  1850,  in  Belleville. 
Pennsylvania.  Children:  i.  Elmer.  2.  Edmund,  died  in  1909.  3. 
Henry.  4.  Mary.  5.  Elizabeth,  married  James  D.  Studer  (see  Studer 
III).    6.  Margaret.    7.  Bruce. 


A  long-established  and  important  family  in  Pennsylvania  is 
KEIM     that  of  Keim,  to  which  George  Bon  Keim,  of  Lewistown. 

belongs.  The  first  of  the  name  to  cross  the  ocean  for  the 
New  World  was  one  Daniel,  who  came  from  Frankfort-on-the-Rhine. 
where  many  of  the  name  reside  to-day.  It  is  not  known  where  or  when 
he  landed  in  America,  but  it  is  conjectured  that  it  was  New  York,  as 
so  many  of  his  fellow  countrymen  were  emigrating  about  the  same  time, 
with  New  York  as  their  objective  point.  He  migrated  to  Pennsylvania, 
probably  Berks  county,  and  there  located. 

(I)  Daniel  Keim,  German  immigrant  from  Frankfort-on-the- 
Rhine,  was  the  first  of  the  name  in  America.  He  located  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, possibly  Berks  county,  there  married  and  reared  a  family.  He 
followed  in  America  the  same  trade  that  he  had  in  Germany,  that  of  a 
miller.    Among  his  children  was  George,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  George  Keim,  son  of  Daniel  Keim,  was  an  early  settler  at 
McVeytown,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  of  direct  German  descent  and  was 
probably  born  in  Berks  county,  where  he  grew  up.  He  was  a  miller,  fol- 
lowing the  vocation  of  his  father,  and  was  the  first  of  the  trade  in  that 
part  of  the  state.  His  millstones  were  cut  from  the  rock  of  the  moun- 
tains near  the  mill.  He  lived  some  time  at  Ryde,  Mifflin  county,  later 
moving  to  McVeytown,  and  there  died  at  an  advanced  age.  He  married 
Peggy  Voght,  like  himself  the  daughter  of  German  extraction.  His  death 
occurred  in  1838.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  Children:  i.  George;  married  (first)  Ellen  Logan,  married 
(second)  Mary  Bradley;  he  was  a  contractor  and  boatman  and  later  ran 
an  omnibus  line;  died  in  Elk  county,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Daniel,  of  whom 
further.  3.  William,  moved  to  state  of  New  York  and  died  there.  4. 
Samuel,  a  miller  near  McVeytown.     5.  Isaac,  married  Miss  Gilliland, 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 


\\iio  In 


ived  in  vicinity  of  Newton,  Hamilton  county,  Pennsylvania.  6. 
Sallie,  married  Peter  Rhodes,  who  lives  in  Lewistown.  7.  Peggy,  mar- 
ried John  DeVore,  who  lived  at  McVeytown. 

(Ill)  Daniel  Keim,  son  of  George  and  Peggy  (Voght)  Keim,  was 
born  in  1805,  near  Reading,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  mar- 
ried when  he  moved  to  Lewistown,  Mifflin  county.  He  learned  the  mill- 
er's trade  and  ran  the  first  mill  at  McVeytown,  known  as  the  Couch  mill. 
From  there  he  went  to  Newton,  and  then  to  Milroy,  going  later  to  Allen- 
ville,  where  he  died,  March  10,  1909.  He  married  Rebecca  Stewart, 
born  1824,  died  September  15,  1902,  daughter  of  William  A.  and  Rachel 
Stewart,  classed  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  McVeytown.  He  was  a 
Republican,  voting  for  Lincoln,  and  they  were  both  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Children:  i.  Charles,  born  September  27, 
1848,  a  power  loom  weaver,  now  retired,  lives  at  Milroy;  married  Wil- 
helmina  Dangler.  2.  Ella,  married  James  Wooding;  she  is  dead.  3. 
Cordelia,  died  in  infancy.  4.  A  son,  died  in  infancy.  5.  Jackson,  a 
traveling  salesman;  lived  and  died  in  Van  Wert,  Ohio.  6.  William  R., 
lives  at  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  deals  in  farm  implements  and  hardware.  7. 
Jennie,  widow  of  Clarence  E.  Gifford ;  lives  at  Jamestown,  New  York. 
8.  George  Bon,  of  whom  further. 

(IV)  George  Bon  Keim,  son  of  Daniel  and  Rebecca  (Stewart) 
Keim,  was  born  June  9,  1868,  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  town  schools  of  Allenville,  and  on  leaving 
was  employed  for  two  years  in  a  mill.  In  1882  he  went  to  Lewistown  and 
for  ten  years  was  engaged  as  salesman,  in  two  different  stores — one  a 
grocery  concern,  the  other  a  dry  goods  firm,  of  which  he  became  man- 
ager. In  1892  he  opened  up  a  line  of  chinaware,  pottery,  etc.,  and  has 
been  on  the  road  since  that  time  as  traveling  salesman,  with  territory  in 
central  Pennsylvania.  For  the  past  seventeen  years  he  has  been  sales- 
man for  Fisher,  P.ruce  and  Company,  of  Philadelphia.  He  has  advanced 
the  interests  of  his  firm  in  every  way,  and  ranks  high  with  his  fellow 
salesmen  because  of  his  high  sense  of  honor,  energy  and  efficiency.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  president  of  his  borough  council 
for  four  years,  lie  held  other  offices  in  the  council  before  he  was  elected 
])resident.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  and  he  has  been  trustee  many  years  of  the  church  and  was 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for  twelve  vears.     He  resigned  this 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  719 

position  when  elected  president  of  the  Mifflin  county  Sunday  school 
work,  which  he  holds  at  the  present  time  and  for  which  he  works  most 
zealously.  By  his  able  methods,  enthusiasm  and  belief  in  his  work  he 
has  brought  Mifflin  county  prominently  forward  in  the  line  of  Sunday 
school  work.  He  is  a  JMason,  a  member  of  the  Lewistown  Lodge,  Xo. 
203 ;  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  takes  an  interest  in  all  other 
societies  and  orders  that  make  for  public  good  and  improvement.  He 
married,  June  16,  1887,  Lou  A.  Rhodes,  daughter  of  Colonel  John  K. 
Rhodes,  one  of  the  notable  old  residents  of  that  section.  Children:  i. 
Elizabeth,  born  February  28,  1S90;  educated  at  Williamsport  Dickinson 
Seminary;  married  George  Glenn  and  lives  at  Lewistown.  2.  Margaret, 
born  February  2,  1895;  graduated  from  Lewistown  high  school,  and  is 
now  a  student  of  music  under  Professor  Lane. 

(The    Stewart    Line). 

Among  the  old  families  of  Pennsylvania  is  that  of  Stewart.  The 
first  to  come  over  from  Scotland  was  Angus,  a  member  of  the  Stewart 
clan  in  the  Highlands.  William  A.  Stewart,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
George  Bon  Heim,  was  an  artisan,  though  his  real  occupation  for  the. 
greater  part  of  his  life  was  farming,  and  he  was  one  of  the  land  owners 
in  Wayne  township.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12.  His  wife 
was  named  Rachel,  surname  unknown.  Children:  i.  William.  2. 
John.  3.  James.  4.  Rebecca;  married  Daniel  Iveim  (see  Keim  HI). 
5.  Susan.  After  the  death  of  William  Stewart,  Rachel  Stewart  mar- 
ried (second)  David  Sunderland,  by  whom  she  had  one  child,  Julia. 


The  Culbertsons  came  originally  from  Scotland  to 
CULBERTSON     the  north  of  Ireland,  from  whence  in  1736  came 

Samuel  Culbertson,  settling  in  Londongrove  town- 
ship, Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  appears  on  the  tax  records  of 
that  year  as  follows :  "George  Hodgson  conveyed  to  Samuel  Culbert- 
son, April  6,  1736,  land  in  this  township."  He  made  his  will  i\Iay  15, 
1741.  His  wife  Frances  did  not  long  survive  him.  Children:  r.  Wil- 
liam (of  further  mention).  2.  John,  settled  in  Armagh  township,  Cum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  made  his  will  in  1785.  His 
wife,  Agnes,  born  1726,  died  1808;  eight  children.  3.  Kittrena,  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Dongrey. 


720  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

(II)  William,  eldest  son  of  Samuel  Culbertson,  was  born  in  Lon- 
donderry county,  Ireland,  and  undoubtedly  came  to  Pennsylvania  with 
his  father  in  1736.  He  was  executive  of  his  father's  will  and  lived  in 
Londongrove  township,  Chester  county,  until  1771,  when  he  was  granted 
a  large  tract  of  land  (six  hundred  acres)  in  East  Pennsborough  town- 
ship (now  Silver  Spring  township),  Cumberland  county,  where  he  set- 
tled and  lived  until  his  death  in  May,  1785.    He  married  Margaret , 

and  lived  seven  miles  east  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  i. 
Samuel  (of  whom  further).  2.  William  (2),  born  1760,  died  May  18, 
1798,  married  Xancy  Bell  and  left  issue.  3.  Frances,  married  Mr. 
Johnston,  of  Virginia,  and  had  four  sons. 

(III)  Samuel,  son  of  William  and  Margaret  Culbertson,  was  born 
in  Londongrove  township,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1742,  died 
April  I,  1807.  He  moved  to  Silver  Spring  township,  Cumberland 
countv,  in  177 1,  with  his  father,  and  lived  on  the  old  farm  there.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Urie,  born  1765,  died  July  24,  1803.  He  was  a  pros- 
perous farmer;  justice  of  the  peace;  wrote  wills  and  was  an  elder  of  the 
Silver  Spring  Presbyterian  Church  and  a  man  of  exemplary  life,  influ- 
ence and  usefulness.  He  was  a  member  of  the  supreme  executive  council 
of  Pennsylvania  and  an  ardent  patriot.  His  farm  in  Cumberland  county 
is  yet  owned  in  the  family.  Children:  i.  William,  born  1801,  died 
1878,  a  dry  goods  merchant  at  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  from  1825  to 
1837.  then  returned  to  his  farm  in  Cumberland  county,  married  and  left 
issue     2.  Doctor  James  (of  whom  further). 

(IV)  Doctor  James,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Urie)  Culbert- 
son, was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  near  Carlisle,  on  the 
old  Culbertson  homestead,  March  12,  1803,  died  at  Lewistown,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  30.  1854.  He  was  but  an  infant  when  his  mother  died  and 
but  four  years  old  when  deprived  also  of  a  father's  care.  He  was  taken 
into  the  family  of  his  legal  guardian,  Thomas  Urie,  with  whom  he  lived 
until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  He  then  was  sent  to  Hopewell  Acad- 
emy, Shippensl)urg,  Pennsylvania,  later  entering  in  the  sophomore  year 
Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1824. 
He  determined  to  become  a  ]jhysician,  and  began  medical  studv  vmder 
Dr.  Adam  Plays,  of  Carlisle,  then  with  Dr.  Horner  of  Philadelphia,  later 
entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
whence  he  was  graduated  (M.  D.)  April  6,  1827.     After  an  extended 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNL^TA   VALLEY  721 

European  tour.  Dr.  Culbertson  located,  in  1828,  in  Lewistown,  Mifflin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  in  continuous  active  practice  until 
his  death.  For  the  first  three  years  he  was  associated  with  Dr.  Edmund 
Patterson,  after  which  he  practised  alone.  He  was  a  skillful  physician, 
well  versed  in  surgery,  but  especially  expert  in  diagnosis,  possessing  a 
mind  peculiarly  fitted  to  analyze  the  nature  and  tendency  of  disease. 
He  kept  himself  thoroughly  informed  in  medical  advancement,  being  a 
constant  reader  of  the  best  professional  literature  of  his  day.  He  loved 
his  profession,  and  was  never  happier  than  with  professional  friends. 
He  had  a  large  practice,  but  gave  much  time  and  thought  to  the  study  of 
geology  and  mineralogy,  contributing  many  articles  to  the  scientific,  as 
well  as  the  medical,  journals.  He  was  interested  in  the  work  of  the  gov- 
ernment weather  bureau,  and  for  a  year  was  the  official  observer  for  his 
district.  His  work  so  pleased  the  bureau  officials  that  they  presented  him 
with  an  expensive  barometer  which  is  preserved  by  his  son.  He  be- 
longed to  the  Geological  Society  of  Pennsylvania  and  was  a  lecturer  on 
geology;  was  president  of  the  Mifilin  County  Medical  Society  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  This  society  attended  his  funeral  in  a  body,  and  as  a 
mark  of  respect  wore  a  badge  of  mourning  for  thirty  days,  besides 
passing  appreciative  resolutions.  Dr.  Culbertson  was  a  Whig  in  politics, 
but  never  accepted  public  ofiice,  save  those  of  trustee  of  Lewistown  z\cad- 
emy  and  of  the  Lewistown  Bank,  these  not,  however,  being  of  a  political 
nature.  He  w-as  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  man  thor- 
oughly respected  and  greatly  beloved.  He  married,  July  3,  1839,  Mary, 
only  daughter  of  Robert  Steel,  of  Lewistown,  and  his  wife  (also  his 
cousin),  Marv  Steel,  born  in  New  Castle.  Delaware.  Robert  Steel  main- 
tained a  private  school  and  prepared  young  men  for  college.  He  was  an 
accomplished  linguist,  and  besides  his  pedagogical  duties  was  justice  of 
the  peace.  He  died  in  1825,  his  wife  in  1828,  both  Presbyterians.  Chil- 
dren of  Dr.  James  and  Mary  Culbertson:  i.  William  A.,  born  May  29, 
1840,  died  October  4,  1843.    2.  Horace  J.  (of  whom  further). 

(V)  Horace  J.,  son  of  Dr.  James  and  Mary  (Steel)  Culbertson, 
was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  May  25,  1842.  He  prepared  at 
Lewistown  Academy,  and  in  1859  entered  the  sophomore  class  of  Lafay- 
ette College.  After  completing  his  college  course,  he  began  the  study  of 
law  in  1864.  with  D.  W.  Woods,  of  Lewistown,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Mifflin  county  bar  April  6,  1866,  and  has  since  been  in  continuous  prac- 


722  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

tice  in  Lewistown,  having  a  large  private  practice,  and  from  November, 
1871,  to  January,  1875,  was  district  attorney  of  Mifflin  county.  He  has 
also  served  as  council  for  the  board  of  county  commissioners  and  the 
borough  of  Lewistown.  His  term  of  office  as  district  attorney  was  ex- 
tended several  months  by  the  changes  made  in  the  tenure  of  office  by 
the  constitutional  convention  of  1875.  Mr.  Culbertson  practises  in  all 
the  state  and  federal  courts  of  his  district  and  occupies  a  leading  position 
at  the  Mifflin  county  bar.  He  has  important  business  interests  outside 
his  profession.  In  1900  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Citizens 
National  Bank,  of  Lewistown,  and  since  1910  has  been  its  honored  pres- 
ident; director  and  counsel  of  the  Mann  Edge  Tool  Company;  director 
and  counsel  of  the  Lewistown  Ice  and  Storage  Company,  and  a  director 
of  the  Union  Trust  Company  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  State  and  Mifflin  county  bar  associations,  a  vestryman  of 
the  Episcopal  church,  and  in  political  faith  a  Republican.  He  served  as 
chairman  of  the  Republican  county  committee  two  terms,  has  been  an 
active  campaign  speaker;  delegate  to  many  state  conventions  of  his  party, 
and  in  1896  was  a  delegate  to  the  national  convention  at  St.  Louis.  He 
has  always  acted  with  his  townsmen  for  the  advancement  of  Lewistown's 
interest,  and  has  been  an  important  factor  in  the  growth  and  improve- 
ment of  that  borough.  His  military  service  covers  a  period  of  three 
months — June,  1863,  to  September,  1863 — in  Company  A,  Thirty-sixth 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  married.  February  6, 
1867,  Julia  M.  Watts,  born  in  Carlisle.  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Judge 
Frederick  Watts.  Children:  i.  Frederick  N.,  born  March  21,  1868, 
graduate  of  Lafayette  College,  read  law  with  his  father,  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  Mifflin  county,  and  served  as  district  attorney,  1902-1905, 
now  engaged  in  legal  practice  with  his  father  in  Lewistown.  He  mar- 
ried Emily  L.  Porter  and  has:  Horace  James  and  Elizabeth  Lanning. 
2.  Mary  Steel,  educated  in  Lewistown  Academy,  resides  at  home.  3. 
Julia  N.,  educated  at  St.  Margaret's  School,  Waterbury,  Connecticut, 
resides  at  home.  4.  Anna  M.  R.,  educated  at  Miss  Carey's  School  at 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  resides  at  home. 


The  progenitors  of  Joseph  McGregor  Young,  of  Belle- 

YOUNG     villc,  Pennsylvania,  came  to  Mifflin  county  from  England, 

and  were  among  the  early  settlers.      The  earliest  record 

found  in  tlie  county  is  of  David  Young,  a  weaver,  who  with  his  wife 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA  VALLEY  j2i 

Catherine  lived  in  Union  township,  where  they  died.  He  was  not  u  land 
owner,  but  followed  his  trade.  Of  their  eleven  children  but  one  sur- 
vives, Jacob,  who  resides  in  Lewistown.  Children:  Robert,  John, 
Richard,  David,  of  whom  further;  Jacob,  the  last  survivor;  Wesley; 
Maria,  died  in  the  west;  Jane,  married  Isaac  Pierce;  Rachel,  married 
Cyrus  Sample;  Mary,  married  Israel  Bigelow ;  Elizabeth,  married  and 
died  in  the  west. 

(II)  David,  son  of  David  and  Catherine  Young,  was  born  in  Mif- 
fiin  county,  March  ii,  1836.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  for 
several  years  was  a  journeyman,  then  began  contracting,  a  business  he 
followed  until  his  death.  He  was  well  known  in  Belleville  and  vicinity, 
there  being  in  that  section  of  the  county  between  three  and  four  hundred 
buildings  erected  by  him  during  his  years  as  builder  and  contractor.  He 
was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  first  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  later  a  Lutheran.  He  married,  October  15,  1863.  Margaret 
Bulick,  born  in  Mifflin  county,  October  2-^,  1842,  who  survives  him.  Slie 
is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Nelson  and  Martha  (McGregor)  Bulick,  and 
granddaughter  of  Aaron  and  Mary  Bulick,  who  were  born  in  the  state 
of  Maryland  of  English  parentage.  Martha  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Sarah  McGregor,  he  born  in  Ireland,  came  to  America,  where  he 
married  and  settled  in  Mifflin  county,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of 
carpenter.  He  is  buried  in  the  old  Presbyterian  cemetery  in  Menno 
township.  His  widow,  Sarah,  married  (second)  James  MacFarlane. 
and  lived  many  years  thereafter.  She  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery 
at  Belleville.  Thomas  Nelson  Bulick  was  born  in  Maryland,  but  when  a 
young  man  came  to  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  married 
Martha  McGregor,  born  in  that  county.  They  settled  in  Menno  town- 
ship, where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  until  his  death,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1873.  His  wife  died  March,  1875.  ^^oth  were  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  Children :  James  and  John,  deceased ;  Thomas,  lives 
in  Harrisburg;  Margaret,  now  the  widow  of  David  Young;  Emor,  de- 
ceased ;  Mary,  married  Solomon  Henning  and  lives  in  Union  townshij) ; 
Sarah,  deceased,  married  Graphus  Greenwalt;  Franklin,  deceased; 
Martha,  married  Daniel  Michael  and  lives  in  Union  township.  Children 
of  David  and  Margaret  Young:  i.  John  Nelson,  resides  in  Yeager- 
town,  a  carpenter;  married  Annie  Smith.  2.  Thomas  \\'e.sley.  a  car- 
penter, unmarried,  resides  at  home.     3.  James  Butler,  a  carpenter,  re- 


724  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

sides  in  Belleville,  also  is  engaged  in  the  butcher  business.  He  married 
Augusta  Rustler.  4.  Joseph  M.,  of  whom  further.  5.  David  Oscar, 
a  carpenter,  resides  in  Belleville ;  married  Clara  Burkett.  6.  Emor 
Bulick,  a  heater  at  the  Standard  Steel  Works;  married  Vina  Smith 
and  resides  at  Yeagertown.    7.  Jesse  Wilson,  died  aged  four  years. 

(Ill)  Joseph  M.,  son  of  David  and  Margaret  (Bulick)  Young, 
was  born  in  Union  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  September 
24,  1874.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Belleville  and  in 
early  life  began  working  with  his  father  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He 
became  an  expert  workman  and  also  became  familiar  with  the  details 
of  a  contracting  business,  having  been  associated  with  his  father  until 
his  retirement,  then  continuing  the  business  alone.  In  1908  Mr.  Young 
added  a  lumber  yard,  for  the  retail  sale  of  lumber  and  building  material 
to  his  general  contracting  business.  He  has  erected  many  of  the  large 
bams  seen  in  Alifflin  county,  also  the  Greybill  Mill  and  Storehouse  and 
many  residences,  both  in  the  county  and  borough.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics;  was  elected  constable  in  1907  and  in  191 1  reelected  for  four 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  Knights  of  the  (3olden  Eagle.  He  married,  July  2, 
1903.  Quillas  C.  Baker,  Ijorn  in  Mifflin  county,  daughter  of  George 
Baker,  of  an  old  county  family.  Children:  Baker  M.,  born  De- 
cember 16,  1907;  David  Darlington,  October  19,  1909. 


This    family    came    to    Juniata    from    Northumberland 
HOWER     county,   Pennsylvania,   Jacob   Hower  coming   from   Ger- 
many prior  to  the  year   1800.     He  settled  near  Milton, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  reared  a  family,  including  a  son  Jacob. 

(II)  Jacob  (2),  son  of  Jacob  (i)  Hower,  was  born  about  the 
year  1800,  near  Milton,  Pennsylvania.  He  there  grew  to  manhood  and 
lived  until  1840,  when  with  his  family  he  moved  to  Fermanagh  town- 
shq),  Juniata  county,  where  he  became  a  prosperous  farmer  and  large 
land  owner,  possessing  several  farms.  He  was  an  industrious,  retiring 
man,  both  he  and  his  wife  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  married 
Mary  Morton,  of  New  Jersey,  and  had  issue:  i.  Nicholas.  2.  George, 
born  June  25,  1825  ;  settled  in  Juniata  county  in  1853  ;  a  lumberman  and 
farmer:  married  (first)  Sarah  Hagenbach,  (second)  Eliza  Wright.  3. 
Jacob  Morton,  of  whom  further.     4.  .  married  Jacob  Faust.     5. 


/C'  V)    yQ&^^xM^Aj 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  725 

,  married  Elizabeth  Nicholas.    6.  Eliza,  married  a  Mr.  Billmeyer. 

7.  Amanda,  married  a  Mr.  Pannebaker. 

(III)  Jacob  Morton,  son  of  Jacob  (2)  and  Mary  (]\Iorton) 
Hower,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  came  to 
Fermanagh  township,  Juniata  county,  with  his  parents  in  1S40,  and 
there  died  in  191 1.  He  married  and  lived  on  one  of  his  father's  farms  in 
Fermanagh  township,  which  he  later  inherited.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church,  a  Republican  in  politics,  holding  several  township  offices. 
He  married  (first)  Harriet  Arbogast,  who  died  in  1876,  the  mother  of 
nine  children.  He  married  (second)  Emma  Sanders,  the  mother  of  four 
children.  Children  by  first  marriage:  Henry  Clay,  of  whom  further; 
Elijah,  Charles,  Grant,  deceased;  Mary,  Prudence,  deceased;  l^ily,  and 
two  who  died  in  infancy.  Children  by  second  wife:  Stella,  Ellen, 
Blanche  and  Drew. 

(IV)  Henry  Clay,  eldest  son  of  Jacob  Morton  and  Harriet  (Arbo- 
gast) Hower,  was  born  in  Fermanagh  township,  Juniata  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, Noveiuber  2,  i860.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  liome  farm, 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Airy  View  Academy.  He 
began  business  life  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Elijah  Hower,  under 
the  firm  name  H.  C.  Hower  and  Brother,  lumbermen,  operating  largely 
in  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Virginia.  This  business  they  have  suc- 
cessfully conducted  until  the  present,  operating  portable  saw  mills  and 
one  permanent  saw  mill  in  jMaryland  that  employs  fifty  men  and  pro- 
duces six  million  feet  of  lumber  annually.  The  three  portable  mills 
employ  about  sixty  men  and  operate  in  di liferent  localities.  The  firm 
are  also  large  wholesalers  of  lumber,  handling  besides  their  own  product 
the  output  of  about  thirty-five  mills  in  Pennsylvania,  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land. They  have  been  a  very  successful  firm,  growing  from  an  humble 
plant  consisting  of  one  small  portable  saw  mill,  to  their  present  prosper- 
ous proportions.  The  business  has  been  wisely  conducted,  each  brother 
seconding  the  efforts  of  the  other  and  both  working  energetically  for 
their  common  good.  Henry  C.  Hower  is  a  director  of  the  Juniata  Val- 
ley National  Bank,  at  Mififlintown,  and  interested  in  all  that  helps  that 
borough  to  advance  materially  or  morally.  He  is  a  Progressive  in  poli- 
tics, but  never  has  sought  or  accepted  office  from  any  party.  He  is  an 
attendant  of  the  Lutheran  church,  his  wife  a  member  of  the  Port  Royal 
congregation. 


726  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

He  married,  in  1898,  Jeannette  Cleck,  born  in  Juniata  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  M.  Cleck.  Children :  Dwight, 
Wade,  Joyce,  Dorn.  The  family  home  and  home  business  office  is  lo- 
cated at  Port  Royal,  where  the  firm  located  in  1900. 


The  Book  family  came  to  Pennsylvania  from  Germany, 
BOOK  settling  first  in  Lancaster  county,  where  John  Book,  a  shoe- 
maker, married  Barbara  Witmer.  Later  he  abandoned  his 
trade  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  Whig,  served  the  township  in 
various  offices,  and  bore  a  good  reputation ;  children :  Catherine,  mar- 
ried Lewis  Evans;  Elizabeth,  married  Isaac  Price;  Abraham,  married 
Mary  Keefer;  John,  of  whom  further;  Samuel,  married  Annie  Coder; 
David,  died  young;  Daniel,  married  Miss  Price  of  Huntingdon  county; 
Esther,  married  Joseph  Keefer;  Martha,  died  unmarried;  Henry,  mar- 
ried Matilda  Burkholder;  Jacob.  All  these  children  lived  and  died  in  the 
Juniata  Valley. 

(II)  John  (2),  son  of  John  (i)  and  Barbara  (Witmer)  Book, 
was  Ixjrn  in  Lancaster  county  in  1804,  died  in  Walker  township,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  May,  188 1.  He  was  a  wealthy  farmer  and 
extensive  land  owner,  but  in  later  life  converted  his  property  into  cash, 
which  he  invested  in  loans.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  both 
he  and  his  wife  members  of  the  religious  sect  known  as  River  Brethren. 
He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Adam  Holtzapfel,  a  teamster  of  McAl- 
isterville ;  she  died  in  1890;  children:  Jeremiah,  died  in  infancy; 
Charles  W..  of  further  mention;  Martha,  married  Michael  Bashore,  a 
farmer  of  Walker  township;  Margarette,  married  James  Milliken,  a 
farmer  of  BeaUiownship ;  Sarah,  married  William  Clark,  a  farmer  of 
I'ermanagh  township;  Mary,  married  Samuel  A.  Thomas,  deceased,  a 
farmer  of  Fermanagh  township;  William,  died  aged  thirty-four;  Thad- 
deus,  twice  married,  a  railroad  man,  now  living  in  Harrisbursr;  Emma, 
married  Thomas  Crimniel,  a  farmer  of  Walker  township;  Henry  and 
wife  Priscilla,  now  living  in  Walker  township,  he  is  a  farmer. 

(III)  Charles  W.,  son  of  John  (2)  and  Sarah  (Holtzapfel)  Book, 
was  born  in  Fayette  township.  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  December 
'3-  '^.33-  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  has  followed  tiiat  business  al- 
mo.st  his  entire  life.  He  married.  May  6.  1866,  Martha  A.  Milliken, 
born  October,  1842,  daughter  of  John  and  Isabella  (Barkley)  Milliken 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  727 

of  Beal  township;  children:  J.  Hohnes,  born  February  5,  1868,  married 
Hulda  R.  Kiser,  and  is  now  a  farmer  of  Turbett  township;  Charles  C, 
of  whom  further ;  Blanche,  died  aged  nine  years ;  Walter,  born  July  26, 
1877,  married  Matilda  Pitzman;  children:  Myra  L.,  born  October  13, 
1901 ;  Marian  Jane,  July  17,  1904;  Charles  W.,  June  27,  1907;  Leona 
Blanche,  April  19,  1909,  died  March  i,  1912;  Catherine  Pitzman,  born 
February  27,  1912;  Blanche,  born  1881,  married  Jesse  Boyer,  a  steel 
worker,  residing  in  Steelton,  Pennsylvania;  George  \V.,  born  February 
22,  1885,  now  a  farmer,  residing  in  Walker  township,  married  Agnes 
Rowe. 

(IV)  Charles  Cleon,  son  of  Charles  W.  and  Martha  A.  (Milliken) 
Book,  was  born  near  Mexico,  in  Walker  township,  Juniata  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  24,  1869.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Mexico,  Mifflintown  Academy  and  Eastman's  Business  College,  a  grad- 
uate of  the  latter  institution,  class  of  1891.  For  about  one  year  he  was 
a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  county  clerk  at  Lynchburg,  Virginia,  then  re- 
turned to  Juniata  county  and  began  teaching,  a  profession  with  which 
he  has  been  connected  until  the  present  date  (1913).  His  first  school 
was  in  Turbett  township,  then  engaged  in  Walker  township  schools, 
thence  again  to  Turbett.  Since  1900  he  has  also  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock  raising,  having  a  farm  of  fifty  acres.  He  is  interested  as  a 
stockholder  in  the  People's  National  Bank  of  Mifflin  and  in  the  Lewis- 
town  Market  Company.  In  politics,  Mr.  Book  is  a  Republican ;  progress- 
ive in  his  beliefs,  interested  in  public  affairs,  but  never  seeking  office.  He 
is  highly  regarded  as  an  educator,  but  not  less  so  as  an  upright,  honor- 
able citizen.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
Church;  affiliated  with  the  Port  Royal  congregation. 

He  married,  in  1901,  Anne  Jane,  daughter  of  John  (2)  Wisehaupt, 
a  prominent  citizen  of  Turbett  township,  an  elder  and  deacon  of  the 
Lutheran  church  for  thirty  years.  She  is  a  granddaughter  of  John  ( i ) 
M^'isehaupt,  born  in  Germany,  came  to  Pennsylvania  when  young  and 
became  a  prosperous  farmer.  He  was  an  influential  public  official  of 
Turbett  township,  and  one  of  the  first  members  of  the  Lutheran  church 
in  that  township,  assisted  in  building  the  first  log  house  of  worship,  and 
took  a  leading  part  in  all  church  affairs.  Children  of  Charles  C.  and 
Anne  Jane  Book:  Dorothy,  born  February  23,  1904;  Sarah,  November 
20,  1905;  Charles  Wisehaupt,  November  15,  19 12. 


728  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Rev.  John  Henry  Melchior,  pastor  of  the  Cliurch  of 
MELCHIOR  the  Sacred  Heart,  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  is  the 
son  of  John  and  Catherine  Clara  ( Stegmeier)  Mel- 
chior, both  natives  of  the  Kingdom  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  but  met  and 
married  in  the  United  States. 

John  Melchior  was  born  in  Bavaria  in  1848.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  during  the  last  year  of  the  Civil  War,  hoping  to  join  a 
brother  who  had  preceded  him  to  this  country.  He  found  that  his 
brother  had  joined  the  Union  some  time  before,  and  this  decided  the  boy 
to  himself  enlist.  Though  young,  he  was  large  and  muscular,  which 
fact  allowed  him  to  pass  the  recruiting  officer's  inspection.  Shortly  after 
his  enlistment,  he  learned  that  his  brother  had  been  killed  in  battle. 
After  serving  his  term  of  enlistment,  John  Melchior  settled  in  Columbia, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  married.  The  young  couple  shortly  after- 
ward located  in  Middletown,  Pennsylvania,  where  Mr.  Melchior  became 
a  wholesale  shoe  merchant,  continuing  successfully  until  1905,  when  he 
moved  to  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  and  became  proprietor  of  the  Me- 
chanic's Hotel.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  Farmer's  Bank  of  Middle- 
town,  and  is  yet  a  director  of  the  Middletown  Building  and  Loan  Asso- 
ciation. He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  He  married, 
in  Columl)ia.  Catherine  Clara  Stegmeier,  liorn  in  Ba\aria  in  1853,  died 
in  Lancaster,  January  7,  1909,  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church. 
She  came  to  the  United  States  when  young,  located  first  in  Pottstown, 
thence  to  Columbia,  Pennsylvania ;  children :  Philip  Jacob,  who  suc- 
ceeds his  father  in  business  at  Lancaster,  married  Miss  Herzog  and  has 
Helen  and  Magdalene ;  William,  proprietor  of  the  \\'all  House  in  Lan- 
caster, married  Anna  Smith  and  has:  Frances,  Marie  and  William  (2)  ; 
Rev.  John  Henry,  of  whom  further ;  Marie,  Katherine,  married  Walter 
Piskell  and  resides  in  Lancaster. 

Rev.  John  Henry,  son  of  John  and  Catherine  Clara  f Stegmeier) 
IMelchior,  was  born  in  Middletown,  Pennsylvania,  August  11,  1873.  He 
obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  and  parochial  school  and  at 
Pennsylvania  Business  College,  Philadelphia.  He  became  order  clerk  at 
the  American  Iron  and  Tube  Mills  in  Middletown,  continuing  one  year, 
then  began  his  years  of  preparatory  study  for  the  priesthood.  He  en- 
tered La  Petite  Seminary.  Montreal,  Canada,  but  the  severity  of  the 
climate  drove  him  southward.     He  entered  St.  Marv's  College  at  Em- 


HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  729 

mitsburg,  Maryland,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  1898.  He  continued 
his  studies  in  divinity  at  the  Seminary  of  St.  Charles  at  Overbrook, 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  June  w^as  ordained  a  priest  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  by  Archbishop  Ryan.  On  June  6,  1901,  he  celebrated  his  first 
Mass  at  the  church  in  Middletown,  then  for  five  years  was  assistant 
pastor  of  St.  Anthony's  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania.  For  the  succeeding 
two  years  he  was  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  Church,  York,  Pennsylvania, 
thence  to  St.  Mary's  at  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  for  two  years,  then  re- 
turned to  St.  Anthony's  at  Lancaster  as  acting  pastor  for  ten  days, 
thence  to  St.  Edward's  at  Shamokin  for  five  months.  He  was  then  lo- 
cated again  at  St.  Anthony's  for  two  months,  and  during  that  period 
was  spiritual  adviser  to  four  Italians  sentenced  to  be  hung  for  murder, 
attending  them  until  the  drop  fell.  Rev.  Melchior  was  then  appointed 
pastor  of  St.  Mary's  at  Berwick,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  eighteen 
months,  thence  as  pastor  at  Elizabethtown  and  a  mission  at  I\It.  Joy  for 
three  years.  On  May  i,  1912.  he  was  appointed  pastor  of  the  Church  of 
the  Sacred  Heart  at  Lewistown  and  of  St.  Mary's  at  Burnham,  his  par- 
ish numbering  one  hundred  and  fifty  families,  worshipping  in  the  two 
churches.  Father  Melchior  is  a  faithful  pastor  and  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  several  charges  in  creating  a  strong  spiritual  sentiment  as 
well  as  in  wisely  ordering  the  temporal  afifairs  of  his  parishes.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  of  the  Catholic  Benevolent 
Legion.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  always  takes  an  active  interest 
in  local  affairs.  He  is  public-spirited  and  has  many  warm  friends  outside 
his  own  congregation. 


The  Potters  of  Lewistown  descend  from  John  Potter  of 
POTTER     Princeton,  New  Jersey,  a  native  of  Ireland.    The  earliest 

record  of  this  family  is  of  James  Potter,  who  married 
Catherine,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Stewart,  of  Ballymoran,  county  Down, 
Ireland. 

(II)  John,  son  of  James  and  Catherine  (Stewart)  Potter,  was 
born  at  the  residence  of  his  grandfather,  Sir  John  Stewart,  at  Bally- 
moran, county  Down,  Ireland,  April  12,  1765.  He  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1784,  locating  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  December  15,  1784. 
He  married,  August  22,  1791  (probably  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina), 
Catherine  Fuller  of  Beaufort,  South  Carolina.    He  moved  to  Princeton, 


730  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Xew  Tersey.  in  1824,  and  there  purchased  an  estate  called  "Prospect," 
on  a  part  of  which  many  of  the  buildings  of  Princeton  University  now 
stand.  Children  of  John  and  Catherine  (Fuller)  Potter:  i.  James, 
born  August  2,  1793,  died  February  25,  1862,  married,  January  4,  1827, 
Sarah  Jones  Grimes,  daughter  of  Dr.  John  and  Catherine  (Jones) 
Grimes,  of  Savannah,  South  Carolina.  2.  Elizabeth  Charlotte,  died 
aged  twenty  months.  3.  William  Henry,  an  officer  of  the  American 
Xavv,  died  at  the  island  of  Syra  in  the  Mediterranean,  January  30,  1827, 
aged  twenty-nine  years.  An  inscription  to  this  effect  is  on  a  stone  in 
St.  MichaeFs  churchyard  in  Savannah,  South  Carolina.  There  is  no 
record  found  of  his  marriage,  but  it  is  believed  he  was  married  and  had 
a  son,  John  (see  forward).  4.  Harriet  Maria,  born  1801,  died  April  i, 
1862,  married,  March  4,  1823,  Commodore  Robert  Field  Stockton 
(grandson  of  Richard  Stockton,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence). 5.  John  Hamilton,  died  September  12,  1808,  aged  four  years 
and  eight  months.  6.  Thomas  Fuller,  born  December  2,  1806,  died  Sep- 
tember 27,  1853.  He  married  (first)  September  19,  1843,  Sarah  Jane 
Hall,  born  January  18,  1818,  died  May  i,  1877,  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Elizabeth  Hall  of  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania.  The  children  who  died 
in  infancy  are  buried  with  their  brother,  William  Henry,  at  Savannah, 
while  the  other  three  are  buried  with  their  families  in  Trinity  church- 
yard, Princeton,  New  Jersey. 

(IV)  John  (2),  grandson  of  John  (i)  Potter  and  believed  to  be 
the  son  of  William  Henry  Potter,  died  in  Princeton,  New  Jersey.  He 
was  a  well-to-do  farmer,  owning  two  hundred  acres  of  well-improved 
farm  land.  He  married  and  had  children :  Charles,  of  whom  further ; 
William  II.,  a  farmer,  of  Daysville,  Virginia,  and  Nelson,  also  a  farmer, 
of  Daysville. 

(V)  Charles,  son  of  John  (2)  Potter,  was  born  in  Trenton,  New 
Jersey,  in  1844.  He  inherited  one-third  of  his  father's  estate  and  lived 
in  Princeton  until  after  the  death  of  bis  wife,  March  21,  1822,  then  in 
1883  moved  with  his  brothers  to  Virginia,  settling  in  Loudoun  county, 
inirchased  a  good  oil  farm  and  there  resides,  passing  his  winters  in 
Florida.  In  the  civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Regiment  New  Jersey 
Volunteers,  served  three  years,  and  was  honorably  discharged  with  the 
rank  of  corporal.  Pie  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the 
Bapti-St  church.     He  married  (first)  Caroline  M.  Bodine,  born  in  Cran- 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA  VALLEY  731 

berry,  New  Jersey,  in  1849,  there  married  and  died  in  Princeton,  March 
21,  1882.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Peter  Bodine,  of  Monmouth  county, 
New  Jersey,  descendant  of  Jean  Bodine  ("Jean  Boudin,  fugitive 
Medit"),  born  in  France  at  the  village  of  Medis,  along  the  Gironde,  and 
was  naturalized  in  London,  England,  October  14,  1681,  along  with  his 
second  wife,  Esther  Bridon.  He  died  on  Staten  Island,  New  York,  as 
early  as  1695,  leaving  a  son,  Jean  (2),  and  a  daughter,  Marianne. 
Jean  (2)  Bodine  left  a  will  dated  January  7,  1707,  in  which  he  mentions 
brothers  Eleazor  and  Franqois,  also  sisters  Esther  and  Mary  (see  Bard's 
Huguenot  Emigration,  Vol.  II,  pp.  38  and  39).  The  New  Jersey  family 
descend  from  Franqois,  son  of  Jean  Bodine,  the  emigrant.  Frangois 
Bodine  had  a  son,  Jean  (John),  born  1727,  who  married  and  had  a  son 
Abraham,  who  married  Mary  Low.  Their  seventh  child,  Cornelius, 
baptized  November.  1755,  died  June  12,  1820,  served  in  the  Revolution 
and  fought  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth.  His  second  son,  Peter,  baptized 
March  25,  1781.  at  Readington,  New  Jersey,  died  in  1843  ^t  Ovid,  New 
Jersey.  His  son,  Peter  (2)  Bodine,  settled  at  Cranberry,  New  Jersey, 
where  he  was  a  contractor  and  builder  until  his  death.  He  left  issue: 
John,  died  at  Asbury  Park,  New  Jersey:  Charles,  died  on  the  homestead 
in  Cranberry.  New  Jersey:  Emerson,  died  in  Hightstown,  New  Jersey; 
Caroline  M.,  first  wife  of  Charles  Potter,  died  in  Princeton,  New  Jersey; 
Eliza,  married  Joseph  Thompson  and  lived  in  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 
After  moving  to  Virginia  Charles  Potter  married  (second)  Sarah  Sny- 
der, who  bore  him  six  children.  Children  of  Charles  Potter  by  his  first 
wife,  Caroline  M.  Bodine:  i.  Mary  J.,  married  Edward  Dawson,  both 
deceased.  2.  Emerson,  of  whom  further.  3.  Sarepta,  married  Thomas 
Sillex  and  lives  at  Fairfax,  Virginia.  4.  Margaret  B.,  married  William 
Spain  and  lives  at  Fredericksburg,  Virginia.  5.  Arthur  J.,  resides  at 
Falls  Church.  Virginia,  chief  wire  inspector  for  the  Bell  Telephone 
Company  in  northern  Virginia ;  is  married.  Children  of  Charles  Potter 
and  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Snyder:  6.  Caroline,  married  Mr.  Robey 
and  resides  at  Fairfax,  Virginia.  7.  Adelaide,  deceased.  8.  William. 
9.  Pearl.     10.   Paul,  twin  of  Pearl.     11.  Lillian.     12.   Sylvia. 

(VI)  Emerson,  son  of  Charles  Potter  and  his  first  wife,  Caroline 
M.  Bodine,  was  born  in  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  December  8,  1870.  He 
attended  the  public  school  and  also  from  his  eighth  to  thirteenth  year 
worked  in  the  Trenton  potteries.     He  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when 


732  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

the  family  moved  to  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  where  he  spent  two  years 
on  his  father's  farm.  Later  he  went  to  Belleville,  Maryland,  where  he 
learned  the  undertaking  business,  remaining  there  three  years,  then 
working  at  the  same  business  in  Washington,  D.  C.  In  1891 
he  came  to  Lewistown,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  W.  A.  Felix, 
continuing  with  him  five  years.  In  1896  he  started  in  business  for  his 
own  account,  locating  his  undertaking  establishment  at  the  corner  of 
Valley  and  Chestnut  streets,  continuing  in  successful  business  at  that 
location  until  1903.  He  then  moved  to  the  building  he  had  erected  at 
Nos.  121  and  123  Valley  street,  a  three-story  building,  combining  his 
mortuary  establishment  and  residence.  He  is  well  established  in  business 
and  has  a  perfectly  appointed  establishment.  In  1906  he  was  elected 
coroner  of  Mifflin  county,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  consecutive  term. 
Recently  a  vacancy  occurred  in  the  sheriff's  office,  caused  by  the  death 
of  the  elected  incumbent,  and  Mr.  Potter,  as  the  law  provides,  assumed 
the  duties  of  the  sheriff's  office  until  a  successor  was  appointed,  a  period 
of  eight  days.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  candidate  for  high 
sheriff  of  Mifflin  county,  member  of  the  Knights  of  Malta,  American 
.Mechanics,  Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  Fraternal 
Order  of  Eagles ;  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
church. 

He  married,  in  1896,  Elizabeth  McCauley,  born  in  Mifflin  county, 
daughter  of  Mathew  G.  McCauley,  a  minister  of  the  German  Baptist 
church  (Dunkard).  Children:  Mahlon  E.,  born  May  30.  1897;  Gladys 
E.,  May  4,  1901. 


For   many    generations    the    Henry    family   has   lived    in 
HENRY     Pennsylvania.     The  immigrant,  Henry,  came  from 

England  in  166S,  and  located  first  in  Massachusetts,  after- 
ward going  to  Connecticut.  His  sons  wandered  into  Pennsylvania,  saw 
the  land  was  fertile,  the  climate  healthful,  and  decided  to  make  here 
their  homes.  They  brought  with  them  their  families,  and  from  them  has 
si)rung  the  present  Flenry  family. 

(T)  Adam  Henry,  the  first  of  whom  there  is  definite  knowledge, 
was  born  February  4,  183S,  in  Decatur  township,  and  moved  at  an  early 
age  with  his  parents  to  Armaugh  township,  there  receiving  his  education. 
He  began  farming  immediately  on  leaving  school,  and  continued  in  that 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  733 

occupation  during  his  life.  He  passed  his  last  days  in  ]\Iilroy,  where  he 
lived  about  fifteen  years.  He  died  November  10,  1908,  and  his  wife  died 
May  5,  1882.  He  married  Susannah  Hassinger,  daughter  of  Frederick 
Hassinger,  an  old  resident  of  Armaugh  township,  of  German  extrac- 
tion. The  children  of  Adam  and  Susannah  (Hassinger)  Henry  were: 
I.  Fannie,  deceased.  2.  Reed.  3.  Charles  E.,  of  whom  further.  4.  Fran- 
cina.  5.  Anna.  6.  Alice.  7.  Frinnie.  8.  Calvin.  9.  Died  in  infancy. 
(II)  Charles  E.,  son  of  Adam  and  Susannah  (Hassinger)  Henry, 
was  born  September  29,  1868,  in  Armaugh  township,  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  and  reared  on  the  parental  farm,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  the  township,  and  at  the  Milroy  High 
School,  where  he  was  a  close  student.  On  leaving  school,  he  applied 
himself  to  learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  working  early  and  late  at  it, 
and  studying  the  latest  and  most  approved  methods  of  carpentry.  June 
22,,  1909,  he  began  a  thorough  course  in  architecture  in  the  Scranton 
(Pennsylvania)  I.  C.  S.,  and  has  since  then  been  a  contractor  and 
builder,  branching  out  with  each  month,  and  ever  in  the  market  for 
building  contracts.  For  quite  a  while  he  lived  in  Clearfield,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  contracted  for  and  erected  some  of  the  handsomest 
buildings  in  the  town.  He  moved  to  Reedsville  in  1906,  and  has  built 
many  of  the  homes  in  the  little  city,  and  some  of  the  public  buildings, 
notably  the  annex  of  the  Reedsville  school.  He  also  l^uilt  the  Thompson 
Brothers'  dye  house  at  Milroy.  He  is  a  manufacturer  of  concrete  build- 
ing blocks  and  bricks,  a  business  that  is  extending  rapidly.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle  and  of  the 
Congregational  church.  He  married.  March  17,  1896,  Frances  Edith 
McClenahen,  born  in  Armaugh  township,  July  23,  1871,  daughter  of 
Francis  McClenahen  (see  McClenahen,  this  work)  who  represents  a 
family  that  has  long  been  an  integral  part  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1909 
Mr.  Henry  built  for  himself  a  beautiful  home  on  Walnut  street,  Reeds- 
ville. and  the  greater  part  of  the  latest  style  furniture  he  made  himself, 
taking  much  pride  in  so  doing.     He  has  no  children. 


The  Robison  name  has  been  linked  for  over  a  century 

ROBISON     and  a  half  with  the  fair  name  and  high  fortunes  of  the 

state  of    Pennsylvania.      Early   English   settlers   in   the 

province  in  the  days  when,  where  are  now  opulent  cities,  live  towns,  busy 


734  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

villages,  there  was  but  a  wilderness  infested  with  wild  beasts  and  wilder 
men,  when  the  forests  were  almost  impenetrable,  they  have  maintained 
their  share,  generation  by  generation,  in  making  the  state  one  of  the 
richest  and  most  desirable  in  the  sisterhood  of  the  LTnion. 

(II)  James  Robison,  son  of  James  Robison,  a  pioneer  of  Cumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  dating  back  to  1724,  came  to  Milford  town- 
ship, Juniata  county,  from  Cumberland,  located  there,  and  eventually 
died.    Among  his  children  was  John,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  John,  son  of  James  Robison,  was  born  near  Mififlintown, 
then  Mifflin  county,  about  1792;  later  he  settled  in  Milford  township, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  prominent  man  of  his  com- 
munity, an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  aided  in  erecting  the 
first  church  edifice  of  that  denornination  in  Mifflintown.  He  was  a  Whie 
in  politics,  advocating  the  policies  of  that  party;  but  when  the  Repub- 
lican party  was  organized  he  became  one  of  its  strongest  supporters,  and 
was  prominent  in  its  councils  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1888,  at  the  age  of  ninety-six.  He  married  (first)  Jane  Kincaid,  born 
in  Mifflintown,  and  died  in  the  fifties,  at  the  age  of  fifty.  Children :  i. 
James,  died  in  Atlantic  City,  aged  fifty-two  years.  2.  Joseph  Shelburn, 
deceased.  3.  John  K.,  of  whom  further.  Mr.  Robison  married  (sec- 
ond) Mary  McCrum,  and  to  them  one  child  was  born:  Harvey,  who 
died  aged  twelve. 

(IV)  Colonel  John  K.  Robison,  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Kincaid) 
Robison,  was  born  in  Milford  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  17,  1829.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
township  and  on  leaving  them,  while  yet  a  youth,  he  farmed  with  his 
father.  Later  he  purchased  a  farm,  brought  it  up  to  a  high  state  of 
productiveness,  farmed  on  it  for  years,  and  sold  it  in  1912  to  Henry 
Lauver,  his  son-in-law.  In  1896  he  came  to  Mifflintown,  Tuniata  county, 
and  built  a  home  at  East  End,  where  he  now  lives.  W'hen  the  civil  war 
began  he  enlisted,  in  July,  1861,  in  Company  A,  First  Pennsylvania  Cav- 
alry, and  was  elected  captain.  He  went  to  the  front  and' served  nine 
months  in  that  regiment.  He  resigned  from  it  and  assisted  in  organizing 
the  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  and  again  went  to  the  front  as  its 
captain.  He  was  ])rom(.te(l,  for  signal  bravery,  to  the  office  of  lieuten- 
ant-colonel in  the  same  regiment,  commanded  and  served  in  it  until  the 
close  of  the  war.     He  was  with  Sheridan  during  much  of  that'creneral's 


cy   K  (/LA'xA-'^-^^ 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  735 

campaign.  Colonel  Robison  was  twice  wounded:  first,  in  October,  1863, 
on  a  retreat  near  Auburn  Mills,  Virginia,  and  again  at  Farmersville, 
Virginia,  on  the  way  to  Appomattox.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  takes  an  active  interest  in  local,  state  and  national  issues.  Colonel 
Robison  served  in  the  Pennsylvania  state  senate  from  1867  to  1870, 
serving  on  important  committees.  He  was  a  member  of  Governor  James 
A.  Beaver's  staff,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  David  H.  \\'ilson  Grand  Army  Post,  No.  134,  and  also  the  Union 
Veteran  Legion,  comprised  of  the  three-year  men.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  Colonel  Robison  married  (first),  in  1850,  Isa- 
bella McKinnan,  who  was  born  in  Juniata  county,  a  daughter  of  Patrick 
William  McKinnan,  an  early  settler  in  Juniata  county.  He  married 
(second)  Rebecca  M.  Crawford,  in  May,  1892,  a  native  of  Mifflintown, 
and  a  daughter  of  Dr.  David  Crawford.  Children  by  first  marriage:  i. 
Albert,  graduated  from  Law  Department  of  Princeton  College;  was 
solicitor  for  Union  Pacific  railroad;  died  in  Idaho.  2.  William,  died 
aged  six.  3.  Emma,  died  aged  four.  4.  James  K.,  of  whom  further. 
5.  Mary,  married  Henry  Lauver,  a  farmer  of  Alilford  township.  6. 
Laura,  married  Elmer  Stoner,  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  7.  Cora, 
died  aged  eighteen.  8.  Ella,  married  James  Sartian,  of  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania.  Children  by  second  marriage :  9.  Ellen  Crawford,  born 
March  28,  1893,  ^  graduate  of  Glen  Eden  Seminary  of  Poughkeepsie, 
New  York.     10.  John  K.,  born  1894,  now  a  student  in  State  College. 

(V)  James  K.,  son  of  Colonel  John  K.  and  Isabella  (McKinnan) 
Robison,  was  born  in  the  Robison  homestead  December  9,  1857.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  at  the  public  school  in  ]Milford 
township,  and  at  Port  Royal  Academy  under  Professor  David  Wilson. 
He  engaged  in  work  on  the  farm,  and  when  he  was  twenty  years  old  he 
learned  the  coachmaking  trade  and  established  himself  in  that  business  in 
Alifflintown  in  1881.  He  entered  into  partnership  with  B.  C.  Wagner, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Wagner  and  Robison.  In  1908  the  senior  part- 
ner died  and  Mr.  Robison  is  now  sole  proprietor,  and  has  a  large,  ever- 
increasing  and  lucrative  patronage.  He  owns  a  fine  residence  on  Third 
street  in  Mifflintown,  and  has  a  place  of  business  on  same  street.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  council.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  and  has  been  since  he  was  twenty-two. 

Mr.   Robison  married,  March   i,    1883,  Catherine  Goshen,  born  in 


736  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Alifflintown,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Eliza  (Howe)  Goshen,  who  were 
among  tlie  early  settlers  of  Mifflin  county.  Mr.  Goshen  was  a  pioneer 
blacksmith  and  his  smithy  was  known  far  and  wide.  Children  of  J.  K. 
Robison:  i.  Arabella,  born  in  1885;  married  J.  C.  Wilson,  of  Altoona, 
Pennsylvania,  an  employee  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  2.  Alma  V., 
born  in  1S87;  married  James  Sterrett,  of  Mifflintown.  3.  Eliza  Howe, 
born  in  1889;  married  Ralph  Lucas,  assistant  cashier  in  Trenton  (New 
Jersey)  Bank.  4.  Catherine,  deceased.  5.  James  Kenney,  Jr.,  born  in 
1897,  a  student  in  high  school. 


The  Gutshall   family  of   Pennsylvania,  of   which   G. 
GUTSHALL     W.   Gutshall,  of  Blain,   Pennsylvania,   is  a  member, 
was  established   in   Pennsylvania  before  the   revolu- 
tionary war.     The  emigrant  ancestor  came  to  the   New  World   from 
l'>ankfort-on-the-Main,  Germany,  about  1762,  landing  at  Philadelphia. 
His  son  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  revolution. 

(I)  George  Gutshall,  a  descendant  of  the  emigrant  of  the  same 
name,  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born 
about  1780,  perhaps  earlier.  He  was  a  valiant  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  at  which  time  he  had  been  married  to  Barbara  Spohn,  a  native 
of  Berks  county,  several  years,  as  their  first  child  was  born  in  1808. 
After  peace  was  declared  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain 
he  returned  to  his  farm  and  continued  in  that  peaceful  vocation  until 
his  death.  He  was  a  very  successful  agriculturist  and  accumulated  a 
handsome  estate  before  his  death,  at  which  time  he  owned  one  hundred 
and  sixt}-five  highly  productive  acres  of  land.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  and  were  greatly 
respected  by  their  fellow  citizens  and  co-religionists.  Children:  i. 
Daniel,  of  whom  further.  2.  Samuel,  a  farmer,  died  in  Kansas;  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Hollabaugh.  3.  Solomon,  a  farmer  in  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania:  married  Elizabeth  Rhinesmith.  4.  William,  a  farmer 
in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Frederick,  married  Susan  Rhine- 
smith.  6.  Abraham,  unmarried.  7.  John,  died  soon  after  reaching  ma- 
jority. 8.  Lydia,  married  Jacob  Ensminger.  9.  Hannah,  married  Solo- 
mon Roth,  a   farmer. 

(II)  Daniel  Gutshall,  son  of  George  and  Barbara  (Spohn)  Gutshall, 
was  born  in  Perry  county,   Pennsylvania.   December,    1808,  and  died 


HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA  VALLEY  737 

in  Blain,  Pennsylvania,  May,  1885.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  township,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farm- 
ing all  of  his  life  in  Jackson  township.  He  retired  from  active  work 
in  1874,  eleven  years  previous  to  his  death.  He  was  one  of  the  lead- 
ing and  successful  men  of  his  township  and  one  of  its  most  esteemed 
citizens.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  as  was  his  wife.  He  married  Sarah  Bower,  born  in  Madison 
township,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  April,  1809,  who  died  in  Blain 
June,  1886,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Barbara  Bower.  Children: 
I.  Jane,  married  John  Tressler,  a  farmer  of  Perry  county.  2.  Mary 
B.,  married  George  Kern,  a  retired  farmer.  3.  William  B.,  a  farmer, 
and  who  served  as  county  commissioner  from  1887  to  1892;  married 
Emma  Rice.  4.  Solomon,  born  January  13,  1839,  a  farmer  and  hotel 
proprietor;  married  Margaret  Wagner;  one  child,  Charles  B.  5.  Caro- 
line, married  Amos  Watts.  6.  Sarah  B.,  married  David  Bower,  a 
farmer  and  hotel  proprietor.  7.  Diana,  married  Wilson  Morrison. 
8.  Wilson,  a  blacksmith ;  married  Susan  Draybenstock.  9.  Abraham, 
a  blacksmith  and  railway  employee  in  California.  10.  Harry  W.,  died 
in  1874;  married  Mary  Johnson.  11.  George  Washington,  of  whom 
further.  12.  Malinda,  died  aged  twelve.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Gut- 
shall,  Abraham  and  Barbara  Bower,  were  old-time  residents  of  Madi- 
son township,  near  Andersonburg,  Perrj'  county,  and  were  among  the 
prominent  people  of  that  section.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  was  Demo- 
cratic commissioner  of  Perry  county  for  years.  He  was  a  land  owner 
and  did  general  farming  on  an  extensive  scale.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  lie  side  by  side  in  the 
cemetery  near  Andersonburg.  Children:  i.  A  son,  died  soon  after 
reaching  majority.  2.  Josephine,  married  Jonathan  Arnold.  3.  Re- 
becca, married  Jacob  Wentz.  4.  Sarah,  married  Daniel  Gutshall.  5. 
Elizabeth,  married  John  Beaver.  6.  Lydia  N.,  married  George  M.  Loy. 
7.  Diana,  unmarried.  8.  Mary,  married  Daniel  Garber.  There  were 
other  children,  but  of  their  births  and  deaths  and  subsequent  wander- 
ings and  marriages  no  records  have  been  kept. 

(Ill)  George  Washington  Gutshall,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah 
(Bower)  Gutshall,  was  born  April  14.  1852,  in  Jackson  township. 
Perry  county.  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  education  at  the  Red 
Hill  public  school  in  Jackson  township,  and  on  completing  his  studies 


738  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  In  1889  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  improved  it,  erected  houses  thereon  and 
brought  it  to  a  high  state  of  fertiHty.  This  he  sold  in  1892  and  moved 
to  a  place  near  Andersonburg.  In  1902  he  moved  to  Blain  and  in 
1905  he  entered  the  grain  and  feed  business,  also  incorporating  coal 
with  the  two  former.  He  has  continued  in  this  to  the  present  time 
(1913).  He  was  appointed  assistant  station  agent  at  Blain.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Junior  Mechanics  and  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  as  is  his  wife. 

He  married,  September  15,  1874,  Celestia  Bennett,  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Boiling)  Bennett,  who  were  former  residents  of 
Adams  county,  but  later  of  Juniata  county.  Children  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gutshall:  i.  William,  born  July,  1876:  married  May  Richard. 
2.  Sarah  E.,  born  1878;  married  Mitchell  Morrow,  of  Pittsburgh.  3. 
Ira  W.,  a  farmer  in  Jackson  township;  married  Grace  Drumgole.  4. 
Mary  B.,  unmarried.  5.  Margaret  Jane,  married  Clark  Drumgole. 
6.  George  L.,  in  Pittsburgh,  preparing  himself  to  teach. 

Creigh  Patterson,  of  Blain,  Pennsylvania,  descends 
PATTERSON     from    Scotch-English   and    German   ancestors    who 

were  old  settlers  in  Pennsylvania.  His  English 
forbear  was  Creigh  Patterson,  who  came  to  America  by  way  of  Scot- 
land, where  he  was  connected  with  the  Patterson  clan.  He  reached 
the  New  World  before  the  revolution,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Americans  under  Lord  Jeffrey  Amherst  in  his  campaign  against 
the  French  and  Indians.  It  is  not  known  if  his  wife  accompanied  him, 
or  whether  he  married  a  colonial  lassie,  probably  the  latter.  After 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  when  he  was  advanced  in  years  and 
too  old  for  active  service  in  the  field,  he  sent  his  sons  to  fight  for  the 
cause  he  espoused,  and  he  became  known  far  and  near  as  an  ardent 
patriot. 

(I)  Creigh  Patterson,  a  descendant  of  Creigh  Patterson  the  emi- 
grant, was  born  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century,  in  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  He  married  Sarah  Stambaugh,  daughter  of  a 
German-American  farmer,  also  of  Pennsylvania,  and  prominent  in 
his  community.  After  his  marriage  to  Miss  Stambaugh,  Mr.  Patter- 
son purchased  a  large  tract  of  wild  land  in  Tyrone  township.  Perry 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  739 

county,  cleared,  improved  and  lived  on  it  until  his  death.  He  was  one 
of  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  the  township  and  gave  his  influence 
to  every  proposition  that  was  for  the  public  good.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Church  of  God,  and  were  active  in  their 
support  of  it.  He  was  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of  his  day  and  com- 
munity, and  left  a  handsome  estate  to  his  heirs.  Children:  i.  Francis, 
a  farmer;  unmarried.  2.  John,  a  farmer  in  Tyrone  township:  mar- 
ried Anna  Lightner.  3.  George,  of  whom  further.  4.  William,  died 
in  infancy.      5.   Harry,   died   in  infancy. 

(II)  George  Patterson,  son  of  Creigh  and  Sarah  (Stambaugh) 
Patterson,  was  born  March  13,  1846,  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township,  and  on  com- 
pleting his  course  he  entered  the  pedagogic  profession  and  taught  for 
more  than  twelve  terms,  and  established  for  himself  an  enviable  repu- 
tation as  a  teacher  and  disciplinarian.  Giving  up  this  profession,  he 
entered  the  mercantile  field  and  located  at  Landisburg.  where  he  soon 
built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  business,  which  he  continued  until  1905, 
when  he  retired.  In  1907  he  was  elected  associate  judge  and  served 
until  1912,  with  honor  to  himself  and  the  satisfaction  of  his  fellow 
citizens.  He  is  a  staunch  Republican,  working  for  and  voting  the 
ticket.  He  married  Elizabeth  Rhinesmith,  born  March  12,  1847,  in 
Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Fannie  (Souder) 
Rhinesmith.  Mr.  Patterson  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  God,  and 
his  wife  of  the  German  Reformed  church.  Children:  i.  Creigh,  of 
whom  further.  2.  Harry,  a  railway  employee  in  Idaho.  3.  Fred,  a 
jeweler  in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Marie,  lives  at  home.  The 
parents  of  Mrs.  Patterson,  Henry  and  Fannie  (Souder)  Rhinesmith, 
were  born  in  Perry  county,  and  were  directly  descended  from  hardy 
German  families  who  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  about  the  latter  part 
of  the  eighteenth  century.  Mr.  Rhinesmith  was  a  land  owner  and  a 
successful  farmer,  living  near  Landisburg,  Pennsylvania,  nearly  thirty 
years,  and  dying  there.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  was  asso- 
ciate judge  of  Perry  county  for  many  years.  Children:  i.  William, 
a  farmer;  married  Margaret  Kennedy.  2.  Elizabeth,  married  Georsre 
Patterson.  3.  James,  a  stock  dealer  in  Alinda,  Spring  township.  4. 
Alice,  married  Thomas  Graham.     5.  Ida,  married  Charles  Eaton. 

(III)  Creigh  Patterson,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Rhinesmith) 


740  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Patterson,  was  born  April  28,  1883,  in  Landisburg,  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  preparatory  education  in  the  schools 
at  Landisburg,  later  attending  that  of  Mercersburg,  Pennsylvania.  He 
matriculated  at  the  Pennsylvania  State  College,  graduating  in  1903. 
Leaving  college,  he  was  appointed  assistant  cashier  of  the  bank  of 
Landisburg,  which  position  he  retained  until  1906,  when  he  moved 
to  Blain  and  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  bank.  He  has  since  formed 
a  partnership  in  a  lumber  company  under  the  firm  name  of  Bistline, 
Patterson  Company.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  but  has  never 
held  an  office.  Is  a  bright  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  Lodge  No.  706,  of  Blain.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

He  was  married,  January  10,  191 1,  to  Mary  Kline,  daughter  of 
William  and  Catherine  (Mumper)  Kline,  the  former  a  farmer  of 
Jackson  township.  Perry  county.  Child :  George  William,  born  No- 
vember 24,  191 1. 


Frederick  Sheafi^er,  the  earliest  ancestor  of  this  fam- 
SHEAFFER     ily  to  come  to  America,  was  born  in  Germany,  where 

he  was  a  tiller  of  the  soil,  coming  to  this  country 
and  settling  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days  in  the  occupation  of  farming.  By  his  wife,  Eliza- 
beth, he  had  a  number  of  children,  among  whom  were :  William,  Peter, 
Jane.  Sarah,  and  Daniel;  the  last  named  being  further  mentioned 
below. 

(II)  Daniel  Sheaffer,  son  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  Sheaffer, 
was  born  in  Perry  county,  where  he  grew  to  maturity  and  where  he 
became  a  blacksmith,  a  calling  which  he  followed  all  his  life.  He 
served  for  a  short  time  in  the  Union  army  during  the  war  between 
the  states;  after  which  he  returned  home  and  died  eventually  in  Perry 
township.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
German  Reformed  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belonged.  She  was 
a  Miss  Rebecca  Sheibley,  born  in  Perry  county,  and  dying  as  did  also 
her  husband,  in  Perry  township.  Children:  Olivia,  married  S.  P. 
Kern,  now  deceased,  who  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  of  Blain,  Perry 
county;  Fred  F.,  of  further  mention;  William,  a  blacksmith  on  the 
homestead  in   Blain,   who  married  first,   a   Miss   Snvder,   and   second, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  741 

Ida  Nesbit;  Samuel,  a  shipping  clerk  in  Pittsburgh,  unmarried:  Aloniia, 
married  Joseph  Wilt,  a  farmer  of  Perr}-  county ;  Ella,  married  Thomas 
Kinslow,  a  Chicago  salesman;  Gertrude,  married  William  Kennedy,  a 
Chicago  plumber. 

(III)  Fred  F.  Sheaffer,  son  of  Daniel  and  Rebecca  (Sheibley) 
Sheaffer,  was  born  November  22,  1856,  in  Perry  county.  He  became 
a  merchant,  conducting  business  first  in  Perry  county  and  afterward 
in  Mifflin  county,  having  removed  to  McVeytown  in  the  year  1888; 
here  he  has  been  a  jeweler  ever  since  coming  to  the  place,  and  has  been 
very  successful  in  his  career,  having  first  been  associated  with  the 
firm  of  Sheibley  and  Sheaffer.  He  is  one  of  the  best  known  citizens 
and  merchants  of  this  city,  and  is  widely  respected,  not  only  in  his 
business  dealings  but  in  his  social  relations  as  well.  In  politics  Mr. 
Sheaffer  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  now  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  is  also  his  wife;  though  he  was  formerly 
a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  denomination.  He  has  been  twice 
married;  his  first  wife  was  a  Miss  Clara  Peck,  born  August  26,  1854,  in 
Perry  county,  the  marriage  taking  place  in  that  county  in  October, 
1875.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Phoebe  (Hench)  Peck,  both 
of  whom  were  born  in  Perry  county.  Mr.  Peck  was  a  farmer  and 
land  owner  in  the  county  and  a  very  prominent  man  in  the  place.  He 
was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church,  as  was  also 
his  wife,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Sheaffer;  for  he  was  twice  married. 
By  his  first  wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Hall,  he  had  four  children :  Floyd, 
Jerome,  Scott,  and  Coler.  By  his  marriage  to  Phoebe  Hench  he  had 
seven  children :  John  and  George,  who  remained  unmarried ;  Belle, 
married  James  Frantz;  Clara,  who  became  Mrs.  Sheaffer:  Anna,  mar- 
ried Ferd  Miller:  Jennie,  became  Mrs.  Aughe,  and  is  now  deceased; 
Alice,   died   unmarried   at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years. 

After  the  death  of  the  first  Mrs.  Sheaffer,  on  February  9,  1905,  Mr. 
Sheaffer  married  again,  his  second  wife  having  been  a  Miss  May 
Corkle  before  her  marriage.  By  his  first  wife  Mr.  Sheaffer  had  chil- 
dren:  Charles  E.,  of  further  mention;  May,  born  1879,  died  1910; 
Walter,  born  1891.  clerk  in  a  Pittsburgh  freight  office,  unmarried; 
Ralph,  born  1894,  a  graduate  of  McVeytown  High  School,  1913.  No 
issue  by  second  marriage. 

(IV)  Charles  E.  Sheaffer,  son  of  Fred  F.  and  Clara  (Peck)  Sheaf- 


742  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

fer,  was  born  December  22,  1876,  at  Ickesburg,  Perry  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. His  education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  the 
vicinity  until  his  graduation  at  high  school  in  1895,  when  he  at  once 
took  a  preparatory  course  at  private  school  and  was  admitted  to  Easton 
Optical  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1896.  He  became 
interested  in  insurance,  and  for  seven  years  has  been  the  general  insur- 
ance agent  for  McVeytown,  covering  both  life  and  fire  departments. 
To  this  branch  of  his  activities  has  been  united  his  mercantile  pursuits 
in  which  he  has  been  extremely  prosperous;  in  191 1  he  bought  out  the 
general  store  and  has  conducted  this  ever  since  with  continuing  success. 
His  influence  in  the  community  is  very  keenly  felt  and  he  has  been 
active  in  local  politics,  being  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  in 
whose  interests  he  has  been  borough  auditor  for  many  years.  Mr. 
Sheafifer  is  also  prominent  in  social  and  fraternal  affairs  in  the  bor- 
ough, being  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  of  McVeytown;  he  is 
secretary  of  Blue  Lodge,  No.  376,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and 
belongs  also  to  the  Redmen,  No.  349,  of  which  he  is  secretary,  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  No.  705,  and  to  the  Elks  of 
Lewistown,  No.  663.  He  stands  high  in  the  community  as  a  church- 
man, being  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  whose  Sunday 
school  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer. 

On  November  26,  1905,  Mr.  Sheaffer  was  married  to  Miss  Rilla 
Sides,  of  McVeytown,  daughter  of  Gottlieb  and  Eliza  Sides,  promi- 
nent residents  of  the  county  and  of  German  descent.  Mrs.  Sheaffer  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  her  husband  has 
been  an  active  and  efficient  worker.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheaffer  have  one 
daughter,  Eveline,  born  January  9,  1908. 

Mordecai  Gahagan,  deceased,  an  honored  soldier  of 
GAHAGAN     the  civil  war,  and  for  nearly  a  half-century  engaged 
i"  the  smithing  business  in  Huntingdon,  was  a  son  of 
Thomas  and  Salome  (Heckathorne)  Gahagan. 

Thomas  Gahagan  was  a  native  of  Huntingdon,  there  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  cultivated  his  farm,  and,  after  a  long  life  of 
usefulness,  died.  He  was  an  ardent  Democrat  and  both  he  and  his 
wife,  Salome  Heckathorne,  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church:  children:    William,  a  railroad  employee;  John,  a   farmer  of 


HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  743 

Shavers  Creek,  Pennsylvania;  Mordecai  (see  forward);  Jonathan,  a 
farmer  of  Newton  Hamilton,  Pennsylvania;  Ann,  married  James  Camp- 
field;  Lewis,  a  blacksmith,  now  living  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  re- 
tired; Adolph,  a  farmer;  James,  a  fanner;  Henry,  a  farmer,  now 
deceased. 

Mordecai  Gahagan  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania, 
June  26,  1836,  died  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania.  December  9,  1910. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Shavers  Creek,  Pennsylvania, 
and  on  arriving  at  suitable  age,  began  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade. 
He  became  an  expert  worker  in  iron  and  steel,  working  as  a  journey- 
man smith  until  1863,  when  he  established  his  own  shop  in  Hunting- 
don, continuing  there  in  successful  business  until  his  retirement  in 
1909,  just  one  year  prior  to  his  retiring  to  an  eternal  rest.  He  was  a 
soldier  of  the  civil  war,  serving  a  term  of  nine  months  in  the  125th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  was  engaged  at  the  battle  of 
Antietam  and  saw  much  actual  service  before  receiving  honorable  dis- 
charge at  the  end  of  his  term  of  service.  It  was  on  his  return  from  the 
war  in  1863  that  he  located  in  Huntingdon.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  ^Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  a  faithful,  earnest  follower  of  the 
teachings  of  that  church.  He  was  a  good  smith,  a  good  soldier  and  a 
good  citizen.  He  married,  in  1863,  Melissa,  born  June  19,  1842,  in 
Huntingdon  county,  daughter  of  Asel  and  Hannah  (Brumbaugh) 
Hight.  She  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  survives  her 
husband,  a  resident  of  Huntingdon.  She  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  church  and  is  highly  respected  in  her  community ;  child : 
Thomas,  born  October  7,  1864,  in  Huntingdon  county;  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Huntingdon.  He  is  a  mechanical  engineer  and 
for  the  past  twenty-five  years  has  been  employed  by  several  of  the 
large  contracting  firms.  He  was  for  eight  years  in  the  employ  of 
the  Warren  Webster  Vacuum  Company,  who  sent  him  on  important 
work  to  Appleton,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  three  years  before 
completing  the  operations  under  his  charge.  Since  1910  he  has  been 
in  the  employ  of  the  Day  &  Zimmerman  Company  at  Williamsburg, 
Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics:  his  family  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  married,  in  1886,  Anna,  daughter  of  Logan  and  Maria  Mar- 
tin— he  a  farmer.     Children:     i.   Irma,  born  in   1887,  married  Harry 


744  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Strickler,  a  traveling  salesman,  and  has  a  son,  Richard  Gahagan  Strick- 
ler.     ii.  Logan,  born  in  1S92,  died  aged  thirteen. 


Ralph  Barbin  Cassady,  of  Mt.  Union,  Pennsylvania, 
CASSADY     has  behind   him  an  honorable  line   of   Irish   ancestry. 

Like  so  many  of  that  hardy  and  independent  race  of 
people  who  have  joined  forces  with  the  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
they  have  assisted  materially  in  the  financial,  social  and  moral  upbuild- 
ing of  this  country. 

(I)  Thomas  Cassady,  the  grandfather  of  Ralph  Barbin  Cassady, 
was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  while  yet  a  young  man. 
He  first  engaged  in  lumbering  in  Pennsylvania  and  later  purchased 
land  on  which  he  farmed.  He  was  an  ardent  Republican  in  politics, 
supporting  the  ticket  on  all  occasions.  While  a  loyal  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  he  still  held  property  in  Ireland,  which  passed  to  his 
heirs  at  his  death.  He  was  the  parent  of  eleven  children,  among  them 
being  Charles,  a  dairyman  in  Pennsylvania,  and  Owen,  of  whom 
further. 

(II)  Owen  Cassady,  son  of  Thomas  Cassady,  the  Irish  emigrant, 
was  born  in  1859,  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  sent  to  Vermont  to  school, 
and  on  finishing  his  education  engaged  in  the  pedagogic  profession  in 
Canada  for  several  years.  He  then  turned  his  energies  toward  the 
mercantile  business  and  for  years  was  a  merchant  in  Canada.  Later 
he  came  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  established  himself  in  Mifflin  county. 
He  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  which  he  cultivated.  He 
extended  his  commercial  holdings  by  the  purchase  of  one-half  interest 
in  the  Lucy  Furnace,  an  estate  which  had  a  holding  of  three  hundred 
acres.  He  retired  from  active  business,  moving  to  Mt.  Union,  Mif- 
flin county,  where  he  is  a  man  of  prominence  and  influence.  He  is  a 
steward  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  one  of  its  most  valued 
members.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  was  elected  tax  collector  on  that 
ticket;  was  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  state  convention  from  Mif- 
flin county,  and  has  served  on  the  school  board  as  director.  He  mar- 
ried, in  1883,  Martha  J-  Barbin,  daughter  of  .A.lexander  and  Susan 
Barbin,  prominent  people  of  that  section,  where  he  was  the  owner  and 
successful  farmer  of  over  four  hundred  acres  of  fertile  land.  He  re- 
tired and  lived  at  Newton  Hamilton  until  his  death.     Children  of  Mr. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  745 

and  Mrs.  Cassady:  i.  Died  in  infancy.  2.  Twin  of  above,  died  in  in- 
fancy. 3.  Ralph  Barbin,  of  whom  further.  4.  Russel  J.,  died  in 
boyhood. 

(Ill)  Ralph  Barbin  Cassady,  son  of  Owen  and  Martha  J.  (Barbin) 
Cassady,  was  born  April  29,  1885,  at  Long  Hollow,  iMifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  at  Lucy  Furnace 
and  at  the  Mt.  Union  Academy,  later  matriculating  at  tlie  Juniata 
College  in  1904.  In  the  fall  of  1905  he  accepted  a  position  with  the 
Harbis  and  Walker  Brick  Company  as  chainman.  He  was  offered, 
and  accepted,  the  position  of  assistant  clerk  in  the  same  company,  and 
then  was  promoted  to  the  place  of  chief  clerk,  which  he  holds  to  the 
present  time  (1913).  He  is  one-third  owner  of  the  Bell,  Harrison  and 
Cassady  Company,  a  local  concern.  He  is  a  progressive  Republican, 
clerk  of  the  council,  is  largely  interested  in  all  matters  pertaining  to 
education  and  in  the  promotion  and  development  of  music. 

He  married,  in  1906,  Josephine  Galbraith  Miller,  daughter  of  An- 
drew and  Delia  J.  Miller,  of  Huntingdon  county,  influential  people  of 
that  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cassady  have  been  born  two  children, 
both  of  whom  are  dead. 


In  1756  there  were  living  in  Manheim  township,  Lan- 
MYERS  caster  county,  Pennsylvania,  Jacob.  Stephen.  Samuel  and 
Martin  Myre  or  Myer,  now  spelled  Myers.  Samuel  and 
Jacob  were  smiths  and  owned  one  hundred  acres  of  improved  land 
each.  Martin  and  Jacob  were  farmers,  owning  respectively  two  hun- 
dred and  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  Martin  had  at  this  time  a  saw 
and  a  grist  mill,  and  in  1786  owned  two  mills.  The  history  of  the 
family  is  closely  connected  with  that  of  the  village  of  Oregon,  in  I\Ian- 
heim  township,  where  Martin  sold  his  mill  in  1810,  but  retained  his 
farming  interest. 

(I)  Levi  Myers,  either  a  son  or  grandson  of  Martin  Myers,  was 
born  in  Manhejm  township,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  there 
grew  to  manhood,  married  and  lived  until  1868,  when  he  moved  to 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  stone 
mason  until  his  death,  excepting  one  period  of  five  years,  when  he  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  died  in  Chambersburg,  Franklin  county,  in  the 
spring  of  1894.     Both  he  and  his  wife,  Susan,  were  members  of  the 


746  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Reformed  church.  She  died  in  1880.  Children:  i.  John,  died  in 
childhood.  2.  Mary,  married  Joseph  Gabler,  died  in  November,  19 12. 
3.  Eliza,  married  Joseph  Strawbridge,  whom  she  survives,  a  resident 
of  Chambersburg;  child,  Elizabeth.     4.  David  K.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  David  K.,  youngest  son  of  Levi  and  Susan  Myers,  was  born 
in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  1850.  He  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Franklin  county  in  1868  and  there  learned  the  cabinet- 
maker's trade,  married  and  lived  for  many  years.  He  worked 
at  Orrstown  seven  years,  then  cultivated  a  farm  in  Franklin  county, 
six  years,  then  moved  to  Chambersburg,  where  he  entered  the  employ 
of  M.  C.  Stoner,  and  was  also  for  eleven  years  assistant  postmaster  of 
Chambersburg.  He  next  was  employed  by  the  Wolf  Company,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Hepta- 
sophs,  Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Alice  V.  Seiders, 
born  in  Shippensburg,  Pennsylvania,  about  185 1,  who  survives  him, 
still  residing  in  Chambersburg.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Margaret  Seiders,  who  were  married  in  Shippensburg,  where 
they  resided  until  their  removal  to  Chambersburg  about  1890. 
Later  they  returned  to  Shippensburg  where  Margaret  died  in 
1897.  Later  Samuel  Seiders  moved  to  Harrisburg  where  he  is 
spending  his  last  years  with  a  daughter.  He  was  a  prosperous 
merchant  of  the  two  towns,  Shippensburg  and  Chambersburg,  for 
many  years.  Ten  children:  i.  A  son,  died  in  infancy.  2.  Mamie, 
married  Amos  Hampshire  and  lived  in  Middle  Spring.  3.  Stewart, 
resides  in  Chambersburg.  4.  Alice  V.,  of  previous  mention,  widow  of 
David  K.  Myers.  5.  Macfarland,  now  living  in  Philadelphia.  6.  Belle, 
died  aged  about  thirty-two  years,  unmarried.  7.  Charles,  a  traveling 
printer,  last  heard  from  in  Tucson,  Arizona.  8.  John,  now  a  carpenter  of 
Chambersburg.  9.  Lou,  married  Dole  Rebuck,  and  resides  in  Harris- 
burg. 10.  William,  of  Chambersburg.  Children  of  David  K.  and 
Alice  V.  Myers:  i.  Harry  Benton,  of  whom  further.  2.  Mary,  re- 
sides with  her  mother  in  Chambersburg.  3.  Samuel,  a  draughtsman 
for  the  Wolf  Company;  married  Mina  John,  and  resides  in  Chambers- 
burg. 

(III)  Harry  Benton,  eldest  son  of  David  K.  and  Alice  V.  (Seiders) 
Myers,  was  born  at  Orrstown,   Franklin   county,   Pennsylvania,   Sep- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  747 

tember  i,  1872.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  finishing  his 
studies  in  Chambersburg  high  school.  He  began  business  life  as  clerk 
in  a  gentleman's  furnishing  store,  but,  deciding  upon  a  trade,  became  a 
molder  at  the  Taylor  Works,  continuing  until  1899,  when  he  moved 
to  Lewistown.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Standard  Steel 
Works  as  molder,  remaining  until  1909.  He  then  again  entered  mer- 
cantile life,  opening  a  stationery  store  at  No.  21  East  Market  street, 
Lewistown.  He  has  established  a  profitable  business  and  now  has  a 
well-stocked  modern  stationery  and  book  store  with  a  prosperous  pic- 
ture framing  department.  He  is  a  Progressive  in  politics,  and  both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Fraternally  he- 
is  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  married,  May  14,  1895, 
Cora  Bessor,  born  in  Chambersburg,  daughter  of  George  and  Emma 
Bessor.     No  issue. 


In  1682  James  Dougherty,  of  County  Cork,  Ire- 
DOUGHERTY     land,  landed  at  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  settled 

at  Salem.  He  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  did  a 
thriving  business  mending  the  torn  garments  of  the  bachelors  of  that 
town.  Tiring  of  the  sober  dress  of  the  inhabitants,  for  rigid  Puritanism 
was  at  that  time  at  its  height,  and  also  of  the  social  laws  and  customs 
of  the  Province  of  Massachusetts,  he  sought  new  pastures  in  which  to 
ply  his  vocation.  He  went  to  New  York  by  sailing  vessel,  landing  at 
the  spot  that  is  now  known  as  Battery  Park.  Here  he  married  the 
daughter  of  an  English  emigrant  and  he  established  himself  as  a  tailor. 
For  many  years  he  prospered  greatly  and  Master  Dougherty  was  in 
great  demand  by  the  beaux  of  the  day  who  wished  the  latest  London 
cut  to  their  clothes.  He  reared  a  large  family,  the  greater  portion  of 
whom  left  New  York  and  wandered  far  afield  into  other  colonies.  A 
son,  James,  like  his  father  a  tailor,  located  in  Philadelphia.  Among 
his  descendants  was  John,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  John  Dougherty,  son  of  James  Dougherty,  was  born  about 
1740,  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  a  soldier  during  the  war  of  the  revo- 
lution, enlisting  from  Philadelphia.  Among  his  children  was  Edward, 
of  whom  further. 

(III)  Edward  Dougherty,  son  of  John  Dougherty,  was  probably 
born  in   1770.     He  followed  the  family  occupation  and  was  a  tailor 


748  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

by  trade.  He  married  Margaret  Stackpole,  whose  father  most  prob- 
ably came  direct  from  Ireland  to  Philadelphia  as  there  is  a  record  that 
Isaac  Stackpole  landed  in  that  town  in  1780.  Children  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dougherty:  i.  Rosanna.  2.  Margaret.  3.  Nancy.  4.  Barbara. 
5.  John,  of  whom  further.    6.  James,  a  merchant  tailor. 

(IV)  John  Dougherty,  son  of  Edward  and  Margaret  (Stackpole) 
Dougherty,  was  born  July  25,  1803,  at  McVeytown,  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  educated  in  a  school  of  Lewistown  presided 
over  by  his  mother,  also  assisted  by  his  father,  and  on  reaching  his 
majority  he  entered  the  mercantile  business,  continuing  in  that  line  of 
endeavor  for  some  time.  Later  he  engaged  in  construction  work  on 
the  Allegheny  Portage  railroad.  He  was  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind 
and  among  his  notable  inventions  was  the  section  boat,  one  of  the 
most  useful  that  transportation  men  had  had  up  to  that  time.  He 
became  interested  in  transportation  between  Philadelphia  and  Pitts- 
burgh, during  which  time  he  moved  to  the  former  place  and  took  up  his 
abode,  remaining  in  that  city  for  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of 
that  time  he  moved  back  to  Hollidaysburg,  where  he  became  interested 
in  the  Democratic  Standard,  a  newspaper  of  the  town,  which  he  edited 
with  notable  success.  Later  he  purchased  a  farm  at  Blair  Station,  and 
yet  later  bought  and  operated  Blair's  Furnace.  Seeing  the  possibilities 
of  that  section,  in  conjunction  with  George  W.  Spear,  he  laid  out 
the  town  of  Mt.  Union,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  Adams  Ex- 
press Company  as  one  of  its  organizers,  and  also  dealt  in  lumber  and 
coal.  He  married,  February  15,  1829,  Catherine  McElhenney,  born 
August  5,  1810,  daughter  of  James  and  Jane  McElhenney.  Children: 
I.  Margaret,  born  in  1830.  2.  Edward  James,  born  November  21, 
1831.  3.  Mary  Felicitus,  born  October  13,  1833.  4.  Theodore,  born  in 
1836.  5.  Eugene,  bom  about  1838.  6.  Victor  V.,  born  March  4,  1841. 
7.  Victoria  E.  Marie,  of  whom  further.  8.  Gerald  J.,  born  April  5, 
1847.     Mr.  Dougherty  died  November  12,  1886. 

(V)  Victoria  E.  Marie  Dougherty,  daughter  of  John  and  Cath- 
erine (McElhenney)  Dougherty,  was  born  May  6,  1843,  at  Hollidays- 
burg, Blair  county,  Pennsylvania.  She  was  educated  in  the  public 
school  of  Mt.  Union,  where  the  family  lived  after  it  had  been  plotted 
by  John  Dougherty.  Quitting  school  in  Mt.  Union  Miss  Dougherty 
was   a  student   at   the    famous    St.   Joseph's   Academy,    in    Maryland. 


J^^v^  b 


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jTHENl.  .  ■^' 

IpUBUC  UBRaRY 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  749 

Leaving  school  she  returned  home  and  was  her  mother's  comfort  and 
assistant  until  the  death  of  both  parents.  She  remained  unmarried, 
and  now  makes  her  home  in  Mt.  Union,  where  she  is  highly  esteemed 
for  her  many  sterling  qualities,  gentle  manner  and  kindness  of  heart. 
She  is  one  of  the  best  known  figures  in  Mt.  Union,  where  she  has 
virtually  passed  her  life. 

James  McElhenney,  the  maternal  grandparent  of  Miss  Victoria  E. 
Marie  Dougherty,  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  this  country  while 
yet  a  lad  in  search  of  the  golden  opportunity  that  eluded  him  in  his 
native  land.  He  was  successful  almost  immediately  on  reacliing  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  located  in  the  Juniata  valley.  He  married  Jane 
Bevins,  who  was  born  in  Maryland.  He  was  appointed  esquire  by  the 
government,  which  position  he  filled  for  many  years  acceptably  to  his 
neighbors.  They  were  both  Catholics  and  reared  their  children  in  that 
faith.  Children:  i.  James.  2.  Jane.  3.  Anne.  4.  Ellen.  5.  Mar- 
garet. 6.  William.  7.  John.  8.  Mary.  9.  Catherine,  married  John 
Dougherty  (see  Dougherty  IV).  10.  Matilda.  11.  Melinda.  12. 
Died  in  infancy.     13.  Died  in  infancy.     14.  Died  in  infancy. 


The  grandfather  of  John  D.  Shull,  was  Simon  Shull,  a 
SHL'LL     farmer,    residing    near    New     Bloomfield,     Pennsylvania, 

where  he  died  leaving  issue,  including  a  son,  David. 
(II)  David,  son  of  Simon  Shull  was  born  at  the  paternal  farm, 
located  four  miles  west  of  New  Bloomfield,  Pennsylvania,  February  i, 
1835,  died  in  Marysville,  Pennsylvania,  December  12,  191 1.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  that  district  and  worked  on  the  farm,  later 
learning  the  carpenter's  trade.  After  his  marriage  he  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Fishing  Creek  Valley,  later  moving  to  Marysville,  where  he  followed 
his  trade.  Some  years  later  he  again  engaged  in  farming  at  Allen's 
Cove,  returning  to  Marysville  in  August,  1900.  Pie  there  established 
a  bakery,  which  he  successfully  conducted  until  his  death.  He  was  a 
man  of  industry,  ambition  and  thrift;  his  fre<|uent  removals  always 
being  in  the  line  of  better  opportunities  for  himself  and  family.  Pie 
was  an  ardent  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  He  married,  May  15,  i860,  Leah  Yohey,  born  October 
13,  1839,  at  Rosstown,  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  George" 
L.  and  Nancy  (Brown)  Yohey,  who  settled  in  Perry  county  when  Leah 


750  HISTORY   OF  THE  JUNIATA   VALLEY 

was  yet  a  child.  She  resided  there  until  her  marriage,  May  15,  i860, 
at  Marklesville,  Pennsylvania,  by  Rev.  Samuel  Kuhn  of  the  Reformed 
church,  of  which  she  also  was  a  member.  Children  of  David  and  Leah 
Shull:  I.  Clara  Parmelia,  married  Harry  E.  Keel  and  resides  in 
Marysville.  2.  Emma  Lydoma,  married  Charles  W.  Glass  and  resides 
in  Duncannon,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Omia  Elizabeth,  died  in  infancy.  4. 
Annie  Laurie,  died  in  infancy.  5.  Carrie  Eleanora,  married  Joseph 
Fenicle  and  resides  near  Duncannon.  6.  Grace  Minerva,  married  Roy 
Mutzabaugh  and  resides  at  Waynesboro,  Pennsylvania.  7.  Elsie  Eva- 
lina,  married  Charles  Fenstermacher  and  resides  at  Duncannon.  8. 
Brinton  McClellan,  married  Carrie  Fenstermacher  and  resides  in  Le- 
highton,  Pennsylvania.  9.  Matilda  Mary,  married  Weston  J.  Ellenber- 
ger  and  resides  in  Hollidaysburg.  10.  Sarah  Catherine,  married  Charles 
F.  Yingst  and  resides  in  Pembroke,  Pennsylvania.  11.  Nancy  Alberta, 
married  George  F.  Albright  and  resides  in  Marysville.  12.  John  D.,  of 
whom  further. 

(Ill)  John  Dolan,  youngest  child  of  David  and  Leah  (Yohey) 
Shull,  was  born  at  Marysville,  Pennsylvania,  August  19,  1885.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  school  at  Allen's  Cove  and  after  the  return  to 
Marysville  worked  in  the  bakery  established  by  his  father  and,  under 
the  direction  of  a  skilled  baker,  was  taught  that  trade.  He  gained 
both  knowledge  and  experience  in  the  art  of  baking,  also  in  the  method 
of  conducting  business,  being  able  at  his  father's  death  to  succeed  him 
and  continue  to  carry  on  the  business  already  established  and  profit- 
able. 

He  purchased  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs  and  after  becoming  sole 
owner,  made  improvements  and  extended  his  operations  until 
now  he  covers  with  his  wagons  the  town  and  country  as  far  as 
Allen's  Cove.  Mr.  Shull  is  an  enterprising,  progressive  business 
man  and  citizen,  held  in  high  esteem  in  his  town.  He  is  treasurer 
of  the  board  of  trade  and  in  191 1  was  elected  member  of  the  town 
council  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  tlir  Tn(le|)cndent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Patriotic  Order 
Sons  of  America.  He  married.  October  18,  1910,  Mabel  May  White, 
born  in  Marysville,  daughter  of  Samuel  T.  and  Sarah  Ellen  (Brighton) 
White. 

The  Whites  came  from  Berks  to  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  later 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JL'NIATA    VALLEY  751 

to  Marysville,  Pennsylvania,  where  the  parents  of  Samuel  T.  White  died. 
His  father  was  an  iron  worker  and  left  Berks  county  at  the  time  Cove 
Forge  was  established  in  Perry  county. 

Samuel  T.  White  was  born  in  Berks  county,  came  to  Perry  county, 
when  a  boy  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  an  iron  worker.  Later  he 
moved  to  Marysville  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Seidel  Brothers 
and  so  continues.  He  married  Sarah  Ellen  Brighton  in  Duncannon, 
settled  at  Cove  Forge,  which  was  their  home  until  the  removal  to 
Marysville.  Children:  i.  James  Edward,  of  whom  further.  2.  Naomi, 
married  Howard  Seitz  and  moved  to  Baltimore,  Maryland.  3.  Mary, 
married  Milton  Arnold  and  resides  in  Lemoyne,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Ma- 
bel M.,  married  John  D.  Shull,  of  previous  mention.  5.  Austin  A. 
6.  Anna  R.    7.  Esther.     8.  Percy. 

James  Edward  White  was  born  at  Cove  Forge,  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  8,  1879.  He  was  educated  in  Marysville  pub- 
lic school,  but  at  the  age  of  twelve  became  clerk  in  the  grocery  of 
J.  S.  Bitner,  continuing  with  him  twelve  years,  gaining  a  practical  edu- 
cation and  valuable  business  experience.  In  1903,  being  then  twenty- 
four  years  of  age,  he  purchased  the  Adams  general  store  in  the  Morley 
Building,  Marysville,  and  for  five  years  conducted  a  successful  business 
at  that  location.  He  then  purchased  the  E.  W.  Wise  property  opposite 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad  station,  including  a  store  room,  lodge  room 
and  dwelling.  To  this  location  he  moved  his  business  and  there  he  con- 
tinues, one  of  the  substantial,  successful  business  men  of  his  town. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  in  politics  Mr.  White  is  a  Republican.  He  married,  April  6,  1907, 
Sarah  Hippie,  born  in  Dry  township,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Freed)  Hippie,  he  born  in  Perry,  his  wife  in  York  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

After  their  marriage  John  and  Mary  Hippie  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Dry  township,  where  he  died  in  1903,  his  wife  in  1912.  He  was  a 
veteran  of  the  civil  war  and  both  belonged  to  the  Evangelical  church. 
Mary  Freed  Hippie  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane  Freed  of  York 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Children :  Cora  May;  Arbie  E.,  deceased  ;  Sarah, 
wife  of  James  Edward  White :  Nettie  Jane ;  Walter  J. ;  and  Richard  B. 
Children  of  James  E.  and  Sarah  White :  Paul  Edward,  born  June  9, 
1908;  Josephine  Lillian,  December  i,  191 1. 


752  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Milton  W.  Derrick,  pro- 
DERRICK     prietor  of  the  Laird  Hotel  at  Duncannon,  Pennsylvania, 

were  Gustav  and  Katherine  (Johnson)  Derrick,  resi- 
dents of  Columbia,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  Gustav  Derrick, 
of  German  parentage,  was  a  farmer  of  Lancaster  county  all  his  active 
life,  but  after  his  retirement,  moved  to  Columbia,  where  both  he  and 
his  wife  died.  He  was  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican, ,  and  both  were 
members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  Their  only  son  was  Rich- 
ard J.,  of  further  mention. 

(II)  Richard  J.,  only  son  of  Gustav  and  Katherine  (Johnson)  Der- 
rick, was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew  to 
manhood.  He  was  a  farmer  during  his  early  life,  but  later  became  a 
hotel  proprietor,  having  managed  hotels  in  Herrville  and  Lancaster 
for  the  past  eighteen  years.  Since  191 1  he  has  kept  the  hotel  at 
Herrville,  Lancaster  county.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  Knights  of  Pythias : 
Knights  of  Malta;  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle  and  the  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men.  He  married  Anna  Gochenaur,  daughter  of  a  Ger- 
man farmer  of  Province  township,  Lancaster  county.  She  had  brothers, 
Alonzo  and  Abner.  the  latter  deceased;  also  two  sisters,  Ada  and 
Lottie. 

(III)  Milton  W.,  only  son  of  Richard  J.  and  Anna  (Gochenaur) 
Derrick,  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  January  21,  1881.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Columbia,  Pennsylvania,  and  has 
spent  his  entire  adult  life  in  the  hotel  business.  In  1903  he  rented  the 
Laird  Hotel  at  Duncannon  and  in  1905  purchased  the  same  property  and 
continues  in  its  management.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  be- 
longs to  the  Knights  of  Pythias;  Knights  of  Malta;  Improved  Order 
of  Red  Men  and  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America. 

He  married,  in  1902,  Luta,  daughter  of  John  Mylin,  of  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania.     Children :     Catherine,  John,  Anna,  Richard. 


The  first  record  of  the  Loy  family  in  the  Juniata  Valley  is 

LOY     found   in  Tyrone  township,    Perry  county,   where,    in    1788, 

Michael  Loy,  a  German  emigrant,  purchased  one  hundred  and 

twenty  acres  taken  up  by  John  Sharp  two  years  previous.     On  this 

tract  the   village   of   Loysville    is   built,   named    in    1842    in   honor   of 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  753 

Michael  Loy.  In  the  same  year,  1788,  Michael  Loy  built  the  dwelling 
house  and  lived  on  his  property  until  his  death  in  1815.  He  left  eleven 
children:  George;  Nicholas,  of  whom  further;  John,  moved  to  Ohio; 
Michael,  purchased  the  homestead  and  resided  thereon  until  his  death; 
Mary,  married  Abram  Ritter  and  settled  near  Elliotts  Run;  Catherine, 
married  John  Bernheisel  and  settled  near  Green  Park ;  Eve,  married 
Adam  Bernheisel  and  moved  west;  Margaret,  married  a  Lippert  and 
settled  in  Cumberland  county;  Susan,  married  Nicholas  Ickes  and  lived 
in  Ickesburg;  Elizabeth,  married  John  Kepner  of  Juniata  county;  Bar- 
bara, married  a  Lupfer  of  Bloomfield. 

(II)  Nicholas,  son  of  Michael  Loy,  settled  first  in  Saville  town- 
ship on  two  hundred  acres  of  land  which  he  sold,  with  a  saw  mill,  to 
George  Loy,  April  25,  1826.  Nicholas  Loy  in  1820  was  assessed  on 
three  hundred  acres  in  Toboyne  township,  but  does  not  appear  to  have 
lived  there.  After  1826  he  moved  to  Centre  township,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death.  He  had  by  a  first  wife  seven  children — four  sons, 
three  daughters :  John,  one  of  the  owners  of  Hench's  tannery ;  Samuel, 
moved  to  Kansas ;  Jacob,  settled  in  the  west ;  William,  settled  in  Clear- 
field county;  his  three  daughters  married  William  West,  Jacob  Stroop 
and  John  Titzel.  By  a  second  wife  Nicholas  Loy  has  two  sons: 
Captain  Andrew,  and  George  M.,  a  landowner  of  Madison  town- 
ship. 

(III)  Captain  Andrew  Loy,  son  of  Nicholas  Loy  and  his  second 
wife,  was  born  in  Loysville,  Tyrone  township.  Perry  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Later  he  became  a  landowner  of  Madison  township.  He  mar- 
ried (first)  a  daughter  of  John  Wormley,  (second)  Ann  Eliza  Linn, 
who  died  in  iqii,  a  granddaughter  of  Rev.  John  Linn,  identified  with 
the  early  church  history  of  Centre  township,  Perry  county.  After  his 
marriage  he  bought  out  the  heirs  and  became  owner  of  the  homestead,  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres.  He  remodeled  the  brick  house  that  stood 
thereon,  which  is  still  in  use  as  a  residence.  He  erected  a  new  barn 
and  generally  put  the  old  farm  in  good  condition.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Centre  Presbyterian  Church,  which  Cap- 
tain Andrew  served  as  trustee  for  thirty  years.  He  was  an  Independent 
in  politics,  voting  for  the  man  rather  than  the  party.  He  served  as 
school  director  and  road  supervisor,  but  devoted  himself  largely  to  his 
private  affairs.  Children  of  Andrew  Loy.  by  his  second  wife:  i.  An- 
drew Linn,  now  residing  at  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  a  representative  of 


754  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNL\TA    VALLEY 

the  Armour  Company.  2.  William  Gettys,  of  whom  further.  3. 
James,  now  living  in  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
the  Indian  Rug  Company.  4.  May,  married  James  R.  Wilson,  cashier 
of  the  bank  of  Landisburg.  5.  Edwin  R.,  now  residing  on  the  old 
homestead. 

(IV)  William  Gettys,  son  of  Captain  Andrew  and  Ann  Eliza 
(Linn)  Loy,  was  born  near  Centre  Church  in  Madison  township, 
Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1863.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  grew  to  youthful  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  his 
father's  assistant. 

In  1880  Mr.  Loy  entered  the  office  of  the  Bloomfield  Ad- 
vocate, as  printer's  "devil,"  remaining  two  years,  gaining  a  good  knowl- 
edge of  the  printer's  craft.  He  then  went  west  and  finished  his  ap- 
prenticeship in  the  office  of  the  Transcript  Publication  Company,  Spring- 
field, Ohio.  In  accordance  with  printer's  traditions  he  then  went  "on 
the  road"  and  during  the  next  eighteen  years  worked  on  about  every 
metropolitan  newspaper  in  the  United  States  published  between  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts,  and  Portland,  Oregon,  north  or  south.  About 
the  year  1900  he  returned  to  the  Juniata  valley  and  in  partnership  with 
his  brother,  Edwin  R.  Loy,  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  with 
headquarters  at  Loysville  until  1905  when  they  transferred  to  New- 
port, their  present  office  headquarters.  The  firm  manufacture  ties  and 
lumber  used  in  railroad  construction,  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany being  one  of  the  largest  customers ;  they  also  handle  building 
lumber  and  supplies.  They  keep  about  twenty  men  constantly  em- 
ployed, operating  two  saw  mills  in  Perry  county,  also  handling  the 
product  of  several  other  mills.  The  firm  is  a  prosperous  one,  both 
brothers  being  men  of  fine  business  ability  and  experience.  William  G. 
Loy  is  a  Democrat  in  politics;  since  191 1  has  been  a  member  of  New- 
port school  board  and  in  19 13  was  chosen  president  of  the  board.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle;  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Patriotic  Order  ^ons  of  America.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  married  Olive  Zimmerman,  born  in  Ickesburg,  Perry  county. 
daughter  of  Thaddeus  and  Lucinda  (Baker)  Zimmerman,  of  an  old 
valley  family.  Children:  Anna  Lucinda,  Andrew  Zimmerman.  Thomas 
Linn.     The  family  residence  is  also  at  Newport. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JL'XIATA    VALLEY 


755 


The  Wentzells  came  to  Perry  from  Xorthuinberland 
WENTZELL     county,    Pennsylvania,    where   both   the    father   and 
grandfather    of    Chnton    Hill    Wentzell    were   born. 
The  rise  of  Mr.  Wentzell  from  the  bound  boy  of  six  years,  to  the  suc- 
cessful lumberman  of  to-day  is  a  striking  example  of  what  an  ambi- 
tious boy  and  a  resolute  man  can  accomplish. 

(I)   Daniel,  son  of  Wentzell,  was  born  in  Xorthumberland 

county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  About  1855  he 
settled  in  Perry  county  at  Elliottsburg,  where  for  a  time  he  followed 
his  trade  of  stonemason.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  at  Duncannon 
and  Blain,  in  the  same  county,  continuing  until  the  death  of  his  wife, 
whom  he  survived  two  years,  making  his  home  with  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Lucinda  Garber.  Both  Daniel  Wentzell  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Catherine  Campbell.  Chil- 
dren :  Harriet,  died  aged  twenty-six  years ;  David,  of  whom  further ; 
Lucinda,  married  George  Garber  and  resides  in  Blain;  Caroline,  died 
aged  twenty-one  years ;  Sinary,  a  veteran  of  the  8th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  now  a  farmer  of  the  state  of  Iowa;  Mary,  married 
Abraham  Bristline,  both  deceased ;  Ira,  died  in  Bellewood,  Pennsylvania, 
a  merchant;  Dennis,  now  a  farmer;  Sarah,  married  Jacob  Loy  and  re- 
sides in  Andersonburg ;  Luther,  now  living  retired  in  Harri.sl)urg, 
Pennsylvania ;  Martha  Matilda,  married  George  Barclay  and  resides 
in  Center,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania;  Anna,  married  Elmer  Lighter 
and  resides  at  Oakdale,  Pennsylvania. 

(II)  David,  son  of  Daniel  Wentzell,  was  born  in  Xorthumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  September  10,  1839.  He  was  a  lad  of  about 
sixteen  years  when  his  parents  moved  to  Perry  county,  where  his 
after  life  was  spent  engaged  in  farming  and  merchandising.  He  set- 
tled at  Blain,  where  for  two  years  he  cultivated  a  farm  nearliy,  then 
establishing  in  general  merchandise  business  in  Blain.  He  was  a  suc- 
cessful merchant,  remaining  in  active  business  until  his  death  in  1876. 
He  was  a  Republican;  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  both  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  church. 
He  married  (first)  Susan  Loy,  who  bore  him:  Luther  Melancthon, 
now  living  in  Blain;  Ida,  married  John  Bristline,  residing  in  Blain  and 
Orlando,  a  farmer  near  Duncannon.  He  married  (second)  Catherine, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Alice  (Stewart)  Rice,  and  granddaughter  of 
George  and  Catherine  Rice.     The  maternal  grandparents  of  Catherine 


756  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Rice  were  William  (3)  and  Margaret  (Copeland)  Stewart.  The 
Stewarts  came  from  Scotland  in  early  Colonial  days — three  brothers, 
William,  James  and  John,  being  the  emigrants.  This  first  William 
had  a  son  William  (2)  Stewart,  who  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  in  the 
Tuscarora  valley,  where  he  met  his  death  at  the  hands  of  the  Indians. 
His  son,  Hiram  P.  Stewart,  married  in  the  Tuscarora  valley,  in  1778, 
Alice  Graham,  who  bore  him  ten  children,  the  eldest  being  William 
(3)   Stewart  who  married  Margaret  Copeland. 

Benjamin  Rice  was  born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  as  was  his 
wife,  Alice  Stewart.  After  his  marriage  he  moved  to  Perry  county, 
settling  in  Madison  township,  where  he  owned  and  cultivated  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  In  his  old  age  he  returned  to  Juniata- 
county,  where  he  died.  He  was  an  elder  of  the  Lutheran  church;  his 
wife  also  being  a  member  of  that  church.  Children:  Margaret,  mar- 
ried John  Briner;  George,  a  farmer;  William,  a  farmer  and  a  soldier 
of  the  civil  war,  running  away  from  home  to  enlist  when  but  sixteen 
years  of  age;  Benjamin;  Emeretta,  married  William  B.  Gutshall,  a 
former  commissioner  of  Perry,  now  residing  in  Blain;  Catherine,  mar- 
ried David  Wentzell,  of  previous  mention;  David,  a  hotel  proprietor  at 
Ickesburg;  Ellen,  never  married. 

Children  of  David  and  Catherine  Wentzell :  Clinton  Hill,  of  whom 
further;  Nellie,  married  Howard  Kline  and  resides  in  Lewistown, 
Pennsylvania;  Capitola,  residing  in  Blain. 

(Ill)  Clinton  Hill,  only  son  of  David  Wentzell  and  his  second  wife 
Catherine  Rice,  was  born  in  Blain,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  Febru- 
ary 12,  1872.  At  the  age  of  six  years  he  was  indentured,  serving 
until  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  started  life  for  himself.  From 
fifteen  to  eighteen  years  of  age  he  worked  on  a  farm,  receiving  as 
wages  his  board  and  seven  dollars  cash  monthly.  At  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen years  he  associated  in  the  lumber  business  with  his  half-brother, 
Luther  M.  Wentzell.  The  brothers  operated  a  single  mill,  two  miles 
southeast  of  Blain,  continuing  one  year  when  they  sold  their  plant  to 
an  uncle,  Abraham  Bristline.  The  partners  continued  in  the  same  busi- 
ness at  another  point,  but  at  the  end  of  two  years  Clinton  H.  sold  his 
interest  to  Luther  M.  Wentzell  and  for  the  next  eight  years  engaged 
in  farming  in  Perry  county.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  E.  K. 
Weaver  and  for  two  years  again  engaged  in  lumbering,  operating  mills 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  757 

in  Jackson  and  Madison  townships.     He  then  purchased  Mr.  Weaver's 

interests  and  operated  alone  for  one  year.  He  then  admitted  his  pres- 
ent partner,  W.  Frank  Stambaugh,  forming  the  lirm  of  W'entzell  & 
Stambaugh.  They  are  successful  lumber  manufacturers  and  dealers, 
owning  two  saw  mills  in  Madison  township  and  a  planing  mill  at 
Blain.  They  manufacture  from  the  log  and  handle  all  kinds  and  sizes 
of  pine  and  oak  lumber,  using  the  product  of  four  other  mills  in  addi- 
tion to  their  own.  At  the  planing  mill  a  line  of  carpenters'  supplies 
is  manufactured  and  a  general  planing  mill  business  transacted.  Tiieir 
products  go  by  Pennsylvania  railroad  to  many  distant  points,  a  large 
share  being  consumed  by  the  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company  (1913). 
Mr.  Wentzell  is  an  energetic,  modern  business  man  and  reviews  with 
satisfaction  his  rise  from  the  humble  boy  to  a  successful  man  of  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  director  of  the  local  cemetery  company  and  has  other 
business  interests.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  as 
school  director  and  borough  councilman.  He  belongs  to  the  Junior 
Order  of  American  Mechanics ;  The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows; the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Mr.    Wentzell   married,   December  23,    1893,    Mary   Ellen   McKee, 
daughter  of  David  and  Eve  (Smith)   McKee,  of  Blain. 


The  Taylors  of  this  record  are  of  Scotch  descent,  their 
TAYLOR     earliest  known  ancestor,  Matthew  Taylor,  being  burned  at 

the  stake  in  Scotland  for  his  religious  beliefs,  which  he 
would  not  surrender  nor  deny.  He  left  a  son  Matthew  (2)  Taylor, 
who  fled  from  Scotland  to  Ireland,  where  he  fought  under  the  flag  of 
W^illiam  of  Orange  at  the  battle  of  the  Boyne.  He  died  in  England. 
He  left  a  son  Matthew  (3)  Taylor,  born  in  England,  who  is  the  founder 
of  this  branch  of  the  Taylor  family  of  Pennsylvania.  He  settled  near 
Coatesville,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died,  leaving  a  son, 
Matthew    (4). 

(IV)  Matthew  (4)  Taylor  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith  and  after  the  year  18 12  settled 
in  Dublin  township,  Huntingdon  county.  Pennsylvania.  He  there 
erected  a  home  and  shop  in  which  he  followed  his  trade.  He  also  owned 
a  farm  which  he  cultivated.     He  married  Elizabeth  Rebecca  Ander- 


758  HISTORY   OF  THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

son  and  reared  a  large  family.     Both  were  members  of  the   Presby- 
terian church. 

(V)  George,  son  of  Matthew  (4)  and  Elizabeth  (Anderson)  Tay- 
lor, was  born  in  Oxford,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  24, 
1812.  He  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of 
age,  but  only  during  the  winter  months.  He  never  studied  grammar 
while  in  school — in  fact,  after  he  was  thirteen  never  was  a  student  in 
any  school.  Nevertheless,  by  self  study  he  became  a  well  educated 
man.  He  was  expecting  to  follow  his  father's  trade  of  blacksmith,  but 
while  at  work  in  the  shop  one  day  a  tlying  piece  of  iron  struck  him 
in  the  eye,  resulting  in  a  complete  loss  of  sight  of  that  eye.  He  then 
began  his  course  of  self  study  in  order  to  have  a  means  of  livelihood 
other  than  so  dangerous  a  trade.  During  his  earlier  life  he  taught 
school  for  many  years  in  Dublin  township  and  in  Trough  Creek  valley 
in  Huntingdon  county.  During  these  years  he  availed  himself  of 
every  means  of  study  or  improvement  possible  and  added  greatly  to 
his  stock  of  knowledge.  He  was  thirteen  j-ears  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Dublin  township  in  1825,  and  nine  years  later  he  had  so 
improved  the  time  between  his  hours  of  toil  on  the  farm  and  in  the 
school  room  that  a  profession  seemed  within  his  reach.  He  decided 
upon  law  as  that  profession,  an  ambition  developed  during  his  em- 
ployment in  the  office  of  David  R.  Porter,  then  prothonotary  of  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  later  governor  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1834,  being  then 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Gen. 
A.  P.  Wilson,  then  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  Huntingdon  bar. 
After  two  years  of  hard  study  Mr.  Taylor  passed  the  required  exam- 
ination and  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  Huntingdon  county  bar, 
April  12,  1836.  He  at  once  began  practice  in  Huntingdon,  forming  a 
partnership  with  John  G.  Miles  and  practicing  as  junior  member  of  the 
law  firm.  Miles  &  Taylor.  In  1840  he  was  chosen  by  the  state  to 
assist  in  the  prosecution  of  Robert  jMcConahay,  on  trial  for  the  murder 
of  six  of  his  relatives.  Mr.  Taylor  threw  his  whole  vigor  into  this 
case;  traced  it  through  all  its  windings;  gathered  and  presented  his  facts 
in  so  clear,  logical  and  forcible  a  manner  that,  although  the  evidence 
was  purely  circumstantial,  it  was  so  convincing  that  the  jury  rendered 
a  verdict  of  "guilty."  The  argument  of  this  case  before  the  jury 
brought  Mr.  Taylor  deserved  reputation,   and  later,   in  a  three-hours' 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  759 

speech  in  the  prosecution  of  the  Flanagan  murder  case  in  Cambria 
county,  in  behalf  of  the  state,  that  was  considered  as  powerful  as  his 
argument  in  the  McConahay  case.  He  had  indeed  won  an  enviable 
reputation  as  a  lawyer  and,  in  1849,  when  the  act  of  that  year  was 
passed  increasing  the  number  of  judicial  districts  of  the  state,  he  was 
recommended  almost  unanimously  by  the  bar  of  Huntingdon,  Cambria 
and  Blair  counties  for  the  president  judgeship  of  the  newly  created 
twenty-fourth  district.  In  April,  1849,  Governor  Johnson  conferred 
upon  him  the  appointment,  which  was  unanimously  confirmed  by  the 
senate.  He  served  under  this  appointment  until  185 1,  when  he  was 
nominated  for  the  same  position  by  the  Whig  party.  He  was  elected 
the  following  October  and  served  the  full  term  of  ten  years.  In  1861 
he  had  so  firmly  intrenched  himself  in  the  good  will  and  respect  of  the 
bar  of  the  district  that,  irrespective  of  party,  they  asked  him  to  be  a 
candidate  for  reelection.  He  was  again  elected  and  on  October  24, 
1871,  while  charging  a  jury  in  Blair  county,  he  was  stricken  with  paraly- 
sis, and  died  two  weeks  later,  November  14,  1871.  He  was  aged  fifty- 
eight  years;  had  been  a  member  of  the  bar  thirty-five  years  and  for 
twenty-two  years  president  judge  of  the  twenty-fourth  judicial  dis- 
trict. No  more  able  exponent  of  the  law,  nor  a  more  just  judge  ever 
graced  the  bench  of  the  district.  When  his  early  disadvantages  are  con- 
sidered, the  fact  becomes  plain  that  his  success  in  life  was  entirely  due 
to  his  own  courage,  ambition  and  determination  to  make  a  name  for 
himself.  Few  men  accomplish  more,  even  with  the  advantages  of  a 
college  education  and  influential  friends. 

It  is  related  of  him  that  during  a  term  as  treasurer  of  Huntingdon 
county,  1843  to  1845,  he  gave  up  his  idea  of  the  law,  retired  from  the 
firm  of  Miles  &  Taylor  and  began  preparing  himself  for  the  ministry 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  During  these  two  years  as  county  treasurer 
he  made  such  progress  in  the  study  of  Greek  as  to  read  the  New  Testa- 
ment in  the  original.  But  he  returned  to  the  law  and  therein  made  a 
lasting  name.  In  the  preparation  of  his  papers  he  was  most  scrupu- 
lously exact,  orthography,  punctuation  and  penmanship  faultless,  and 
every  word  carefully  selected.  All  his  writings  were  executed  with  the 
same  care  as  if  they  were  for  the  public  eye.  While  a  law  student  he 
edited  a  newspaper  for  a  time  and  there  acquired  a  careful  style  of 
writing,  but  the  mainspring  of  all  he  did  was  the  good  old  maxim, 


76o  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

which  in  youth  he  adopted  as  his  own,  "What  is  worth  doing  at  all  is 
worth  doing  well."  During  his  thirteen  years  at  the  bar  as  a  practi- 
tioner he  was  but  a  new  comer  in  a  bar  of  great  ability — men  of  char- 
acter and  experience;  some  in  the  prime  of  life;  some  in  the  zenith  of 
their  fame,  so  the  young  man  had  a  hard  struggle  and  barely  was  able 
to  support  his  family.  But  when  a  judge  was  to  be  selected  from  among 
their  number,  they  unanimously  selected  the  young  man  whose  talents 
they  had  learned  to  respect.  Judge  Taylor  was  an  ideal  judge.  He 
could  not  be  influenced  by  fear,  love  or  the  hope  of  gain.  He  had 
an  intense  love  of  justice  and  the  nerve  to  fearlessly  administer  it  in 
the  face  of  all  opposition — yet  with  conscience  as  his  prompter,  truth 
and  the  law  as  guides,  he  tempered  justice  with  mercy,  and,  while  a 
just,  was  never  a  hard  judge.  In  his  course  of  twenty-two  years  on 
the  bench  it  is  of  record  that  never  from  sickness  or  other  cause  did  he 
ever  fail  to  hold  the  regular  term  of  court  in  the  district. 

Judge  Taylor  married  (first)  Adaline,  daughter  of  John  Miller, 
who  bore  a  daughter  Martha  Adaline,  who  died  aged  twenty-five  years. 
He  married  (second)  Priscilla  Moore  and  had  issue:  Robert  Moore, 
now  living  in  Warren,  retired ;  Matthew  Henry,  now  president  of  the 
Pittsburgh  Coal  Company,  residing  in  Erie,  Pennsylvania ;  George, 
died  in  infancy.  Judge  Taylor  married  (third)  Margaret  Stilt,  who 
yet  survives  him,  a  resident  of  Huntingdon,  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  as  was  her  husband.  Children :  William  Stilt  (of 
whom  further)  ;  Annie  Miller,  residing  in  Huntingdon  with  her 
mother;  Elizabeth  Anderson,  twin  of  Annie  M.,  died  June  2,  1910, 
unmarried.  Margaret  Stilt  Taylor  is  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Susan 
(Miller)  Stilt  and  a  maternal  granddaughter  of  John  Miller,  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  Huntingdon  county,  a  wealthy  miller  and  tannery 
owner,  prominent  in  the  Masonic  order  in  Huntingdon.  Robert  Stilt, 
of  Huguenot  descent,  was  born  in  Alexandria.  Huntingdon  county ; 
his  wife,  Susan  Miller,  born  in  the  town  of  Huntingdon.  After  their 
marriage  they  settled  there  and  Robert  operated  a  tannery.  During 
the  war  between  the  states  he  was  in  charge  of  supply  trains  for  the 
government,  with  an  office  in  Washington,  D.  C.  He  died  during  the 
war,  his  wife  surviving  him  a  few  years.  Their  only  child  is  Margaret, 
widow  of  Judge  George  Taylor. 

(VI)  William  Stilt,  only  son  of  Judge  George  Taylor  and  his  third 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  761 

wife,  Margaret  Stilt,  was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  August 
25.  1853-  He  was  educated  in  Huntingdon  Academy  and  Mantua 
Academy,  West  Philadelphia,  and  spent  several  years  in  the  employ  of 
the  Pennsylvania  road  as  clerk.  He  then  studied  law  under  Judge 
James  R.  Ludlow,  of  Philadelphia;  attended  lectures  at  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania;  later  went  west  and  in  1880  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
at  Marion,  Lynn  county,  Iowa.  He  practiced  there  two  years,  then 
returned  to  Huntingdon,  where  he  was  admitted  in  1883  and  has  since 
been  in  continuous  practice,  specializing  in  the  law  of  real  estate,  in 
which  he  has  acquired  a  high  reputation.  Mr.  Taylor  is  well  known 
beyond  the  confines  of  his  profession  and  is  the  author  of  a  volume  of 
allegorical  poems,  published  in  1891,  under  the  title  of  "INIan  Immor- 
tal." This  volume  was  well  received  and  widely  read,  as  have  been 
other  of  Mr.  Taylor's  literary  productions.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  an  attendant  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  married,  in  December,  1895,  Margaret  Elizabeth  Maclay,  of 
Spruce  Creek  township,  Huntingdon  county,  daughter  of  John  Palmer 
and  Mary  (Highlands)  Maclay.  Children:  iMary  Highlands,  born 
February  16,  1897,  now  a  student  at  Juniata  College;  George,  born 
September  6,    1904. 


During  the  years  when  the  colonies  of  America  were 
ORLADY     striving  to  throw  off  England's  enslaving  claims  and  to 

raise  themselves  free  and  unfettered  in  the  pure  light 
of  liberty,  the  American  cause  had  no  truer  friend,  supporter  and  ally 
than  the  French  government.  Then  it  was,  under  the  leadership  of 
Marquis  de  Lafayette,  that  many  of  the  bravest  sons  of  France  left 
their  homeland  for  a  life  of  war  in  the  western  world,  and  then  it  was 
that  Pennsylvania  received  from  France  the  seed  of  the  Orlady  family, 
whose  members  have  made  themselves  prominent  in  the  medical,  educa- 
tional and  legal  life  of  the  state  by  the  exercise  of  the  same  sterling 
qualities  of  character  which  brought  the  American  progenitor  of  the 
line  three  thousand  miles  to  fight  for  the  right  in  the  defense  of  the 
weaker.  This  was  Henri  Orlady,  born  in  France,  November  2.  1758. 
After  the  War  of  Independence,  he  did  not  return  to  France,  but 
settled  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  later  moving  to  Lancaster 
county  and  then  to  Roxbury,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  lie 


762  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

was  the  proprietor  of  a  tannery  until  his  death,  January  8,  1840.  His 
brother,  Paul,  who  had  come  to  America  at  the  same  time,  also  died  in 
Roxbury,  Alifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  This  generation  of  the  family 
were  adherents  to  the  Lutheran  faith.  Henri  Orlady  married  and 
had  issue. 

(II)  Martin,  son  of  Henri  Orlady,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  October  25,  1787,  died  September  22,  1868,  in  Hunting- 
don county,  Pennsylvania.  As  a  young  man  he  had  learned  both  the 
tanner's  and  shoemaker's  trades,  and  leaving  home  in  18 10,  he  went 
to  Warrior's  Mark,  where  he  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  both  trades. 
In  church  affiliation  he  followed  the  convictions  of  his  father,  belonp-ins: 
to  the  Lutheran  church.  Politically  he  was  a  Whig,  later  a  Repub- 
lican.    He  married  Ellen  Gable  and  had  issue. 

(III)  Henry,  son  of  Martin  and  Ellen  (Gable)  Orlady,  was  born 
in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  20,  1818,  died  in  Durand, 
Wisconsin,  December  8,  1893.  He  obtained  his  preliminary  educa- 
tion in  Boalsburg  Academy,  Juniata  Valley,  and  then  entered  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  later  entering  Belle- 
vue  College,  New  York,  from  which  he  was  graduated  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine in  1845.  He  just  began  to  practice  in  McConnellstown,  Penn- 
sylvania, remaining  there  about  three  years,  when  he  moved  to  Peters- 
burg. Here  he  practiced  until  1883,  gaining  a  reputation  as  one  of 
the  county's  most  reliable  physicians,  his  name  becoming  a  by-word 
throughout  the  locality  for  gentleness,  kindness  and  embracing  sym- 
pathy more  than  professional.  Although  absorbed  in  his  practice,  he 
still  maintained  the  interest  owed  by  every  good  citizen  to  his  town 
and  was  active  in  church  work  and  civic  affairs.  In  politics  he  sup- 
ported the  Republican  platform  and  in  religion  was  a  Presbyterian. 
His  fraternal  relations  were  confined  to  the  Masonic  order.  He  mar- 
ried, May  I,  1848,  Martha  Boal,  born  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania, 
April  6,  1824,  died  October  26,  1904,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary 
(Caldwell)  Boal,  natives  of  the  North  of  Ireland,  who  immigrated  to 
the  United  States  at  an  early  date.  They  were  both  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

Children  of  Henry  and  Martha  (Boal)  Orlady:  i.  George  Boal 
(of  whom  further  mention).  2.  Mary,  born  August  15,  1853,  married 
Homer  Crawford  and  lives  in  Franklin,  Pennsylvania.     3.   Sara,  born 


THE  NEW  YORK 

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HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  763 

December  5,  1855,  died  1885.  4.  Henry,  born  June  28,  1858,  moved 
to  Durand,  Wisconsin,  where  he  is  a  prosperous  and  influential  business 
man.  5.  Martha  C,  born  November  25,  1864,  married  Rev.  Josiah  C. 
Wood  and  hves  in  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

(IV)  George  Boal,  eldest  son  of  Henry  and  Martha  (Boal)  Orlady, 
was  born  in  Petersburg,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  February 
22,  1850.  He  was  educated  in  the  Bellwood  Academy,  from  which 
he  was  graduated,  and  later  attended  Pennsylvania  State  College, 
graduating,  then  going  to  Washington  and  Jefferson,  graduating  in 
1870  with  the  degree  of  S.  B.,  the  same  institution  honoring  him 
with  the  LL.D.  in  1898.  He  then  took  a  course  at  JetTerson  Medi- 
cal College,  of  Philadelphia,  graduating  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1871. 
Being  prepared  to  follow  the  medical  profession,  he  began  to  practice 
with  his  father  in  Pittsburgh,  but  his  health  being  too  poor  to  with- 
stand the  rigors  and  cares  of  the  physician's  life,  he  abandoned  his 
original  intention  and  began  to  read  law  in  the  office  of  Samuel  Steele 
Blair,  Esq.,  and  in  February  of  1875  was  admitted  to  the  Blair  county 
bar.  He  did  not,  however,  confine  his  practice  to  Blair  county,  but 
settled  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  three  times 
elected  district  attorney  in  1878,  1881  and  1884,  his  majority  increas- 
ing with  each  election.  When  the  Superior  Court  of  Pennsylvania 
was  created,  Mr.  Orlady  was  appointed  to  its  bench  by  Governor 
Hastings,  afterward  receiving  the  unanimous  nomination  of  the  Re- 
publican state  convention,  and  was  elected  November  5,  1895.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  State  Bar  Association,  holding  the  office  of  president 
during  1913,  and  also  holds  membership  in  the  American  Bar  Asso- 
ciation. He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  Republican 
party  both  in  state  and  county,  and  by  the  exercise  of  his  public  speak- 
ing abilities  has  rendered  his  party  valuable  service  in  many  campaigns. 
He  has  several  times  been  a  delegate  to  county  conventions  and  three 
times  to  state  conventions.  In  the  convention  of  1890  he  presented 
General  Hastings  as  candidate  for  governor,  and  in  1894  nominated 
Hon.  Galusha  A.  Grow  for  congressman  at  large.  As  district  attorney 
he  prosecuted  the  pleas  of  the  county  ably  and  well.  In  him  llie  ora- 
torical ability  is  strongly  developed :  he  is  keen  in  debate,  withering  in 
sarcasm,  and  possesses  to  a  degree  the  mannerism  which  lends  weight 
and  influence  to  an  argument  simply  because  he  uses  it.     He  is  a  mem- 


764  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

ber  of  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Mount  ]\Ioriah  Lodge,  No.  300, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Standing  Stone  Chapter,  No.  201,  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  Huntingdon  Commandery,  No.  65,  and  Syria  Temple 
of  Pittsburgh,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  In  1908  and  1909  he 
served  as  Grand  Master  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Judge  Orlady  married,  February  21.  1877,  Mary  Irwin  Thompson, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Hardman  Phillips  Thompson;  children:  i.  Edith 
Thompson,  born  December  29,  1877,  was  graduated  in  1903  from 
Bryn  Mawr  College  and  is  now  secretary  of  that  institution.  2.  Fred- 
erick L.,  born  February  27,  1880,  was  graduated  from  Yale  Univer- 
sity, read  law  with  his  father  and  with  the  firm  of  Dalzell,  Scott  & 
Gordon,  Esqrs.,  of  Pittsburgh;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  has  been 
practicing  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  3.  George  Phillips, 
born  February  2,  1892,  attending  University  of  Virginia. 


The  paternal  ancestors  of  Judge  AA'^illiam  N.  Seibert, 
SEIBERT     president  judge  of  the  Forty-first   Judicial  District  of 

Pennsylvania,  came  to  this  country  from  England, 
settling  first  in  Virginia.  Their  coming  antedated  the  revolutionary 
war,  in  which  members  of  the  family  served  on  the  colonial  side.  The 
family,  originally  from  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  settled  in  England, 
from  whence  they  came  to  America. 

(I)  Jacob  Seibert,  a  soldier  of  the  revolution,  serving  eight  years, 
married  Jeretah  White  Lawrence,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent ;  children : 
John;  William;  Lawrence  W.  (of  further  mention):  Margaret  and 
Sarah. 

(II)  Lawrence  W.,  son  of  Jacob  Seibert,  was  born  near  Strasburg, 
Virginia,  April  15,  1797,  died  in  the  autumn  of  1866.  He  studied 
law,  but  became  a  large  owner  of  landed  property ;  he  never  practiced 
his  profession.  His  estate  was  at  Woodstock,  Virginia,  where  he 
lived  the  life  of  a  wealthy  Southern  planter  until  the  war  came.  He 
was  a  noted  public  speaker  and  was  much  in  demand  during  political 
campaigns  as  a  "stump"  speaker. 

He  married  (first)  Mary  Ann  Miller,  born  in  Virginia.  March, 
1801,  died  February,  1834.  She  was  very  young  when  married,  her 
first  child  being  born  when  she  was  but  sixteen  years  of  age;  children: 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  765 

Eli,  born  1817,  died  in  Woburn,  Illinois,  in  1905;  Jacob  A.,  born  1819, 
died  in  Muscatine,  Iowa,  in  1907;  Samuel  W.  (of  whom  further); 
James  L.  W.,  born  1826,  died  at  Somerset,  Pennsylvania;  Lorenzo  AL, 
born  1828,  now  living  in  Selma,  Iowa;  Sarah  Ann,  born  1830,  died  at 
Mount  Jackson,  Virginia;  John  H.,  born  1832,  served  in  the  Seven- 
teenth Regiment.  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  during  the  war  between 
the  states  and  died  in  a  soldiers'  hospital  in  Marion,  Indiana ;  Mary 
Ann,  married  Thomas  Skinner,  and  died  at  Maplewood,  Ohio,  De- 
cember 3,  1907.  Lawrence  W.  Seibert  married  (second)  Amelia 
Marshall;  they  had  issue:  Six  children,  the  eldest  of  whom,  George, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  army  at  the  time  his  half-l)rother, 
John  H.,  was  serving  in  the  Union  army;  was  shot  through  the  breast 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  died  in  the  hospital. 

(Ill)  Samuel  W..  third  child  of  Lawrence  W.  Seibert  and  his 
first  wife,  Mary  Ann  Miller,  was  born  at  Woodstock,  Virginia,  April 
I,  1824,  and  died  at  his  residence  in  Newport,  Perry  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  May  2"],  1913,  in  his  ninetieth  year.  He  was  educated  in 
the  subscription  schools,  Fairview  Academy  and  Cambridge  College, 
Indiana.  He  prepared  for  and  became  an  ordained  minister  of  the 
Evangelical  Association,  living  a  long  life  of  Christian  usefulness. 
He  served  many  churches  in  different  localities  with  great  acceptability. 
He  built  over  a  score  of  churches,  many  parsonages,  and  received  into 
communion  of  his  church  over  two  thousand  new  members.  For  six- 
teen years  he  was  a  presiding  elder  and  was  held  in  high  esteem  by 
church  officials,  the  clergy  and  laity.  For  a  year  or  two  he  managed 
the  Neilson  fann  for  his  father-in-law,  who  was  in  poor  health,  then 
returned  to  the  ministry,  where  he  has  always  been  a  prominent  figure. 
After  the  failure  of  his  health  he  retired  to  a  comfortable  home  in 
Newport,  from  which  he  superintended  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
ninety-six  acres.  He  was  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  New- 
port and  its  president  for  many  years,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat. 
He  married,  April  i,  1846,  Eleanor  K.  Neilson,  born  in  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  26,  1826,  died  June  16,  1905.  Rev.  Seiliert 
came  to  Perry  county  shortly  after  his  entering  the  ministry,  tlicre 
met  and  married  Miss  Neilson,  Rev.  Emanuel  Kohr  performing  the 
ceremony;  children:  Judge  William  N.  (of  whom  further)  ;  Dr.  James 
L.,  a  practicing  physician  of  Bellefonte,  Pennsylvania,  married  Eliza 


766  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Bolig,  no   issue;  Virginia,  died   1897,  aged   forty-two  years;   Charles, 
died  1875,  aged  nine  years.  , 

Mrs.  Eleanor  K.  (Neilson)  Seibert  was  a  daughter  of  William  (2) 
and  Rebecca  Darlington  (Bull)  Neilson,  granddaughter  of  John  Neil- 
son  and  great-granddaughter  of  William  (i)  Neilson,  who  is  first 
found  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  from  whence  he  came  to  Perry 
county,  where  he  became  the  owner  of  a  thousand-acre  tract.  There 
he  built  a  log  house,  cleared  a  farm  and  in  1767  built  the  stone  house 
that  is  yet  used  as  a  residence.  After  a  life  of  prosperity  and  useful- 
ness, he  died,  leaving  a  widow  and  two  children:  John  (of  whom 
further)  and  Polly,  who  married  William  Power — a  runaway  match^ 
he  a  saddler,  engaging  later  and  for  many  years  in  business  at  the 
Neilson  homestead. 

John,  only  son  of  William  Neilson,  was  born  at  the  Perry  county 
homestead.  He  lived  there  all  his  life,  owning  the  home  farm,  also 
lands  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  killed  by  a  run- 
away team  while  yet  in  his  prime.  He  married  and  left  five  children: 
William  (of  further  mention);  Mary  (Polly),  married  Judge  Samuel 
Black,  lived  and  died  in  Perry  county ;  Sarah,  died  unmarried,  in 
extreme  old  age;  John,  died  in  infancy;  John  (2)  lived  and  died  in 
Perry  county;  Robert,  lived  and  died  in  Perry  county.  At  his  death, 
John  Neilson  divided  his  landed  estate  among  his  three  sons,  providing 
for  his  daughters  otherwise.  It  was  the  wish  of  the  daughters,  Polly 
and  Sarah,  to  have  lands  instead  of  cash,  but  law  and  custom  awarded 
that  part  of  the  estate  in  equal  parts  to  the  three  sons,  priority  of 
choice  being  in  accordance  with  seniority. 

William  (2)  Neilson  retained  the  old  homestead,  to  which  he 
brought  his  bride,  and  there  lived  a  quiet,  contented,  prosperous  life. 
He  was  of  quiet,  retiring  nature,  but  nevertheless  firm  and  decided  in 
his  likes,  dislikes,  beliefs  and  opinions.  It  is  related  of  him  that  he 
was  the  first  in  his  community  to  attempt  to  abolish  rum  from  the 
harvest  field.  This  he  accomplished  in  the  sensible  manner  of  adding 
to  the  wages  of  his  men  the  cost  of  the  liquor  that  would  have  been 
consumed  during  the  harvest.  In  this  quiet,  forceful  way  he  exerted 
a  strong  influence  for  good,  preaching  by  deeds,  rather  than  by  words. 
His  wife,  Rebecca  D.  Bull,  was  the  descendant  of  the  earlv  Bull 
family,  who  in  the  persons  of  John,  Richard  and  William  Bull  came  to 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  767 

Pennsylvania  in  the  days  of  William  Penn  and  located  in  Chester 
county,  founding  a  prominent,  influential  family.  The  only  child  of 
William   (2)   Neilson,  Eleanor  K.,  married  Rev.   Samuel  W.  Seibert. 

(IV)  Judge  William  N.,  eldest  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  W.  and  Eleanor 
K.  (Neilson)  Seibert,  was  bom  in  Center  township,  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  May  28,  1848.  He  was  educated  in  the  private  schools, 
academies  and  under  private  tutors,  and  during  his  early  years  lived 
at  the  farm  with  his  grandfather.  He  first  intended  to  become  a  i)rintcr, 
but  after  two  years  at  that  trade  abandoned  it  and  began  the  study  of 
law  under  the  preceptorship  of  the  late  William  A.  Sponsler.  Com- 
pleting his  studies  and  passing  the  required  examination,  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Perry  county  bar  in  August,  1869.  He  at  once  liegan  the 
practice  of  law  in  New  Bloomfield,  and  continued  in  honor  and  success 
until  January  i,  1912.  when  he  took  his  seat  upon  the  Ijench  as  president 
judge  of  the  Forty-first  Judicial  District  of  Pennsylvania,  comprised  of 
the  counties  of  Juniata  and  Perry.  Judge  Seibert  practiced  alone  until 
the  admission  to  the  bar  of  his  son,  William  S.  Seibert,  then  admitted 
him  to  a  partnership,  which  continued  until  the  father  was  elevated 
to  the  bench.  Judge  Seibert  is  eminently  qualified  to  fill  the  high 
judicial  position  to  which  he  has  been  chosen.  He  has  devoted  his 
entire  mature  life — forty-two  years — to  the  practice  of  law:  is  learned 
in  all  its  phases ;  has  a  fair,  impartial,  steadfast  mind  that  will  not  be 
swerved  from  an  upright,  honorable  course,  and,  above  all,  has  lived  a 
life  of  such  integrity  and  uprightness  that  he  commands  the  unbounded 
respect  of  every  member  of  the  bar.  His  learning,  wisdom  and  fair- 
ness bespeak  for  him  a  career  of  great  usefulness  and  honor  as  a  jurist, 
rivaling  that  of  the  lawyer.  Judge  Seibert  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  and  since  August  5,  1883,  has  served  as  elder  of  the  New 
Bloomfield  Church.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  craft,  being  affiliated 
with  Blue  Lodge,  Chapter,  Council  and  Commandery  of  Knights  Tem- 
plar. For  thirty-two  years,  by  right  of  official  position,  he  has  repre- 
sented his  lodge  in  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn- 
sylvania, holding,  with  four  others,  supervision  of  Grand  Lodge  cor- 
respondence. He  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  craft  and  has  been  one  of 
those  eminent  Masons  who  have  made  the  Pennsylvania  Grand  Lodge 
one  of  the  leading  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States. 

Judge  Seibert  married,  June,   1870,  Elizabeth  A.   Heiges,  bom  in 


768  HISTORY   OF   THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

York  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Mum- 
per) Heiges;  children:  i.  William  S.,  born  December  21,  1872,  edu- 
cated in  New  Bloomfield  Academy;  read  law  under  the  direction  of 
his  honored  father;  was  admitted  to  the  Perry  county  bar  in  1894, 
then  was  admitted  to  a  partnership  that  continued  until  Judge  Seibert 
was  raised  to  a  president  judgeship,  now  practicing  alone.  He  mar- 
ried Allie  E.  Fastnacht ;  children :  William  Warren  and  Helen  Eliza- 
beth, the  latter  dying  in  infancy.  2.  John  H.,  born  October  2,  1875, 
now  proprietor  of  a  livery  stable  in  New  Bloomfield ;  unmarried. 


This  name,  prominent  in  Pennsylvania  annals  for  several 
MAGEE     generations,  is  an  especially  honored  one  in  the  Juniata 

Valley.  Here  three  generations  founded  and  edited  news- 
papers that  ranked  among  the  best  in  the  state;  were  prominent  in 
public  life  and  bulwarks  of  strength  to  the  Democratic  party.  The 
family  became  identified  with  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  decade 
following  the  American  revolution,  and  are  of  ScotcWIrish  lineage, 
belonging  to  that  vast  army  of  Scotch  Covenanters,  the  founders  of 
the  Presbyterian  Kirk  of  Scotland,  who,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  sev- 
enteenth century,  sought  refuge  from  persecution  in  the  northern 
counties  of  Ireland,  from  whence  came  many  emigrants  to  America, 
principally  to  Pennsylvania  and  the  Carolinas,  during  the  period  1720- 
1800.  The  Magees  were  among  those  who  remained  in  Ireland  for 
several  generations.  In  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century  they  are 
found,  settled  at  Rathmullen,  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of  county 
Donegal,  just  southwest  of  Scotland,  from  whence  came  their  fore- 
bears a  century  earlier. 

(I)  Alexander  Magee  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  September  20, 
1 79 1,  died  in  New  Bloomfield,  Pennsylvania,  July  8,  1845.  He  was 
educated  in  the  city  schools  and  learned  the  trade  of  printer  and  book- 
binder in  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania.  During  the  war  of  18 12- 18 14,  he 
enlisted  in  the  American  army,  serving  in  Captain  Alexander's  company 
of  volunteers.  In  1820  he  moved  to  Landisburg,  Perry  county,  and 
there  established  the  pioneer  newspaper  of  the  county,  "The  Perry  For- 
ester," continuing  its  publication  in  Landisburg  until  April  i,  1829, 
when  the  paper  was  moved  to  New  Bloomfield,  then  the  county  seat. 
In  1832  Mr.  Magee  sold  the  paper  to  David  A.  Reed,  and  engaged  in 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  769 

mercantile  life  until  1841.  In  that  year  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Perry 
county,  serving  his  term  most  acceptably.  He  then  lived  a  retired  life 
in  New  Bloomfield  until  his  death,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years.  He 
was  a  man  of  high  character,  with  a  conscientious  regard  for  his  duties 
as  a  citizen,  commanding  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  contemporaries 
m  public  life,  going  in  and  out  among  the  people  of  Perry  county 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  leading  their  thought  for  half  of  these 
years  through  the  columns  of  his  paper,  and  demonstrating  in  his  daily 
life  the  purity  of  his  purpose.  He  was  the  friend  of  education 
and  of  every  enterprise  tending  to  promote  the  public  good.  He  was 
a  delegate  to  the  constitutional  convention  of  1837-1838,  which  framed 
the  constitution  for  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  which  existed  until  1874. 

Mr.  Magee  married,  about  1815,  Sarah,  born  August  4.  1795,  died 
January  24,  1855,  daughter  of  John  and  Eve  Crever,  of  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania, of  German  descent;  children:  Anna  Catherine,  married  Ed- 
ward S.  Swartz,  of  Berks  county;  Eleanor,  married  James  G.  Sample, 
of  Crawford  county;  Mary  A.,  married  Matthew  McBride,  of  Perry 
county;  Eliza,  married  Samuel  G.  Morrison,  of  Lycoming  county; 
Margaret,  married  Joseph  M.  Shatto,  of  Perry  county;  John  A.  (of 
whom  further);  Sarah  J.,  unmarried,  of  New  Bloomfield;  Emma  J., 
married  Addis  McVeagh,  of  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania;  James  Black, 
died  in  infancy. 

(II)  John  Alexander,  son  of  Alexander  and  Sarah  (Crever)  Magee, 
was  bom  at  Landisburg,  then  the  county  seat  of  Perry  county,  October 
14,  1827,  died  at  his  home  in  New  Bloomfield,  November  18,  1903,  one 
of  the  oldest  newspaper  men  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  both  in  actual 
years  and  in  years  of  service.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  at  New  Bloomfield  Academy ;  his  parents  moving  to  New  Bloom- 
field v/hen  he  was  two  years  of  age.  In  August,  1845,  ^^  began  an 
apprenticeship  at  the  printer's  trade,  entering  the  oftice  of  the  "Perry 
County  Democrat,"  then  edited  and  pulilished  by  George  Stroop.  In 
1850  he  left  the  "Democrat"  and  located  in  Harrisburg,  working  on 
the  "Keystone"  and  the  "Daily  American."  In  185 1  he  taught  school. 
In  1853  ^6  'S  found  as  a  typesetter  in  the  printing  offices  of  the  "Na- 
tional Era,"  Washington,  D.  C.  In  January.  1854,  he  became  editor 
of  the  "Perry  County  Democrat,"  a  vacancy  having  been  created  by 
the  death  of  George  Stroop,  under  whom  Mr.  Magee  served  his  years 


770  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

of  apprenticeship.  Henceforward  until  death  he  continued  at  the  head 
of  the  "Democrat"  and  fully  estahlished  its  value  and  uifluence  as  a 
leading  Democratic  journal.'  His  conduct  of  the  editorial  department 
proved  him  a  man  of  brain  and  of  unusual  ability  as  a  writer  of  force 
and  logic.  Pie  upheld  the  principles  of  Jefferson  and  Jackson,  in  which 
he  firmly  believed,  and  gained  deserved  recognition  for  his  valuable 
service.  He  took  an  active  and  prominent  personal  part  in  county, 
state  and  national  affairs  and  became  an  acknowledged  leader  of  his 
party.  In  1862  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature, serving  his  term  with  credit.  In  1868  he  was  a  delegate  to 
the  National  Democratic  Convention,  held  in  New  York  City,  that 
nominated  Horatio  Seymour  for  the  presidency.  In  1872  he  was  the 
candidate  of  his  party  for  Congress,  from  the  district  comprising  Cum- 
berland, Perry  and  York  counties.  Notwithstanding  the  heavy  Repub- 
lican victories  of  that  year  all  over  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Magee  was 
elected  by  a  majority  of  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-six  out  of  a 
total  vote  of  twenty-eight  thousand  eight  hundred  and  ninety.  This 
splendid  endorsement  shows  plainer  than  volumes  could  tell  his  popu- 
larity and  great  strength  before  the  people.  He  was  the  unanimous 
choice  of  the  delegates  from  Perry  county  to  the  Congressional  Con- 
ventions of  1874  and  1878  and  a  delegate  to  the  National  Democratic 
Convention  of  1876,  held  in  St.  Louis,  that  nominated  Samuel  J.  Til- 
den  for  the  presidency.  He  was  also  many  times  a  delegate  to  state 
conventions  of  his  party.  In  1894  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the 
first  division  Democratic  State  Executive  Committee,  embracing  the 
counties  of  York,  Adams,  Cumberland,  Franklin,  Dauphin,  Lebanon, 
Perry,  Juniata  and  Mifflin:  was  reelected  in  1895  and  1896,  declining 
another  election  in  1897.  In  1896  he  was  delegate  to  the  Democratic 
State  Convention  at  Allentown;  was  there  chosen  a  delegate  to  the 
national  convention  that  later  met  at  Chicago  and  nominated  William 
Jennings  Bryan  for  the  presidency.  Mr.  Magee  continued  his  work  and 
activity  in  newspaper  and  public  life  until  his  death,  literally  dying,  as 
lie  always  declared  he  would,  "with  the  harness  on."  In  his  discussion 
of  public  questions,  through  his  editorial  columns,  Mr.  Magee  was  dig- 
nified, able  and  vmbiased,  while  local  news  received  especial  care  and 
attention.  Tie  was  loyal  and  true  to  the  people  of  his  county  who  so 
faithfully  rallied  to  his  support  whenever  called  upon  and  who  always 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  771 

gave  him  their  unreserved  confidence.  His  long  life  was  one  of  great 
activity  and  usefulness,  while  age  did  not  dim  his  powers  nor  curb  his 
activity.  Uprightness,  honesty  and  integrity  marked  all  his  dealings, 
while  loyalty,  devotion  and  fairness  were  strong  characteristics.  He 
never  failed  a  friend,  nor  took  an  unfair  advantage  of  an  opponent. 
His  public  life  was  unspotted  by  self-seeking  ambition,  while  liis  private 
life  was  above  reproach.  Mr.  Magee  married,  June  10,  1857,  Mar- 
garet Hettie  Ramsey,  who  died  March  2,  1898,  daughter  of  William 
D.   Ramsey,  a  lawyer  of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania;  children: 

1.  Alexander   Ramsey,   born   April,    1858,   died    November   6,    1862. 

2.  Charlotte  Annie,  born  November  28,  1859,  now  residing  with  her 
brother,  James  S.  Magee,  in  New  Bloomfield,  unmarried.  3.  William 
Ramsey,  born  September  19,  1862,  died  July  29,  1901,  unmarried; 
a  well-known  educator  and  magazine  writer.  4.  James  Sample  (of 
whom  further).  5.  John  Alexander  (2),  born  February  20,  1867,  died 
September  20,  1871.  6.  Benjamin  Crever,  born  August  12,  1869,  died 
September  25,  1886.  7.  Louis  Alexander,  born  September  18,  1872, 
died  July  25,  1884. 

Mrs.  Margaret  H.  Ramsey  Magee  was  a  daughter  of  William  Dean 
Ramsey  and  granddaughter  of  Archibald  Ramsey,  whose  parents,  Sam- 
uel and  Esther  Ramsey,  came  from  Ireland  to  America  about  1750, 
settling  in  Cumberland  county,  about  four  miles  from  Carlisle,  where 
Archibald  Ramsey  was  born.  The  Ramseys  were  of  Scotch  ancestry, 
theirs  being  one  of  the  noted  families  of  Scotland  that  trace  descent 
far  into  the  "long  ago."  Samuel  Ramsey  was  a  farmer,  owned  land 
in  Cumberland  county,  and  there  reared  a  family. 

Archibald,  son  of  Samuel  and  Esther  Ramsey,  was  born  in  Cum- 
berland county,  was  a  farmer  and  there  died.  He  married  Margaret 
Dean,  who  bore  him :  Samuel ;  William  Dean ;  Robert,  served  in  the 
Mexican  war  and  never  returned ;  John  Alexander,  died  unmarried ; 
and  Hettie,  died  in  childhood. 

William  Dean,  son  of  Archibald  and  Margaret  (Dean)  Ramsey, 
was  a  lawyer  of  the  Cumberland  county  bar,  married  Charlotte,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  John  and  Rachel  (Weakley)  Arnold,  of  Adams  county,  and 
in  1838  moved  in  a  covered  wagon  to  the  state  of  Ohio  with  his  wife, 
and  there  died  in  1842.  After  becoming  settled,  he  applied  for  ad- 
mission to  the  bar,  but  the  law  required  a  year's  prior  residence.     Be- 


772  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

fore  the  year  expired  he  died.  He  left  two  children:  i.  Jane  Rebecca, 
married  George  S.  Barnett,  lived  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
she  died  April  22,  1900;  children:  William  F.,  Charlotte  J.,  George 
R.,  Margaret  H.,  Alice  R.,  Edwin  C.,  Lillian  and  Robert  T.  2.  Mar- 
garet Hettie,  married  John  A.  Magee. 

(Ill)  James  Sample,  only  living  son  of  John  Alexander  and  Mar- 
garet H.  (Ramsey)  Magee,  was  born  in  New  Bloomfield,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  6,  1864.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and 
at  an  early  age  began  work  in  the  printing  department  of  the  "Perry 
County  Democrat."  He  mastered  thoroughly  the  printer's  art  and  at 
age  sixteen  years  was  practically  in  charge  of  the  mechanical  depart- 
ment of  the  "Democrat."  He  continued  thus,  taking  all  possible  bur- 
dens from  the  shoulders  of  his  honored  father,  who  was  editor-in-chief 
for  nearly  fifty  years,  only  surrendering  his  beloved  post  to  the  "grim 
reaper,"  death.  In  1903  the  old  chief  was  laid  at  rest,  and  James  S. 
Magee  succeeded  to  full  editorial  control  and  ownership  of  the  "Demo- 
crat," and  so  continues.  His  father  learned  his  trade  in  that  printing 
office,  beginning  in  1845,  '^"'^  '''"''s  years  later,  in  1854,  became  its 
editor,  continuing  until  1903.  The  son,  James  S.,  also  began  working 
in  the  same  office  as  a  boy,  was  manager  from  1880  until  1903.  then 
became  editor.  This  covers  a  period  of  sixty-eight  years,  fifty-nine  of 
which  the  editorial  columns  have  been  controlled  by  the  Magees,  father 
and  son.  The  "Democrat"  has  steadily  increased  in  size,  reputation 
and  influence,  and  is  now  at  its  highest  point  of  circulation.  While 
uncompromising  in  its  advocacy  of  Democratic  principles,  it  numbers 
many  of  the  opposing  party  among  its  supporters.  The  editorial  page 
has  ever  lieen  one  of  its  strong  features,  while  local,  county  and  state 
happenings  are  attractively  presented.  The  mechanical  department  has 
been  constantly  improved  and  a  complete  job  department,  with  ample" 
equipment  of  modern  machinery,  draws  a  large  patronage. 

James  S.  Magee  was  appointed  by  President  Cleveland  cashier  of 
the  Ninth  Internal  Revenue  District  of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  four 
and  a  half  years  was  stationed  at  Lancaster.  For  ten  years  he  was 
chairman  of  the  Perry  County  Democratic  Committee,  and  is  the  pres- 
ent chairman  of  the  Seventeenth  Congressional  District.  In  1912  he 
so  successfully  managed  the  campaign  that  a  Democratic  congressman 
was  elected.     He  has  at  various  times  represented   Perry  county   in 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  773 

state  conventions  and  is  one  of  the  influential,  active  Democrats  of 
Perry  county.  He  is  a  member  of  Adams  Lodge,  No.  319,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. 

Mr.  Magee  married,  February  13,  1889,  Mary  Mortimer,  born  in 
New  Bloomfield,  daughter  of  Captain  Frank  Mortimer,  a  gallant  officer 
of  the  civil  war,  editor  and  owner  of  the  "Perry  County  Times."  Cap- 
tain Mortimer  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  son  of  Samuel  and  Eleanor 
(Richardson)  Mortimer.  He  prepared  for  the  practice  of  law,  but 
poor  eyesight  prevented  his  ever  entering  actual  practice,  although  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  New  York  in  1853.  ^t  the  outbreak  of  the  war  be- 
tween the  states,  he  entered  the  service  as  captain  of  Company  I,  Ninth 
Regiment,  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  captured  in  De- 
cember, 1862,  and  held  a  prisoner  at  Culpeper  and  Lynchburg,  Vir- 
ginia, until  April,  1863,  when  he  escaped,  reaching  the  Union  lines  in 
safety.  He  then  resigned  his  commission  and  in  January,  1864,  came 
to  Perry  county,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Green 
Park  until  March,  1865;  then  moved  to  New  Bloomfield,  engaging  as  a 
merchant  until  1889.  In  1867  he  had  established  the  "Perry  County 
Times,"  and  in  1889  he  sold  his  mercantile  business  to  John  Arnold 
and  gave  his  entire  time  to  the  editorial  and  business  management  of 
his  paper.  The  "Times,"  until  1892,  was  independent  in  politics,  then 
was  made  to  reflect  the  political  faith  of  its  owner,  and  has  since  been 
an  advocate  of  Republican  principles. 

Captain  Mortimer  married  and  had  issue:  Eleanor,  of  Philadelphia; 
Mary,  married  James  S.  Magee;  Harry,  died  March,  1896;  Alice,  wife 
of  W.  E.  Maxfield,  of  Philadelphia;  and  Adelaide,  who  married  Harry 
Briggs  and  resides  in  New  York.  Children  of  James  S.  and  Mary 
Magee:  i.  John  Alexander  (2),  born  January  29,  1890,  graduate  of 
Yale  University,  A.  B.,  class  of  1912,  taking  first  honors  and  awarded 
the  philosophical  oration.  He  was  a  member  of  Phi  Beta  Kappa  and 
Beta  Theta  Pi  fraternities,  now  professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  at  Dr. 
Holbrook's  Preparatory  School  at  Ossining,  New  York,  unmarried. 
2.  James  Ramsey,  born  March  26,  1891,  a  student  of  the  law  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  LL.B.,  class  of  1914.  3. 
Frank  Mortimer,  born  March  22,  1895,  now  a  student  at  Bloomfield 
Academy. 


774  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

James    Loudon,    of    East    Waterford,    Juniata    county, 
LOL^DOX     Pennsylvania,    represents    in   his   person   the   admirable 
qualities  of  the  transplanted  Celt  in  the  second  genera- 
tion, which  make  them  such  desirable  citizens  of  this  Republic. 

(I)  Robert  Loudon,  the  grandfather  of  James  Loudon,  was  born  in 
Ireland,  and  was  there  married.  His  stalwart  sons,  growing  tired  of 
the  scant  prospect  of  advancement  at  home,  determined  to  put  their 
fortunes  to  the  touch,  and  emigrated  to  America.  After  some  years 
tiiey  induced  him  to  join  them  in  the  United  States,  and  it  is  probable 
that  his  wife  crossed  with  him.  He  was  then  an  old  man,  and  never 
returned  to  Ireland,  spending  his  last  days  with  his  children  near 
East  Waterford.  His  children,  all  of  whom  are  dead,  were:  John, 
Robert.  David.  A\'illiam,  Solomon,  Lydia,  Eliza,  Nancy,  Paul  and 
James. 

(II)  Solomon  Loudon,  son  of  Robert  Loudon,  was  born  in  the 
County  of  Derry,  Ireland,  as  was  his  wife.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  at  the  age  of  eighteen  and  located  near  East  Waterford.  Here 
he  married  Eliza  Barton,  who  came  with  her  parents  from  Ireland 
when  she  was  but  twelve  years  old.  He  purchased  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  in  Tuscarora  township,  and  later  added  to  it  another 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  making  in  all  three  hundred  and  twenty 
as  fertile  acres  as  could  be  found  in  that  part  of  Pennsylvania.  In  his 
early  manhood  he  followed  the  shoemaker's  trade,  eventually  gave  that 
up  and  devoted  himself  to  agriculture,  and  became  one  of  the  successful 
fanners  of  his  section.  He  lived  a  quiet,  retired,  though  useful,  life. 
He  erected  sulfstantial  buildings  on  his  farm,  and  it  was  known  far 
and  near  for  its  up-to-dateness.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He 
died  about  1869  and  she  in  1879.  Children:  i.  Sarah  Jane,  married 
Daniel  Thatcher;  she  is  dead.  2.  John  M.,  married  May  McKee; 
lived  and  died  in  Nebraska.  3.  Mary  Ann,  married  Robert  McWil- 
liams;  he  served  as  register  and  recorder  of  Juniata  county;  they 
moved  to  Illinois,  and  he  was  killed  there;  she  died,  aged  eighty-four 

4.  Samuel  B.,  tailor  by  trade  at  East  Waterford;  he  was  elected  sheriff 
of  Juniata  county,  and  died  at  MifHintown;  married  Marv  Sweringen. 

5.  Paul,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  moved  to  Ireland  and  lives  tlfere 

6.  James,  of  whom   further.     7.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Silverborn; 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


//D 


both  died  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  8.  Rachel,  married 
James  McConnell ;  lived  in  Perry  county  some  years,  now  makes  her 
home  in  Germantown,  Pennsylvania.  9.  David  S.,  enlisted  in  civil  war 
and  served  four  years ;  married  Mary  Elder,  and  moved  to  Page  county, 
Iowa,  and  there  lives.  10.  Margaret,  married  L.  E.  Dougherty;  lives 
in  Page  county,  Iowa.  11.  Martha,  widow  of  John  Anderson;  he  died 
in  Cambria  county,  Pennsylvania.  12.  Tabitha,  died  at  the  age  of  eight 
years. 

(Ill)  James  Loudon,  son  of  Solomon  and  Eliza  (Barton)  Loudon, 
was  born  in  Tuscarora  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  Febru- 
ary 26,  1833.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  reared  on  the  farm.  He  remained  with  his  father  until  after 
the  civil  war,  then,  following  the  trend  of  the  times,  went  to  the  oil 
region.  He  returned  home,  and  with  his  brother,  David,  took  over 
the  management  of  the  home  farm.  A  year  later  David  went  west,  and 
James  purchased  the  homestead  from  the  other  heirs,  and  there  made 
his  home  until  1895.  In  that  year  he  moved  to  East  Waterford,  to 
occupy  a  house  that  he  had  erected  the  year  previous,  and  has  lived 
there  until  now  (1913).  In  1909  he  disposed  of  the  farm  and  retired 
from  business  life.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  in 
township  offices,  and  has  been  tax  collector.  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presb34erian  church,  of  which  he  has  been  an  elder  for 
more  than  forty  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local  Grange.  He 
married,  February  14,  1867,  Susan  E.  Dougherty,  born  January  22, 
1849,  i"  Juniata  county,  daughter  of  Mathew  and  Susan  (Minary) 
Dougherty,  old  residents  of  Juniata  county.  Children:  i.  Ida  M., 
widow  of  James  Hockenberry;  lived  near  Waterford;  children:  Eva 
and  Pearl,  twins.  2.  Florence,  died  in  infancy.  3  Charles  W.,  en- 
gaged in  a  silver  ore  smelter  in  Montana ;  married  Olive  Allen ;  chil- 
dren:  Dale,  died  aged  four;  and  Ray.  4.  Millie  G.,  married  J.  Harry 
Murphey,  an  employee  on  railroad  at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania ;  children : 
Annis,  John  and  James,  the  two  latter  twins.  5.  Lottie  J.,  married 
Bruce  Hockenberry ;  lives  in  Berea,  Kentucky ;  children :  Susan  Ray. 
James  Loudon  and  Dorman.  6.  Margaret  M.,  married  Harry  Lawton; 
has  one  child,  Faye.  7.  Frank  F.,  married  Blanche  Allen;  he  is  a 
ranchman  at  Plumber,  Idaho.  8.  Mabel  S.,  married  James  B.  McMeen 
(see  McMeen  sketch,  this  work). 


77^  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(The  Dougherty  Line). 
]\[athew  Dougherty  was  the  only  son  of  his  father,  who  died  when 
he  was  quite  a  lad,  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  married 
Susan  Minar)',  daughter  of  Joseph  Minary,  an  old  resident  of  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  was  a  carpenter  before  he  moved  to  Juniata  county,  at 
an  advanced  age,  and  died  in  the  home  of  his  daughter. 

Mathew  Dougherty  was  born  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  December  22, 
18 10,  and,  owing  to  the  death  of  his  father  when  he  was  quite  young, 
he  was  reared  by  an  aunt.  He  married  Susan  Minary,  February  8, 
1837,  in  Philadelphia,  and  soon  moved  to  Juniata  county.  They  lo- 
cated near  Mifflin,  and  in  1857  moved  to  Tuscarora  township  and 
bought  a  farm,  and  later  added  two  more  to  the  land  holdings,  aggre- 
gating two  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres.  He  died  February  15,  1889, 
and  his  wife  died  February  i,  i88g.  They  were  both  devout  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  he  was  a  Democrat.  Chil- 
dren: I.  William,  a  farmer,  and  died  in  Juniata  county.  2.  Joseph, 
died  on  homestead.  3.  John,  lives  in  Harrisburg.  4.  Thomas,  one 
of  the  wealthy  men  of  Iowa.  5.  Sarah,  married  John  Andrews;  died 
in  Ohio.  6.  Mathias  Day,  lives  in  Iowa.  7.  Lemuel  Emory,  lives  in 
Iowa.  8.  Susan  Evans,  born  January  22,  1849,  married  James  Lou- 
don (see  Loudon  III).  9.  Ellen,  married  Moses  Felmlee  and  lives 
at  Shade  Gap.  10.  Charles,  died  aged  eight.  11.  Juniata,  died  in 
infancy.  12.  Wilson  McCullough,  died  on  homestead.  13.  Martha 
Jane  Irvin,  married  David  Milliken,  and  lives  in  Reedsville,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


Mrs.    Mary    P.    (Frankum)    Deni- 
FRANKUM-DENITHORNE     thorne,  widow  of  James  Denithorne, 

is  a  granddaughter  of  John  Frank- 
um, of  German  parentage,  who  lived  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  an  expert  stone  cutter  and  engraver  of  intricate  designs  in 
stone,  renowned  in  his  art,  traveling  to  many  places  where  his  especial 
skill  was  required.  He  married  Susan  Posey,  also  Ijorn  in  Chester 
county,  where  both  died,  members  of  the  Lutheran  church :  children : 
Lindley:  Violet,  who  married  Thomas  Hippie;  Matilda,  married  \\'illiam 
Ayres;  Susan,  never  married;  Reuben  H.  (of  whom  further)  ;  Nancy, 
married  Joseph  Clark. 


,j(une.i  u  fnif/h 


'/fJf/IC 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY   |  -777 

(II)  Reuben  H.,  son  of  John  and  Susan  (Posey)  Frankum,  was 
born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1830,  died  in  1S81.  He 
learned  the  machinist's  trade  and  followed  that  occupation  all  his  life, 
mostly  in  Chester  county  and  Philadelphia.  He  was  an  expert  work- 
man, a  man  of  high  character  and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
He  married  (first)  Mary  A.  Welker,  who  died  aged  forty-five  years, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Myers)  Welker:  he  at  one  time  a 
physician,  who  died  in  Manheim,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mary 
A.  Welker  had  an  only  sister,  Henrietta  H.,  who  married  John  Taylor, 
and  an  only  brother,  Charles,  a  bridge  builder,  who  lived  in  Harris- 
burg,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of  Reuben  H.  Denithorne  by  his  first 
wife:  Mary  P.  (of  whom  further)  :  John,  born  July  22,  1853,  now  a 
merchant  in  Ohio ;  Lizzie,  married  Samuel  Granim,  but  only  survived 
her  marriage  a  few  months,  he  resides  in  Lancaster  county ;  Regina, 
died  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  in  1902,  married  John  J.  Gifford,  a  civil 
engineer,  of  New  York  City;  Charles  Lincoln,  a  bricklayer,  of  West- 
chester, Pennsylvania,  married  Alice  Glenn. 

(III)  Mary  P.,  daughter  of  Reuben  H.  Frankum  and  his  first  wife, 
Mary  A.  Welker,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  June  21, 
1851.  She  was  married  in  Marietta,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
February  24,  1879,  by  Rev.  Diller,  to  James  Denithorne,  born  in  Corn- 
wall, England,  May  18,  1847,  died  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania.  No- 
vember 22,  1906,  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Bartle)  Denithorne.  John 
Denithorne  was  born  in  Penzance,  England,  and  in  1848.  with  his  wife, 
elder  children  and  ten-months-old  son,  James,  came  to  the  L'nited 
States,  settling  in  Phoenixville,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  died  in  June,  1877,  aged  seventy-four  years  and  ten  months.  He 
Vi^as  an  expert  stone  mason  and  until  his  retirement  from  active  labor 
always  followed  that  occupation.  His  widow,  Anna,  survived  him 
until  May  29,  1880,  d)'ing  at  age  seventy-one  years,  three  months: 
children:  William,  bom  January  25,  1827,  died  in  1835:  Ann.  born  in 
January,  1830;  William  (2),  born  July  i,  1832,  died  young:  John  (2), 
born  November  22,  1834,  married  Caroline  Francis:  Elizabeth,  born 
September  5,  1837,  never  married;  William  (3),  born  January  i,  1S40, 
died  in  the  Union  army  in  1864:  Richard,  born  June  i,  1842,  married 
Emma  Tustin:  Amelia,  born  December  24,  1844,  married  Jacob  Mil- 
dren:  James    (see  forward);  Catherine,  born  October  20,    1851,  died 


778  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

1909,  married    (first)    I.   \V.   Marsh,    (second)    Oliver  Nichols;  Mary, 
born  July  21,  1854,  died  young. 

James,  son  of  John  Denithorne,  was  ten  months  of  age  when  he  was 
brought  to  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Phoenixville.  He  learned  the  machinist's  trade, 
at  which  he  worked  in  his  younger  years.  He  then  took  a  course  of 
instruction  in  drafting  and  civil  engineering  in  Philadelphia  and  until 
1890  followed  that  business.  In  1890  he  moved  to  Huntingdon,  later 
becoming  general  manager  of  the  Langdon  Coal  Company,  continuing 
for  several  years.  In  1902,  in  association  with  Elwood  Miller,  he 
began  operating  coal  mines  at  Six  Mile  Run,  continuing  a  successful 
coal  operator  until  his  death  in  1906.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  holding  the  thirty-second  degree,  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  and  very  popular  with  his  brethren  and  associates,  his  genial 
manner  and  open-hearted  generosity  winning  him  friends  everywhere. 
He  was  a  member  of  St.  John's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  liberal 
in  its  support  and  interested  in  all  that  pertained  to  the  public  good. 
He  was  a  good  citizen  and  left  behind  him  the  record  of  an  honorable 
life.  He  was  a  Republican,  and  served  the  city  of  Huntingdon  as 
mayor  two  terms,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  National 
Guard  (Griffin  Battery,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania),  in  which  he 
served  as  first  lieutenant.  Children  of  James  and  Mary  P.  (Frankum) 
Denithorne:  i.  Grace  B.,  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  August 
15,  1881,  died  in  Huntingdon,  November  26,  191 1,  unmarried.  2. 
George,  born  July  21,  1891,  is  now  a  student  at  State  College,  depart- 
ment of  civil  and  mining  engineering. 

Mrs.  Mary  P.  Denithorne  survives  her  husband,  and  continues  her 
residence  in  Huntingdon.  She  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  and  lives  a  life  full  of  gracious,  womanly  usefulness. 


For    thirty    years    the    well-beloved    and 
PARKER-McDOWELL     useful  pastor  of  the  East  Kishacoquillas 

Church  of  Reedsville,  it  may  be  said  of 
the  Rev.  Andrew  H.  Parker  that  he  gave  his  life  to  that  church,  com- 
ing there  shortly  after  his  ordination  and  continuing  until  death  ended 
his  labors. 

Rev.  Andrew  11.  Parker  was  a  son  of  Caleb  Parker,  who  earlv  in 


'^.  %,"'  \ 


Erajd  by  CamphcllBmtl 


PUBLIC  UBRARY 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  ■'  779 

life  settled  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  about  1834  located  in 
Mifflintown,  where  for  many  years  he  was  justice  of  the  peace  until 
his  death  in  1885.  His  wife,  Sarah  McCully,  was  born  in  IMitflin 
county,  daughter  of  an  early  pioneer  family.  They  were  married  in 
Mifflintown  and  there  their  children  were  born.  Both  were  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church — he  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Five  of  their 
children  grew  to  adult  years :  Robert,  James,  Thaddeus,  Cloyd  and 
Andrew  H.,  all  deceased  except  Cloyd,  who  resides  in  Harrisburg. 

Rev.  Andrew  H.  Parker  was  born  in  Mifflintown,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1845,  died  in  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  February  i,  1899.  His 
early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools ;  his  preparatory 
education  at  Tuscarora  Academy;  his  classical  education  at  Princeton 
College,  when  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1866.  He  cliose  the 
ministry  as  his  profession  and  pursued  a  three  years'  course  in  divinity 
at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  whence  he  was  graduated  in  April, 
1869.  He  had  received  a  license  to  preach  from  the  Huntingdon  Pres- 
bytery, October  7.  1868,  and  soon  after  his  graduation  was  invited  to 
become  "stated  supply"  of  the  East  Kishacoquillas  Presbyterian  Church 
during  the  summer.  He  accepted  the  call  in  May,  1869,  and  so  well 
had  he  pleased  the  congregation  that  during  the  following  summer 
they  made  him  a  formal  call  to  become  their  permanent  pastor.  He 
accepted,  and  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of  Huntingdon  Presbytery,  held 
in  the  East  Kishacoquillas  Church,  December  7.  1869.  he  was  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  Gospel  and  installed  as  pastor  of  that  church.  The 
first  twenty-four  years  of  his  pastorate  he  preached  in  the  "Brick 
Church,"  in  which  he  was  ordained,  situated  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile  from  Reedsville,  on  a  hill  consecrated  by  many  precious  memo- 
ries, where  the  congregation  had  worshipped  for  one  hundred  and 
ten  years.  In  1893  it  was  deemed  wise  to  change  the  place  of  wor- 
ship to  Reedsville,  and  a  handsome  brownstone  church  was  erected 
there,  and  has  since  been  the  home  of  the  congregation,  which  still 
retains  its  old  time  name.  East  Kishacoquillas  Presbyterian  Church. 
On  June  14,  1894,  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Parker  was  celebrated  with  appropriate  services  held  in  the  church, 
a  number  of  ministers,  elders,  and  a  great  many  members  and  friends 
of  the  church  and  pastor  participating.  The  services  at  the  church 
were  followed  by  a  banquet  at  the  town  hall,  where  the  pastor  was  pre- 


ySo  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

sented  with  an  expensive  silver  water  service  of  beautiful  design  and 
suitably  inscribed.  Five  years  later,  after  a  pastorate  of  thirty  years, 
he  ceased  from  his  labors,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  large  gathering  his 
funeral  services  were  held  in  the  church  he  had  served  so  well.  He  was 
a  faithful  servant  of  God,  studious  and  earnest,  a  pleasing,  forceful 
preacher  of  the  highest  type  of  character  and  a  man  beloved  by  all. 
His  church  prospered  spiritually  and  materially  under  his  guidance  and 
many  were  added  to  the  church  roll  of  membership.  He  was  interested 
in  all  that  concerned  the  welfare  of  his  community,  aided  in  their  civic 
affairs,  and  was  a  strong  force  for  good.  He  was  considered  one  of  the 
strong  men  of  the  Huntingdon  Presbytery  and  held  many  honors  re- 
ceived at  the  hands  of  his  brethren. 

Rev.  -Andrew  H.  Parker  married.  May  30,  1878,  Margaret  J.  Mc- 
Dowell, born  in  Milflin  county.  May  4,  1847,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Brisbin)  McDowell,  who  survives  him,  a  resident  of  Reeds- 
ville,  a  lady  of  culture,  piety  and  benevolence;  children:  i.  John  Mc- 
Dowell Parker,  born  July  12,  1879,  died  May  22,  1880.  2.  Frank  Mc- 
Dowell Parker,  born  September  9,  1880,  educated  in  the  pul)lic  schools 
of  Reedsville,  Chambersburg  Academy,  Washington  and  Jefferson  Col- 
lege ;  now  assistant  cashier  of  the  Reedsville  National  Bank ;  he  married 
:\Iabel  Taylor  Smith,  and  has:  Andrew  James,  born  November  6.  191 1, 
and  Frank  McDowell  Jr.,  born  May  7,  1913.  3.  Mary  Brisbin  Parker, 
born  .\pril  7,  1884,  married  Rev.  H.  M.  Campbell,  now  located  in 
Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania:  child:  Margaret  McDowell,  born  December 
3.  1912. 

(McDowell   Line). 

The  McDowells  are  of  Scotch  ancestry,  the  emigrant,  John  (i) 
McDowell,  born  in  that  country,  coming  to  America  prior  to  the  revo- 
lutionary period.  He  first  settled  within  the  present  limits  of  Franklin 
count}-,  then  a  part  of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  in  1754 
moved  to  Mifflin  county,  settling  in  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley.  He 
married  and  left  issue,  including  a  son  John. 

John  (2)  McDowell  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1767,  died  September  29,  1849.  He  was  a  farmer  and  merchant,' 
having  a  store  at  Perrysvilie,  now  IMilroy.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
energy  and  ambition,  filled  many  local  offices;  was  sheriff  of  Mifflin 
county  prior  to  the  erection  of  Juniata,  and  served  well  the  interests 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  781 

of  the  community  in  which  he  Hved.  He  married,  and  by  first  wife 
had  children:  William,  and  Elizabeth,  who  married,  February  8,  1817, 
Alexander  McCoy,  of  Potters  Mills,  Center  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  married  (second)  Jane  Mitchell,  of  Irish  lineage,  who  survived 
him  until  January  i,  1864,  aged  nearly  eightj^-eight  years.  Both 
were  devoted  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  were  widely 
and  highly  esteemed.  He  was  known  as  "Colonel  John,"  a  rank  he 
held  by  appointment  in  the  Mifflin  county  militia.  He  was  a  genial, 
companionable  man,  held  in  high  regard  for  his  private  virtue,  as  well 
as  his  valuable  public  service.  Children  by  second  marriage :  i.  John  (3), 
(of  w'hom  further).  2.  Samuel,  born  April  20,  1802,  died  unmarried, 
April  13,  1832.  3.  Margaret,  born  February  9,  1804,  died  at  Law- 
rence, Kansas,  September  21,  1869.  She  married  January  11,  1825, 
William  McKinney,  of  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Rosanna, 
born  August  21,  1806,  died  November  13,  1882:  she  married  (first), 
April  26.  1827,  Alexander  Sharp,  of  Cumberland  county;  (second) 
William  Barr,  of  Newville,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Alexander  S.,  born  Sep- 
tember 17,  1808,  died  unmarried,  January  7,  1837.  6.  George,  born 
September  29,  181 1,  died  April  18,  1885;  married,  January  6,  1847, 
Elizabeth  Kyle.  7.  James,  born  July  20,  18 14,  died  unmarried  at  War- 
rington, Florida,  September  13,  1852.  8.  Mary  Jane,  born  September 
22,  1817,  died  April  5,  1844;  married,  March  19,  1839,  Abraham 
Adams,  of  Cumberland  county. 

John  (3),  son  of  John  (2)  McDowell  and  his  second  wife,  Jane 
Mitchell,  was  born  June  26,  1800,  died  after  a  short  illness,  March  29, 
1863.  He  obtained  a  limited  education  in  the  subscription  schools, 
but  by  self  study,  reading  and  experience  became  a  well-informed  man. 
He  was  a  farmer,  but  of  so  strong  a  character  and  of  such  intelligence 
that  he  was  called  to  important  trusts,  managing  large  estates,  also 
filling  township  and  county  offices.  He  was  shrewd,  thrifty  and  reso- 
lute, possessing  prudence  and  sound  judgment,  yet  of  so  genial,  gentle 
and  unassuming  manner  that  he  drew  men  to  him  for  sympathy  and 
advice.  Like  his  father,  he  held  the  military  rank  of  colonel,  serving 
by  appointment  of  Governor  Pollock  on  the  latter's  staff  with  the  rank 
of  colonel.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  his 
wife — he  a  Republican.  He  married,  December  21,  184 1,  Mary  Bris- 
bin,  born  near  Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  January  27,  18 14,  died  ;\pril 


782  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUMATA    VALLEY 

8,  1892,  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  (McManigle)  Brisbin;  he  a 
native  of  Center,  she  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  James  Brisbin 
had  children:  Elizabeth,  ;\Iary  (of  previous  mention),  James,  Sallie, 
William  John,  William,  John  and  Mary;  the  latter  three  dying  young. 
Children  of  John  (3)  and  Mary  (Brisbin)  McDowell,  all  born  at  the 
home  farm  in  .Armagh  township,  Mifflin  county:  i.  An  infant  son,  died 
unnamed.  2.  John  (4),  now  deceased,  inherited  and  farmed  the  old 
homestead,  was  a  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  man  of  sub- 
stance. He  married,  October  11,  188S,  Elizabeth  R.,  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander and  Mary  L.  (Taylor)  Reed;  children:  Alexander  Reed  and 
Mary  Lyon.  3.  Margaret  J.  (of  previous  mention),  widow  of  Rev. 
Andrew  ii.  Parker.    4.  A  child,  died  unnamed. 


"Born  in  Germany"  signifies  that  he  who  can  claim  that 
WENZEL  distinguishing  mark  is  of  steady,  industrious,  thrifty 
habits,  is  usually  well  educated,  possesses  a  trade  or 
definite  occupation,  and,  if  he  remained  in  his  native  country  long 
enough,  has  had  the  valuable  training  in  discipline,  self-restraint,  obe- 
dience and  respect  for  those  in  authority,  gained  by  service  in  the  Ger- 
man army.  Such  a  man  is  Charles  Wenzel,  now  engaged  in  the  livery 
business  in  Mount  Union,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Charles  Wenzel  is  the  son  of  Heinrich  Christian  and  Coralina 
(Rausch)  Wenzel.  both  of  whom  lived  and  died  in  Germany — he  a 
teamster  and  farmer  and  both  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Chil- 
dren :  Hendrick,  a  soldier  of  the  German  army,  married  and  resides  in 
Germany;  Charles  (of  further  mention). 

Charles  Wenzel  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  February  2,  1854, 
and  continued  his  residence  in  his  native  land  until  reaching:  the  aere  of 
twenty-four  years.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  learned  the 
trade  of  brick  and  stone  mason,  at  which  he  worked  until  called  to  the 
colors  by  German  law.  He  served  three  years  and  eight  months  in 
the  army,  and  in  1878  bade  adieu  to  family  and  native  land,  arriving 
Ml  the  I'nited  States  on  October  21.  He  gradually  worked  westward, 
finally  deciding  to  remain  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  engaging  there 
as  a  bricklayer  for  three  years.  He  then  worked  for  a  year  in  the 
steel  works  at  Braddock,  settling  in  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  in  1884. 
There  lie  remained  until  1898.     During  this  period  he  began  brick  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  783 

stone  contracting,  building  up  a  good  business  in  those  lines  and 
accumulating  capital.  He  then  moved  to  Mount  Union,  Huntingdon 
county,  where  he  began  and  for  several  years  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  brick.  He  discovered  there  a  deposit,  rich  in  silica,  and 
established  a  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  silica  brick.  This  plant  is 
now  known  as  the  Harbison-Walker  Brick  Company  and,  greatly  en- 
larged, employs  seven  hundred  men  in  its  operation.  I\Ir.  W'enzel 
continued  in  the  brick  business  until  1912,  when  he  retired,  and  in 
November  of  that  year  engaged  in  the  livery  business  in  Mount  Union, 
purchasing  the  property  where  he  is  now  located  in  successful  operation. 
He  is  a  capable  man  of  affairs,  energetic  and  always  to  be  relied  upon. 
He  is  an  Independent  in  politics  and  for  six  years  served  on  the  bor- 
ough council  at  Mount  Laiion.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Lutheran  church. 

He  married,  January  23,  1874,  in  Germany,  Mary,  daughter  of 
Heinrich  and  Sophia  (Waushousen)  Bormann,  both  of  whom  lived 
and  died  in  Germany.  Children  of  Charles  and  Mary  W'enzel:  William, 
Henry,  Fred,  Anna,  Frank,  Charles,   Rosa,  August  and  Otto. 


The   Minick   emigrant   ancestor,    on   coming    from   Ger- 
MINICK     many  to  Pennsylvania,  settled  in  Lancaster  county,  whei^e 
he  lived  until  death,  leaving  issue. 

(II)  Peter  Minick,  son  of  the  emigrant,  was  born  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  learned  the 
tailor's  trade.  He  also  followed  farming,  continuing  both  occupations 
alternately  all  his  life.  After  leaving  Lancaster  county,  he  moved  to 
Cumberland  county,  thence  going  to  the  borough  of  Carlisle.  His  last 
years  were  spent  in  Orrstown,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
died,  aged  eight)'-six  years.  He  married  Mary  Curran,  of  Irish  par- 
entage, who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years. 

(III)  John,  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Curran)  IMinick,  was  born 
in  Carlisle  in  1817,  died  at  Shade  Gap,  Huntingdon  county,  in  1893. 
He  attended  school  for  three  months,  the  instruction  there  received 
being  entirely  in  the  German  language.  With  but  this  slender  founda- 
tion for  an  education,  he  went  out  into  the  world,  working  first  on  a 
farm,  but  at  age  fourteen  began  learning  the  shoemaker's  trade.  Two 
years  later  he  moved  his  residence  to  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 


784  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

tliere  learning  the  tanner"s  trade,  at  which  he  worked  until  1849  ^^t 
others.  At  age  twenty-four  years  he  had  married,  and  through  all 
the  years  from  boyhood  had  steadily  pursued  a  course  of  self  study 
that  placed  him  in  the  ranks  of  fairly  well  educated  men.  He  excelled 
as  an  accountant  and  as  a  bookkeeper  had  few  superiors.  Having 
accumulated  some  capital  by  close  economy,  and  feeling  sure  of  his 
ability  to  manage  both  the  bookkeeping  and  manufacturing  depart- 
ments of  a  business,  in  1849  he  purchased  the  tanning  plant  of  John 
U.  Blair,  in  Dublin  township,  Huntingdon  county,  paying  therefor  the 
sum  of  three  thousand  dollars.  His  purchase  included  the  tannery, 
twenty  acres  of  good  farm  land  and  six  hundred  acres  of  mountain 
land.  An  old  stone  house  stood  on  the  property,  which  later  he  greatly 
improved  and  made  his  residence.  He  prospered  in  business  and  at 
his  death  in  1893  was  one  of  the  substantial,  highly  respected  men  of 
iiis  town.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
faithful  and  devoted  to  its  every  interest.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
class  leader  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school.  He  was  very 
benevolent  and  turned  away  no  worthy  applicant  for  assistance.  He 
married,  in  1841,  JMaria  Kuhn,  also  of  German  parentage,  who  died 
in  1880,  aged  sixty-two  years;  children:  i.  Elizabeth  ("Lizzie"),  mar- 
ried D.  R.  P.  Neely  and  lived  in  Washington,  D.  C.  2.  Peter,  a  sol- 
dier in  the  L'nion  army.  Company  I,  Pennsylvania  Eucktails,  killed  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  aged  nineteen  years,  unmarried.  3.  John  M., 
wounded  while  in  the  Union  army  and  died  in  the  hospital  shortly 
afterward.  He  was  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  very  large  for  his  age, 
weighing  one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds.  4.  Ellen  H.,  married  Rev. 
William  H.  Zimmerman,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
later  stationed  at  Lawrence,  Kansas.  5.  Susan,  married  Scott  Lysinger, 
register  and  recorder  of  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania.  6.  Alfred  A. 
(of  whom  further).  7.  Cambridge  D.,  superintendent  of  the  bark 
department  of  the  Elk  Tannery  Company  of  Ridgway,  Elk  county, 
Pennsylvania;  married  Minnie  Lupfer.  8.  S.  Newton,  deceased,  a 
farmer,  who  cultivated  the  old  home  farm;  married  Anna  Swan. 

iW)  Alfred  A.,  son  of  John  and  Maria  (Kuhn)  Minick,  was 
born  at  tiie  old  stone  house  on  the  tannery  property,  in  Dublin  town- 
ship, Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  28,  1853.  He  was 
educated  in  the  i)uhlic  school  and  at  Milnwood  Academy  in  Shade  Gap. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


7»5 


During  his  early  life  he  worked  in  his  father's  tannery,  but  during  a 
period  of  depression  its  doors  were  closed  for  two  years,  and  the 
young  man  sought  other  employment.  He  engaged  for  eight  months 
as  clerk  in  a  store  at  Shade  Gap,  then  pursued  a  full  course  at  business 
college  in  Lock  Haven,  Pennsylvania,  graduating  therefrom  in  1886-. 
In  1887  he  became  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Schlosser  tannery 
at  Westminster,  Maryland,  remaining  there  thirteen  months.  He  then 
returned  home  and  reopened  the  tannery,  which  he  operated  for  many 
years ;  greatly  increased  the  output  of  the  plant,  made  extensive  im- 
provements, and  gained  a  steady  market  for  his  tanned  hides  in  New 
York  City.  He  added  considerable  real  estate  to  his  holdings  and  was 
rated  both  successful  and  reliable.  He  married  in  1876  and  continued 
in  business,  residing  at  Shade  Gap  until  1903,  when  he  moved  to  Ashe- 
ville,  North  Carolina,  where  he  now  resides,  superintendent  of  the 
tannery  and  extract  work  of  Hans  Rees  Sons  &  Company.  He  is  a 
thirty-second  degree  Alason,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  is  a  de- 
voted member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  in  politics  a 
Republican.  He  took  a  deep  and  lively  interest  in  public  affairs  while 
residing  in  Huntingdon  county  and  served  Dublin  township  in  several 
official  capacities.  He  married,  in  1876,  Sarah  M.,  born  April  15, 
11858,  at  Burnt  Cabins,  Fulton  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
William  and  Susan  (Giles)  McGowan,  born  in  Franklin  county.  Wil- 
liam McGowan  was  a  hotel  proprietor  in  Huntingdon  and  Bedford 
counties  and  was  at  the  time  of  his  daughter's  marriage  proprietor  of 
the  hotel  at  Shade  Gap,  where  he  yet  resides.  He  has  children: 
Thomas,  married  Jennie  Weller;  Sarah  M.,  wife  of  Alfred  A.  Minick; 
Emory,  now  residing  at  Tyrone.  Pennsylvania ;  Jane,  married  a  Mr. 
Roach;  John,  a  hotel  proprietor;  William,  clerk  for  the  Pittsburgh 
Steel  Company,  married  Ritta  Caldwell;  and  three  others  died  young. 
Children  of  Alfred  A.  and  Sarah  M.  Minick:  i.  John  M.  (of  whom 
further).  2.  Ira  C,  born  April  i,  1881,  now  an  electrician,  residing  at 
Wilkinsburg,  Pennsylvania;  he  married  Elaine  Ingersoll.  3.  Lillian 
L.,  born  February  3,  1892.  4.  S.  LaRue.  born  May  20,  1894.  5.  Nor- 
man R.,  born  April  2,  1899. 

(V)  John  M.,  eldest  son  of  Alfred  A.  and  Sarah  M.  (McGowan) 
Minick,  was  born  at  Shade  Gap,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  27,  1877.     He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  then  in 


786  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

1897  entering  the  National  College  of  Pharmacy  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
He  pursued  the  full  course  there  and  was  graduated,  class  of  1900. 
In  1901  and  1902  he  was  associated  with  his  cousin,  Guy  Minick  Neely, 
a  druggist  of  W'ashington,  and  in  the  latter  year  established  a  drug 
business  in  Mount  Union,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  under 
the  firm  name,  Neely  &  ]\Iinick.  In  1904  the  firm  dissolved,  Mr. 
Minick  continuing  the  business  under  his  own  name,  and  is  well  estab- 
lished and  prosperous.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

He  married,  October  7,  1903,  Alice  H.,  daughter  of  Rudolph  and 
Susan  (Mclntyre)  Sechler;  her  father  is  freight  agent  at  Mount  Union 
for  the  East  Broad  Top  Railroad. 


The  Rhoads  family  of  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  is 
RHOADS  of  Hungarian  origin,  the  immigrant  ancestor,  John, 
coming  to  the  United  States  in  the  first  quarter  of  the 
nineteenth  century  and  settling  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  He 
served  in  the  war  of  1812-1814  under  the  American  flag.  He  died 
near  Rockville,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  and  had  two  children:  A 
daughter,  who  married  Mr.  Collins,  and  George  (of  further  mention). 
(II)  George,  son  of  John  Rhoads,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  6,  1812,  died  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
1892.  He  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Rye  township,  Perry  county,  being 
employed  on  the  various  farms  of  the  locality.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Democrat  and  held  several  township  offices.  He  married  Margaret 
McLaughlin,  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  1807,  died 
January  i,  1865,  daughter  of  George  McLaughlin,  a  native  of  what 
was  then  Cumberland  county,  and  son  of  the  immigrant  ancestor. 
Children  of  George  McLaughlin:  i.  Alargaret,  married  George 
Rhoads.  2.  Jane,  died  unmarried.  3.  Mary,  died  unmarried.  4. 
George,  resident  of  Rye  township,  Huntingdon  count)-.  5.  W'illiam, 
died  in  Perry  county.  6.  Susan,  died  in  Cumberland  comity,  Penn- 
sylvania; married  John  Reed.  7.  Ann,  died  in  Cumberland' county ; 
married  (first)  Philip  Danner,  (second)  David  Houdeshell.  8.  Craw- 
ford, died  in  the  west.  Children  of  George  and  Margaret  (McLaugh- 
lin) Rhoads:  i.  John  H.  (of  further  mention).  2.  Cyrus,  a  railroad 
employee  and  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  died  in  Perry  county.     3.  Joseph 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXL\TA    VALLEY  787 

W.,  served  in  Company  M,  Seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
lives  in  Rye  township.  4.  George  W.,  railroad  employee,  died  at  ^Nlarys- 
ville.  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania.  5.  James  (of  further  mention). 
6.  Margaret  (deceased),  married  (first)  Samuel  Harrow,  (second) 
Leo  Lentz,  (third)  Elijah  Davis. 

(HI)  John  H.,  son  of  George  and  Margaret  (McLaughlin)  Rhoads, 
was  born  in  Rye  township,  Huntingdon  county,  April  24,  1843.  His 
education  was  obtained  in  the  public  school  of  the  township  and  his 
early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm.  He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army, 
Company  AL  Seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  February  26, 
1864,  and  served  until  the  end  of  the  war,  seeing  active  service  at  the 
battles  of  Atlanta,  Resaca,  Rome,  Lovejoy  Station  and  Chattahoocha 
River.  From  March  19,  1865,  until  the  date  of  his  discharge,  June 
30,  1865,  he  was  on  a  hospital  boat.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  he 
returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Northern 
Central  Railroad,  as  hostler  in  one  of  the  roundhouses,  a  position  he 
held  for  about  two  and  a  half  years.  He  then  accepted  a  position  at 
the  Seidel  Brothers  forge,  where  he  remained  for  eighteen  years.  At 
this  time  he  was  compelled  to  retire  from  active  labor  by  approaching 
blindness.  In  1889  he  purchased  fifty  acres  of  ground  in  Rye  township, 
near  his  old  house  in  Rye  township,  and  in  191 1  erected  thereon  a 
handsome  residence,  where  he  lives  at  the  present  time,  retired,  but 
still  retaining  great  interest  in  the  afifairs  of  county,  state  and  country. 
He  married,  April  29,  1861,  Louisa  Dale,  born  in  Perry  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, daughter  of  John  Frederick  and  Margaret  (Baer)  Dale; 
child:  Anna  Mary,  born  September  11,  1862,  married  John  H.  Shone, 
who  cultivates  her  father's  farm.  Children  of  John  H.  and  Anna 
Mary  (Rhoads)  Shone:  John;  Lucy,  married  Harvey  Baker  and  has 
two  children;  Margaret,  married  William  Forney,  they  have  children; 
Charles,  William,  Sarah,  Annie. 

(Ill)  James,  son  of  George  Rhoads,  was  born  in  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  died  in  1865  in  Perry  county.  He  was  for  many  years 
an  employee  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  and  was  a  veteran  of  the 
civil  war,  although  his  term  of  service  was  a  short  one.  He  married 
in  Marysville,  Pennsylvania,  leaving  a  widow  and  children.  His  wife, 
Susan  Hoover,  was  born  of  German  parents,  survived  her  husband  and 
married    (second)    Israel  Houdeshell;  both   she   and   her   second   hus- 


788  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


/ 


band  dying  in  Baltimore.  Children  of  James  Rhoads:  i.  Levi,  an  en- 
gineer, residing  in  Steelton,  Pennsylvania,  married  Sarah  Wagner. 
2.  John,  a  track  foreman  for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  He  married 
Stella  Champion.  3.  George  Washington  (see  forward).  4.  Sarah, 
married  Frank  Slade  and  resides  in  Baltimore.  5.  Fannie,  married 
F'rank  Cooper,  a  locomotive  engineer,  and  resides  in  Baltimore. 

(IV)  George  Washington,  son  of  James  and  Susan  (Hoover) 
Rhoads,  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  14,  1862. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Marysville,  Pennsylvania, 
and  learned  the  tinner's  trade,  beginning  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years. 
He  worked  at  his  trade  for  several  years,  then  entered  the  railroad 
employ,  continuing  about  nine  years.  He  then  returned  to  the  tinning 
business,  which  he  followed  until  1912.  He  then  purchased  the  hotel 
at  Marysville,  of  which  he  is  now  proprietor.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics  and  a  keen,  foresighted  business  man. 

He  married,  in  1883,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Margaret 
(Strine)  Piatt,  of  Marysville.  Children:  Pearl,  married  John  Strickey, 
a  boiler  inspector  for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad;  Myrtle,  married  Al- 
fred Flickinger,  a  fireman  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad;  Violet,  mar- 
ried Wesley  Kerstetter,  a  brakeman  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad; 
Earl,  a  tinner,  unmarried ;  George,  a  fireman  on  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road, married  Violet  Wilson  and  resides  at  West  Fairview;  Edna, 
resides  at  home. 


One  of  the  contributing  causes  to  the  greatness 
SHOEMAKER  of  the  United  States  has  been  the  large  influx  of 
German  emigrants  who  came  from  the  Fatherland 
to  better  their  worldly  condition  and  to  assist  in  the  upbuilding  of  this 
country.  They  have  succeeded  in  doing  both,  and  there  is  no  element  in 
the  heterogeneous  mass  of  nationalities  that  go  toward  making  this  re- 
public the  greatest  on  earth  that  has  done  more  than  the  Germans. 
Of  this  thrifty  race  is  Harry  W.  Shoemaker,  of  Newport,  Pennsyl- 
vania, descended.  The  name  was  originally  written  Shumacher,  but 
as  generation  has  succeeded  generation  in  America  it  has  become 
Anglicized. 

(I)  Jacob  Shoemaker,  a  direct  descendant  of  the  first  Shumacher 
to  emigrate   to   the  United    States,   was   born   in   Pennsylvania,   near 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  789 

Harrisburg.  He  was  at  first  a  day  laborer,  then  he  acquired  a  farm 
on  which  he  grew  tobacco.  He  married  (first)  Barbara  Boosier,  Hke 
himself  of  German  descent.  Children  by  this  marriage:  i.  Amanda, 
who  died  young.  2.  Ann,  died  unmarried.  He  married  (second)  Re- 
becca Goss,  and  to  them  were  born:  i.    Daniel  G.,  of  whom  further. 

2.  Jacob,   a  laborer  at   Steelton,   Pennsylvania;  married  iMary   Crone. 

3.  Mary,  died  in  childhood.  4.  A  son,  twin  of  Mary,  died  in  infancy. 
5.  Fannie,  married  Daniel  Redman,  a  laborer.  6.  Harry,  married  Het- 
tie  Hawk. 

(II)  Daniel  G.  Shoemaker,  son  of  Jacob  and  Rebecca  (Goss) 
Shoemaker,  was  born  November  10,  1849,  i"  Dauphin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  married,  December,  1869,  Mary  Ann  \Volf,  born  De- 
cember 30,  1848,  at  Goldsborough,  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Souders)  Wolf,  of  Goldsborough,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Shoemaker  was  first  a  farm  laborer,  then  was  a  farmer 
in  Dauphin  county  for  over  eighteen  years,  on  a  leased  farm.  In 
1904  he  moved  to  Newport,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  since  resided  there. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Church  of  God.  Children:  i. 
Fannie,  born  April  i,  1871,  now  deceased;  married  Daniel  Marion. 
2.  Elizabeth,  born  July  7,  1874,  married  Hugh  Crumbling,  a  miller  at 
Steelton,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Harry  W.,  of  whom  further.  4.  George, 
born  February  10,  1879,  died  June  6,  1880.  5.  Katie,  born  August  28, 
1881;  married  Fred  Dupler,  a  teamster.  6.  Adaline,  born  October  16, 
1884,  unmarried.  8.  Anna,  born  April  17,  1891.  unmarried.  The 
parents  of  Mrs.  Shoemaker,  John  and  Elizabeth  (Souders)  Wolf,  were 
old  time  residents  of  Goldsborough,  Pennsylvania.  They  were  both 
born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  Goldsborough.  He  was 
a  fish  net  manufacturer,  and  was  for  years  an  invalid.  Children:  i. 
Catherine,  married  (first)  John  Dugan;  married  (second)  Jesse  Funk. 
2.  Lydia,  married  Luke  Rhinehart,  a  farmer  of  York  county.  3.  Jacob, 
married  Catherine  Bone;  he  is  a  railway  employee.  4.  Benjamin,  a 
farmer;  married  Hannah  Gingrich.  5.  William,  of  Cly,  York  county, 
Pennsylvania.  6.  Mary  Ann,  married  Daniel  G.  Shoemaker.  7.  Eliza- 
beth, married  Augustus  Wise.  8.  Eliza  Jane,  died  in  infancy.  9. 
George,  married  Lydia  Grooms.  There  were  others,  but  no  record 
has  been  kept  of  their  birth,  marriage  or  death. 

(III)  Harry   W.   Shoemaker,   son   of   Daniel    G.   and   Mary   Ann 


790  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(Wolf)  Shoemaker,  was  boni  in  Highspire  borough,  Dauphin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  June  19,  1877.  He  was  educated  in  the  Highspire  public 
school,  and  later  in  the  Harrisburg  Business  College,  graduating  in 
1894.  He  was  employed  by  the  Highspire  Distillery  Company  soon 
after  graduation  and  remained  with  them  four  years,  and  for  the  last 
three  years  of  that  time  was  foreman  of  the  extensive  warehouse  of 
the  distillery  company.  At  the  end  of  four  years  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company  at  Steelton,  where  he  did 
clerical  work  for  two  years;  in  August,  1904,  he  moved  to  Newport, 
Pennsylvania,  and  established  a  shirt  factory  in  a  building  which  he 
leased.  He  employed  at  that  time  twenty-five  people  to  help  him  in 
the  business.  In  1906  he  took  possession  of  a  more  commodious  plant, 
which  he  purchased  May,  19 10,  and  now  has  in  his  employ  sixty  men 
and  women,  with  an  average  output  of  six  hundred  and  fifty  dozen 
shirts  per  week.  The  business  is  constantly  growing  and  it  will  not 
be  many  years  before  additions  will  be  needed  to  meet  the  demands  for 
greater  space,  or  a  larger  building  erected  or  bought.  Mr.  Shoemaker 
is  member  of  the  Senior  Order  of  American  Mechanics,  of  Highspire; 
the  Masonic  order  of  Newport,  No.  381,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can, but  has  never  held  nor  aspired  to  office.  His  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

He  married,  August  13,  1904,  Sadie  F.  Ferree,  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Barbara  (Wilson)  Ferree;  he  is  a  truck  farmer  near  York  Haven, 
York  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shoemaker  have  one  child, 
La  Rue  Ferree,  born  July  27,   19 12.  , 


The  Baileys  of  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  descend  from 
I'AII.FV     Daniel  Bailey,  a  native  of  county  Monaghan,  province  of 

Ulster,  Ireland,  who  arrived  in  Philadelphia  in  February, 
1758.  Later  he  settled  in  Monaghan  township,  now  Carroll,  York 
county,  Pennsylvania,  his  farm  being  near  the  site  of  the  present  bor- 
ough of  Dillslnirg.  Flis  name  occurs  in  a  "list  of  the  taxables"  of 
1783  as  the  owner  of  fifty  acres.     He  married  and  left  issue. 

(II)  John,  son  of  Daniel  Bailey,  was  born  in  Monaghan,  now 
Carroll  township,  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  resided  until 
his  death,  a  prosperous  farmer  and  surveyor.  He  married  Mary  Nel- 
son, of  English  descent.    Among  his  children  was  a  son,  Samuel  N. 


Jo/,„  ai.  .!7^ai/e. 


'/ 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  791 

(III)  Samuel  N.,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Nelson)  Bailey,  was 
born  in  Monaghan,  now  Carroll  township,  York  county,  in  1809,  died 
in  Dillsburg,  Pennsylvania,  in  1872,  after  a  useful  and  valuable  career. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm.  He  was  a  close  student  and  great  reader  with  natural 
ability  of  a  high  order  that  enabled  him  to  acquire  a  liberal  education. 
He  learned  surveying  in  his  younger  years  with  his  father  and  made 
that  profession  the  main  business  of  his  life.  In  1835  he  located  in 
Dillsburg,  which  was  built  partly  on  land  owned  by  his  grandfather, 
Daniel  Bailey.  He  there  resided  the  remainder  of  his  life — engaged 
for  a  time  in  farming,  later  taught,  served  for  several  years  as  county 
surveyor,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  justice  of  the  peace.  In  1843 
he  was  elected  to  represent  his  district  in  the  state  legislature,  serving 
three  years  with  ability  and  honor.  He  spent  eight  years  in  Harris- 
burg  under  Adjutant  General  Banks  and  his  successor,  but  retained 
his  residence  in  Dillsburg.  He  was  connected  with  one  of  the  early 
militia  regiments,  from  which  he  derived  the  title  of  "Colonel,"  by 
which  he  was  ever  known.  He  entered  the  service  of  his  country  in 
1862,  was  elected  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  12th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Reserves,  was  in  the  service  one  year,  then  resigned.  He  married  in 
1836,  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Beelman)  Mumper,  of 
Carroll  township,  of  the  old  pioneer  family  of  that  name.  Children : 
I.  William  D.,  born  in  Dillsburg,  January  3,  1837,  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  M.  D.,  1862,  practiced  in  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, until  1863,  when  he  entered  the  Union  army  as  assistant  sur- 
geon, 78th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  In  1864  was 
appointed  surgeon  with  rank  of  major.  After  the  war  practiced  one 
year  in  Oil  City,  Pennsylvania,  returning  to  Dillsburg  in  1866,  where 
he  was  in  lucrative,  honorable  practice  until  his  death,  February  17, 
1892.  He  married  Josephine  F.,  daughter  of  Colonel  Henry  Logan,  of 
Carroll  township.  2.  John  M.,  of  whom  further.  3.  D.  Bigler,  a  law- 
yer of  ability,  died  in  York,  Pennsylvania,  in  188 1. 

(IV)  John  Mumper,  second  son  of  Colonel  Samuel  N.  and  Mar- 
garet (Mumper)  Bailey,  was  born  in  Dillsburg,  York  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, July  II.  1839.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Dillsburg, 
finishing  his  studies  at  Tuscarora  Academy,  Academia,  Juniata  county, 
Pennsylvania.      The   expense   of   the   years   was    in   part    defrayed   by 


792  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

teaching  during  four  winter  terms  in  schools  of  Walker,  Porter  and 
Franklin  townships,  Huntingdon  county.  During  the  summer  vaca- 
tions he  read  law,  having  determined  on  the  legal  profession  as  his 
life  work.  In  1859  he  became  a  law  student  in  the  offices  of  Scott 
and  Brown,  Huntingdon,  then  a  leading  law  firm  of  that  borough.  On 
August  II,  1862,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Huntingdon  county  bar  and 
three  years  later  to  practice  before  the  supreme  court  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  1865  he  was  admitted  to  a  partnership  with  his  former 
preceptors,  the  firm  name  becoming  Scott,  Brown  and  Bailey.  In  1869 
the  senior  partner,  John  Scott,  was  elected  United  States  senator  and 
withdrew  from  the  firm,  which  continued  as  Brown  and  Bailey  until 
the  admission,  in  1872,  of  Mr.  Brown's  son,  Charles  G.  Brown,  when 
the  firm  name  became  Brown,  Bailey  and  Brown.  In  1891  a  peaceful 
dissolution  was  effected,  the  Browns  continuing,  Mr.  Bailey  retiring  and 
practicing  alone  until  1896.  On  November  5,  1895,  he  was  elected 
president  judge  of  the  twentieth  judicial  district,  composed  of  the 
counties  of  Huntingdon,  Bedford  and  Mifflin,  and  on  January  i,  1896, 
assumed  the  duties  of  that  high  office.  He  wisely  and  impartially 
presided  over  the  courts  of  his  district  and  as  a  judge  fully  realized 
the  high  opinion  of  his  friends  who  had  elevated  him  to  the  bench.  He 
did  not  live  to  complete  his  term,  but  after  seven  years  of  honorable 
service  as  judge  and  forty-one  years  after  his  admission  to  the  bar, 
he  died,  September  27,  1903.  Judge  Bailey  gave  his  life  to  his  pro- 
fession and  never  sought  political  preferment,  although,  as  one  of  the 
leading  Democrats  of  his  county,  he  could  have  had  any  office  in  his 
county  within  his  grasp  had  he  so  desired.  He.  however,  served  his 
state  in  the  constitutional  convention  of  1872-1873,  serving  in  that  body 
on  important  committees.  He  also  accepted  one  term  in  the  borough 
council  of  Huntingdon  and  served  his  brethren  of  the  profession  as 
president  of  the  county  bar  association.  He  was  learned  in  the  law 
and  his  years  of  practice,  1862  to  1896,  were  characterized  no  less  by 
marked  ability  than  by  his  scrupulous  regard  for  the  interests  of  his 
clients.  He  won  the  confidence  of  his  community  in  which  his  life  had 
been  spent,  not  only  as  an  able  lawyer,  but  as  an  earnest  upright  citizen. 
Believing  not  only  in  his  ability,  but  in  his  high  character  also,  the 
electors  of  his  district  said :  "Come  up  higher,"  and  to  his  other  known 
traits  was  added  that  of  a  "just  and  upright  judge."     He  was  an  active 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  793 

member  of  the  Masonic  order ;  was  past  master  of  jMount  Moriah 
Lodge,  No.  300,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  past  high  priest  of 
Standing  Stone  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  both  of  Huntingdon.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  which  he  joined  in  1864,  and 
was  a  faithful  supporter  of  that  church  and  its  various  departments  of 
Christian  effort. 

Judge  Bailey  married.  May  25,  1869,  Letitia,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Rachel  (Jackson)  Fisher,  both  life-long  residents  of  Huntingdon 
county.  Thomas  Fisher  was  for  more  than  fifty  years  a  merchant ; 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Huntingdon; 
a  member  of  its  first  board  of  directors,  later  became  president,  an 
office  he  held  until  his  death.  He  also  served  as  treasurer  of  Hunting- 
don county  and  chief  burgess  of  the  borough  of  Huntingdon.  He  had 
seven  children:  i.  Fanny,  died  in  Huntingdon,  unmarried.  2.  Belle, 
died  in  Huntingdon,  unmarried.  3.  Horatio  G.,  died  May  8,  1890, 
a  prominent  coal  operator  of  the  Clearfield  and  Jefferson  county  dis- 
tricts, was  prominent  also  in  political  life,  serving  as  state  senator  and 
member  of  the  national  house  of  representatives.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded in  business  by  his  son  as  president  of  the  Berwind-White  Coal 
Mining  Company,  the  largest  producers  of  bituminous  coal  in  this 
country.  4.  Thomas,  died  in  1884;  his  father's  partner  in  business. 
5.  Letitia,  married  Judge  John  M.  Bailey.  6.  Kate,  married  J.  C.  Blair, 
of  Huntingdon,  an  extensive  paper  manufacturer,  whom  she  survives. 
7.  Mary,  married  R.  Allison  ]\Iiller;  both  deceased.  Children  of  Judge 
John  M.  and  Letitia  Bailey:  Thomas  F.,  of  whom  further:  Margaret 
and  William,  died  in  childhood.  Mrs.  Letitia  (Fisher)  Bailey  survives 
her  husband,  she  and  her  sister  Kate  being  the  last  of  the  family.  She 
is  a  resident  of  Huntingdon,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and 
a  lady  greatly  beloved. 

(V)  Thomas  F.,  only  son  of  Judge  John  M.  and  Letitia  (Fisher) 
Bailey  to  survive  childhood,  was  born  in  Huntingdon,  November  15, 
1871.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  and 
Blairstown  Academy,  Blairstown,  New  Jersey.  He  prepared  at  Law- 
renceville  Preparatory  School,  Lawrenceville,  New  Jersey,  entered 
Princeton  University,  whence  he  was  graduated,  degree  of  A.  B.,  class 
of  1894.  At  the  university  he  took  special  interest  in  the  debating  and 
literary  societies,  belonging  to  the  Coffee  House  Clulj,   which  studies 


794  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

exclusively  the  plays  of  Sheridan;  the  Clio  Hall  Club,  a  debating  society, 
and  to  the  Tiger  Inn  Club.  His  fraternity  is  Tiger  Inn.  After  leaving 
the  university  he  began  the  study  of  lavi^  under  the  preceptorship  of  his 
honored  father  and  in  1896  was  admitted  to  the  Huntingdon  county 
bar.  He  at  once  began  practice  in  Huntingdon,  alone,  the  elevation 
of  his  father  to  the  bench  frustrating  their  long  cherished  plan  of  a 
partnership.  Mr.  Bailey  has  been  very  successful  in  his  profession,  has 
an  extensive  practice  in  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  his  district  and, 
while  conducting  a  general  practice,  gives  especial  attention  to  corpora- 
tion law  and  the  trial  of  cases  before  judge  and  jury.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  a  member  of  the  borough  school  board,  and  is  inter- 
ested in  all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  town.  He  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  the  state  and  county  bar  associations  and  is  a  com- 
municant of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Mr.  Bailey  married,  November  19,  1902,  Wilhelmina,  daughter  of 
Carl  Lentz,  born  in  Germany,  a  prominent  leader  of  the  Republican 
party  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  who  carries 
an  empty  sleeve,  his  wife's  name  being  Huldah  Wildrick  Lentz.  The 
only  child  of  Tiiomas  F.  and  Wilhelmina  Bailey,  Elizabeth,  was  born 
January  7,    1904. 


The  earliest  record  found  of  this  branch  is  in  New 
DE  VAULT  Jersey,  where  Joel  De  Vault  was  born,  December  25, 
1789,  died  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  December  2, 
1862.  He  lived  in  New  Jersey  until  1825,  then  prior  to  the  year  1828 
came  to  Pennsylvania.  He  became  a  wealthy  farmer  and  large  land 
owner  of  the  Juniata  Valley,  his  lands  lying  along  the  Black  Log 
mountains.  His  wife,  Mary,  born  in  New  Jersey,  July  4,  1793,  died  in 
Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  26,  1845.  Children:  i.  Eliza,  born 
November  17,  1813,  died  in  Granville  township,  June  12,  1886.  2. 
Joel,  born  March  14,  1817.  3.  Michael,  born  February  25,  1819,  died 
in  Charleston,  Illinois,  December  26,  1881.  4.  George  W.,  of  whom 
further.  5.  Christian,  born  April  i,  1825,  died  August  17,  1825.  C>. 
John  L.  S.,  born  April  12,  1828,  the  first  of  the  children  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 7.  Mary  J.,  born  January  15,  1833,  was  killed  by  the  cars 
at  Mifllintown,  Pennsylvania,  September  17,  1837.  8.  Caroline,  born 
March  31,    1835.  met  her  death  by  accidental  burning  in  Deadwood, 


"^  J 


^aniP4  -Jhe/io/.i 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  795 

South  Dakota ;  she  married  Patrick  Gaston.     Joel  De  Vault  married  a 
second  wife,  Elizabeth,  who  bore  him  several  children. 

{II)  George  Washington,  third  son  and  fourth  child  of  Joel  and 
Mary  De  Vault,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  May  9,  1822,  died  in  Peoria, 
Illinois,  April  29,  1877.  He  was  a  very  young  child  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  grew  to  manhood, 
obtaining  an  education  in  the  public  schools.  When  a  young  man  he 
left  the  home  farm  and  located  in  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  with 
his  brothers,  ^Michael  and  John  L.  S.  In  1846  he  settled  in  Peoria, 
where  he  was  general  agent  for  the  Truesdale  Sewing  Machine  Com- 
pany. He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  He  married  (first)  December  3,  1845,  Elizabeth 
McLaughlin,  who  died  April  27,  1S53,  leaving  two  children:  i.  Eliza 
Jane,  born  1846;  married  William  Cortell.  2.  William  B.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1848.  He  married  (second)  October  24,  1853,  Hannah  E. 
Allen,  born  August  8,  1833,  who  died  leaving  three  children.  3. 
George  Edwin,  born  September  30,  1854.  4.  Marten  Hollis,  born 
April  6,  1857;  now  a  shoe  dealer  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  5.  Noble 
Cullen,  born  December  25,  1859.  He  married  (third)  August  6,  1872, 
Catherine,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Ann  (Blymyer)  Nichols:  their 
child:  6.  Mary  Nichols,  born  August  9,  1876,  married  James  Franklin 
Collins,  an  iron  worker,  residing  in  Lewistown ;  child,  Mary  Catherine. 
Mrs.  Catherine  (Nichols)  De  Vault  survives  her  husband  and  resides 

in  Lewistow-n. 

(The  Nichols  Line). 

(I)  William  Nichols  came  to  Juniata  Valley,  settling  at  Lewisburg, 
where  he  was  a  merchant  for  several  years,  and  died  May  25,  1852. 
His  first  wife,  Elizabeth  (Crull)  Nichols,  whom  he  married  in  York 
county,  Pennsylvania,  August  13,  1807,  died  September  3,  181 1,  and 
in  1813  he  married  her  sister,  Jane  Crull,  who  died  June  7,  1826. 

(II)  Tames,  son  of  William  Nichols,  was  born  in  York  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  6,  1809,  died  July  3,  1885.  He  married,  in  1829, 
Mary  Ann  Blymyer,  born  July  14,  1809,  died  August  2,  1889.  They 
came  to  Lewistown  in  1849  by  boat  on  the  Juniata  canal  and  for  sev- 
eral years  James  Nichols  was  a  toll  gate  keeper.  Later  he  started  a 
grocery  on  East  Market  street,  then  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace, 
an  office  he  held  for  many  years  until  his  death.     He  was  an  ardent 


796  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Whig,  later  a  Republican,  supporting  that  party  witli  all  the  earnestness 
of  his  nature.  He  served  for  a  time  as  tax  collector  and  was  always 
active  and  interested  in  public  affairs.  He  lived  at  No.  no  West 
Market  street,  which  he  purchased,  and  where  he  and  his  wife  both 
died.  They  were  active  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  highly 
respected.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Shutter) 
Blymyer,  both  born  in  York  county.  John  was  a  saddler  by  trade  and 
met  his  death  by  drowning  while  attempting  to  cross  the  Susquehanna 
river  on  a  raft  to  Halifax,  Pennsylvania.  James  and  Mary  Ann  Nich- 
ols celebrated  their  golden  wedding  in  1879  at  Lewistown,  thirteen 
grandchildren  being  present.  Children:  i.  Elizabeth,  born  January  15, 
1830,  died  August  8,  1897;  married  Andrew  McCoy.  2.  Margaret, 
born  December  9,  1832;  married  Peter  Ort,  whom  she  survives,  a  resi- 
dent of  Tyrone,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Catherine,  born  December,  1836; 
widow  of  George  Washington  De  Vault.  4.  Leah  Jane,  born  April 
14,  1838;  married  William  N.  Hoffman;  resides  in  Lewistown.  5. 
William  B.,  born  July  8.  1840,  died  October  22,  1859.  6.  Anna  Eliza, 
born  May  9,  1842,  died  May  3,  1890;  married  G.  Rose  Reese.  7.  Mary 
Susan,  born  April  15,  1844,  died  September  5,  1845.  8.  Martha  Ellen, 
born  May  8,  1846;  married  John  H.  Reiley,  whom  she  survives,  a  resi- 
dent of  Tyrone,  Pennsylvania. 


Charles  C.  Brewster,  of  Huntingdon,  now  serving 
BREWSTER     his  second  term  as  district  attorney  of  Huntingdon 

county,  is  a  descendant  of  Elder  William  Brewster 
of  the  Mayflower,  through  the  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  branch. 
He  is  a  great-grandson  of  William  Brewster,  an  early  settler  and  gen- 
eral merchant  of  Fannettsburg,  Franklin  county,  who  married  Margaret 
Robinson. 

Their  son  Henry,  born  in  Fannettsburg  in  1798,  died  in  Shirleys- 
l)urg,  Pennsylvania,  in  1880.  He  was  a  general  merchant  and  man  of 
prommence  in  public  life  (for  full  account  of  his  career,  see  another 
Brewster  family  sketch  in  this  work).  He  married  (first)  Nancy  Camp- 
bell, who  was  the  mother  of  his  eldest  son,  William  H. 

William  H.,  son  of  Henry  and  Nancy  (Campbell)  Brewster,  was 
bnrn  ni  Concord,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1829,  died  at  Shir- 
leysburg,   Pennsylvania,  January  9,    1906.      He   was   educated   in   the 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  797 

public  schools  and  from  early  boyhood  was  a  worker  in  his  father's 
store.  He  there  obtained  a  thorough  preparation  for  the  active  mer- 
cantile life  of  fifty  years  that  was  spent  in  Shirleysburg,  Pennsylvania. 
He  succeeded  to  his  father's  business  in  Shirleysburg  on  the  retirement 
of  the  latter  in  1853  ^^'^  was  its  active,  energetic  head  until  his  latter 
years,  when  the  heavier  burdens  of  management  were  shifted  to  the 
shoulders  of  his  sons.  He  never,  however,  retired,  but  was  potent  in 
the  conduct  of  the  business  until  the  last.  In  his  younger  years  he  had 
studied  surveying  and  all  through  his  life  did  his  own  surveying  of 
property  as  well  as  acting  in  the  same  capacity  for  others.  He  was 
one  of  the  best  known  business  men  of  the  county,  his  long  years  as 
merchant  and  his  work  as  surveyor  having  brought  him  into  contact 
with  a  great  number  of  people.  He  was  a  most  capable  man  of  af- 
fairs and  in  all  his  transactions  was  the  soul  of  uprightness  and  in- 
tegrity. He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  never  sought  public  of- 
fice, his  private  business  furnishing  an  outlet  for  all  his  energy.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  which  they 
earnestly  supported  with  personal  work  and  liberal  contributions.  He 
married  in  Shirleysburg,  Mary  Stewart,  who  died  February  20,  1895, 
daughter  of  Robert  Stewart,  a  farmer  and  live  stock  dealer  of  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  where  he  died  a  young  man.  Mary,  the  daughter,  left 
an  orphan  at  an  early  age,  was  taken  into  the  family  of  Rev.  G.  W. 
Shaiffer,  the  Presbyterian  minister  at  Shirleysburg,  who  cared  for  and 
educated  her.  Children :  Robert  Henry,  now  living  retired  at  Shirleys- 
burg; Frank  Stewart,  now  a  member  of  the  Huntingdon  county  board 
of  surveyors,  residing  at  Shirleysburg;  William  Roy,  died  in  infancy; 
Charles  C,  of  whom  further;  Laura,  died  in  infancy;  John,  died  in 
infancy. 

Charles  C,  fourth  son  of  William  H.  and  Mary  (Stewart)  Brew- 
ster, was  born  in  Shirleysburg,  Pennsylvania,  November  18,  1867.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  Shirleysburg  Academy  (then  con- 
ducted by  Professor  J.  B.  Kidder,  a  prominent  educator  of  his  day) 
and  Juniata  College,  where  he  spent  the  required  years  to  graduate,  but 
departing  from  the  regular  courses,  taking  surveying  and  other  special 
studies,  therefore  did  not  receive  a  degree.  From  189 1  to  1897  he 
was  deputy  register  and  recorder  of  Huntingdon  county,  then  studied 
law  under  the  direction  of  Thomas  F.  Bailey  and  in  1899  was  admitted 


798  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

to  the  Huntingdon  county  bar.  He  at  once  began  the  practice  of  law 
in  Huntingdon,  where  he  is  well  established  in  general  practice.  In 
1909  he  was  elected  district  attorney  of  Huntingdon  county,  served 
his  term  most  acceptably  and  in  1912  was  reelected.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics  and  from  1906  to  1909  served  as  chief  burgess  of  Hunt- 
ingdon. 

He  is  a  member  of  Mount  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  300,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Standing  Stone  Chapter,  No.  201,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Hunt- 
ingdon Commandery,  No.  65,  Knights  Templar;  Jaffa  Temple,  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine  (of  Altoona)  ;  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of 
America;  the  Heptasophs,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  His  professional 
societies  are:  The  American,  Pennsylvania  State  and  Huntingdon 
County  Bar  Associations. 

Mr.  Brewster  married,  October  30,  1900,  Mary,  daughter  of  John 
Brewster,  president  of  Standing  Stone  National  Bank  of  Huntingdon 
(see  his  history  in  this  work).  Children:  Janet,  born  January  13, 
1907;  Mary  Stewart,  July  11,  1908;  John,  December  15,   191 1. 


a  Ik 


In  distant  England,  in  the  town  of  Penzance,  Corn- 
LANGDON  wall,  Richard  Langdon  was  born  of  English  parents. 
There  he  worked  in  the  mines,  married  and  lived  until 
'lit  1835.  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  at  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania.  There  he  also  engaged  in  mining,  holding  an  official 
capacity.  For  several  years  he  was  also  connected  with  lead  mining  in 
Missouri,  but  later  returned  to  Pottsville;  died  in  Minersville  about 
1873.  He  was  an  expert  in  his  business  and  known  to  his  intimate 
friends  as  a  bountiful  entertainer  and  a  most  excellent  teller  of  good 
stories.  His  wealth  of  experience  gained  in  the  mines  of  two  countries 
gained  him  important  positions  and  made  him  an  authority  on  deep  and 
difficult  undertakings.  Children  :  Jane,  deceased  ;  Samuel,  a  soldier  of 
the  civil  war,  died  from  the  effect  of  his  service ;  Mary,  married  (first) 
George  Wigmore,  (second)  a  Mr.  Jones,  and  now  lives  in  Chicago, 
Illinois;  Richard  (2),  of  whom  further;  Jesse  W.,  died  at  Spring  Grove,' 
IVnnsylvania,  a  hardware  merchant. 

(II)  Richard  (2),  son  of  Richard  (i)  Langdon,  was  born  in 
Penzance,  Cornwall,  England,  March  19,  1830,  died  in  Philadelphia 
Pennsylvania,  in  1890.     He  was  brought  to  the  United  States  when  a 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  799 

boy  and  became  a  miner  under  his  father's  direction.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  settled  at  Valley  Forge,  Pennsylvania,  but  later  settled  in 
Schuylkill  county;  later  he  went  to  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  from  about  1855  he  was  superintendent  of  coal  mines  for  R.  B. 
Davis  &  Company.  Later  he  became  a  mine  owner,  operating  in  Bed- 
ford county  and  in  Clearfield  county  until  his  death.  He  operated 
many  mines  during  his  career,  both  for  others  and  for  himself,  being 
a  pioneer  in  some  of  the  now  well  known  producing  districts.  His 
home,  however,  from  about  1855  was  at  Huntingdon.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics;  was  active  in  local  affairs  and  was  one  time  chief 
burgess  of  Huntingdon.  He  believed  in  the  enforcement  of  law  and  is 
remembered  by  the  old  residents  as  the  "fighting  burgess."  Both  he 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  married 
(first)  Ann  Denithorne,  born  in  Penzance,  England,  January  22,  1830, 
died  in  Huntingdon  in  1878,  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  (Bartol)  Deni- 
thorne, both  born  in  Cornwall,  England.  In  1848,  the  family  came  to 
the  United  States,  settling  at  Phoenixville,  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. John  Denithorne  was  a  stone  mason  and  followed  that  trade 
with  profit.  Later  he  purchased  a  farm  on  which  Phoenixville  is  partly 
built.  He  died  there  in  June,  1877,  aged  seventy-four  years  and  ten 
months.  His  wife  died  May  29,  1880,  aged  seventy-one  years  and 
three  months;  both  members  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Children  of 
John  and  Ann  (Bartol)  Denithorne:  i.  William,  born  1827,  died 
young.  2.  Ann,  married  Richard  (2)  Langdon,  of  previous  mention. 
3.  William  (2),  born  July  31,  1832,  a  boiler  maker  and  formerly  cap- 
tain of  Battery  C,  Pennsylvania  State  Militia.  4.  Elizabeth,  born  Sep- 
tember 5,  1837,  never  married.  5.  William  (3),  born  January  i,  1840, 
died  in  the  L'nion  army  in  1864.  6.  Richard,  born  June  i,  1842,  died 
in  Philadelphia,  a  contractor.  7.  Amelia,  born  December  24,  1844, 
married  Jacob  Mildren  and  died  in  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania.  8.  James, 
born  May  18,  1847,  died  in  Huntingdon,  a  machinist  and  boiler  maker, 
later  a  coal  operator.  9.  Catherine,  born  October  20,  1850,  in  Phoenix- 
ville, died  in  1909,  married  (first)  I.  W.  March,  (second)  Oliver  Nich- 
ols. 10.  Mary,  born  July  21,  1854,  died  in  infancy.  Children  of 
Richard  (2)  and  Ann  (Denithorne)  Langdon:  i.  Samuel,  died  in 
Philadelphia,  a  coal  operator.  2.  Elizabeth,  married  James  C.  Long 
and  resides  in  Philadelphia.    3.  Richard    (3),   died   in    1878.    4.  John, 


8oo  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

of  whom  further.  5.  Mary,  married  Harry  A.  Jacobs  and  resides  in 
Hollidaysburg,  Pennsylvania.  6.  WilHam  Denithorne,  resides  in  Bed- 
ford county.  7.  Annie,  married  Charles  A.  Coyle,  whom  she  survives, 
a  resident  of  Philadelphia. 

(Ill)  John,  son  of  Richard  (2)  and  Ann  (Denithorne)  Langdon, 
was  born  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  18,  1856.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  in  boyhood  worked  around  the 
coal  mines.  In  1872  he  went  to  the  Broad  Top  coal  regions  and  was 
associated  with  his  father  as  clerk  in  the  company  stores  and  later 
under  him  learned  the  details  of  mine  management.  He  was  placed 
in  charge  of  some  of  the  mines  owned  by  his  father  and  in  i88-|. 
branched  out  independently  as  mine  superintendent  in  the  Clearfield 
district.  He  incorporated  the  Clearfield  Consolidated  Coal  Compan}' ; 
was  its  superintendent  until  1889,  when  he  returned  to  the  Broad  Top 
district.  There  he  became  connected  with  several  producing  coal  com- 
panies as  stockholder  and  official,  but  in  1900  sold  out  all  his  holdings 
in  these  and  began  his  successful  career  as  an  individual  operator.  He 
has  now  centered  all  his  interests  in  Bedford  county,  where,  in  his 
own  mines,  he  employs  about  three  hundred  men,  shipping  his  coal  to 
Pennsylvania  points,  the  New  England  and  southern  states,  also  to  New 
Jersey  and  New  York.  He  is  not  only  a  practical  mine  superintendent, 
thoroughly  familiar  with  every  detail  of  the  mine,  but  is  a  capable, 
efficient  man  of  business,  able  to  combat  in  the  selling  as  well  as  the 
producing  field.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Union  National  Bank  of 
Huntingdon,  also  is  interested  ni  the  First  National  Bank  of  Hunting- 
don. He  is  independent  in  politics  and  served  three  years  in  the  city 
council.  In  religious  faith  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Episcopal  church,  which  ]\Ir.  Langdon  served  as  senior  warden.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  treasurer 
of  his  lodge. 

Mr.  Langdon  married,  in  1879,  Annie  H.  Zeth,  born  in  Bedford 
county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Martin  V.  Zeth.  Children :  Jaines, 
born  in  1880.  died  in  infancy;  Chester  J.,  born  1883,  married  Justina 
MarstcIIcr  and  resides  in  Bedford  county;  Sarah,  born  1885,  died  in 
February,  1909,  married  Thomas  J.  Strickler  and  left  a  son,  John; 
.Anna  Catherine,  born  in  November,  1896;  and  Helen,  born  in  Novem- 
ber, 1898. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  8oi 

The  Simpsons  came  to  Huntingdon  from  Bucks  county, 
SIMPSON  Pennsylvania,  a  strong  Scotch-Irish  family.  John 
Simpson  of  Huntingdon  was  a  revolutionary  officer, 
born  in  Bucks  county.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  revolution  and 
shortly  after  that  war  was  over  married,  in  Dauphin  county,  a  daugh- 
ter of  a  comrade  in  arms  and  settled  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
borough  of  Huntingdon,  at  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Second  and 
Penn  streets.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  had  his  shop  next 
door  to  his  dwelling,  the  site  now  being  occupied  by  Dr.  Moore.  He 
also  carried  on  farming  operations  in  connection  with  his  smithy.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married 
in  Dauphin,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Captain  James  Murray,  also  an 
officer  of  the  revolution.  Lieutenant  Simpson  died  in  1807,  leaving  a 
large  family. 

(II)  John  (2),  youngest  child  of  Lieutenant  John  and  Margaret 
(Murray)  Simpson,  was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  June  21, 
1798,  died  in  1873.  He  grew  to  manhood  there  and  became  a  farmer, 
inheriting  a  portion  of  his  father's  land.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
He  married  (first)  Elizabeth  Ridenour,  born  in  Huntingdon  in  1798, 
died  there  in  1851,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Piper)  Ridenour, 
both  born  in  Maryland,  but  coming  to  Huntingdon  about  the  year 
1800,  settling  at  Third  and  Penn  streets.  John  (2)  Simpson,  married 
(second)  Mrs.  Mary  (Holiday)  McAllister.  Children  of  first  marriage: 
I.  John  Murray,  born  in  Huntingdon,  June  5,  1828,  died  on  his  farm  in 
Oneida  township,  Huntingdon  county.  He  was  a  merchant,  then  a 
boatman,  later  a  farmer.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  serving  as 
burgess  of  Huntingdon,  tax  collector  and  supervisor.  He  married, 
December  15.  1853,  Sarah  M.  Glasgow,  of  Mifflin  county,  daughter  of 
Major  James  Glasgow,  an  officer  of  the  revolution;  children:  Elizabeth, 
died  in  infancy :  John  G.,  married  Annie  Logan ;  James ;  Ermina,  mar- 
ried David  Smith,  of  Carlisle ;  Ella,  married  Charles  Frey,  of  Hunting- 
don; William  M.,  married  Dolly  Shofif;  Frank,  married  Minnie  War- 
fel;  and  Joseph.  2.  George  W.,  a  printer,  who  gallantly  died  at  the 
head  of  his  regiment,  the  125th  Pennsylvania,  whose  colors  he  was 
proudly  bearing  in  one  of  the  desperate  charges  of  that  great  battle. 
The  blood-stained  colors  are  preserved  by  his  sisters  in  fond  remem- 


8o2  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

brance  of  the  gallant  youth  who  gave  his  life  in  their  defense.  3. 
James  Randolph,  of  whom  further.  4.  Anna  M.,  resides  in  Hunting- 
don. 5.  Lydia  M.,  resides  in  Huntingdon.  6.  Elizabeth,  died  in  in- 
fancy.    7.   Matthias,  died  in  infancy. 

(Ill)  James  Randolph,  third  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Ridenour) 
Simpson,  was  born  in  Huntingdon,  December  13,  1841.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  school  and  spent  his  early  life  on  the  farm.  He 
was  for  a  time  clerk  in  a  store,  but  the  war  between  the  states  coming 
on,  he  entered  the  Union  army,  enlisting  August  7,  1862,  in  Company 
C,  125th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  At  the  same 
battle,  Antietam,  that  claimed  the  toll  of  his  elder  brother's  life,  Mr., 
Simpson  was  wounded  (being  shot  through  the  body),  and  in  April, 
1863,  was  honorably  discharged  for  disability.  Returning  from  the 
war  he  taught  school  two  years,  beginning  the  study  of  law  in  March, 
1S64,  under  the  preceptorship  of  A.  W.  Benedict.  The  following 
August  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  prothonotary's  office,  for  W.  C. 
Wagoner,  and  in  1866  was  elected  prothonotary  of  Huntingdon  county 
for  a  term  of  four  years.  The  same  year  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
being  now  the  oldest  practicing  attorney  of  that  bar.  He  is  a  success- 
ful lawyer  and  holds  a  high  position  in  the  regard  of  his  legal  breth- 
ren. While  his  large  practice  is  general  in  its  character,  he  has  given 
special  attention  to  orphan's  and  probate  court  practice.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber, and  for  ten  years  has  been  president,  of  the  Huntingdon  county 
bar  association.  In  1892,  on  the  admission  of  his  son  to  the  bar,  he 
admitted  him  to  a  partnership,  the  firm  becoming  and  still  continuing 
J.  R.  &  W.  B.  Simpson.  He  is  a  Progressive  in  politics  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Now  nearing 
a  half  century  of  legal  practice  in  Huntingdon,  Mr.  Simpson  has  a 
right  to  review  his  career  with  pride  and  pleasure.  Admitted  to  and 
honored  in  all  state  and  federal  courts  of  his  district,  with  a  reputation 
for  ability  and  integrity  second  to  none,  he  has  added  to  this  the  high- 
est regard  and  esteem  of  many  personal  friends  and  the  respect  of 
the  entire  community.  He  has  aided  in  the  upbuilding  of  his  native 
borough  and  added  to  its  archives  the  record  of  an  honorable,  well- 
spent  life.  Mr.  Simpson  married,  February  12,  1867,  Jennie  M.  Brown, 
born  in  Huntingdon,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Brown,  of  old  Hunt- 
ingdon county,   agricultural    families.      Children:      i.    George   Ernest, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  803 

now  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  in  Huntingdon.  2.  Warren  B., 
of  whom  further.  3.  Barton  L.,  secretary  of  the  Berwind-W'hite  Coal 
Mining  Company  and  resides  in  Philadelphia.  4.  Helen,  married  George 
A.  Boomer  and  resides  in  Oakland,  California.  5.  Charles  R.,  a  civil 
engineer,  now  residing  in  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey.  Two  daughters  and 
a  son  died  in  infancy. 

(IV)  Warren  Brown,  second  son  of  James  Randolph  and  Jennie 
M.  (Brown)  Simpson,  was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  No- 
vember I,  1869.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  was  instructed  in  the  principles  of  law  under  the  able  super- 
vision of  his  honored  father,  who  on  his  admission  to  the  Hunt- 
ingdon county  bar  in  1892  admitted  him  as  junior  member  of  the  law 
firm  of  J.  R.  &  W.  B.  Simpson,  one  of  the  leading  firms  of  the  Hunt- 
ingdon bar. 

On  April  2y,  1898,  Warren  B.  Simpson  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
5th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  until  No- 
vember of  the  same  year,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged,  having 
spent  most  of  his  time  in  camp  at  Chickamauga.  For  many  years  he 
has  been  secretary  of  the  FrankHn  Building  and  Loan  Association  and 
since  1906  secretary  of  the  Raystown  Water  Power  Company.  This 
latter  company  he  promoted  with  his  brother,  George  E.  Simpson,  in 
1906  to  convert  the  water  power  of  the  Raystown  branch  of  the 
Juniata  to  useful  purposes.  After  the  incorporation  of  the  company,  a 
dam  was  completed  on  December  11,  191 1,  eight  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  long,  fifty  feet  high,  fifty  feet  thick  at  its  base,  all  of  solid  rein- 
forced concrete,  with  a  water  head  of  thirty-four  feet  fall.  This  dam 
backs  the  water  eight  miles  up  stream  and,  aside  from  its  practical  side, 
has  created  a  most  beautiful  artificial  lake,  with  the  mountain  in  places 
sloping  down  to  the  shores  and  in  other  places  sheer  red  sand  stone 
rocks  near  their  summit,  three  hundred  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
lake.  But  the  object  of  the  dam  was  utilitarian  and  in  a  modern  plant 
developing  thirty-nine  hundred  horse  power  electricity  is  gathered  and 
sent  over  wires  to  light  the  towns  of  Huntingdon,  Mt.  Union,  Maple- 
ton,  Smithfield,  Williamsburg  and  smaller  towns,  also  furnishing  motive 
power  to  several  large  manufacturing  plants.  The  company  is  capi- 
talized at  seven  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  the  officers  being : 
J.  E.  Smucker,  president ;  J.  R.  Simpson,  vice-president ;  G.  E.  Simpson, 


8o4  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

second  vice-president;  W.  B.  Simpson,  secretary  and  treasurer;  J.  H. 
Sweet,  H.  C.  Kinsloe,  John  B.  Kunz,  directors. 

Mr.  Simpson  is  a  Progressive  in  politics,  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Patriotic  Order  Sons  of  America;  the  state  and  county  bar 
associations  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  Mr.  Simpson  was  elected  a  member  of  the  state  legislature, 
serving  the  sessions  of  1907  and  1909.  He  was  one  of  the  working 
members  of  the  assembly,  serving  on  committees :  Electrical  Railways, 
Judiciary,  General  and  Special;  Fish  and  Game.  A  Republican,  he 
supported  the  Progressive  candidates  of  1912  for  the  presidency  and  is 
firm  in  his  belief  in  the  future  of  that  party. 

He  married,  March  22,  1899,  Sue  E.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Lydia  Miller  of  Huntingdon.  Children:  Richard  Murray,  Frederick 
Miller,  Mildred,  Robert  Brown,  Helen  Wilkins. 


The   progenitor   of  the   Dunns   herein   recorded    was  John 
DUNN     Dunn,  born  in  Ireland,   where  his  youth  was  spent.      He 

came  to  the  United  States  when  a  young  man  and  here 
married  Catherine  Harnish,  Ijorn  in  Huntingdon  county,  where  their 
after  lives  were  spent.  John  Dunn  enlisted  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment 
during  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain  and  saw  hard  service  on  the 
Niagara  frontier.  He  was  out  during  the  winter  months  and  suffered 
hardships  and  privations  of  great  severity,  the  snow  on  one  occasion 
being  stained  by  the  blood  from  his  poorly  protected  feet  while  he  was 
compelled  to  march.  John  Dunn  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  his  wife  belonging  to  the  Reformed  church.  Children :  David, 
of  whom  further;  Mary  A.,  died  unmarried,  September  25,  1878;  John, 
a  tanner,  died  at  Bellwood,  Pennsylvania. 

(II)  David,  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Harnish)  Dunn,  was  born 
in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  4,  1820,  died  January  13, 
18S5.  He  was  one  of  the  earlier  "iron  men"  of  the  Juniata  Valley 
and  at  different  times  was  superintendent  of  the  Colerain  furnaces  in 
Franklin  township;  the  Rockhill  furnace  in  Cromwell  township,  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  and  at  the  .T'tna  furnaces  in  Blair  county.  About  1853 
he  abandoned  iron  manufacture  and  settled  in  Huntingdon,  where  he 
established  a  general  mercantile  business  and  operated  a  line  of  boats 
on  the  old  Juniata  canal.     He  transported  by  these  boats,  not  only  his 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXL\TA    VALLEY  805 

own  goods,  but  handled  the  freight  shipments  of  nearly  every  merchant 
in  the  town  until  1862,  when  he  retired  from  that  business.  He  then 
formed  a  partnership  with  Colonel  J.  J.  Lawrence,  then  superintendent 
of  the  Huntingdon  and  Broad  Top  railroad.  They  operated  as  Dunn 
&  Lawrence  and  had  two  bituminous  coal  mines  in  the  Broad  Top 
district.  This  partnership  was  dissolved  in  1866.  He  then  located 
near  Houtzdale,  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  until  about  1870 
was  there  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  staves  for  the  Cuban  mar- 
ket. He  then  purchased  the  "Hamer  farm"  of  two  hundred  acres, 
located  in  Walker  township,  three  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Hunting- 
don, where  he  engaged  in  agriculture  until  his  death  in  1885.  He  was 
an  elder  of  the  Reformed  church,  prominent  locally  and  gained  a 
national  reputation  by  appearing  before  the  general  synod  of  United 
States  with  what  is  known  as  the  "Dunn  Appeal,"  winning  there  a 
notable  victory  for  his  church.  This  was  an  appeal  from  the  ruling 
of  the  church  as  to  the  distribution  of  moneys  contributed  for  benevo- 
lent purposes.  Mr.  Dunn's  contention  was  that  each  church  should 
determine  to  what  purpose  the  money  should  be  applied  rather  than  to 
leave  this  to  be  decided  by  the  classes  or  synod.  Mr.  Dunn  carried  his 
case  to  the  Potomac  Synod,  where  the  appeal  was  defeated,  but  believ- 
ing in  the  justice  of  his  contention  he  appealed  in  person  to  the  Gen- 
eral Synod,  gaining  from  that  august  body  a  favorable  decision.  He 
was  a  Whig  in  politics  until  1856;  assisted  in  the  formation  of  the 
Republican  party  in  Pennsylvania  and  ever  afterward  supported  that 
organization,  serving  in  the  borough  council  and  on  the  school  board. 
He  married  Annie  Ferguson,  born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  14,  1826,  who  survived  him  twenty-two  years,  dying  at  the 
home  of  her  son  Horace  B.,  November  29,  1907,  having  made  her  home 
with  him  during  the  entire  period  of  her  widowhood.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  David  and  Margaret  (McKibbin)  Ferguson,  both  born  in 
the  north  of  Ireland.  After  coming  to  the  United  States  David  Fergu- 
son settled  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  became  the 
owner  of  a  large  farm  in  Path  Valley  near  Concord,  where  he  died  in 
1840.  His  widow  survived  him  until  1872.  He  was  a  Democrat  in 
politics  and  both  were  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church. 
Children  of  David  and  Margaret  Ferguson:  i.  William,  died  in 
Michigan;  a  farmer.     2.  James,  born  in  Franklin  county,  a  farmer  of 


8o6  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Path  Valley  and  at  one  time  associate  county  judge.  3.  John,  a  farmer 
of  Pike  county,  Illinois,  where  he  died.  4.  Jane,  married  David  Etnier 
and  died  at  Mill  Creek,  Pennsylvania.  5.  David  (2),  died  in  youthful 
manhood.  6.  Hannah,  married  George  Colgate  and  removed  to  Adams 
county,  Illinois,  where  she  died.  7.  Joseph,  died  in  Pike  county,  Illinois, 
a  farmer.  8.  Andrew  Jackson,  died  at  East  Waterford,  Juniata  county, 
Pennsylvania,  a  merchant  and  farmer.  9.  Annie,  of  previous  mention, 
married  David  Dunn.  Their  children  were:  Horace  B.,  of  further 
mention,  and  Cora,  who  died  March  31,  1864. 

(Ill)  Horace  B.,  only  son  of  David  and  Annie  (Ferguson)  Dunn, 
was  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  7,  1858.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  Huntingdon  Academy.  He 
pursued  a  course  of  legal  study  under  the  preceptorship  of  K.  Allen 
Lovell  and  was  admitted  to  the  Huntingdon  county  bar  December  iS, 
1882.  He  at  once  began  practice  in  Huntingdon;  has  been  admitted 
to  the  superior  court  of  Pennsylvania  and  is  one  of  the  leading  lawyers 
of  the  Huntingdon  bar.  He  is  a  Republican  and  since  1887  has  been 
actively  engaged  in  public  life.  In  1887-1890  and  in  1891  he  was 
chairman  of  the  Republican  county  committee.  From  1889  until  1895 
he  was  a  member  of  the  borough  council  of  Huntingdon.  From  Janu- 
ary, 1897,  until  January,  1903,  he  was  district  attorney  of  Huntingdon 
county.  In  1910  he  was  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  house  of  repre- 
sentatives and  in  1912  was  reelected  and  is  a  member  of  the  house 
now  in  session  (1913).  Besides  his  large  private  practice,  Mr.  Dunn 
is  local  attorney  for  R.  G.  Dun  &  Company  and  is  a  director  of  Stand- 
ing Stone  National  Bank  of  Huntingdon.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
County  Bar  Association ;  Blue  Cross  Lodge,  No.  295 ;  Knights  of 
Pythias;  Standing  Stone  Conclave,  No.  134,  Improved  Order  of  Hepta- 
sophs,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Reformed  church 
at  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania. 

i\Ir.  Dunn  married,  May  30,  1888,  Clara  Adelaide  Williams,  born 
in  Ohio,  daughter  of  Nelson  C.  and  Lucinda  D.  Williams,  both  born 
in  Portage  county,  Ohio;  her  father  deceased.  Children:  i.  David, 
born  July  15,  1891,  graduate  of  Huntingdon  high  school,  was  a  student 
at  Juniata  College,  later  entered  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  whence 
he  was  graduated,  class  of  191 1 ;  now  a  student  of  the  Divinity  School 
of  Yale  University.     2.  Robert  Williams,  born  June  i,  1895,  member 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  807 

of  the  senior  class  of  1913  at  Huntingdon  high  school  and  is  president 
of  his  class. 


The  Bell  family  has  been  well  and  favorably  known  in  the 
BELL  annals  of  Pennsylvania  for  many  years,  and  various  mem- 
bers of  this  family  have  bravely  offered  their  lives  in  de- 
fense of  the  rights  of  their  beloved  country.  They  have  been  connected 
with  many  important  business  enterprises,  and  are  represented  in  the 
present  generation  in  Huntingdon  county  by  Charles  Frederick  Bell, 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Grange  Trust  Company. 

(I)  Charles  Bell,  grandfather  of  the  man  whose  name  is  mentioned 
above,  was  a  distiller  by  occupation,  a  resident  of  Milroy  for  many 
years,  where  his  death  occurred.  He  and  his  wife  were  consistent  at- 
tendants at  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Rebecca  Kelly,  born  in 
Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  died  at  Milroy,  in  the  same  state,  and  they 
had  children ;  George  W.,  see  forward ;  John,  lives  in  Decatur  town- 
ship, ]\Iifflin  county,  Pennsylvania ;  James,  died  in  Cresson,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Charlotta,  married  Henry  Steininger,  and  lives  in  Lewistown; 
Laura,  married  Hiram  Herbster,  and  lives  in  Yeagertown,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Eleanore,  married  the  Rev.  O.  M.  Stewart,  and  lives  in  Kansas 
City,  Missouri. 

(II)  George  W.,  son  of  Charles  and  Rebecca  (Kelly)  Bell,  was 
born  near  McAlevys  Fort,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  March 
9,  1 84 1,  and  died  in  Mooresville,  Pennsylvania,  February  6,  191 1.  He 
settled  in  West  township,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  for  some 
years,  then  purchased  the  home  in  Mooresville,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  civil  war  he  en- 
listed in  Company  K,  205th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  for  about  the  last  nine  months  of  that  struggle.  During  this 
time  he  was  in  active  service  around  Fort  Stedman,  Richmond  and 
Petersburg.  Early  in  the  war  he  was  a  member  of  the  militia  but 
saw  no  active  service  during  this  time.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politi- 
cal opinion,  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  active  in  its  interests,  and  he  served  it  for  a  long  period 
as  steward  and  trustee.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  local  Grange. 
He  married  Ann  Gettis,  born  in  West  township,  December  11,  1846, 
died  in  Mooresville,  May  2,   1908.     She  was  the  daughter  of  Patrick 


8o8  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

and  Victoria  (Montgomery)   Gettis,  the  death  of  the  latter  occurring 
in  1879.     Patrick  Gettis  was  born  in  1800  and  died  July  2,  1892.     He 
lived  in  West  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,   where  he 
was  occupied  as  a  carpenter  and  farmer,  being  the  owner  of  a  farm  of 
two  hundred  acres.     His  father,  Robert  Gettis,  was  a  native  of  Ireland, 
and  came  to  this  country  with  his  wife,  also  born  in  Ireland,  in  a  sail- 
ing vessel;  he  was  a  soldier  during  the  war  of   1812,   from  which  he 
never  returned,  being  probably   lost  near  Lake   Erie.      Patrick   Gettis 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.     He  had  children : 
Alexander,  living  in  Petersburg,  Pennsylvania ;  Martha,  married  Daniel 
Baker,    and    died  at    Scottdale,    Pennsylvania,     1899;    Eliza,    married 
Augustus  Sisler,  and  died  in  Iowa ;  William,  died  unmarried  on  the  old 
homestead  about  1903:  Robert,  died   in  the  United   States  service,   in 
1862,  at  Falmouth,  Virginia;  James,  killed  at  Altoona,  in  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  yards ;  Agnes,  married  Leonard  Armstrong  and  lives  in 
Petersburg,  Pennsylvania;  Ann;  one  child  which  died  in  infancy.     Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bell  had  children:    Rhoda,  died  in  1892  at  the  age  of  twenty; 
Charles  Frederick,  see  forward;  Ruth,  married  James  G.   Miller,  and 
lives  in  Miller  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania;  William, 
died  at  the  age  of  three  years ;  Robert  Harry,  was  graduated  from  the 
state  college,  and  is  now  an  assistant  in  the  experimental  station  of  the 
Department  of  Pomology. 

(Ill)  Charles  Frederick,  son  of  George  W.  and  Ann  (Gettis) 
Bell,  was  born  in  West  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania, 
August  18,  1875.  His  education  was  an  excellent  one  and  was  acquired 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  section  of  the  country  and  at  Juniata  Col- 
lege. For  one  year  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road Company  at  Wilmerding,  Pennsylvania,  then,  in  1899,  became  a 
clerk  in  the  East  Pittsburgh  National  Bank,  at  Wilmerding.  a  posi- 
tion he  held  for  five  years.  His  next  field  of  activity  was  Pittsburgh, 
where  he  held  a  position  in  the  Mechanics'  National  Bank  until  they 
combined  with  the  First  National  Bank,  when  he  went  to  the  Mellon 
National  Bank,  this,  altogether,  covering  a  period  of  two  years  He 
then  returned  to  Wilmerding.  where  he  obtained  the  j^osition  of  assist- 
ant cashier  in  the  same  bank  in  which  he  had  previously  been  em- 
ployed. In  1908  he  removed  to  Huntingdon  countv.  having  become 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Grange  Trust  Company,  which  had  just 


ZAi^ 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  809 

been  organized,  and  which  his  executive  abiHty  has  greatly  assisted. 
This  bank  has  a  capital  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars, surplus  and  undivided,  the  profits  amount  to  twelve  thousand  dol- 
lars, the  deposits  total  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars, the  depositors  numbering  between  one  thousand  and  twelve  hun- 
dred. The  stock  is  held  by  the  largest  number  of  people  of  any  insti- 
tution here,  about  two  hundred  and  eighty,  almost  all  of  whom  are 
residents  of  Huntingdon  county.  The  officers  are :  President,  Dr.  W. 
T.  Sheaffer;  first  vice-president,  T.  O.  Milliken;  second  vice-president, 
Harry  W.  Read ;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Charles  Frederick  Bell ;  assist- 
ant secretary  and  treasurer,  George  E.  Corcelius.  Mr.  Bell  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  political  matters,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

Mr.  Bell  married,  June  3,  1903,  Carrie,  born  in  Huntingdon  county, 
a  daughter  of  John  M.  and  Ann  Johnson,  and  they  have  had  children : 
Elizabeth,  Jane,  Robert  and  Ann. 


This   family  has  been  prominent   in  the  Juniata   \'alley 
MILLER     since  early  days  and  the  name  is  perpetuated  by  Millers 

Ferry.  Millersville,  and  other  similar  monuments  to  the 
pioneers.  The  first  of  this  branch  who  can  be  definitely  located  is 
George  Miller,  born  in  1807.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  in 
1840  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  an  office  he  held  for  many  years. 
For  four  years  he  owned  and  operated  a  boat  on  the  Pennsylvania  state 
canal.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  until  his  death  in  1889.  He  married  Annie  Morrison, 
born  in  Lewistown  in  1807,  daughter  of  James  IMorrison,  who  came 
to  Lewistown  from  Rising  Sun,  Pennsylvania,  and  here  followed  his 
trade  of  shoemaker;  he  married  Elizabeth  Brown,  and  died  at  the  home 
of  his  daughter  in  Lewistown.  Children  of  George  and  Annie  (Mor- 
rison) Miller:  Mary,  married  John  Fink,  both  deceased:  Joseph  A., 
of  whom  further:  Ezilda,  unmarried;  Emmeline,  deceased,  married 
Frank  H.  ^^'entz. 

(II)  Joseph  A.,  only  son  of  George  and  Annie  (Morrison)  Miller, 
was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  November  29,  1833.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  later 
engaged  in  the  plumbing  business,  and  is  now  living  retired  in  his  na- 


8io  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

tive  town,  having  there  spent  his  long,  busy  and  successful  life.  His 
home,  at  the  corner  of  North  Main  and  East  Third  streets,  he  purchased 
in  1881.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  in  1887  was  chief  burgess 
of  Lewistown.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  being  one  of  the  iirst 
to  come  to  the  defense  of  "Old  Glory."  He  enlisted  for  the  three 
months'  service,  April  16,  1861,  and  was  one  of  the  first  body  of 
troops,  nuinbering  five  hundred  and  thirty,  who  entered  the  city  of 
Washington.  He  served  about  one  year,  reenlisting  after  his  third 
month  expired  in  the  78th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  First  Defenders  Association,  and  is  the  owner  of  a 
badge  presented  by  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  members  of  that 
association.     In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Methodist. 

He  married,  in  1879,  Josephine  Frey,  born  in  Franklin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1858.  Children:  i.  Joseph  G.,  born  in  1880:  educated  in 
the  public  school;  graduate  of  Lewistown  high  school,  and  while  a 
student  in  a  trade  school  in  New  York  City  was  accidentally  shot  and 
killed  by  a  classmate,  in  January,  1899.  2.  Anna  M.,  born  December 
30,  1884;  married  in  September,  1906,  Franklin  Conrad,  of  Sunbury, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  child,  Joseph  M. 

Mr.  Miller  is  rounding  out  a  well  spent  life  in  the  enjoyment  and 
quiet  of  his  Lewistown  home,  where  he  has  not  only  gained  a  compe- 
tence, but  the  good-will  and  highest  esteem  of  the  community  in  which 
his  entire  life  has  been  spent. 


The  Zooks  of  Mifflin  county  (and  in  1880  there  were  thirty- 
ZOOK     eight  families  of  the  name  in  that  county)    descend   from 

^loritz  Zug.  a  grandson  of  Hans  Zug,  born  in  Switzer- 
land, a  Alennonite  minister  exiled  to  Germany.  Moritz  Zug  came  to 
this  country  in  1742  from  Pfaltz,  Germany,  settling  in  Lancaster  county, 
now  Center  township,  Berks  county,  later  moved  to  Whiteland  town- 
ship, Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died.  He  left  five  sons, 
—John,  Christian,  Henry,  Abraham  and  Jacob;  and  also  a  daughter, 
Fanny. 

(II)  John,  son  of  Moritz  Zug  or  Zook,  came  to  Mifflin  county  in 
179.S  with  his  brother  Christian  and  both  lived  there  after  lives 'there 
John  Zook  liad  sons,  John,  Abraham,  Christian,  Joseph,  Jacob  David 
and  Shcm,  the  latter  born  in  1798,  ten  years  after  the  next  youngest 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  8ii 

son.     These  sons  all  married  and  left  issue,  except  Jacob,  who  had  no 
children.     There  were  also  five  daughters. 

(III)  Abraham,  son  of  John  Zook,  was  born  in  Chester  county, 
Pennsylvania,  about  1780  and  came  to  Mifflin  county  with  his  father 
in  1793.  He  owned  a  small  farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  cleared  and 
improved,  and  on  which  he  lived  for  many  years.  This  land  was  in 
Menno  township,  where  in  182 1  he  built  a  saw  mill,  which  later  passed 
to  his  son  Abraham  (2),  who  sold  it  in  1858  to  Jacob  Kurtz.  In 
183 1  Abraham  Zook  built  a  grist  mill,  which  he  operated  until  1842, 
then  sold  to  David  Zook.  He  married  and  reared  a  small  family.  In 
religious  faith  he  was  a  member  of  the  Amish  Mennonite  church  and 
lived  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  tenets  of  that  austere  faith.  He 
died  at  an  extreme  old  age,  in  fact,  the  Zook  family  are  noted  for  their 
longevity. 

(IV)  David  ^I.,  son  of  Abraham  Zook,  was  born  in  Alenno  town- 
ship, Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1810,  died  near  Allenville,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  25,  1892.  He  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm 
and  in  the  mill  until  after  his  marriage.  He  then  purchased  a  farm 
and  saw  mill  in  the  same  township  adjoining  his  father's  land  where 
he  remained  for  many  years  lumbering  and  farming.  He  finally  sold 
this  property  and  moved  to  a  farm  three  miles  farther  north.  After  this 
he  made  several  moves,  his  last  being  to  Allenville,  which  was  his  home 
until  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Amish  Mennonite  church,  as 
the  Zooks  have  ever  been,  and  in  a  political  faith  a  Republican.  He  mar- 
ried, January  31,  1832,  Rebecca  Bieler  (or  Byler),  born  in  Lancaster 
county,  January  22,  1813,  died  June  15,  1884,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Bieler,  who  came  to  Mifflin  county,  a  few  years  later  than  the  Zooks ; 
purchased  a  hundred-acre  farm  in  Menno  township,  where  he  and  his 
wife  both  died.  He  and  his  wife  were  both  member  of  the  Amish 
church.  Children  of  David  M.  and  Rebecca  Zook:  i.  Barbara,  de- 
ceased, married  (first)  Solomon  King,  married  (second)  Dr.  J.  K. 
Metz.  2.  Nancy,  deceased;  married  (first)  John  King,  married  (sec- 
ond) Samuel  Lantz.  3.  Jonathan.  4.  Elizabeth,  married  Jonathan 
Miller.  5.  Abraham,  deceased.  6.  Eli,  deceased.  7.  Lydia,  married 
Isaac  King.  8.  David,  born  near  Allenville,  Pennsylvania,  April  23, 
1844,  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  all  his  life  has  been  a  farmer. 
9.  Solomon.     10.  Samuel  B.,  of  whom  further.     11.  Jacob.     12.  Moses. 


8i2  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

13.    Levi.    These  children  all  lived  to  middle  and  old  age,  the  youngest 
being  nearly  fifty  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

(V)  Samuel  B.,  son  of  David  M.  and  Rebecca  (Bieler)  Zook,  was 
born  in  Mifflin  county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  becoming  a  farmer 
of  Menno  township,  where  he  yet  resides.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  a  member  of  the  Mennonite  church.  He  married  Sarah, 
born  in  Mifflin  county,  daughter  of  Peter  Allgyre.  Children:  David 
M.;  Emma  Eldora;  Samuel  Herman,  of  whom  further;  and  Carrie. 
Three  of  these  children  died  in  infancy. 

(VI)  Samuel  Herman,  son  of  Samuel  B.  and  Sarah  (Allgyre) 
Zook,  was  born  in  Menno  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  Oc- 
tober 31,  1 88 1.  He  was  educated  at  Allenville  high  school  and  Elkhart 
(Indiana)  Institute,  whence  he  was  graduated  from  the  business  de- 
partment in  the  class  of  1903.  He  at  once  turned  his  attention  to 
journalism  and  in  partnership  with  his  father  purchased  the  Belleville 
Times,  a  weekly  newspaper  devoted  to  the  interests  of  Mifflin  county. 
The  Times  is  independent  in  politics ;  has  a  circulation  of  about  four- 
teen hundred  weekly  and  is  one  of  the  leaders  of  public  thought  in  the 
county  in  which  it  circulates.  Under  its  present  management  the  paper 
is  prosperous  and  its  weekly  issues  are  looked  forward  to  with  interest. 
Mr.  Zook  married,  February  10,  1904,  Cora  A.  Bentz,  born  in  Rose- 
land,  Nebraska.     Children :     Chester  Warren  and  Fay  Pearl. 


The  Gregory  family  is  an  ancient  one  in  England, 
GREGORY     where  they  may  be  traced  for  many  generations.     The 

family  herein  mentioned  descends  from  the  New  York 
branch,  which  sprang  from  Henry  Gregory,  born  in  Nottingham,  Eng- 
land, about  1570,  came  to  New  England  and  settled  in  Boston  before 
1639,  moved  to  Springfield,  thence  to  Stratford,  Connecticut,  of  which 
he  was  one  of  the  founders.  His  son,  John  Gregory,  moved  to  New 
Haven,  thence  to  Norwalk.  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  original  settlers, 
deputy  to  the  general  court  1662,  selectman  1668.  There  were  three 
generations  of  John  Gregorys  sprang  from  him  and  then  a  Daniel, 
whose  son  Daniel  (2),  who  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Plattekill, 
Ulster  county.  New  York.  From  Ulster  county  the  family  spread  to 
northern  and  central  and  southwestern  New  York,  and  are  found  in 
Albany,  Chenango,  Cattaraugus  and  other  counties  of  New  York.    The 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  813 

■grandfather  of  Benjamin  F.  Gregory  was  a  Chenango  county  farmer, 
later  of  Cattaraugus  county,  where  he  died,  leaving  male  issue,  in- 
cluding a  son  Jason. 

(I)  Jason  Gregory  was  born  in  southern  New  York,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood,  then  moving  to  Ohio.  He  was  living  in  that  state  when 
the  gold  excitement  of  1849  swept  over  the  country  and  was  one  of 
those  who  was  carried  over  plain  and  mountain  in  the  quest  for  gold, 
and  while  crossing  the  great  American  desert,  as  then  known,  but  now 
the  beautiful  state  of  Nebraska,  at  a  place  called  Rawhide  he  was  the 
unwilling  witness  of  the  skinning  alive  of  one  of  the  young  men  of  his 
train  by  the  Indians  for  killing  a  young  squaw  (note  description  in  a 
book  called  "Beyond  the  Mississippi").  He  formed  a  partnership  with 
a  stranger  and  with  him  "struck"  gold  in  paying  quantities.  After 
their  mine  had  yielded  them  ten  thousand  dollars  in  dust  and  nuggets 
his  partner  decamped  with  the  entire  proceeds.  Fortunately  he  could 
not  take  the  mine,  and  Jason  began  all  over  again,  but  ever  afterward 
held  partnerships  in  disfavor.  He  worked  until  he  panned  another 
ten  thousand,  then  sold  his  claim  for  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  and 
returned  home  by  way  of  Cape  Horn  from  San  Francisco  to  New 
York.  But  the  "lure  of  gold"  was  upon  him  and  in  1852  he  again  went 
to  California,  and  after  another  successful  experience  again  returned 
to  Marysville,  Ohio,  purchasing  a  farm  in  Union  county,  near  Rich- 
wood,  and  in  the  }ear  1861  enlisted  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  Octo- 
ber, at  Marysville,  Ohio,  in  Company  F,  66th  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  served  during  the  entire  period  of  the  civil  war,  was 
admitted  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Dayton.  Ohio,  April  2,  1887,  and 
died  December  23,  1893.  and  was  buried  with  military  honors;  age  at 
death,  88  years;  body  interred  in  Dayton  Home  Cemetery;  location  of 
grave.  Sec.  I,  row  21,  grave  2>-j. 

He  married,  in  Cattaraugus  county,  New  York,  in  1832,  Cynthia 
Newton,  born  in  southern  New  York,  died  in  Nebraska,  aged  eighty- 
four  years,  and  for  seventy-six  years  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  and  a  mother  of  nine  children,  all  girls  but  one,  the 
youngest  being  Benjamin  F.  Gregory,  the  subject  of  this  biography. 
She  married  (second)  a  Mr.  Street  and  moved  to  Indiana,  on  the 
Macintucky  lake,  where  he  was  killed  by  the  caving  in  of  a  we!!,  the  land 
being  very  sandy  in  this  locality.     She  married  (third)  John  W.  Turner 


8i4  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

and  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  blacksmith;  he 
worked  for  the  Northwestern  railroad  when  being  built  through  the 
state,  later  died  in  Iowa.  She  then  moved  to  Nebraska  with  her  young- 
est son,  Benjamin  F.  Gregory,  only  son  of  nine  children  by  first  husband, 
and  there  died  at  the  home  of  a  daughter,  Laura  E.  W'hiteman,  Lincoln, 
Nebraska,  while  on  a  visit. 

(II)  Benjamin  Franklin,  youngest  of  the  nine  children  of  Jason  and 
Cynthia  (Newton)  Gregory,  was  born  on  the  farm  near  Richwood, 
Union  county,  Ohio,  later  moved  to  Indiana.  He  was  with  his  mother 
in  Indiana  and  from  the  age  of  twelve  years  had  supported  himself 
and  mother.  He  worked  during  the  summer  months  when  a  boy  and 
during  the  winters  was  able  to  attend  school,  in  this  way  obtaining  his 
education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  moved  to  Whiteside 
county,  Illinois,  and  there  married  Sarah  A.  Newman,  of  Lyndon. 
He  learned  the  plasterer's  trade,  and  after  his  mother  was  left  a  widow 
for  the  third  time  moved  to  Fullerton,  Nance  county,  Nebraska,  with  his 
wife  and  mother  and  one  child,  Etta  May.  He  there  raised  a  family  of 
six  children,  all  girls  but  one,  who  was  named  B.  F.  Gregory  Jr.,  after 
the  father.  He  there  followed  his  trade,  becoming  a  contractor  and 
remaining  fifteen  years.  During  this  period  six  children  were  born, 
five  girls  and  one  boy,  his  wife,  mother  and  two  children  died.  He 
later  returned  to  Whiteside  county,  Illinois,  with  his  four  children  and 
there  again  married.  His  second  wife,  nee  Jenny  King,  and  himself 
not  living  happily  were  soon  parted  and  divorced,  and  about  1890  he 
moved  to  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in  the  con- 
tracting of  concrete  construction  of  various  kinds.  He  was  again 
married  in  1898  to  Sarah  Breon,  nee  Spangler,  of  New  Berlin,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  moved  to  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania,  thence  in  1900  to 
Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in  concrete  contracting, 
with  yard  on  Chestnut  street  and  residence  on  Electric  avenue  in  High- 
land Park,  a  suburb.  He  has  also  added  the  sale  of  coal  and  wood  to 
his  business,  thereby  making  employment  for  his  men  during  the  winter 
months.  He  has  a  good,  well-established  business  in  Lewistown  and 
surrounding  territory,  the  first  concrete  contractor  to  establish  in  Lewis- 
town.  His  own  residence  was  the  first  block  concrete  house  built  in 
the  county,  but  so  rapidly  has  concrete  grown  in  favor  that  they  are  no 
longer  a  rarity.    He  is  familiar  with  all  forms  of  concrete  construction. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  815 

such  as  the  building  of  bridges,  culverts,  houses,  sidewalks,  steps,  posts, 
curbs,  gutters,  etc.  He  has  later  taken  up  street  paving  and  road  con- 
struction. He  employs  from  ten  to  thirty  men  and  is  an  energetic 
worker  himself.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Highland  Park 
Sewer  Company  and  its  first  president,  a  position  he  yet  holds.  He 
is  a  Progressive  Republican  and  is  now  serving  as  supervisor  of  Derry 
township,  a  four-year  term.  Always  a  liberal  giver  in  the  support  of 
the  churches  and  benevolent  societies,  although  not  a  member  of  any 
church  always  recognized  a  Supreme  Being. 

He  married  (first)  in  Whiteside  county,  in  1876,  Illinois.  Anna 
Newman;  married  (second),  in  Whiteside  county,  Julia  King;  he  mar- 
ried (third)  Mrs.  Sarah  Breon,  daughter  of  Ellis  Spangler  of  Union 
county,  Pennsylvania,  but  at  that  time  a  resident  of  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Children  of  first  marriage:  i.  Etta  May,  married  John 
Allison  and  moved  to  South  Dakota  and  later  moved  to  Lewistown, 
Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Martle,  married  Howard  Schock  and 
resides  in  Harrisburg.  3.  Iva,  died  in  girlhood  in  Nebraska.  4.  Estella 
Rosina,  married  Elmer  Spangler  and  resides  in  Lewistown.  5.  Benja- 
min, associated  with  his  father  in  the  cement  contracting,  coal  and  wood 
business.    6.  An  infant,  died  in  Nebraska. 

Benjamin  F.  Gregory  Sr.,  with  his  wife,  Sarah,  are  now  living  at 
their  beautiful  home,  No.  426,  on  Electric  avenue,  Lewistown,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where,  surrounded  by  their  children,  all  not  far  away,  they  may 
enjoy  their  declining  years  and  reap  the  reward  of  nearly  sixty  years' 
toil  and  care,  and  have  the  respect  and  love  of  all  with  whom  they 
come  in  contact  in  this  beautiful  Juniata  Valley. 


The  W^agner  family  is  one  of  those  which  have  been 
WAGNER  well  known  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  for  a  num- 
ber of  generations  and,  as  the  name  indicates,  they  came 
originally  from  Germany.  They  brought  with  them  many  of  the  ad- 
mirable traits  which  distinguish  the  natives  of  that  country,  and  these 
have  been  transmitted  in  ample  measure  to  their  descendants.  For 
the  most  part  they  were  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  although  we 
also  find  the  name  in  the  annals  of  professional  and  commercial  life. 

(I)   Eli  Wagner,  who  is  apparently  the  first  of  this  branch  of  the 
Wagner  family  to  have  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  1826,  and 


8i6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

died  October  i8,  1861.  He  was  the  owner  of  considerable  landed 
property,  the  greater  part  of  which  was  located  hi  Armagh  township. 
In  addition  to  cultivating  this  land,  he  was  engaged  in  trade  as  a  cooper. 
He  married  Catherine  Snook,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  they  had  children  as  follows:  Solomon,  born  July  10,  1837,  mar- 
ried Julia  A.  Spigelmeyer,  died  1898;  Henry,  born  November  6,  1838, 
married  Polly  Ann  Snook;  Cornelius,  born  April  13,  1840.  married 
Sarah  Snook;  Alary  Ann,  born  July  13,  1841,  married  David  Emmell; 
Edward,  born  September  30,  1842,  married  Amelia  Steninger;  Cath- 
erine, born  June  13,  1845,  married  Leonard  Bargo;  Daniel,  born  Janu- 
ary I,  1847,  married  Sophia  Steninger;  Delilah,  born  June  14,  1848, 
married  Mr.  Derrough;  Emmanuel,  born  April  16,  1850,  married  Alice 
Sunday;  Levi,  born  October  5,  1851.  married  (first)  Alice  Snook, 
(second)  Belle  Shuck;  John  D.,  born  August  17,  1853,  married  Re- 
becca Aumen;  James  B.  A.,  see  forward;  Amos,  born  February  17, 
1859;  Eli  Lincoln,  born  February  11,  1861,  died  October  18,  1861. 

(II)  James  B.  A.,  ninth  son  and  twelfth  child  of  Eli  and  Catherine 
(Snook)  Wagner,  was  born  April  17,  1857,  in  Mifflin,  Armagh  town- 
ship, Pennsylvania.  The  common  school  of  that  section  furnished  him 
with  what  was  considered  a  good  education  for  that  time,  and  he  prof- 
ited by  it  to  the  utmost  of  his  capacity.  He  was  engaged  in  the  manifold 
labors  of  farm  life  until  1906,  in  which  year  he  removed  to  Milroy. 
There  he  was  in  business  for  a  period  of  four  years  in  the  store  of 
his  brotlier-in-law,  then  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  and  sells  all 
kinds  of  machinery.  In  addition  to  this  occupation  a  goodly  portion  of 
his  time  is  occupied  in  the  cultivation  of  his  fine  farm  consisting  of  two 
hundred  and  fourteen  acres,  on  which  he  is  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing. A  part  of  this  property  is  devoted  to  the  purpose  of  stock  raising, 
in  which  branch  Mr.  Wagner  has  met  with  undoubted  success.  In 
political  matters  he  is  a  staunch  supporter  of  Republican  principles,  and 
he  and  his   family  are  devout   attendants  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Mr.  AVagner  married,  September  12,  1878,  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Lewis  and  Fannie  (Henry)  Houser,  and  this  union  has  been  blessed 
with  six  children:  i.  A  son,  died  unnamed,  July  26,  1880.  2.  John 
Lewis,  born  August  3,  1881,  married  Bertha  Ellen  Longwell  at  Milroy, 
Pennsylvania.  November  18,  1901,  is  now  a  letter  carrier  at  Braddock, 
Pennsylvania ;  they  have  one  child,   Sarah  Gertrude.     3.   A  daughter, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  817 

died  unnamed,  June  26,  1S84.  4.  Norman  Heister,  born  September  10, 
1886,  died  March  22,  1891.  5.  Ottie  Jane,  born  November  i,  1889; 
married  Arthur  Brown  at  Milroy,  Pennsylvania,  September  16,  1908; 
they  have  one  child,  Catharine  Rebecca.  6.  Esther  Coretta,  born  No- 
vember 3,  1897,  now  attending  Milroy  high  school. 


G.  Frank  Bousum,  of  Mifflintown,  Pennsylvania,  a 
BOUSUM  highly  esteemed  and  substantial  citizen  of  his  com- 
munity, has  for  his  forbears  good  German  stock.  The 
Bousums  were  originally  from  Frankfort-on-the-Rhine,  Germany,  where 
many  of  the  name  still  reside.  The  first  of  the  name  to  cross  the  At- 
lantic in  search  of  new  and  more  advantageous  surroundings  landed  in 
New  York  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  or  soon  after  the 
war  of  the  revolution.  The  original  immigrant  of  the  name  of  Bousum 
remained  in  New  York  several  years,  finally  drifting  into  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  established  himself. 

(I)  William  Bousum,  the  first  of  the  name  of  whom  any  definite 
knowledge  is  had,  was  an  early  resident  of  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  moved  from  there  to  historic  Juniata  county,  and  lived  for  some 
years  in  Milford  township.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  vocation,  and  there 
are  in  Perry  and  Juniata  counties  today  many  useful  household  articles 
of  his  handiwork.  He  later  moved  to  Middletown  and  died  there  in 
the  early  nineties.  He  was  the  parent  of  six  children:  i.  Linnie,  mar- 
ried Robert  Fleming,  of  an  old  Scotch-Irish  family  of  that  section ; 
lives  in  Mifflin  county.  2.  Catherine,  married  James  L.  Steward,  and 
lives  in  Milford  township,  Juniata  county;  he  served  in  the  civil  war 
with  distinction.  3.  Mary,  married  Mr.  Minnick :  both  dead.  4.  George 
W.,  lives  in  Marshalltown,  Iowa.  5.  David,  died  in  the  state  of  Wash- 
ington.    6.  John  W.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  John  W.  Bousum,  son  of  \\'illiam  Bousum,  was  born  in 
Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  moved  when  young  with  his  parents 
to  Juniata  county,  and  afterward  to  Milford  township.  He  married 
(first)  Catherine  Guss,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Guss,  who  were 
born  of  German  parents  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  com- 
pany with  three  brothers  moved  to  Juniata  county  and  settled  in  Mil- 
ford township.  He  was  a  shoemaker  and  farmer  on  a  small  scale.  He 
owned  his  own  home  and  there  died  in  1889.     He  was  the  father  of 


8i8  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

five  daughters  and  five  sons.  John  W.  and  Catherine  Guss  were  mar- 
ried in  Juniata  county.  They  Hved  for  a  short  time  in  MilTlin  county, 
and  then  Patterson,  finally  locating  in  Milford  township.  He  was  a 
track  foreman,  and  for  twenty-seven  years  was  foreman  of  Selin's 
Grove  yards.  He  has  retired  from  active  business  and  lives  in  Colum- 
bia county.  His  wife  died  in  1873.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  He  enlisted  in  the  Pennsylvania 
volunteer  infantry  during  the  civil  war,  and  saw  active  service  for 
eighty-seven  days,  the  term  of  his  enlistment.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  Cath- 
erine, he  married  (second)  Anna  Lehman,  who  is  still  living.  Children 
by  first  marriage:  i.  G.  Frank,  of  whom  further.  2.  R.  Louis,  who 
lives  in  Mifflintown,  where  he  has  established  a  tailoring  business.  The 
other  two  children  died  in  infancy.  There  are  no  children  by  second 
marriage. 

(Ill)  G.  Frank  Bousum,  son  of  John  W.  and  Catherine  (Guss) 
Bousum,  was  born  in  Milford  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania, 
November  8,  1869.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Red  Bank,  then  matriculated  at  the  Tuscarora  Academy 
and  later  at  the  Susquehanna  University.  On  leaving  the  university 
he  attended  the  Iron  City  Business  College  at  Pittsburg,  and  gradu- 
ated from  it  in  1894.  Immediately  after  graduation  he  was  offered 
the  position  of  bookkeeper  with  Guss  &  Seiber,  which  he  accepted 
and  remained  with  them  eleven  years.  Leaving  them  he  was  with 
the  Pennsylvania  railway  for  two  years,  or  until  1907.  In  1906  he 
was  elected  register  and  recorder  and  clerk  of  the  orphan's  court.  He 
was  reelected  in  1909,  and  will  hold  the  ofiices  until  January  i,  1914. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  for  that  ticket  on  the  town 
council  and  school  board,  and  is  now  on  borough  council.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  Mason  in  high 
standing,  a  member  of  the  Union  Lodge,  No.  324,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Mifflin  Lodge, 
No.  911.  Through  his  own  unaided  efforts,  except  for  splendid  mental 
equipment  and  a  good  education,  Mr.  Bousum  has  rapidly  forged  to 
the  front  as  a  representative  man  of  his  section.  He  married,  June 
17.  1897,  Maude  Vernon  Lumbard,  born  Februarv  22,  1871,  daughter 
of  Joseph  and   Sarah  Lumbard,  a  native  of   Selin's  Grove,   Pennsyl- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  819 

vania.    Children:     i.  John  Guss,  born  June  12,  1898.    2.  Joyce  Evelyn, 
born  July  25,  1906. 

(The  Guss  Line). 
George  Guss  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  as  was  his 
wife,  Mary.  With  three  brothers  he  went  to  Juniata  county  and  there 
settled  in  Milford  township.  He  bought  a  small  farm,  and  in  conjunc- 
tion with  his  real  vocation,  that  of  shoemaking,  he  farmed.  He  ac- 
cumulated cjuite  a  nice  property  by  his  dual  occupations.  Being  of  a 
thrifty  German  mind  he  saved  a  great  portion  of  his  earnings.  He 
died  in  Milford  township  in  1889,  or  thereabouts.  Children,  all  of 
whom  are  dead  but  four,  are:  i.  Rebecca,  lives  in  Milford  township, 
unmarried.  2.  Elizabeth,  married  Samuel  W.  Heaps,  and  now  lives  in 
Walker  township.  3.  Mary,  now  dead,  was  the  wife  of  Jonathan  Kauff- 
man  and  lived  in  Walker  township.  4.  Martha,  widow  of  M.  L.  Guss, 
and  lives  in  Milford  township.  Those  dead  are:  i.  John,  a  valiant 
soldier  in  the  civil  war,  and  died  from  effects  of  exposure  and  hard- 
ships. 2.  Alonzo  H.,  died  at  Akron.  Ohio.  3.  Reuben  L.,  was  a  hard- 
ware merchant.  4.  Cloyd,  killed  on  a  railroad  while  going  to  work. 
K.  G.  Frank,  died  in  1897.  6.  Catherine,  married  John  \\'.  Bousum,  and 
died  1873   (see  Bousum  II). 


The   Watts    family   of   Belleville,    Pennsylvania,    descend 
WATTS     from  the  English  family  of  that  name  that  has  produced 

so  many  men  famous  in  art,  science  and  religion,  including 
Rev.  Isaac  Watts,  an  English  Independent  minister  and  hymn  writer, 
born  July  17,  1674;  Alaric  Alexander  Watts,  a  journalist  and  poet; 
George  Frederick  Watts,  a  painter  and  sculptor;  Henry  \\'atts,  a  noted 
chemist ;  and  others.  In  the  United  States  a  well  known  public  char- 
acter was  Thomas  Hill  Watts,  born  1819,  died  1892,  a  lawyer  and 
statesman  of  Alabama.  He  exerted  himself  continually  to  keep  his 
state  from  seceding,  but  later  joined  with  the  Confederacy  and  served  as 
colonel  of  the  17th  Regiment,  Alabama  Infantry,  but  in  1862  was 
chosen  as  attorney-general  in  the  cabinet  of  Jefferson  Davis.  In  1863  he 
was  elected  governor  of  Alabama,  and  served  as  such  until  the  close  of 
the  war. 

The   history  of   this  branch  begins   with   Samuel   Watts,    born    in 
England  prior  to  the  year  1700,  settling  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsyl- 


820  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

vania,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  fanner.     He  married  and 
reared  a  family,  including  a  son,  Thomas. 

(II)  Thomas,  son  of  Samuel  Watts,  was  born  in  England,  came  to 
Pennsylvania  with  his  father  and  became  a  farmer  of  Caernarvon 
township,  Lancaster  county.  He  married  Maria  Snyder,  of  Swiss 
parentage,  and  both  Bied  in  Lancaster  county.  Children:  i.  George, 
married  and  moved  to  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  where  he  has  de- 
scendants. 2.  Philip,  twice  married,  moved  to  the  Kishacoquillas 
valley,  and  left  two  children:  Franklin,  who  became  a  priest 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  Sarah,  who  became  a  Sis- 
ter of  Charity,  going  to  an  institute  in  Paris.  3.  Samuel,  of 
whom  further.  4.  Catherine,  married  (first)  a  Mr.  Lapp,  (second)  a 
Mr.  Silknitter. 

(III)  Samuel  (2),  son  of  Thomas  and  Maria  (Snyder)  Watts,  was 
born  in  Fairville,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  June  22,  1822,  died 
March  16,  1910.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  remained 
at  home,  his  father's  assistant,  until  1840,  when  he  came  to  Belleville 
to  become  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  his  uncle  Daniel  Overholtzer.  He  con- 
tinued his  studies  under  private  tuition  at  the  same  time,  but  later  re- 
turned to  his  father's  home,  where  he  found  means  to  acquire  a  thor- 
ough education,  attending  the  academy  at  New  London  Cross  Roads, 
Chester  county.  There  he  had  as  classmates  two  men  later  famous  in 
Lancaster  county — J.  Smith  Frithy  and  Robert  Emmet  Monaghan. 
Again  he  returned  home  and  studied  under  private  tutors  at  New 
Holland.  He  next  established  a  private  school  near  his  home  where 
he  taught  for  several  years.  In  1844  he  began  his  long  and  successful 
career  as  merchant  and  financier.  He  first  opened  a  store  at  Galtsville, 
Lancaster  county,  later  established  in  the  flour  and  feed  business  at 
Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county.  In  1850  he  exchanged  his  Pottsville 
store  for  that  of  his  uncle  Daniel  Overholzer  in  Belleville,  Mifflintown, 
taking  possession  in  1851.  Although  starting  with  little  capital,  he  so 
used  his  powers  of  youth,  perseverance,  economy  and  business  acumen 
that  he  became  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  useful  men  of  his  bor- 
ough. As  his  business  grew  he  enlarged  and  expanded  in  many  ways. 
He  was  one  of  the  principal  organizers  of  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley 
Railroad  Company  and  aided  largely  in  the  construction  of  that  road  in 
1892  and  was  its  first  president.    He  was  also  one  of  the  organizers  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  821 

a  charter  member  of  the  Kishacoquillas  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany; charter  member  of  the  East  Kishacoquillas  Turnpike  Company,  a 
director  and  for  several  years  its  president.  He  was  one  of  the  leading 
incorporators  of  the  Reedsville  National  Bank;  its  first  president,  serv- 
ing until  his  death.  He  was  also  an  organizer  and  president  of  the 
Farmer's  National  Bank  of  Belleville  and  of  the  Citizens  National 
Bank  of  Lewistown,  filling  these  responsible  positions  with  honor  and 
credit  until  his  death.  He  aided  in  the  improvement  of  Belleville  by  the 
erection  of  several  modern  residences  and  also  made  large  investments 
in  farm  lands  in  Iowa,  South  Dakota  and  Illinois,  placing  these  in 
charge  of  his  son,  Samuel  Henry  Watts.  He  abandoned  mercantile  life 
in  1895,  then  devoted  himself  to  the  interests  of  the  banking  institu- 
tions over  which  he  presided.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  devoted 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  generous  contributors 
to  all  churches,  regardless  of  creed.  He  was  very  liberal  in  his  own 
church  and  a  willing  worker.  He  built  the  present  ]\Iethodist  church 
at  Belleville  and  presented  it  to  the  congregation,  and  there  with  them 
worshipped  and  labored  for  the  cause  of  religion  until  his  death.  In 
politics  he  was  an  ardent  Republican,  deeply  interested  in  public  af- 
fairs, but  never  sought  or  accepted  office  for  himself.  While  Mr. 
Watts's  life  was  an  eminently  successful  one,  he  did  not  gain  prom- 
inence by  favor.  He  faced  many  discouragements  and  difficulties  that 
would  have  defeated  a  less  resolute,  determined  man,  and  fairly  won 
the  high  standing  he  attained.  When  wealth  was  gained  he  used  it 
justly,  and  there  was  never  a  man  to  say  it  was  not  fairly  won.  He 
aided  in  every  public  enterprise  presented  to  him  and  much  of  the 
prosperity  of  his  section  of  Mifflin  county  can  be  traced  to  his  initiative 
or  cooperation. 

Samuel  Watts  married,  February,  1852,  Maria,  daughter  of  John 
and  Margaret  (Kurtz)  Overholtzer  and  granddaughter  of  Jacob  Over- 
holtzer,  of  Lancaster  county.  Children:  i.  Elizabeth,  died  October  4, 
1854,  aged  four  months.  2.  Martin  O.,  deceased.  3.  Samuel  Henry, 
now  living  in  Iowa.  4.  James  Kurtz,  a  farmer  of  Belleville,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 5.  Mary  Elizabeth,  married  William  H.  Oldt,  whom  she  sur- 
vives. 6.  Levi  Metzler,  a  traveling  salesman  of  Belleville;  married 
October  28,  1896,  Sue  Stroup,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sue  fStroup) 
Killian.     7.  John,  of  whom  further.     8.  Isaac  Sturk,  educated  in  the 


822  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

public  schools,  now  member  of  the  firm  of  Watts  Brothers  and  inter- 
ested in  other  Belleville  business  concerns. 

(IV)  John,  son  of  Samuel  and  Maria  (Overholtzer)  Watts,  was 
born  in  Belleville,  Mifllin  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  12,  1866, 
now  member  of  the  firm  of  Watts  Brothers  of  Belleville.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  began  business  life  as  a  clerk  in  his 
father's  store.  In  1895,  in  company  with  his  brother  Isaac,  under  the 
firm  name  Watts  Brothers,  succeeded  to  the  mercantile  business  founded 
by  Daniel  Overholtzer  and  conducted  by  Samuel  Watts  since  185 1  in 
Belleville.  The  business,  general  merchandise,  under  their  manage- 
ment has  prospered  and  increased,  both  partners  being  able,  energetic 
men  of  afl:'airs.  John  Watts  is  also  a  director  of  the  Farmer's  National 
Bank  of  Belleville  and  interested  in  other  lines  of  business  activity, 
including  the  senior  membership  of  the  firm,  Watts  &  Yoder,  exten- 
sive grain  dealers  and  millers  of  Belleville.  He  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, but  has  never  accepted  public  office,  belongs  to  Belleville  Lodge,  No. 
302,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  a  communicant  of 
Belleville  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     Mr.  Watts  is  unmarried. 


The  Ellis  family  herein  recorded  came  to  Lewistown  from 
ELLIS     Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  are  probably  descendants 
of  the  Welsh  fanfily  of  Ellis,  founded  in  Pennsylvania  by 
Rowland  Ellis,  of  Bryn  Mawr,  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  Alexander  Ellis,  father  of  John  B.  Ellis,  of  Lewistown,  was 
born  at  Boalsburg,  Center  councy,  Pennsylvania,  in  1816.  He  moved  to 
Juniata  county  at  an  early  day,  came  to  Lewistown  in  1881,  and  died 
1885.  He  married  Martha  Basem,  born  in  Juniata  county  in  1822, 
died  in  Lewistown  in  1904.  Children:  Lemuel,  Mary,  Kate,  William! 
Edward,  Carrie,  Rebecca,  Stewart,  and  John  B.,  and  four  who  died 
young. 

(II)  John  B.,  youngest  son  of  Alexander  and  Martha  Ellis,  was 
born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  22,  1863.  He  attended 
public,  common  and  normal  schools,  obtaining  a  good  English  education. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  moved  to  Lewistown  with  his  parents 
and  began  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  a  Lewistown  shop.  After 
working  five  years  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Penns^•lvania  railroad 
as  blacksmith,  in  December,   1886.     He  continued  at  the   foro-e  three 


cyP^  ./9.  S£c: 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  823 

years,  then  was  promoted  to  be  night  foreman,  which  position  he  now 
holds.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  poHtics,  and  has  held  the  offices  of  school 
director  and  assessor  of  the  first  ward,  the  latter  an  office  he  yet  holds. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  203,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  Lost  Creek  Lodge,  No.  131,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows; and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

He  married,  October  16,  1884,  Ida  M.  Stoner,  born  in  Lewistown, 
January  31,  1864,  only  child  of  Andrew  K.  and  Angeline  (Maban) 
Stoner,  he  an  early  settler  of  Lewistown,  where  he  died  November  18, 
1864,  she  surviving  him  until  November  9,  1909.  Children:  i.  Mary 
Grace,  born  October  22,  1885;  married  Harry  H.  Shaw;  children: 
Mary  Grace,  deceased,  Harrison  H.  and  Madeline.  2.  Anna  Gertrude, 
born  April  6,  1889;  married  William  D.  Feather;  children:  William 
E.,  Helen  Luella,  Thomas  Charles,  deceased,  and  Robert  David.  3. 
Robert  Alexander,  born  September  15,  1897,  residing  at  home. 


The    Pannebakers    were    old    residents    of    Port 
PANNEBAKER     Royal,    Pennsylvania,    where   Jonas   Pannebaker 
died,  leaving  a  large  family. 

(II)  Philo,  son  of  Jonas  Pannebaker,  was  born  in  Juniata  county, 
Pennsylvania,  1830,  died  at  Mifflin,  Pennsylvania,  about  1893.  He 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  in  different  localities, 
finally  settling  in  Mifflin,  where  most  of  his  life  was  passed.  He  was  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  married,  in  Juniata  county,  Susanna 
Hurl,  born  in  that  county  in  1836,  who  survives  him,  residing  with  her 
daughters  in  Milroy,  Pennsylvania.  Children:  i.  A  daughter,  died  in 
infancy.  2.  Robert,  now  living  in  Mifflin,  a  carpenter.  3.  Philo,  now 
living  in  Mifflin,  a  carpenter.  4.  James  Sellers,  of  whom  further.  5. 
Edward,  now  living  in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  a  truck  farmer.  6. 
Jennie,  married  James  LTlsh  and  resides  in  Altoona,  Pennsylvania.  7. 
John,  now  living  in  Mifflin,  a  printer.  8.  Frances,  now  living  in  Mil- 
roy, Pennsylvania,  unmarried.  9.  Martin,  died  at  Butler,  Pennsylvania. 
10.  Holmes,  now  living  in  Lewistown.  11.  Anna,  married  N.  Baer  and 
resides  in  Yeagertown,  Pennsylvania. 

(III)  James  Sellers,  fourth  child  and  third  son  of  Philo  and  Sus- 
anna    (Hurl)     Pannebaker,    was    born    in    Juniata    county,    Pennsyl- 


824  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

vania,  January  26,  1862.     He  attended  Mifflin  county  public  schools  and 
literally  grew  up  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  having  begun  work  with  his 
father  at  an  early  age.     On  arriving  at  legal  age  in  1883  he  located  at 
Renovo,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  worked  in  the  Pennsylvania  railroad 
shops  for  three  years,  then  with  a  lumber  company  until  1887,  when  he 
moved  to  Astor,  Orange  county,  Florida,  remaining  three  months.     Re- 
turning to  Pennsylvania  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Iroona  Lumber 
Company     in     Clearfield     county,     becoming     assistant     foreman     in 
charge  of  their  millwright  work  and  remaining  with  them  twelve  and 
a  half  years.     In  1899  he  located  in  Lewistown,  where  he  built  his  own 
home  and  worked  as  a  journeyman,  then  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Standard  Steel  Company,  where  he  yet  remains.     He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.     He  married,  March  26,  1891,  Louisa  Lesher,  born  in  Juniata 
county,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth   (Geise)    Lesher,  both  born 
in  Northumberland  county,  after  their  marriage  moving  to  Delaware 
township,  Juniata  county,  where  Mr.  Lesher  bought  a  farm  on  which 
he  lived  until  his  death.     He  was  drafted  during  the  civil   war,  but 
furnished  a  substitute.     He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.      His  wife  survives 
him,  still  a  resident  of  Juniata  county. 

The  only  child  of  James  S.  and  Louisa  (Lesher)  Pannebaker  is 
Gilson,  born  May  4,  1892,  now  an  apprentice  at  the  molder's  trade. 
The  family  residence  is  at  No.  333  Valley  street,  Lewistown,  which 
Mr.   Pannebaker  erected   in   1900. 


This  family  is  of  French  ancestry,  the  founder,  George 
LEOPOLD     Leopold,  coming  to  the  United  States  from  his  native 

city,  Paris,  with  his  wife,  a  Miss  Swigert.  of  Gennan 
descent.  No  record  is  found  of  their  residence  in  this  country  or  of 
their  family,  except  of  their  son,  George. 

(II)  George  (2)  Leopold  was  born  in  1800  and  made  settlement 
m  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  when  a  young  unmarried  man.  He 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  but  after  his  marriage  bought  a  farm  of 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  Ferguson  valle^•,  which  he  im- 
proved and  later  sold.  He  then  purchased  a  large  farm  in  Oliver 
township.     He  later  bought  and  moved  to  a  farm  in  Granville  town- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  825 

ship,  but  after  a  short  residence  there  returned  to  his  Oliver  township 
farm,  where  he  Hved  until  his  death  in  April,  1861.  He  was  a  pros- 
perous farmer,  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  held  several  local  offices. 
He  married  Anna  E.  Hannawalt,  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1804,  died  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  in  1880,  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter,  Susan.  She  was  a  sister  of  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Hannawalt  and 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Children:  i.  Louis  H.,  lived 
and  died  in  Granville  township,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  farmer. 
2.  Catherine,  married  Stuart  McKee  and  died  in  Granville  township.  3. 
Susan,  married  (first)  Albert  Ickes,  (second)  Amos  Pennsypacker,  and 
died  in  Philadelphia.  4.  George  Albert,  of  whom  further.  5.  Died  in 
infancy. 

(Ill)  George  Albert,  son  of  George  and  Anna  E.  (Hannawalt) 
Leopold,  was  born  in  Oliver  township,  ]\Iifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
June  27,  1848.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Bucknell 
College,  being  a  graduate  of  the  latter  institution,  class  of  1865.  He 
chose  the  occupation  of  farming  and  purchased  one  hundred  acres  of 
the  Granville  township  farm  from  the  heirs  of  George  Leopold,  which 
he  still  owns.  There  was  a  rich  vein  of  iron  ore  on  the  farm  which  he 
opened  and  worked  out,  employing  for  several  years  from  twenty  to 
thirty  men.  In  1898  he  moved  to  Lewistown  w-here  he  has  lived  prac- 
tically retired  ever  since  at  the  corner  of  Oak  and  Logan  streets.  He 
has  real  estate  interests  in  the  city  and  county,  but  is  not  actively 
interested  in  any  business.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  al- 
ways taken  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs.  In  Granville  township 
he  was  school  director  and  collector  of  taxes,  and  in  Lewistown  was 
elected  in  1909  a  member  of  the  borough  council  and  in  1911  was 
chosen  president  of  council,  an  office  he  now  holds.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  and  first  vice-president  of  the  fifth  ward  fire  department, 
and  for  several  years  has  been  its  financial  secretary.  He  is  a  deacon 
and  trustee  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Lewistown,  of  which  his  wife  is 
also  a  member. 

He  married,  in  1870,  Camilla  Catherine  Kauffman.  born  in  Oliver 
township,  daughter  of  Hamilton  Kauffman,  formerly  of  Juniata  county. 
Children :  i.  Ada  Irene,  educated  at  Westchester  Normal  School,  taught 
for  seven  years,  then  took  a  regular  course  as  nurse  at  Trenton  (New 
Jersey)  Hospital,  now  a  graduate  nurse  located  at  Lewistown  and  re- 


826  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

siding  witli  her  parents.  2.  Mary  Luella,  married  William  M.  Snook, 
a  pattern  maker  and  resides  in  Lewistown.  3.  William  Lewis,  graduate 
of  Juniata  College,  Westchester  Normal  School,  now  principal  of  the 
Ralston  street  high  school,  Pittsburgh.  4-  George  Albert  (2),  now 
assistant  principal  of  Wayne  street  high  school,  Lewistown;  he  mar- 
ried Gertrude  Reid.  5.  Harry,  married  Sarah  Miller  and  resides  in 
Lewistown,  a  machinist. 

The   Harpers   of   Burnham,    Pennsylvania,   came   from 
HARPER     New  Jersey,  where  John  Harper  settled  in  1868.     He 

was  born  in  county  Tyrone,  Ireland,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Jane  Orr.  In  1868  they  came  to  the  United 
States,  settling  first  in  Hoboken,  New  Jersey,  going  from  thence  to 
Hyburne  in  northern  New  Jersey,  where  he  was  connected  with  the 
iron  industry.  Later  in  life  he  moved  to  Philadelphia,  settling  in 
Wissahickon,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  life  until  his  death,  July 
2,  1901,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  His  widow,  Jane,  survived  him 
until  February  7,  1913,  aged  eighty  years.  Her  mother,  Mary  (Wat- 
son) Orr,  died  in  Ireland,  aged  over  ninety  years.  Both  John  Harper 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
he  was  a  Republican  in  politics.  Children :  Sarah  Ann,  David,  John, 
Robert  E.,  of  whom  further;  Joseph,  deceased;  Andrew,  Augustus, 
Samuel,  William,  Jane  and  Mary.  At  the  time  of  her  death,  in  Febru- 
ary, 191 3,  Mrs.  Jane  (Orr)   Harper  had  thirty-six  grandchildren. 

(II)  Robert  E.,  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Orr)  Harper,  was  born  in 
county  Tyrone,  Ireland,  August  26,  1861.  When  seven  years  of  age 
he  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents,  and  in  Hoboken  and 
Hyburne  he  attended  the  public  schools.  When  a  young  man  he  worked 
in  the  iron  mines  of  northern  New  Jersey,  continuing  several  years. 
He  then  moved  to  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  for  thirty  years  he 
was  a  trusted  employee  of  the  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works.  In  1902 
he  came  to  Burnham,  Pennsylvania,  entering  the  employ  of  the  Stand- 
ard Steel  W^orks  Company  as  foreman  of  the  axle  department.  In 
1905  he  opened  a  store  in  Burnham,  continuing  in  successful  business 
until  his  death,  July  4,  191 1.  He  was  thorough  master  of  his  trade 
and  never  failed  in  giving  full  satisfaction  to  his  employers.  Both  he 
and   his  wife  were  members  of   the   Methodist   Episcopal   church   of 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  827 

Wissahickon,  and  on  moving  to  Burnham  brought  their  letters  to  the 
Methodist  church  there.  In  poHtics  he  was  a  Republican,  but  in  his 
later  years  was  a  supporter  of  the  Prohibition  party.  He  never  ac- 
cepted public  office,  but  found  his  greatest  enjoyment  in  his  home.  He 
was  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him  and  no  man  better  de- 
served the  good  opinion  of  his  neighbors. 

He  married,  May  26,  1881,  Mary  A.  Rittenhouse,  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1864,  who  survives  him,  a  resident 
of  Burnham.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  M.  Rittenhouse,  born  in 
Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  January  22,  1840,  now  spending  his  de- 
clining years  with  his  daughter,  Mary  A.,  in  Burnham.  He  was  for 
many  years  engaged  in  the  tobacco  business  in  Philadelphia,  and  for 
six  years  was  a  member  of  the  Philadelphia  police  force  under  Stoke- 
ley. 

He  is  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  serving  from  August  14,  1862, 
until  June  20,  1865,  '^^  Company  G,  119th  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers.  He  married  Catherine  Street,  born  June  26,  1840,  died 
in  Wissahickon,  June  6,  1897.  Children:  Mary  A.,  of  previous  men- 
tion, widow  of  Robert  E.  Harper;  Thomas;  George  W.,  deceased; 
Abraham ;  William,  married  Mary  L.  Renshaw,  no  children. 

Children  of  Robert  E.  and  Mary  A.  Harper:  i.  John  ]\Iason,  born 
February  17,  1882.  2.  Robert  E.  (2),  born  November  25,  1883;  mar- 
ried Lulu  M.  Hambright;  two  children:  Roger  E.  and  Robert  P. 
3.  Catherine  Street,  born  December  18,  1885:  married  Walter  Farley: 
no  children.  4.  Rachel  ^lary,  born  September  18,  1889:  married  Clar- 
ence C.  Gastrock;  one  child,  Mary  M.  5.  Jane  Orr,  born  September  29, 
1891  ;  married  Uri  A.  Crissman;  no  children.  6.  William  Henry,  born 
November  25,  1893.  7.  Abraham,  born  December  23,  1895.  8.  Sarah 
Ann,  born  September  8,  1897.  9.  Mary  Watson,  born  December  5, 
1899.  10.  Ruth  Amelia,  born  February  20,  1902.  11.  Matthew  Simp- 
son, born  September  i,   1904. 


The  McKees  are  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry  and  date  in 
McKEE     Pennsylvania  to  the  year  1738.     The  first  settlement  of 

the  family  was  in  Lancaster  county,  thence  a  branch  settled 
in  Cumberland  county.  Andrew  McKee  was  the  first  of  this  branch  to 
settle  in  Mifflin  county,  although  Thomas  McKee,  who  may  have  been 


828  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

his  father  or  uncle,  warranted  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  Juniata  Valley 
in  1755,  the  land  lying  at  the  mouth  of  Mahantango  creek  and  McKee's 
Half  Falls.  Andrew  McKee  warranted  his  land,  containing  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  acres  in  what  is  now  Granville  township,  December 
9,   1784. 

John  Andrew  McKee,  late  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  was  a  son 
of  Thomas  R.  and  Martha  (Robinson)  McKee,  pioneer  settlers  of 
Lewistown.  Thomas  R.  and  his  brother,  John  McKee,  were  extensive 
land  owners  and  operated  several  tanneries,  doing  a  large  business 
until  his  death,  December  3,  1854,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.  His 
wife  Martha  died  in  1845,  3.ged  forty  years.  Children:  John  Andrew, 
William  R.  and  Margaret,  all  deceased. 

John  Andrew  McKee  was  born  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  July 
2,  1836.  He  obtained  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools,  Lewis- 
town  Academy  and  a  school  at  Shade  Gap,  Huntingdon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  chose  the  profession  of  law,  studying  under  the  able 
direction  of  Joseph  Alexander.  In  April,  1859,  Mr.  McKee  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice  at  the  Mifflin  county  bar,  and  until  his  death  con- 
tinued in  active,  successful  practice.  He  was  a  strong  Union  man,  was 
captain  of  militia  and  a  member  of  the  Logan  Guards,  and  went  with 
them  to  the  front  on  President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  troops,  serving 
three  months.  The  Logan  Guards  were  the  first  troops  to  arrive  at 
Harrisburg  under  the  president's  call,  and  all  those  reporting  have  the 
right  of  membership  in  the  "First  Defenders"  organization.  Mr.  Mc- 
Kee was  United  States  assessor  of  internal  revenue,  1871  to  1873, 
otherwise  the  law  was  his  chief  concern.  He  was  a  learned  lawyer 
and  enjoyed  a  large  practice  in  the  county,  state  and  federal  courts. 
He  was  accurate,  conscientious  in  all  his  business  dealings,  and  was 
held  in  highest  esteem  by  his  brethren  of  the  bar.  He  was  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  inembers  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  although  his  early  training  had  been  Presbyterian. 
He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to 
Lewistown  Lodge,  No.  203,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  Lewistown 
Chapter,  No.  26,  Knights  Templar.  He  also  belonged  to  the  "First 
Defenders"  Association,  and  was  interested  in  all  that  concerned  the 
temporal  or  moral  life  of  Lewistown.  His  long  and  useful  life  termi- 
nated June  10,  1904. 


Q,rZ.  A-M"^:/:' 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  829 

John  Andrew  McKee  married,  March  4,  1862,  Anna  Maria  Mc- 
Cord,  born  in  Lewistown,  November  28,  1838,  who  survives  him  in 
her  seventy-fifth  year,  a  resident  of  Lewistown,  her  lifelong  home. 
She  is  an  active,  interested,  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church;  a  charter  member  of  the  Women's  Christian  Temperance 
Union,  of  which  she  was  for  several  years  president,  and  always  an 
active  worker.  While  Mrs.  McKee  was  president  of  the  local  union, 
Lewistown  voted  "no  license,"  and  of  all  that  band  of  devoted  women 
who  formed  the  first  union  as  charter  members,  she  is  the  only  survivor. 
She  is  also  one  of  the  oldest  living  persons,  born  in  Lewistown  and 
now  living  in  the  borough.  She  is  active  and  energetic  and  as  deeply 
interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  moral  welfare  of  her  community 
as  of  yore,  when  she  was  a  leader.  Her  judgment  and  advice  are  valu- 
able, and  are  sought  for  by  the  younger  women,  who  are  now  leaders 
in  the  cause  Mrs.  McKee  loves  so  well.     She  is  the  daughter  of  James 

and  Mary  (Willis)  McCord,  and  granddaughter  of  Thomas  and  

(Hutchison)  McCord,  pioneer  settlers  of  Mitiflin  county.  James  Mc- 
Cord was  born  in  ]\Iiiiflin  county,  May  25,  1793,  and  died  1873.  He 
was  engaged  in  the  harness  business  in  Lewistown  for  many  years; 
was  a  Whig  in  politics  and  for  many  years  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  wife,  Mary 
Willis,  was  born  in  Mifflin  county  in  the  year  1800,  died  in  Lewistown 
in  1872,  daughter  of  Isaiah  and  Susan  (Elton)  Willis,  who  came  to 
Mifilin  from  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania ;  he  was  a  successful  farmer, 
large  landowner  and  grain  dealer  at  Strode's  Mills.  Children  of  James 
and  Mary  (Willis)  2\IcCord :  Isaiah  (2),  Mary,  Anna  Maria,  of 
previous  mention,  and  James,  all  deceased,  except  Mrs.  Anna  Maria 
McKee,  widow  of  John  Andrew  McKee. 

Children  of  Mr.  and  ;\Irs.  McKee :  i.  Martha  Willis,  married  Edwin 
Spanogle,  son  of  Andrew  (2)  Spanogle  (now  living  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
one  years,  1913),  a  descendant  of  George  Spanogle,  who  came  from 
Germany  prior  to  the  revolution,  settling  in  Baltimore,  Maryland.  Chil- 
dren of  Edwin  and  Martha  W.  Spanogle:  i.  Mary  Anna,  a  student  at 
Goucher  College,  Baltimore,  ii.  John  Andrew,  a  senior  at  Williamsport 
Seminary,  class  of  1913,  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  iii.  Martha  An- 
nie, residing  at  home.  2.  William  Lincoln,  now  residing  in  Beaver, 
Pennsylvania,  connected  with  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  at  Pittsburgh, 


830  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Pennsylvania.     He  married  Eliza  Bruce  and  has  children :  Jane  Stokes 
and  Martha  Willis. 


The  name  Brumbaugh  is  of  German  origin  and  is 
BRUMBAUGH     found  in  both  German  and  Swiss  records  with  the 

"o"  and  "u"'  used  interchangeably.  There  is  a 
German  history  of  the  family  which  indicates  with  its  Von  and  coats- 
of-arms  that  they  were  of  the  noble  class  and  persons  of  consequence. 
Whenever  the  German  ancestor  executed  deeds  or  important  papers,  the 
scribe  usually  wrote  the  name  Broombaugh  or  Brombaugh,  resulting 
in  many  names  originally  ending  in  "bach,"  becoming  "baugh"  or 
"back."  Tlius  the  name  Brumbach  has  been  so  changed  that  descend- 
ants of  the  first  settlers  are  found  under  the  names  Brounback,  Brum- 
back,  Brombach,  Brombaugh  and  Brumbaugh. 

The  first  record  of  the  American  ancestor  of  the  branch  herein  re- 
corded is  found  in  the  "immigrant  list"  of  those  landing  in  Philadel- 
phia as  follows :  "Johannes  Heinrich  Brumbach,  arrived  at  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania,  on  the  ship  Neptune,  Captain  Waire,  September 
30,  1754,  from  Rotterdam  and  last  from  Cowes."  There  is  no  record 
that  shows  that  he  tarried  long  in  Philadelphia,  but  proceeded  with  his 
family  to  a  point  in  the  Conecocheague  district,  north  of  Hagerstown,  in 
Frederick  county,  Maryland,  or  to  Franklin  count)',  Pennsylvania,  im- 
mediately adjoining  on  the  north.  There  were  four  children — three 
born  in  Germany:  Jacob,  of  whom  further;  Conrad,  born  1735,  died 
1791 ;  Johannes  and  George. 

(II)  Jacob  ("Jockel")  Brumbaugh,  son  of  Johannes  Heinrich  Brum- 
bach, was  lH)rn  in  Germany, November  2y,  1734,  died  in  Hopewell  town- 
ship, Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  13,  1816.  Jacob  and 
his  brother  George  (called  Yorrick)  moved  with  the  earliest  settlers  to 
Morrisons  Cove,  then  in  Bedford,  now  in  Blair  county,  Pennsvlvania, 
and  located  near  the  Rebecca  Furnace  property,  occupying  a  large  tract 
of  land.  The  Indian  outbreaks  of  1778  and  1779  caused  all  the  early 
settlers  to  leave  that  locality,  the  brothers  returning  to  their  homes  in 
the  Conecocheague  district.  After  the  Indian  troubles  ended  they  re- 
turned and  occupied  their  lands  in  now  Blair  county.  The  first  census 
of  the  United  States,  taken  in  1790,  locates  Jacob  Brumbough  in  Bed- 
ford county  and  enumerates  his  family.     In  1791,  a  return  shows  he 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXL\TA    VALLEY  831 

was  collector  of  taxes  for  Woodberry  township,  Huntingdon  county. 
In  1794  he  moved  across  the  mountains  into  the  Woodcock  Valley, 
Huntingdon  county.  On  August  4,  1800,  he  received  a  deed  for  two 
hundred  and  nineteen  acres  on  the  south  side  of  Warrior  Ridge,  called 
"Timothy  Meadows,"  and  lived  there  continuously  until  his  death,  Au- 
gust 13,  1816.  The  old  homestead  farm  is  yet  held  in  the  family 
name.  The  name  of  his  first  wife  is  not  known.  His  second  wife, 
Elizabeth,  died  December  15,  1827,  and  is  buried  at  Marklesburg,  Penn- 
sylvania. There  are  several  opinions  concerning  the  burial  place  of 
Jacob.  Children  of  first  wife:  i.  John,  born  February  28,  1764,  died 
February  28,  1848;  married  Mary  Ulrich.  2.  Margaret,  born  May  5, 
1766,  died  August  i,  1820;  married  Nicholas  Fouse.  3.  Conrad,  born 
1768,  died  December  6,  1859:  married  (first)  Mary  :\Iiller,  (second) 
Catherine  Markley.  4.  Jacob,  born  July  15,  1769,  died  July  30,  1855; 
married  Mary  Miller.  5.  Hannah,  born  October  27,  1775;  married 
John  Wineland,  senior.  Children  of  second  wife:  6.  Henry,  born 
May  24,  1778,  died  August  29,  1859:  married  Elizabeth  Folk.  7. 
George,  of  whom  further.  8.  Daniel,  born  August,  1783,  died  March 
2T^,  1859;  married  Anna  Bowers.  9.  Catherine,  born  1785;  married 
Andrew  Warner.  10.  Samuel,  born  March  3,  1788,  died  May  29, 
1875;  married  Catherine  Oaks.  11.  Ester,  twin  of  Samuel,  died  Sep- 
tember 13,  1872;  married  David  Warner.  12.  Mary,  born  August 
26,  1791,  died  December  5,  1852;  married  John  Matthew  Garner.  13. 
David,  born  September  29,  1793,  died  November  19,  1880;  married 
Barbara  Bowers.  14.  Susan,  born  March  or  August  25,  1795,  died 
August  7,   1880;  married  John  Markley. 

(Ill)  George,  son  of  Jacob  Brumbaugh  and  his  second  wife,  Eliza- 
beth, was  born  March  12.  1780,  died  August  6,  1849,  and  is  buried 
with  his  wife  in  the  family  cemetery  on  the  elevation  beyond  the 
orchard  on  the  old  homestead.  Upon  the  death  of  each  owner,  the 
homestead  farm  passed  from  Jacob  to  George,  from  him  to  his  son 
Jacob,  who  deeded  it  to  his  son  Abraham  W.  and  next  to  Irvin  Brum- 
baugh, its  present  owner,  who  also  cultivates  it.  George  Brumbaugh 
married  Maria  Bowers,  died  December  15,  1857,  two  of  whose  sisters 
married  brothers  of  George.  The  following  record  of  children  is  made 
from  a  record  written  in  the  father's  hand,  the  original  being  in  the 
possession  of  the  compiler  of  the  Brumbaugh  genealogy,  recently  pub- 


832  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

lished:  i.  Isaac,  born  April  26,  1802,  died  November  4-  1871-  2. 
Jacob,  born  July  4,  1806,  died  December  15,  1890.  3.  John,  of  whom 
further.  4.  David,  born  August  2,  1832,  died  young.  5.  Samuel,  twm 
of  David,  died  young. 

(IV)  lohn,  third  son  of  George  and  Maria  (Bowers)  Brumbaugh, 
was  born  January  11,  1809,  died  May  25,  1896.  He  owned  a  farm  in 
Penn  township,  Huntingdon  county,  on  the  Raystown  branch  of  the 
Juniata  river.  He  continued  in  active  farming  operations  until  aged 
sixty-five  years,  when  he  retired  and  thereafter  lived  with  his  son 
David  B.  He  died  at  the  "Frank  farm,"  then  owned  by  David  B., 
and  is  buried  in  the  Brumbaugh  cemetery  on  the  nearby  original  home- 
stead. He  was  a  deacon  and  later  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren,  of  which  his  wife  and  all  his  children  were  active  members. 
He  was  an  inveterate  smoker,  until  he  reached  the  age  of  seventy  years, 
when  he  decided  to  stop  the  use  of  tobacco.  It  was  a  hard 
struggle,  but  he  said,  "I  will  die  rather  than  be  overcome  by  it." 
During  the  remaining  seventeen  years  of  his  life  he  totally  abstained 
from  the  weed.  This  incident  gives  some  idea  of  the  firm, 
determined  character  of  the  man.  He  married,  April  6,  1830,  Catherine 
Boyer,  born  ]\Iay  7,  1809,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catherine  (Roberts) 
Boyer,  granddaughter  of  Abraham  Boyer  and  sister  of  Rachel  Boyer, 
wife  of  Jacob,  a  brother  of  John  Brumbaugh.  Children:  Benjamin, 
born  February  9,  1831,  died  June  14,  1906,  married  Elizabeth  Snowber- 
ger  Bechtel;  David  Boyer,  born  October  29,  1832,  died  October  15, 
1908,  married  Susan  Snowberger  Bechtel;  George  (c].  v.);  Henry 
Boyer,  of  whom  further;  Isaac,  born  January  7,  1838,  married  Priscilla 
Elsie  Stcver;  John  Boyer,  March  14,  1848,  married  Eleanor  Jane 
Van  Dyke.  Of  all  the  friends  of  Juniata  College  in  the  early  years  he 
was  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  untiring.  He  was  treasurer  of  the 
college  until  1880,  when  he  resigned  and  has  served  continuously  as 
trustee.  Also  for  years  taught  the  class  in  the  "Life  of  Christ"  in  the 
Bible  dt'[)artment  of  the  college.  His  wife  has  been  a  co-worker  in 
church,  Sunday  school  and  temperance  work,  both  rendering  most  effi- 
cient service. 

(V)  Henry  Boyer,  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Boyer)  Brumbaugh, 
was  born  in  Penn  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  April 
I,   1836.     He  spent  his  early  days  on  the  farm  along  the   Raystown 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  833 

branch  of  the  Juniata  river  and  obtained  his  early  education  in  the 
public  school.  He  then  attended  Williamsburg  Academy,  also  took 
courses  at  Cassville  Seminary;  finally  entering  Juniata  College  where 
he  studied  Greek  and  other  advanced  branches  of  college  work.  He 
was  baptized  into  the  Church  of  the  Brethren,  June  15,  1856,  was 
called  to  the  ministry  of  that  church,  June  24,  1864,  and  preached  his 
first  sermon  from  John,  II  chapter,  25th  verse,  on  August  14,  1864. 
Prior  to  actively  entering  the  ministry  he  taught  in  the  public  schools 
of  Huntingdon  county  and  has  also  been  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1889  he  was  ordained  an  elder  and  since  that  date  has  been  in  charge 
of  the  Huntingdon  Church  of  the  Brethren.  In  1869  he  and  his 
brother,  John  Boyer  Brumbaugh,  were  led  to  leave  the  farm  and  go  to 
"town"  to  begin  the  publication  of  a  religious  paper,  along  certain  dis- 
tinct lines,  for  which  they  and  their  advisers  felt  there  was  a  distinct 
need.  January  i,  1870,  the  first  number  of  the  Pilgrim  appeared. 
This  was  an  eight-page  weekly,  edited  and  published  by  Henry  B.  and 
John  B.  Bnmibaugh,  with  Elder  George  Brumbaugh  (brother)  as  asso- 
ciate editor.  The  office  was  located  at  James  Creek,  Pennsylvania ;  the 
subscription  price,  one  dollar  yearly.  At  the  beginning  of  the  second 
year  the  paper  was  enlarged  to  sixteen  pages  and  the  price  raised  to 
one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents.  In  the  fall  of  1874,  the  office  was 
moved  to  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  and  located  in  a  large  brick  build- 
ing, erected  by  Henry  Boyer  Brumbaugh  at  Fourteenth  and  Washing- 
ton streets.  This  building  was  also  his  family  home  and  became  the 
"Chapel"  for  little  LIuntingdon  church,  chapel  and  home  for  the 
Brethren's  Normal  and  Collegiate  Institute  and  home  for  the  Pilgrim. 
As  the  Pilgrim  prospered,  other  church  and  Sunday  school  papers 
were  started  by  the  Brumbaugh  brothers  by  and  with  the  advice  of  the 
"Brethren"  and  on  October  31,  1876,  the  Pilgrim  was  consolidated  with 
The  Primitive  Christian,  published  at  Meyersdale,  Pennsylvania, 
which  resulted  in  the  removal  of  the  office  of  publication  to  Hunting- 
don and  the  change  of  the  paper's  name  to  that  of  The  Primitive 
Christian  and  Pilgrim,  and  the  firm  name  of  the  publishers  to  Quinter 
&  Brumbaugh  Brothers.  Under  this  head  and  title  the  paper  prospered 
until  June  19,  1883,  when  it  was  consolidated  with  The  Brethren  at 
Work,  under  the  title  of  The  Gospel  Messenger,  and  the  offices  of 
publication  at  Mount  Morris,  Illinois,  and  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania, 


834  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

with  Henry  Boyer  Brumbaugh  as  eastern  editor.  This  consoHdation 
of  pubhshing  interests  led  to  the  formation  of  the  present  large 
Brethren  Publishing  House  at  Elgin,  Illinois,  which,  among  its  ex- 
tensive church  publishing  interests,  continues  the  weekly  issue  of  the 
Messenger  with  Henry  Boyer  Brumbaugh  as  one  of  its  three  corre- 
sponding editors.  Thus  his  editorial  career,  begun  in  1S70,  has  been 
continuous  until  the  present  time. 

The  history  of  the  Brumbaughs  is  also  the  history  of  Juniata 
College.  During  the  early  years  the  Brethren  church  was  opposed 
to  education,  believing  it  tended  to  '"worldly  mindedness,"  but  later  a 
strong  sentiment  grew  up  in  favor  of  a  liberal  education  and  several 
schools  were  started  in  different  places  under  church  auspices.  In  March, 
1876,  John  Boyer,  Elder  Henry  Boyer  and  Dr.  Andrew  Boelus  Brum- 
baugh (the  latter  a  cousin  of  the  brothers)  held  a  conference  that 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a  "Normal  College,"  which  was  opened 
in  the  "Pilgrim"  building  owned  by  Henry  Boyer  Brumbaugh,  of 
which  mention  has  been  previously  made.  Jacob  M.  Zuck  was  the  first 
teacher,  and  on  April  17,  1876,  school  was  opened  with  three  students 
in  attendance;  by  the  close  of  the  term  seventeen  were  enrolled  and  at 
the  opening  of  the  succeeding  fall  term  the  original  room  was  too  small 
to  accommodate  the  applicants  for  admission.  From  this  small  begin- 
ning sprang  the  now  prosperous  Juniata  College,  an  institution  that  now 
enrolls  over  four  hundred  students  yearly ;  has  a  faculty  of  twenty-two 
teachers  and  six  regular  departments :  the  College ;  the  Academy ;  the 
School  of  Education;  the  Bible  School;  the  Music  School;  and  the 
Business  School.  After  the  death  of  Elder  James  Ouinter,  who  was 
the  first  president  of  the  school,  Elder  Henry  Boyer  Brumbaugh  suc- 
ceeded him  and  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Martin  Grove  Brumbaugh, 
now  city  superintendent  of  public  instruction  in  Philadelphia.  Brum- 
baughs have  always  served  on  the  board  of  trustees,  have  been  liberal 
supporters  and  the  present  president  is  a  son  of  Henry  Boyer  Brum- 
baugh, one  of  the  original  founders. 

Henry  Boyer  Brumbaugh's  connection  with  the  Huntingdon  Church 
of  the  Brethren  has  been  even  longer  continued  and  valuable.  The 
beginning  of  this  congregation  was  in  a  room  sixteen  bv  sixty  feet 
in  the  same  brick  building  that  sheltered  the  Pilgrim  in  its  earlier 
days  and  in  which  the  little  normal  school  was  started  that  grew  into 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  835 

Juniata  College.  When  the  church  was  started  in  1874  there  were  but 
four  members  of  that  faith  in  the  town :  Dr.  Andrew  B.  Brumbaugh, 
his  wife,  Andrew  Denizer  and  wife.  The  church  room  was  dedicated 
June  20,  1875.  When  the  beautiful  stone  church  erected  upon  the  col- 
lege campus  was  dedicated,  December  11,  1910  (Dr.  ]\Iartin  Grove 
Brumbaugh  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon),  seven  hundred  and 
twenty-four  members  had  been  baptized,  thirty  men  had  been  called 
to  the  ministry  and  eleven  missionaries  had  been  sent  out  to  labor  in 
foreign  fields,  and  Juniata  College  established  as  the  direct  result  of  the 
work  of  this  congregation.  Since  1888  the  church  has  been  under  the 
care  of  Henry  Boyer  Brumbaugh,  who  has  also  been  connected  with 
it  from  its  organization.  He  has  also  been  dean  of  the  Bible  School  of 
Juniata  College  since  its  foundation  and  in  1895  spent  six  months 
abroad,  traveling  principally  in  Bible  lands.  He  has  been  president  of 
the  college  board  of  trustees  since  organization  and  its  financial  sup- 
porter at  critical  times  in  the  life  of  the  school  and  at  other  times  has 
more  than  once  relieved  embarrassment  and  given  the  school  fresh 
impetus  that  has  carried  it  past  the  danger  point.  He  has  also  given  a 
great  deal  of  his  time  to  work  in  the  class  room,  all  of  which  lias  been 
done  without  even  the  hope  of  fee  or  reward.  He  is  vice-president  of 
Standing  Stone  National  Bank  of  Huntingdon  and  as  a  wise  financier 
has  proved  of  great  value  to  that  institution.  Starting  life  a  farmer 
boy  he  has  been  farmer,  teacher,  preacher,  printer,  editor  and  college 
president.  All  the  things  he  has  done  have  been  well  done  and  now 
as  a  man  of  mature  judgment,  wise  counsel  and  philanthropic  heart  he 
is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  those  who  have  learned  to  know  and 
to  love  him.  His  labor  has  been  abundant  and  his  reward  is  sure. 
In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

He  married,  September  20,  i860,  Susan  Fink  Peightal,  born  Octo- 
ber I,  1842,  died  January  22.  1904,  also  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Church  of  the  Brethren  and  is  Iniried  in  Riverview  cemetery 
at  Huntingdon.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth 
(Fink)  Peightal  (original  name  Beightel).  Children:  Hazel,  born 
October  31,  1863,  died  November  11  following:  Isaac  Harvey,  of  fur- 
ther mention. 

(VI)  Isaac  Harvey,  only  son  of  Henry  Boyer  and  Susan  Fink 
(Peightal)  Brumbaugh,  was  born  in  Penn  township,  March  10,  1870. 


836  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools,  after  which  he 
entered  the  Normal  English  course  at  Juniata  College,  whence  he  was 
graduated  in  1886,  continuing  advanced  work  at  the  college  until  1889, 
when  he  entered  Haver  ford  College,  whence  he  was  graduated  A.  B., 
class  of  1892.  In  September,  1892.  he  began  teaching  in  Juniata  Col- 
lege as  professor  of  ancient  languages,  continuing  to  the  present  time, 
as  professor  of  Latin  in  addition  to  his  administrative  work.  This 
period  of  teaching  has  been  interrupted  by  courses  of  study  at  Harvard 
University  (1894-1895),  being  graduated  A.  B.  1895.  I"  1898  and 
1899  he  was  a  student  in  the  Graduate  School  of  Harvard,  there  earn- 
ing his  degree  of  A.  M.  by  special  study  in  the  classics.  The  summer 
of  1896  was  spent  in  the  study  of  pedagogy  at  the  University  of  Jena, 
Germany.  In  1896  he  was  called  to  Juniata  College  as  acting  president. 
In  Mav,  191 1,  he  was  chosen  by  the  trustees  as  president,  which 
honorable  position  he  now  holds.  LTnder  his  administration  the 
college  has  increased  its  endowment  funds,  making  possible  the 
strengthening  of  the  faculty,  and  so  has  gained  a  name  for  good, 
thorough  work,  coupled  with  a  reputation  for  careful  general  train- 
ing and  discipline.  The  alumni  are,  in  ever  widening  circles,  loyally 
exemplifying  its  good  name  through  their  successful  lives  and  earnest 
achievement. 

Professor  Brumbaugh  was  elected  to  the  ministry  of  the  Church  of 
the  Brethren  in  1904  and  is  frequently  engaged  in  pulpit  work.  He 
is  a  trustee  of  the  J.  C.  Blair  Memorial  Hospital  and  a  member  of  the 
National  Educational  Association,  as  well  as  of  other  societies  of  learn- 
ing.    In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican. 

He  married,  April  26,  1900,  Amelia  Henrietta  Johnson,  born  Janu- 
ary 28,  1874,  daughter  of  Samuel  Martin  and  Ellen  (Bulfinch)  John- 
son, of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts.  Children :  Barbara,  born  October 
24,  1901 ;  Catherine  Bulfinch,  November  22,  1902;  Marion  Johnson, 
March   2,    1907;   Henry   Martin,    November    11,    1912. 


(V)  George  Brumbaugh,  third  son  of  John  Brum- 

BRUMBAUGH     baugh  (q.  v.),  and  Catherine  (Boyer)  Brumbaugh, 

was  born  in  Penn  township,  Huntingdon  county, 

Pennsylvania,    February    11,    1834,    died   August    18,    1899.     He    was 

educated    in    the   public   school   and    spent   one    year    as    a    student    at 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  837 

Williamsburg,  Blair  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  taught  lor  seven  or 
eight  years  in  the  public  schools  of  Pennsylvania,  but  after  his  mar- 
riage engaged  for  a  time  in  farming.  Later  he  moved  to  Grafton, 
Huntingdon  county,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons 
and  carriages,  noted  for  their  excellence  throughout  the  Woodcock 
Valley.  He  was  baptized  into  the  Church  of  the  Brethren  in  1852, 
elected  to  its  ministry  and  ordained  elder  in  April,  1872.  He  was  one 
of  the  promoters  and  assistant  editors  of  the  Pilgrim,  being  associated 
with  his  brothers,  Henry  Boyer  and  John  Boyer  Brumbaugh,  who  at 
first  had  the  office  of  the  paper  at  James  Creek,  but  later  moved  to 
Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  for  many  years  an  able  and  regu- 
lar contributor  to  the  Pilgrim  and  to  its  successors.  He  served  the 
James  Creek  congregation  of  the  Brethren  church  as  minister  and 
elder,  succeeding  his  uncle,  Isaac  Brumbaugh,  in  that  office.  His  use- 
ful life  closed  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

He  married,  June  6,  1859,  Fannie  Elizabeth  Myers,  born  near  Mc- 
Veytown,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Eliza- 
beth (Shellenberger)  Myers;  she  survives  her  husband  and  resides  at 
Kalamazoo,  Michigan.  Children:  i.  Otis  Myers,  of  whom  further. 
2.  Samuel  Oscar,  M.  D.,  born  July  30,  1862;  graduate  of  L'niversity 
of  Pennsylvania  and  an  eminent  physician  of  Huntingdon,  Pennsyl- 
vania; he  married  Agnes  (Mullen)  Harley  and  has  a  daughter.  Hazel 
T.,  born  October  3,  1898.  3.  Ella,  born  December  17,  1865,  died  De- 
cember 18,  following.  4.  Elma  Alice,  born  April  16,  1867;  married 
John  McLaughlin  Kirkwood  and  resides  in  Wilkinsburg,  Pennsylvania ; 
children :  Baird,  George,  Catherine  and  John.  5.  Anna  Pearl,  born 
February  18,  1872;  married  Philip  Zinn,  a  merchant,  and  resides  at 
Kalamazoo,  Michigan;  child:  Robert. 

(VI)  Otis  Myers,  eldest  son  of  George  and  Fannie  Elizabeth 
(Myers)  Brumbaugh,  was  born  at  Grafton,  Huntingdon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  27,  i860.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and 
at  Juniata  College,  attending  the  latter  institution  two  }'ears.  He  then 
taught  school  one  term  and  after  his  marriage  engaged  in  farming  at 
Grafton  for  two  years,  then  moved  to  Huntingdon,  where  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  life  successfully  until  1908,  as  a  member  of  the  firm" 
of  Brumbaugh  &  Rupert.  He  then  accepted  an  appointment  as  steward 
and  superintendent  of  grounds  at  Juniata  College,  a  position  he  now 


838  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

holds.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  the  Brethren  and  in  political 
faith  is  a  Republican.  He  married,  December  15,  1881,  Flora  Sarah 
Garver,  born  January  30,  i860,  in  Germany  valley,  Huntingdon  county, 
daughter  of  George  and  Annie  (Bare)  Garver  and  granddaughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Eby)  Garver. 

Annie  (Bare)  Garver  was  born  in  Sinking  Valley,  Huntingdon 
county;  her  husband  in  Huntingdon  county.  After  their  marriage  he 
bought  a  large  farm  in  Hill  valley  on  which  they  resided  until  late  in 
life,  when  they  moved  to  Huntingdon;  Mr.  Garver  dying  January  14, 
1913.  They  were  members  of  the  Church  of  the  Brethren,  which  as 
deacon  he  served  forty  years,  also  as  trustee  and  treasurer.  Children 
of  George  and  Annie  (Bare)  Garver:  Benjamin  Franklin,  now  a 
farmer  near  Shirleysburg;  Flora  Sarah,  of  previous  mention,  married 
Otis  Myers  Brumbaugh ;  Laura  twin  of  Flora  S.,  married  James  L. 
Rupert  and  resides  in  Huntingdon ;  Senie,  married  Samuel  Shue  and 
resides  in  York,  Pennsylvania ;  Lloyd,  now  a  farmer  on  the  old  Garver 
homestead. 

(VII)  Cloy  Garver,  only  child  of  Otis  Myers  and  Flora  Sarah 
(Garver)  Brumbaugh,  was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  Febru- 
ary 4,  1884.  He  prepared  in  the  public  schools  and  then  entered 
Juniata  College,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of  1901.  He  entered 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  spending  two  years  in  the  department 
of  biology  and  chemistry,  then  became  a  student  in  the  medical  depart- 
ment, whence  he  was  graduated  M.  D.,  class  of  1907.  After  gradua- 
tion he  spent  one  year  as  resident  physician  in  Lancaster  General  Hos- 
pital and  in  1908  located  in  Huntingdon,  where  he  is  well  established 
in  general  practice.  Dr.  Brumbaugh  is  physician  to  the  Juniata  Valley 
Home  for  Orphan  Children;  is  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  state  and 
county  medical  societies  and  the  author  of  several  professional  papers 
published  in  the  medical  journals.  He  is  well  fitted  by  nature,  educa- 
tion and  training  for  his  profession  and  has  already  gained  a  satisfac- 
tory practice  in  his  native  city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren;  his  wife  belonging  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In 
politics  the  doctor  is  a  Republican. 

He  married.  May  23,  1912,  Mabel  Beaver,  born  in  Huntingdon, 
daughter  of  John  G.  and  Ada  (Reiter)  Beaver. 


^yd^VCc^WrC^^^      ^.XT" 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  839 

This  family  is  of  German  descent,  the  first 
ESTERLINE  ancestor  in  this  country  having  probably  been 
George  Esterline,  who  at  an  early  day  emigrated 
from  the  fatherland  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  York  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  remainder  of  his  life  was  passed  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  where  his  descendants  have  represented  the  best  portion  of  the 
community   and   have   been   prosperous   and   honored    for  generations. 

(I)  Jacob  Esterline,  who  seems  to  have  been  one  of  the  direct 
descendants  of  the  immigrant,  George  Esterline,  though  the  imme- 
diate connection  has  not  been  recorded,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
living  and  dying  in  Juniata  county.  He  owned  a  considerable  amount 
of  land  in  the  county,  which  he  cultivated,  following  the  vocation  of 
farming  all  his  life.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  quiet  and  peace- 
ful disposition,  taking  part  in  no  war  or  military  enterprise,  who 
passed  his  days  industriously  and  honorably  in  the  care  of  his  family 
and  domestic  affairs.  Among  his  children  were :  Jacob,  of  further 
mention ;  Benjamin,  William,  Catherine,  who  married  a  Mr.  Landis, 
and  others  whose  names  have  not  been  recorded. 

(II)  Jacob  Esterline,  son  of  Jacob  Esterline  above  mentioned,  was 
born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  3'ear  1821;  he  passed  his 
early  life  in  this  county  where  he  resided  until  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage, working  at  the  trade  of  shoemaking.  After  his  marriage  he 
removed  to  Granville  township,  Mifflin  county,  where  he  continued 
his  calling,  which  he  followed  until  his  death  in  the  year  1856.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat ;  and  he  won  the  respect  of  the  community 
by  his  upright  and  industrious  life,  rearing  and  providing  for  a  large 
famil}-  of  children.  His  wife,  who  survived  him  many  years  and  died 
in  1904,  was  a  Miss  Mariah  Hockenbrought,  born  in  1823,  at  Little 
York,  Pennsylvania.  She  was  the  daughter  of  George  Hocken- 
brought, a  native  of  Germany,  where  he  married  before  coming  to 
America.  L'pon  arriving  in  this  country  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hockenbrought 
settled  at  Little  York,  Pennsylvania,  where  Mr.  Hockenbrought  be- 
came a  farmer  and  followed  this  calling  for  a  considerable  length  of 
time  before  he  finally  removed  to  Juniata  county.  Here  he  bought  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  acres  in  extent,  which  he  cultivated  and  where 
the  family  continued  to  live  until  his  death.  There  were  eight  children 
in   the   family,    seven   sons   and   a   daughter:     William,   a   i)risoner   at 


840  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Andersonville  during  the  civil  war,  still  survives;  John;  Henry,  a 
soldier,  died  in  the  civil  war;  Daniel,  living,  was  a  prisoner  in  Ander- 
sonville prison;  George,  a  farmer;  Jacob,  died  in  service;  Mariah, 
became  the  wife  of  Jacob  Esterline.  The  family  were  all  members  of 
the  German  Reformed  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Esterline  had  ten  chil- 
dren: William,  unmarried,  served  in  Company  B,  Forty-ninth  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers,  during  the  civil  war,  in  which  he  died;  David, 
deceased,  served  in  the  same  company  as  his  brother  during  the  war, 
and  married  Anna  Crawford,  having  lived  in  Mifflin  county ;  Jacob  C, 
of  further  mention;  Anna,  married  A.  J.  Reed,  of  the  state  of  Indiana, 
where  he  still  resides,  she  being  now  deceased ;  Benjamin,  died  unmar- 
ried; George,  married  Martha  Crawford,  and  lives  in  Altoona,  his 
wife  being  deceased;  Louisa,  died  young;  Charles,  married  and  re- 
moved to  Indiana;  Mariah,  married  to  Jesse  Kelley,  a  railroad  man 
at  Altoona ;  Samuel,  a  farmer,  married  Miss  Trout,  and  lives  in 
Juniata  county. 

(Ill)  Jacob  C.  Esterline,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mariah  (Hocken- 
brought)  Esterline,  was  born  in  Granville  township,  Mifflin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  on  September  4,  1846.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  Granville  township,  and  became  a  soldier  during 
the  war  between  the  states.  He  enlisted  in  July,  1863,  in  Company  E, 
Twentieth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  being  discharged  in  January,  1864. 
He  again  enlisted  in  March,  1865,  in  Company  E,  Eighty-eighth  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry,  and  received  his  honorable  discharge 
August  6,  1865.  It  was  not  his  fortune  to  take  part  in  any  active 
engagement  during  the  time  of  his  service.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  Mr.  Esterline  engaged  in  railroading  and,  besides  other  properties 
of  which  he  is  possessed,  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy 
acres  in  extent  in  Granville  township.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics; 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

On  January  2,  1868,  after  his  enlistment  as  a  soldier,  Mr.  Ester- 
line was  married  to  Miss  Ella  Reed,  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Elizabeth 
(Hopper)  Reed.  She  died  February  16,  1886,  having  been  the  mother 
of  six  children:  Edward,  born  April  29,  1869,  married  Miss  Emma 
Seager;  George,  born  March  4,  1871,  married  Maggie  Rittenhouse; 
Maud  May,  born  August  6,   1873,  married  William  Boyle:   Minerva, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  841 

born  August  7,  1875,  married  Harry  Rice,  a  motorman  of  Altoona, 
Pennsylvania;  Bessie  Pearl,  born  January  3,  1878,  married  a  Mr. 
Merrel,  and  lives  in  Altoona;  Effie  Dean,  unmarried,  a  twin  sister  of 
Bessie  Pearl.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Esterline  married, 
second,  on  August  25,  1887,  Miss  Millie  McCord,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Mary  Ann  (Decker)  McCord;  and  by  this  marriage  has  one 
child,  a  son,  John  Newton,  born  May  13,   1893. 


William  A.  Harlan,  of  McCoysville,  Pennsylvania, 
HARLAN  is  of  distinctly  English  extraction.  The  first  Harlan 
to  dare  the  dangers  of  crossing  the  Atlantic  from 
England  to  America,  and  the  subsequent  dangers  of  the  wilderness 
of  Pennsylvania  with  its  savage  inhabitants,  both  men  and  beasts, 
came  over  about  1792,  or  possibly  a  few  years  earlier.  He  was  accom- 
panied by  four  brothers,  all  of  whom  made  their  way  to  Pennsylvania 
and  adjoining  states,  two  of  whom  settled  in  Chester  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. They  took  unto  themselves  wives,  reared  families,  and  as- 
sisted in  building  up  that  section  of  the  Union.  They  were  farmers 
by  preference,  taking  out  warrants,  clearing  and  improving  the  land, 
building  thereon  good  log  houses,  and  making  homes  for  themselves 
and  families.  One  or  more  of  the  Harlan  brothers  combined  other 
vocations  with  that  of  farming,  thus  giving  to  the  new  country  a  few 
of  the  advantages  of  a  more  densely  populated  section. 

(I)  John  Harlan  was  descended  from  the  immigrant  Harlan,  who 
located  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  With  the  ever  ready  pioneer 
spirit,  that  seemed  to  enter  so  largely  into  the  make-up  of  the  .\meri- 
cans  of  those  days,  his  father  moved  into  Maryland,  and  there  John 
Harlan  was  born.  He  married  Margaret  Porter,  a  descendant  of  the 
Porter  family  that  has  made  history  for  the  United  States.  Through 
the  dual  occupation  of  farmer  and  miller,  combined  with  that  of  mill- 
wright, he  accumulated  a  nice  property.  At  the  age  of  seventy  he 
moved  from  Maryland  to  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  there 
at  the  age  of  eighty.  His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four.  They 
had  one  child,   Stephen  Porter,  of   whom   further. 

(II)  Stephen  Porter  Harlan,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Porter) 
Harlan,  was  born  July  4,  1823,  in  Maryland.  He  married  Sarah 
Hanna,  born  February  24,   1826,   in  Lancaster  county,    Pennsylvania, 


842  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

a  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Ales)  Hanna,  old  residents  of  that 
section.  After  his  marriage  he  lived  sixteen  years  in  Maryland,  and 
then  moved  to  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  land  where  his  grand- 
father Harlan  had  taken  out  warrant  many  years  previous.  At  one 
time  the  place  comprised  many  hundred  acres,  but  has  been  divided 
and  subdivided  many  times  since.  Stephen  Porter  Harlan  moved  to 
the  Harlan  place  in  1862  and  lived  there  until  his  death,  February  7, 
1890;  his  wife  dying  June  14,  1892.  He  was  a  Democrat,  voting  the 
straight  ticket,  but  never  worked  actively  for  it.  He  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Children:  i.  Mary  Alice,  born 
March  3,  1847;  married  Alec  Anderson,  and  lives  in  Tuscarora  town- 
ship, Juniata  county.  2.  James  Albert,  born  December  17,  1848,  a 
contractor  in  New  Mexico.  3.  John  Franklin,  born  July  8,  1852,  a 
carpenter  and  mason ;  died  in  Tuscarora  township.  4.  Stephen  Robert, 
born  May  12,  1854,  a  farmer  in  New  Mexico.  5.  William  Andrew, 
of  whom  further.  6.  George  Marion,  born  March  2,  1859,  a  car- 
penter in  New  Mexico.  7.  Ida  Matilda,  born  October  10,  i860;  widow 
of  Boyd  Hart,  of  Tuscarora  township.  8.  Edie  E.,  born  January  18, 
1863,  died  in  infancy.  9.  Maggie  R.,  twin  of  above,  born  January 
18,  1863,  died  in  infancy.  10.  Lilly  Bertie,  born  September  27,  1867, 
died  in  infancy.  11.  David  E.,  born  October  17,  1871,  and  who  died 
in  infancy. 

(Ill)  William  Andrew  Harlan,  son  of  Stephen  Porter  and  Sarah 
(Hanna)  Harlan,  was  born  in  Maryland,  April  i,  1856;  married 
August  II,  1883,  Lizzie  Hart,  born  in  Juniata  county,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Matilda  Hart.  She  died  July  31,  1900.  William  A. 
Harlan  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  engaged  in  farming,  and  with  his  brother,  Stephen 
Robert,  bought  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  his  father's  estate. 
Three  years  later  he  purchased  the  interest  of  his  brother,  the  farm  at 
that  time  containing  two  hundred  and  eight  acres.  He  does  a  suc- 
cessful general  farming,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  progressive 
agriculturists  of  his  township.  He  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never  held 
nor  aspired  to  office.  Children:  i.  Iva,  born  October  12,  1885;  at 
home  with  her  father.  2.  William  Albert,  died  in  infancy.  3.  Lee, 
born  February  19,  1889,  a  farmer  in  Idaho.  4.  James  Harry,  born 
January  29,   1896. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  843 

(The  Hanna  Line). 
James  Hanna,  grandfather  of  W'illiam  Andrew  Harlan  on  the 
distaff  side,  was  an  old  and  long  time  resident  of  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  married  Sarah  Ales,  like  himself  a  member  of  an 
old  Pennsylvania  family.  He  was  a  farmer  by  vocation,  but  was  also 
a  good  mechanic  as  well  and  did  much  in  that  line.  He  served  as 
justice  of  peace  for  years,  and  was  known  for  the  justness  of  his 
rulings.  He  was  a  staunch  Democrat  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
War,  when  he  espoused  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party  and 
advocated  them  as  strongly  as  he  formerly  had  those  of  Democracy, 
and  was  always  active  in  politics.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  church.  Children:  i.  Rebecca,  married  Elisha 
Kirk,  and  died  in  Delaware.  2.  Martha,  married  Daniel  Carter;  died 
in  the  state  of  Washington.  3.  Sarah,  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania;  married  Stephen  Porter  Harlan;  died  June  14,  1892; 
children  (see  Harlan  II).  4.  Matilda,  married  Edward  Tollenger; 
she  died  in  Philadelphia  in  191 1.  5.  Edith,  married  INIr.  Stetler,  and 
died  in  Oregon.  6.  John,  died  in  Cissel  county,  Maryland.  7.  Andrew, 
died  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania. 


The  Hoffmans  of  Lewistown.  herein  recorded, 
HOFFMAN  descend  from  Valentine  Hoffman,  who  was  born  in 
German}',  came  to  Pennsylvania  with  his  wife,  set- 
tling in  the  town  of  Lancaster,  where  he  is  recorded  in  the  early  records 
as  a  "smith,"  which  in  his  case  meant  "a  maker  of  edge  tools."  He 
became  a  large  landowner  in  Lancaster  borough,  where  Hoffman's  Run 
(now  W'ater  street),  a  small  brook,  running  through  his  property,  was 
named  for  him.     He  had  three  sons  and  a  daughter. 

(II)  Benjamin,  one  of  the  three  sons  of  Valentine  Hoffman,  the 
emigrant,  was  a  resident  of  Lancaster  all  his  life  and  associated  with 
his  father  in  farming  and  smithing.  He  married  Margaret,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Mary  Nauman,  who  were  old  residents  of  Lancaster. 
He  was  a  tinner  by  trade  and  must  have  been  a  revolutionary  soldier. 
as  after  his  death  his  widov.'  received  a  patent  for  a  tract  of  land 
granted  for  his  military  service. 

(III)  William  Nauman.  son  of  Benjamin  and  Margaret  (Nau- 
man)   Hoffman,   was  born   in   Lancaster,    Pennsylvania.    February  9, 


844  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

1836,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  Lancaster  and  was  educated  in  the  pubhc  schools.  When 
a  young  man  he  settled  in  Lewistown,  having  started  for  the  West  but 
getting  no  farther  than  Lewistown,  where  he  married  and  has  always 
since  resided.  He  learned  the  trade  of  cabinetmaker,  following  that 
trade  for  many  years.  Later  in  life  he  became  a  grocer,  having  a 
store  on  Market  street.  He  has  now  for  several  years  lived  a  retired 
life,  making  his  home  with  his  son,  Charles  R.  Hoffman.  He  was  an 
active  Republican  in  his  younger  years  and  served  on  the  police  force; 
was  coroner  and  also  collector  of  taxes  at  different  periods.  He  en- 
listed in  Company  A,  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  serving  a  few  months  as  emergency  man  under  two  enlist- 
ments. He  was  at  Antietam  among  the  troops  held  in  reserve,  and 
at  Gettysburg,  where  he  was  in  the  detail  to  bury  the  dead  and  clear 
up  the  battlefield.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  is  the  oldest  Odd  Fellow  in  Lewistown,  both  in  actual  age 
and  in  point  of  years  of  membership. 

He  married  Leah  Jane  Nichols,  born  in  York  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, April  14,  1S36,  married  in  Lewistown,  where  her  parents  set- 
tled about  1840.  She  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Blymeyer) 
Nichols,  of  Lewisberry,  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  later  of  Lewis- 
town,  coming  by  boat  on  the  old  Pennsylvania  canal.  He  was  a  potter 
by  trade  and  in  Lewistown  served  for  many  years  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  Children  of  James  Nichols :  Elizabeth,  married  Andrew 
AlcCoy,  both  deceased;  Margaret,  married  Peter  Ort,  a  farmer,  and 
is  now  living  in  Tyrone,  Pennsylvania,  aged  over  eighty  years ;  Cath- 
erine, married  Mr.  DeVault  and  resides  in  Lewistown ;  Leah  Jane, 
married  William  N.  Hoffman  and  resides  in  Lewistown,  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  cinirch :  AA'illiam,  deceased ;  Ann,  married  Roseberry 
Reese;  Susan,  died  in  infancy;  Ellen,  married  John  Riley  and  resides 
in  Tyrone,  Pennsylvania.  Children  of  William  N.  and  Leah  Jane 
Hoffman:  Clayton,  died  in  infancy;  Andrew  McCoy,  died  in  infancy; 
James  N.  (q.  v.);  William  H.,  resides  in  the  south,  a  traveling  sales- 
man, married  Emma  Cooper;  Margaret,  died  in  infancy;  Peter,  twin 
of  Margaret,  died  aged  thirteen  years ;  Charles  Roseberry,  of  whom 
further. 

(IV)   Charles  Roseberry,  youngest  child  of  William  N.  and  Leah 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  845 

Jane  (Nichols)  Hoffman,  was  born  in  Lewistown.  Pennsylvania, 
August  16,  1874.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  East- 
man's Business  College,  Poughkeepsie,  New  York ;  was  a  graduate  of 
the  latter  institution  in  1892.  He  began  business  hfe  as  a  clerk.  In 
1900  he  entered  the  L'nited  States  mail  service  as  carrier  in  the  Lewis- 
town  office,  a  position  he  has  filled  continuously  with  the  exception  of 
four  months  in  1907.  During  this  period  of  four  months  he  was 
engaged  in  the  erection  of  a  bakery  and  establishing  the  business,  which 
has  proved  very  successful.  In  19 12  the  business  outgrew  its  original 
quarters  and  was  enlarged,  with  store  in  front,  and  ovens  with  a 
capacity  of  ten  thousand  loaves  daily,  in  the  rear. 

Mr.  Hoffman  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  married,  October  11,  1898.  Ida 
E.,  born  in  Lewistown,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Killian) 
Montgomery;  she  was  born  in  Newville,  Cumberland  county,  Peim- 
sylvania;  he  is  now  deceased.  Children  of  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Hoffman: 
Leah  Jane  and  Robert  Nauman. 

(IV)  James  Nichols  Hoffman,  third  son  of  William  Nauman 
Hoffman  (q.  v.)  and  Leah  Jane  (Nichols)  Hoffman,  was  born  in  Lewis- 
town,  Pennsylvania,  November  19.  1861.  He  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  began  business  life  as  an  employee  of  the  Lewistown 
Foundry,  continuing  six  months.  The  foundry  then  closing  down  he 
returned  to  school.  On  February  18,  1879,  he  began  his  long  career 
with  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  first  as  messenger  boy,  working  the 
first  year  without  salary.  On  December  i,  1880,  he  was  promoted  to 
scale  clerk,  his  work  as  messenger  having  impressed  his  employer  so 
favorably  that  he  was  thus  promoted  and  kept  in  line  for  future  ad- 
vancement. On  November  28,  1885,  he  was  appointed  scale  agent  at 
the  Lewistown  Junction,  continuing  there  until  January  i,  1886,  when 
he  was  promoted  night  train  dispatcher.  On  November  i,  1900,  he 
was  appointed  day  man,  but  holding  the  same  position  and  rank.  On 
October  i,  1902,  he  was  promoted  assistant  day  yard  master  and  on 
March  17,  1908,  was  advanced  to  the  position  of  yard  master  on 
night  duty,  a  position  he  now  holds.  All  these  positions  have  been' 
held  in  connection  with  the  Lewistown  Junction  and  yards  and  he  has 
his  residence  at  Lewistown.     His  services  have  been  continuous  since 


846  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

February,  1879,  and  his  advancement  from  each  post  of  duty  to  a 
more  responsible  one  proves  the  faithfuhiess  and  attests  the  high  esteem 
in  which  he  is  held  by  the  railroad  officials.  In  September,  1886,  Mr. 
Hoffman  became  a  partner  with  his  father  and  brother  in  the  retail 
grocery  business,  opening  a  store  on  Market  street,  Lewistown,  later 
moving  to  the  corner  of  Brown  and  Market  streets  on  the  site  of 
the  present  building  of  the  Lewistown  Trust  Company.  They  con- 
tinued in  business  there  until  about  1901,  when  their  store  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  and  was  not  resumed. 

He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  has  served  as  election  board  official 
and  always  has  been  interested  in  public  aft'airs.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Malta  and  belongs  to  the  Veteran  Association  of  the 
Middle  Division  of  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Employees,  also  to  the  Re- 
lief Department  of  that  association.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  married,  November  19,  1889,  Edith 
Mayes,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  Ann  (Switzer)  Mayes,  of 
Mayes  Bridge,  near  Lewistown ;  her  father  is  a  farmer.  Child :  James 
Mayes  Hoft'man.  The  family  home  is  at  No.  119  West  Third  street, 
which  Mr.  Hofifman  had  built  to  his  order. 


One  of  the  best  known  and  most  respected  families  in 
WHITE     Juniata  Valley,  Pennsylvania,  is  that  of  the  Whites.     For 

many  generations  they  have  been  located  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  have  added  their  c|uota  to  the  material  wealth  and  the 
moral  upbuilding  of  the  state.  The  family  is  of  English  origin,  the 
immigrant  White  coming  over  to  America  a  hundred  years  before  the 
revolutionary  war.  Many  of  the  name  have  defended  the  country  in 
every  war  that  it  has  had,  from  the  one  with  the  French  to  the  Span- 
ish-American, and  they  are  widely  scattered  over  the  United  States, 
there  not  being  a  state  that  has  not  one  or  more  families  of  Whites 
within  their  borders.  Many  have  occupied  and  do  occupy  high  places 
in  the  councils  of  the  nation,  while  others  in  a  quiet  way  aid  it  by 
being  good,  law-abiding  citizens  on  whom  it  can  depend  in  time  of 
need.  Robert  White,  the  immigrant,  landed  in  Massachusetts  in  1650- 
52.  He  was  a  young  man  of  prepossessing  appearance  and  a  fine  edu- 
cation for  those  times.  He  settled  near  Salem,  later  wandered  into 
Connecticut,  where  he  married,  had  a  numerous  family,  lived  and  died. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  847 

While  he  was  a  subject  of  England  he  soon  saw  the  necessity  of  better 
laws  for  the  government  of  the  English  crown  possessions,  and  often 
spoke  of  it  publicly.  He  imbued  his  sons  and  his  sons'  sons  with  the 
idea  of  liberty  of  thought  and  the  freedom  of  speech.  In  dying  he 
left  a  legacy  of  a  well-spent  life  to  his  children,  which  was  of  greater 
importance  than  wealth,  though  he  had  accumulated  a  fine  property 
before  he  had  reached  the  age  of  fifty. 

(I)  Samuel  Crawford  White,  a  descendant  of  Robert  White,  was 
born  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  family  had  come  from 
Connecticut  in  the  early  days.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  this  county, 
and  became  one  of  its  best  known  citizens.  During  the  war  of  1812 
he  was  a  commissioned  officer  from  Adams  count}'.  He  was  captured 
by  the  British  and  held  as  prisoner  for  some  time.  Eventually  escap- 
ing or  being  released,  he  again  entered  the  American  army,  but  peace 
was  made  between  the  two  belligerent  nations  and  he  returned  home 
to  again  resume  the  tranquil  vocations  of  life.  Later  he  moved  from 
Adams  county  to  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  at  Baileys.  He  was  successful  in  his  undertaking  and 
amassed  wealth.  In  1854  he  moved  to  Juniata  township  and  settled 
in  Tuscarora,  where  he  lived,  much  honored  by  his  neighbors,  until 
his  death  at  the  age  of  eighty-three.  He  was  a  prominent  Democrat, 
active  at  all  times  in  the  interest  of  his  party,  and  was  once  a  candi- 
date for  legislative  honors  from  Perry  county.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Reformed  church,  and  were  generous  and  zealous 
in  their  support  of  it.  He  married  Margaret  Armstrong,  a  beautiful 
young  woman,  daughter  of  Robert  Armstrong,  an  influential  and 
wealthy  landed'proprietor  of  Armstrong  county,  named  for  the  family. 
Margaret  was  born  in  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew 
up  with  all  the  advantages  that  were  given  to  a  young  lady  of  wealth 
and  high  social  standing  of  that  day.  She  was  a  dominating  figure  in 
the  life  of  her  brilliant  husband,  aiding  and  supplementing  his  efforts 
in  every  way.  She  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven,  having  lived  a 
useful  Hfe.     Among  their  children  was  William  A.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  WiUiam  A.  White,  son  of  Samuel  Crawford  and  Margaret 
(Armstrong)  White,  was  born  April  2,  1830,  in  Adams  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. Later  when  his  parents  moved  to  Perry  county  he  attended 
school,  and  when  at  a  still  later  date  they  moved  to  Juniata  county,  he 


848  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

finished  his  education  in  Tuscarora.  He  remained  at  the  homestead, 
and  after  the  death  of  his  father  he  purchased  the  interests  ot  the  other 
heirs  in  the  two  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  of  land  that  comprised  it, 
and  hved  there  until  to-day  (1913)-  having  reached  the  venerable  age 
of  eighty-three.  During  these  years  he  has  commanded  the  respect, 
admiration  and  love  of  all  those  who  know  him.  He  has  always  been 
a  staunch  Democrat,  voting  with  and  working  for  the  party,  and  has 
held  many  township  offices.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  He  married  Mary  Mairs,  born  in  Tuscarora 
township,  and  died  September  15,  1882,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
xMatilda  (Smith)  Mairs,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Ireland.  Thomas 
Mairs  and  Matilda  Smith  came  with  their  respective  families  to  the 
United  States  while  yet  young.  They  met  and  married  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  after  marriage  located  about  two  miles  from  East  Water- 
ford,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  became  a  farmer  and  landowner,  one  of 
the  most  prosperous  men  in  that  section  of  the  state,  and  one  of  its 
progressive  citizens.  They  were  of  the  Presbyterian  faith,  having  been 
so  in  Ireland.  He  died  rather  young,  but  she  lived  unmarried,  faithful 
to  his  memory,  dying  after  she  was  eighty.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children : 

I.  Silas,  a  valiant  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  and  met  a  gallant  death  at 
the  battle  of  Seven  Pines.  2.  Hugh,  a  farmer  and  stock  breeder  in 
Wayne  county,  Ohio.  3.  Mary,  born  in  Tuscarora  township,  died  Sep- 
tember 15,  1882;  married  William  A.  White.  4.  James,  makes  his 
home  in  Michigan.  5.  Margaret,  married  Neal  McCoy  Stewart,  of 
McCoysville,  Pennsylvania.  The  children  of  William  A.  and  Mary 
(Mairs)  White  are:  i.  Samuel,  drowned,  aged  twenty.  2.  Died  un- 
named, in  infancy.  3.  Adella,  married  J.  S.  Magill,  of  Huntingdon 
county.  4.  Jennie,  married  Frank  Felger,  a  grain  dealer  in  Big  Graff, 
Ohio.  5.  Silas  M.,  a  farmer  and  grain  dealer  in  Burbank,  Ohio.  6. 
John  Magill,  of  whom  further.  7.  Bruce,  an  employee  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania railroad,  at  Pitcairn,  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania.  8. 
Died  in  infancy. 

(HI)  John  Magill  White,  son  of  William  A.  and  Mary  (Mairs) 
White,  was  born  June  28,  1871,  in  Tuscarora  township,  Juniata  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  in  the  free,  open  life  of  the  farm,  and 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  township.     For  some  time  before 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  849 

his  marriage  he  was  engaged  in  general  farm  work;  after  marriage 
he  farmed  on  the  White  homestead  for  a  year.  At  the  end  of  twelve 
months  he  moved  to  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  became  an 
employee  of  the  Tuscarora  Valley  railroad.  During  the  time  of  his 
employment  with  the  railroad  he  gradually  became  interested  in  the 
lumber  business,  and  in  1906  he  resigned  from  the  railway  and  gave 
up  other  enterprises  to  devote  his  time  entirely  to  lumbering.  He 
began  operating  on  a  large  scale  in  Lock  and  Tuscarora  townships 
and  in  Huntingdon  county.  At  the  present  time  (1913)  he  is  the 
owner  of  one  mill  and  uses  the  output  of  two  others,  which  products 
go  largely  to  the  Pennsylvania  road  and  many  points  in  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey.  He  has  rapidly  established  a  reputation  for  bold 
business  transactions,  in  which  he  has  been  eminently  successful.  He 
votes  the  Democratic  ticket,  works  for  the  party  and  has  held  town- 
ship offices  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  satisfaction  of  his  constitu- 
ency. Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

He  married,  April  3,  1895,  Anna  L.  Marshall,  born  in  Juniata 
county,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catherine  Marshall,  who  were  old 
settlers  in  Perry  county,  moving  from  thence  to  Juniata  county.  Chil- 
dren:  I.  Clarence.  2.  Wellington,  died  in  infancy.  3.  Gilbert.  4. 
Alvie. 


The  Page  family  of  Millerstown,  herein  recorded,  descends 
PAGE  from  Christian  Page,  born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania, 
a  wagon  maker  of  West  Perry  township,  where  he  died. 
He  married  Mary  Diffenderfer,  born  in  Juniata  county,  Ijoth  of  Ger- 
man descent  and  both  members  of  the  Mennonite  church.  Christian 
Page  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Children :  Emanuel,  of  whom  fur- 
ther; Debias,  Christian   (2),  Delilah,  and  Mary. 

(II)  Emanuel,  son  of  Christian  and  Mary  (Diffenderfer)  Page,  was 
born  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1835,  died  in  Snyder  county, 
March  7,  1903.  He  was  a  lifelong  farmer  of  Snyder  county,  a  member 
of  the  Brethren  church,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat,  holding  to  his  church 
and  party  with  all  the  tenacity  and  faithfulness  of  an  intense  nature. 
He  married  (first)  Elizabeth  Cameron,  born  in  Juniata  county,  in 
1835,  died  in  West  Perry  township,  Snyder  county,  December  2,  1866, 


850  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY 

daughter  of  Robert  Cameron,  who  came  from  Ireland  when  a  young 
man,  took  up  land  near  New  Bloomfield,  Perry  county,  and  there  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  his  death.  He  was  twice  married— Elizabeth 
(of  previous  mention),  William,  who  died  in  the  Union  army,  and 
Robert  (2),  being  children  of  the  first  wife.  Children  of  Emanuel 
Page  by  first  wife: 

I.  Banks  W.,  of  whom  further  below;  Lizzie,  died  at  the  age  of 
one  year;  Lewis,  died  aged  nine  years.  He  married  (second)  the 
widow  of  Michael  Shelley,  and  (third)  Malinda  Merhood,  who  bore 
a  daughter  Edna,  married  Charles  E.  Shirk,  and  now  resides  in  Phila- 
delphia. 

(Ill)  Banks  W.,  only  living  son  of  Emanuel  Page  and  his  first 
wife,  Elizabeth  Cameron,  was  born  in  Fayette  township,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania,  September  i,  1855.  He  attended  the  school 
kept  in  the  old  log  school  house  in  West  Perry  township,  Snyder 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  until  seventeen  years  of  age  worked  at  the 
home  farm.  At  that  age  he  began  working  at  a  tannery  at  Evendale, 
Pennsylvania,  continuing  seven  years.  About  1879  he  returned  to 
farming,  working  in  Juniata  county  three  years.  Later  about  1892 
he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  the  same  county,  continuing  ^suc- 
cessfully for  twelve  years.  He  later  bought  from  Mr.  Gross  and  the 
borough  of  Millerstown  the  shirt  factory  plant  in  Millerstown,  which 
he  has  since  successfully  operated.  He  began  with  a  factory  force  of 
thirty-five  and  now  employs  one  hundred  and  four  persons.  The  old 
building  and  plant  proving  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  his  growing  busi- 
ness, Mr.  Page  in  the  spring  of  1912  began  the  erection  of  a  new 
factory  building  which  was  completed  in  September  of  that  year  at  a 
cost  of  $8,000,  an  equal  sum  also  being  invested  in  new  and  modern 
shirt  making  equipment.  This  is  now  one  of  the  prosperous  industries 
of  Millerstown,  and  a  striking  illustration  of  the  business  ability  of  its 
owner.  Mr.  Page  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle; 
a  Democrat  in  politics ;  and  for  four  years  was  councilman  of  the 
borough  and  school  director  for  a  like  period. 

He  married  Estella  W.,  daughter  of  Bayard  Nields,  a  farmer  of 
Juniata  county;  children:  Huldah;  May,  married  Llo}d  Knight  (whom 
she  survives)  ;  Charles  C,  married  Jennie  Walker:  j\Iercy  P.,  married 
John  Slaughterback ;  Morton;  Frances,  married  Harry  J.  Beecham; 
Merl  ■,  Darlington,  died  aged  five  years. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  851 

The  Cummins  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  the 
CUMMINS     American    ancestor,    Wilham    Cummins,    arriving    in 

Pennsylvania  during  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  He  first  settled  on  the  banks  of  Little  Chickies  creek,  Lan- 
caster county,  and  later  moved  to  Kishacoquillas  valley,  where  he  pur- 
chased 364  acres  of  land.  He  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  and  had  a  shop 
on  his  farm.  He  owned  considerable  land  in  the  Juniata  \"alley,  includ- 
ing a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  Huntingdon  county,  which  he  placed 
in  charge  of  his  son  Robert.  William  Cummins  married  Sara  Semple ; 
children:  i.  James,  of  whom  little  is  known.  2.  Robert,  married 
Mary  Sterrett ;  children :  Cyrus,  a  United  Presbyterian  minister,  mar- 
ried Nancy  Collins;  Sara,  married  George  Porter,  a  farmer;  Samuel, 
a  farmer,  married  Cathern  Smith ;  Nancy,  married  John  \\'ilson,  a 
farmer;  Sterrett,  a  farmer,  married  Agnes  McNitt;  Jane,  married 
Ebenezer  Magill,  a  farmer;  and  Elizabeth  and  Samuel,  who  died  be- 
fore they  reached  twenty  years.  3.  Charles,  of  whom  further  below. 
4.  Margaret,  married  an  Obern.     5.  Colonel  William,  married    (first) 

Sara  Sterrett;  children:  Dr.  James,  married  Mina  ;   David, 

married  Cathern  Barr;  Elizabeth,  married  John  Beatty,  a  farmer. 
Colonel  William  married  (second)  Martha  Montgomery  AIcElheny : 
children:  Rebecca,  married  Charles  Davis;  William,  died  unmarried; 
Sara,  married  Rev.  J.  M.  Adair;  Martha,  married  John  McNitt,  a 
farmer;  John,  died  unmarried;  Margaret,  married  James  Davies,  a 
farmer;  Colonel  William  married   (third)  Jane  Young:  no  children. 

(II)  Charles,  son  of  William  and  Sara  Cummins,  was  born  in 
Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  lived  until  his  removal  to  Jack- 
son township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  bought  a 
farm  and  lived  until  his  death.  He  married  Catherine  McAlevy,  daugh- 
ter of  William  McAlevy  (see  below).  Children  of  Charles  and  Cather- 
ine Cummins:  i.  William,  lived  and  died  in  Huntingdon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania; a  miller  and  farmer,  married  Alargaret  Magill.  2.  Colonel 
John,  a  farmer;  lived  and  died  in  Huntingdon  county;  married  (first) 
Mary  Ann  Smith:  (second)  Jane  Nancy  Magill  Hunter;  (third)  Mary 
Duff.  3.  David,  was  a  soldier  during  the  civil  war  and  died  in  a  boat 
on  James  river  near  Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia:  unmarried.  4.  Sara, 
who  died  in  her  teens.  5.  Robert,  of  whom  further.  6.  Ruth,  the 
second  wife  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Adair,  of  McAlevy's  Fort,  for  many  years; 


852  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

he  died  in  Indiana,  Pennsylvania,  and  she  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania. 
(Ill)    Robert,    fourth   son   of    Charles   and   Catherine    (McAlevy) 
Cummins,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,   Huntingdon  county,   Penn- 
sylvania, June   i6,    1827,  near  McAlevy's  Fort,  and  died  in  Armagh 
township,  near  Milroy,  Mifflin  county.  May  27,  1882.     He  attended  the 
township  school  during  the  winter,  while  he  spent  the  remainder  of  the 
year  working  in  the  grist  mill  or  on  the  home  farm.    After  his  marriage 
he  purchased  and  inherited  his  share  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  good  farm  land  in  Jackson  township,  where  he  resided  until  1866, 
then  moved  to  Armagh  township,  Mifflin  county,  where  in  about  1868 
or  1869  he  purchased  a  valuable  farm  of  about  two  hundred  and  ten 
acres  near  Milroy,  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death.     This  estate  he 
improved  with  suitable  modern  buildings,  and  brought  the  soil  to  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.     He  was  a  successful  farmer,  and  a  straightfor- 
ward business  man,  ever  holding  the  warm  regard  of  his  neighbors,  to 
whom  he  was  familiarly  known  as  "Long  Robert  Cummins,"  to  dis- 
tinguish him  from  others  of  the  same  name.     He  was  a  tall  man,  and 
when  wearing  a  high  beaver  hat  was  indeed  "Long  Robert."     He  was 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  held  many  local  offices.     In  religious  faith' 
both  he  and  wife  were  United  Presbyterians.     He  married,  March  9, 
1854,  Cathern  Ann  McNitt,  born  in  Armagh  township,  Mifflin  county, 
in  the  stone  house  on  the  McNitt  homestead,  near  Siglerville,  November 
30,  1832,  died  April  i,  191 1,  in  Reedsville.  Pennsylvania.     She  was  the 
ninth  child  and  sixth  daughter  of  Alexander  Brown  and  Nancy  (Ster- 
rett)  McNitt,  and  granddaughter  of  John  McNitt.    Children  of  Robert 
and  Cathern  Ann  Cummins:     i.  Agnes  Jane,  born  June  3,  1855;  mar- 
ried. May,   1886,  Ogleby  James  Reed,  born  August  10,   1834,  died  in 
Reedsville,  Pennsylvania,  January  9,  1905,  whom  she  survives,  a  resi- 
dent of  Reedsville;  children:  John  Milton,  born  November   17,   1888, 
now  a  civil  engineer  in  Canada;  Mary  Brown,  born  April  28,   1890, 
student  at  Swarthmore  College;  Anna  Cummins,  born  December  21, 
1891,  attending  Wheaton  College,  Norton,  Massachusetts;  James  An- 
drew, student  at  Lewistown  Academy,  born  March  18,  1897.     2.  Cath- 
erine Sterrett.  born  June  20,  1857;  married,  December  27,  1887,  Wil- 
liam Cummins  Beatty,  born  April  30,   1850,  now  residing  on  the  old 
Cummins  homestead  in  Huntingdon  county,  near  McAlevy's  Fort ;  chil- 
dren: Ruth  Cummins,  born  December  12,  1888,  a  student  at  Westmin- 


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HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  853 

ster  College,  New  Wilmington,  Pennsylvania;  Catherine  Anna,  Au- 
gust 29,  1892,  attending  Indiana  State  Normal,  Indiana,  Pennsyl- 
vania. 3.  Alexander  Brown,  born  June  2,  1859;  married  (first)  March 
20,  1894,  Martha  Gertrude  Aitken,  who  died  September,  1910;  mar- 
ried (second)  Mrs.  Mary  Mitchell  Koons;  he  is  a  retired  farmer, 
now  living  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  an  elder  in  the  Presby- 
terian church  of  Milroy,  Pennsylvania.  4.  Mary  Brown,  born  March 
29,  1861,  resides  in  Reedsville  with  her  sister.  5.  Martha,  born  April 
6,  1870;  resides  in  Reedsville  with  her  sister,  Mary  B. 

William  McAlevy,  father  of  Catherine  (McAlevy)  Cummins  (of 
whom  above),  wife  of  Charles  Cummins,  was  born  in  Ireland,  about 
1728,  and  was  but  about  three  months  old  when  his  parents  came  to 
Pennsylvania,  but  a  stroke  of  lightning  killed  them  both  shortly  after 
their  arrival,  and  he  was  left  an  orphan.  He  was  reared  by  a  maternal 
uncle  who  taught  him  his  own  trade — weaving.  Not  being  enamored 
of  his  uncle's  trade  nor  of  his  treatment,  William  ran  away  and  en- 
listed in  the  Forbes  expedition  to  Fort  Duquesne,  and  was  one  of  a 
detachment  sent  to  collect  and  bury  the  remains  of  those  who  fell  on 
Braddock's  Field,  being  then  nineteen  years  of  age.  It  is  related  that 
at  one  time  he  concealed  himself  from  the  Indians  in  a  log  for  nine 
days,  where  a  goose  had  laid  nine  eggs,  apparently  for  his  use,  as  he 
ate  one  egg  each  day:  the  Indians  held  a  war  dance  around  the  log, 
but  he  was  unmolested.  He  also  served  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and 
was  known  as  General  McAlevy.  He  finally  settled  in  Stone  Valley, 
fourteen  miles  from  Petersburg,  where  he  owned  a  grist  mill,  a  farm 
and  distillery.  The  place  was  known  as  Mc.Aleyy's  Fort,  and  later  as 
the  Old  Fort.  He  was  a  large  portly  man,  of  rugged  constitution,  and 
one  of  the  well-to-do  men  of  his  time.  His  judgment  in  matters  gen- 
erally was  reverenced  as  the  deliverance  of  an  oracle,  as  the  following 
goes  to  show,  which  has  been  handed  down  and  vouched  for  by  those 
whose  memories  would  extend  back  to  or  near  his  day:  When  an 
important  election  was  being  held,  and  men  would  meet  at  the  polls 
and  one  would  inquire  of  another  for  whom  he  was  going  to  vote,  the 
reply  often  made  would  be,  "Indeed,  I  can't  say;  I  haven't  seen  the 
General  yet."  He  died  in  August,  1822,  aged  ninety-four  years.  He 
was  three  times  married.  His  first  wife  was  Margaret  Harris,  sister 
of  John  Harris,   the  founder  of  Harrisburg.     His  second  wife  was 


8S4  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Mary  Hays:  he  conveyed  her  over  Stone  Mountain  on  a  slide-car,  for 
fear  of  the  Indians.    His  third  wife  was  the  widow  Allen. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  commission  as  brigadier-general. 
It  will  be  noticed  that  the  spelling  of  his  name  in  this  commission  is 
different  from  the  spelling  now  used,  but  it  is  known  from  the  general's 
autograph  in  a  letter  to  one  of  his  descendants  that  the  present  spell- 
ing is  correct : 

Commission  to  William  McAlevy,  Esq., 
Brigadier  General  (L.  S.)  : 

In  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Thomas  McKean,  Governor  of  the  said  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania. 

To  William  Mclllevy.  of  the  county  of  Huntingdon,  Esquire,  greet- 
ing: 

Know  you,  That  reposing  confidence  in  your  zeal,  valor,  patriotism 
and  fidelity,  I  have  appointed,  and,  by  these  presents  I  do  appoint  you, 
the  said  William  Mclllevy,  Brigadier  General  of  the  2nd  Brigade, 
composed  of  the  militia  of  the  counties  of  Mifflin  (including  Center  and 
Huntingdon),  to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  office,  and  to  exercise,  per- 
form and  enjoy  all  the  powers,  duties  and  emoluments  there-with  law- 
fully belonging,  for  the  term  of  seven  years,  from  the  day  of  the  date 
hereof,  if  you  shall  so  long  behave  yourself  well. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  set  my  hand  and  caused  the  great  seal 
of  the  State  to  be  affixed  t(j  these  presents,  at  Lancaster,  the  eighteenth' 
day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred,  and 
of  the  Commonwealth  the  twenty-fourth. 

By  the  Governor, 

James  Trimble, 

Deputy  Sec'y. 

This  has  been  copied  from  a  history  of  General  William  McAlevy 
by  the  late  Rev.  J.  M.  Adair,  who  married  Ruth  Cummins,  the  General's 
great-granddaughter,  and  was  written  during  1898  or  1899. 


John  and  Rachel  Sellers,  emigrant  founders  of  this 
SELLERS     branch  of  the  Sellers   family,  were  born   in  Germany, 

coming  to  the  United  States  after  their  marriage  and 
settling  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  Later  they  moved  to 
Dauphin  county,  where  John  Sellers  plied  his  trade  of  blacksmith  and 
prospered.     He  owned  a  good  farm,  and  later  in  life,  when  the  heavy 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  855 

work  of  a  smith  was  beyond  his  strength,  retired  and  managed  that 
property  until  his  death.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  a  hard 
worker  and  good  citizen.     He  reared  a  family  of  eight. 

(II)  David,  son  of  John  and  Rachel  Sellers,  was  born  near  Round 
Top,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Dauphin  county,  married  there,  and  settled  about  one  mile  from  the 
village  of  Dauphin.  For  thirty-one  years  he  was  engaged  as  a  tanner 
with  Mr.  Robinson,  then  retired  to  a  small  farm  he  had  bought,  on 
which  he  lived  until  his  death.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  married  Eliza  McNeely,  born  in  Dauphin  county,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  McNeely,  both  born  in  Ireland,  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they 
purchased  a  farm,  on  which  they  lived  until  death,  leaving  issue.  Chil- 
dren of  David  and  Eliza  Sellers :  William,  deceased ;  Lucretia,  de- 
ceased;  Charles  W.,  now  living  in  Dauphin;  Benjamin  F.,  deceased; 
Jennie,  deceased ;  David  Greenbanks,  of  whom  further :  Baal,  now 
living  in  Harrisburg;  Caroline,  deceased;  a  child,  died  in  infancy. 

(Ill)  David  Greenbanks,  son  of  David  and  Eliza  (McNeely) 
Sellers,  was  born  near  Dauphin,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  July 
22,  1844.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  remained  at  the 
home  farm  until  sixteen  years  of  age.  In  i860  he  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  railroad  as  brakeman,  remaining  one 
year.  He  was  then  employed  on  bridge  construction  until  his  enlist- 
ment in  1865,  in  Company  A,  loist  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  was  in  service  nearly  a  year,  then  received  an  hon- 
orable discharge.  In  the  latter  part  of  1865  he  entered  the  services  of 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad  as  fireman,  continuing  as  such  for  five  years, 
finally  in  1870  receiving  his  promotion  to  the  coveted  position  on  the 
right  hand  side  of  the  cab.  He  was  assigned  to  the  freight  service, 
continuing  until  1909.  when  he  was  retired,  being  one  of  the  oldest 
eno-ineers  in  the  service  of  the  company  at  the  time  of  his  retirement. 
He  then  retired  to  his  fruit  farm  of  thirty-five  acres,  purchased  in 
1909  by  Mr.  Sellers  and  his  son-in-law,  George  Edward  Hess.  The 
farm,  located  one  mile  west  of  Duncannon  at  Juniata  Bridge,  is  a  ver- 
itable bower  of  beauty,  with  its  many  rows  of  apple,  peach,  pear  and 
cherrv  trees  in  bloom  and  is  a  source  of  pleasure  to  its  owners,  as  re- 


856  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

turns  are  received  from  the  bountiful  yield  resulting.  The  best  known 
methods  of  fruit  culture  have  been  employed,  and  so  model  an  orchard 
is  it  that  it  is  used  by  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture  as  one  of  its  few 
demonstrating  stations.  The  raising  of  garden  produce  is  carried  along 
with  fruit  culture,  a  ready  market  being  found  with  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad,  furnishing  their  dining  cars  and  commissary  department  with 
the  delicacies  of  garden  and  orchard.  Here  after  his  many  years  of 
life  spent  on  the  gleaming  rails,  rushing  his  engine  through  sunshine 
and  storm,  through  daylight  and  gloom,  drawing  the  products  of  mine, 
factory,  mill  and  farm  to  supply  the  needs  of  every  clime,  the  veteran 
of  forty-four  years  of  faithful  service  spends  his  days  in  the  peace, 
quiet  and  beauty  of  his  own  acres.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Brother- 
hood of  Locomotive  Engineers,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic;  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  are  communicants  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

Mr.  Sellers  married,  in  1873,  Annie  Taylor.  Children:  Ada,  mar- 
ried George  Edward  Hess,  now  a  partner  with  Mr.  Sellers  in  the  fruit 
farm  at  Juniata  Bridge  (see  Hess  family  forward)  ;  Howard,  deceased; 
Mary,  resides  in  Harrisburg;  Ruth,  Mabel. 

(The  Hess  Line). 

George  Edward  Hess  descends  from  German  ancestors,  early  set- 
tlers in  Marysville,  Pennsylvania.  His  grandfather  Hess  was  a  lum- 
berman of  Perry  and  Dauphin  counties,  also  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war. 
His  wife  Martha  was  also  of  German  descent. 

Philip  Hess,  father  of  George  E.  Hess,  born  at  Marysville,  became 
a  truck  farmer,  owning  a  farm  of  eighty-six  acres  just  north  of  Harris- 
burg. He  continued  there  for  many  years  in  successful  business,  sup- 
plying the  Harrisburg  and  western  markets  on  the  Pennsylvania  rail- 
road with  the  pnxlucts  of  his  carefully  cultivated  fields.  He  finally 
retired  to  the  village  of  Minnick,  where  he  died  August  24,  1899,  aged 
about  sixty-five  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  mar- 
ried Nannie  Hight,  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  who 
survives  him,  residing  in  Minnick.  Her  father  was  one  of  the  early 
Pennsylvania  railroad  men,  and  rode  with  the  first  train  that  ever 
crossed  the  middle  division  of  that  road.     Children :   Anna,  died  ae-ed 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  857 

eighteen  years;  George  Edward  (of  whom  further)  ;  Frank,  killed  while 
in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  unmarried;  William,  a 
wholesale  produce  dealer  on  East  Pratt  street,  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
married  Bess  Wagner,  and  their  children  are  Margaret  Frances  and 
Florence. 

George  Edward,  eldest  son  of  Philip  and  Nannie  (Hight)  Hess, 
was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  24,  1870.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  in  a  private  school  in  Harrisburg, 
after  which  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  as 
freight  brakeman.  He  was  later  advanced  to  the  passenger  service, 
and  on  May  13,  1906,  was  promoted  to  conductor.  His  run  was  No. 
1019  fast  mail  west,  and  No.  8  day  express,  East  Altoona  to  Harris- 
burg. This  continued  until  July  4,  1909,  when  he  seized  an  opportunity 
to  return  to  the  business  of  his  boyhood  days,  truck  and  fruit  farming. 
He  joined  his  father-in-law,  David  G.  Sellers,  then  recently  retired 
from  the  post  of  engineer  with  the  Pennsylvania,  in  the  purchase  of  the 
thirty-five  acre  tract  at  Juniata  Bridge,  which  they  have  developed  into 
one  of  the  most  productive  and  beautiful  fruit  farms  in  the  state.  An  ex- 
perienced gardener,  Mr.  Hess  has  also  developed  a  truck  business  as 
well,  and  supplied  the  restaurants  and  dining  cars  of  the  Pennsylvania 
system  with  the  delicacies  for  which  they  are  famous.  His  shipment  of 
parsley  alone  is  eighteen  half-barrels  weekly.  A  recently  added  feature 
of  this  wonderful  little  farm  is  a  poultry  department,  with  incubators 
brooders,  and  all  the  equipments  of  modern  chicken  raising.  The  fruit 
raised  includes  every  variety  that  can  be  profitably  grown  in  that  climate, 
and  so  scientifically  has  the  farm  been  arranged  and  the  fruit  cared 
for,  that  in  its  second  year  the  State  Board  made  it  one  of  their  demon- 
strating stations,  and  used  it  as  an  object  lesson  for  fruit  and  truck 
farmers. 

Mr.  Hess  is  a  Republican  in  politics;  was  collector  of  taxes  of  the 
Fifth  ward  in  Harrisburg,  two  years  deputy  sheriff  under  H.  C.  \\'^ells, 
and  for  one  year  in  charge  of  the  collection  of  city  taxes.  He  ran  for 
councilman  for  his  ward  and,  although  polling  the  largest  vote  of  any 
candidate  on  the  ticket,  was  defeated  by  one  vote.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Brotherhood  of  Railroad  Conductors  and  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road Relief  Association.  Mr.  Hess  married,  March  i,  1894,  Ada, 
daughter  of  David  G.  and  Annie  (Taylor)  Sellers,  and  has  a  daughter, 
Esther. 


858  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  the  late  Alhert  Millar  of 
MILLAR     Dauphin    county,     Pennsylvania,  were   Henry  and   Mat- 

talina  (Brenn)  Millar,  both  born  in  Germany.  His  ma- 
ternal grandparents,  John  and  Ann  (Burns)  McMullen,  were  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent. 

(II)  William    D.,    son   of    Albert   and    Mattalina    Millar,    married 
Elizabeth  McMullen,  who  bore  him  seven  children. 

(III)  Albert,  sixth  child  of  William  D.  and  Elizabeth  (McMullen) 
Millar,  was  born  near  the  village  of  Gap,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania,   March    16,    i860,   died   in  Harrisburg,    Pennsylvania,   May   22, 
1906.     When  he  was  seven  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Harris- 
burg, where  he  attended  the  public  schools,  his  brilliant  mental  (luali- 
ties  winning  him  the  commendation   and   respect  of   his  teachers  and 
class  mates.     He  was  graduated  from  high  school  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years,   winning  the  honor  of  being  Salutatorian  of  his  class.      Being 
compelled  to  earn  his  own  living,  he  entered  mercantile  business  as  a 
clerk,  but  soon  afterward  became  an  employee  of  the  Jackson  Manu- 
facturing    Company     in    their     engine     room.       He     soon     won     the 
attention    of    his    employers,    who,    seeing    the    mettle     of    the    lad, 
took    him    from    the    engine    room    and    placed    him    in    the    office, 
where    he    again    quickly    demonstrated    his    ability,    winning     rapid 
promotion.        He    was     later    assigned    to    the    office    of    the    firm    in 
Pittsburgh  as  bookkeeper,  remaining  two  years.     These  years  had  lint 
strengthened  his  purpose,  formed  long  before,  to  become  a  lawyer,  and 
at  the  end  of  his  two  years  in  Pittsburgh  he  returned  to  Harrisburg 
and  registered  as  a  law  student  in  the  office  of  Joshua  M.  Wiestling, 
then  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Dauphin  county  bar.     On  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1884,  after  passing  a  creditable  examination  he  was  admitted 
to  the  l)ar  and  for  one  year  practiced  alone.     He  quickly  gained  a  client- 
age and  secured  recognition  from  the  older  members  of  the  bar  by  his 
conscientious  and    skilful    handling    of     the    cases   entrusted   to   him. 
During  his  second  year  he  was  admitted  to  a  partnership  with  Judge 
George  Kunkel,  later  president-judge  of  Dauphin  county,  this  associa- 
tion continuing  until  1898,  when  Mr.  Millar  was  elected  district  attorney 
for  Dauphin  county.     He  was  thrice  elected  solicitor  of  the  county  and 
in  1894  was  elected  district  attorney,  continuing  by  re-election  for  two 
terms.    On  retiring  from  that  office  he  was  appointed  by  the  town  com- 


W^4^.^    ^-^'-^^c 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUXIATA    VALLEY  859 

missioners,  in  1904,  continuing  in  that  office  until  his  death  two  years 
later.  His  private  practice  was  largely  in  the  appellate  courts  of  the 
state  and  in  the  United  States  courts,  he  having  been  admitted  to  all 
state  and  federal  courts  of  the  district.  His  fame  was  not  confined  to 
Dauphin  county,  but  he  was  frequently  engaged  in  important  litiga- 
tion in  other  counties.  As  an  attorney  he  was  learned  in  the  law  and 
skilful  in  its  application,  conscientious  and  faithful,  keen  of  perception 
and  a  hard  worker,  giving  his  cases  thorough  preparation.  Before  a 
jury  he  was  clear  and  forceful,  presenting  his  facts  in  a  clear,  logical, 
convincing  manner,  trusting  to  the  strength  of  his  presentation,  rather 
than  to  rhetoric — never  seeking  an  opportunity  to  display  his  eloquence 
to  dazzle  a  jury,  but  in  well  chosen  language  stating  facts  and  prece- 
dents to  jury  and  court.  He  was  always  courteous  in  all  his  dealings 
with  the  court  and  fair  to  his  brethren  of  the  bar,  winning  from 
judges  and  lawyers  a  confidence  and  esteem  terminated  only  by  death. 
As  a  prosecutor  he  was  relentless  with  the  guilty,  but  while  giving  them 
privileges  accorded  them  by  the  law,  always,  if  possible,  brought  them 
to  conviction  and  punishment,  ^\'hile  stricken  in  the  prime  of  life,  he 
gained  prominence  at  the  bar  and  in  public  esteem  that  only  falls  to  the 
lot  of  a  natural  leader.  He  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  prominent 
lawyers  of  that  section  and  won  his  prominence  fairly. 

Full  as  was  his  life  and  busily  employed  as  he  was  in  his  legal 
business,  he  did  not  neglect  his  duties  as  a  citizen,  but  took  the  deepest 
interest  in  the  politics  of  his  county  and  state.  In  fact,  he  made  poli- 
tics his  recreation,  never  being  happier  than  when  in  the  thick  of  a 
political  fight  on  behalf  of  his  friends.  In  his  early  life  he  engaged  in 
these  conflicts  for  pure  love  of  the  battle  and  never  outgrew  his  genuine 
pleasure  in  campaigning,  although  not  for  personal  gain.  He  wielded 
a  large  political  influence.  His  resourcefulness,  keen  sense  of  humor 
and  unswerving  devotion  brought  to  him  a  host  of  loyal  and  admiring 
friends  from  all  walks  of  life.  He  was  public  spirited,  interested  in 
the  cause  of  education  and  in  the  welfare  of  the  community,  and  gave 
to  the  city  a  liberal  donation  of  land  for  park  purposes,  in  order  that 
his  fellow  citizens  might  have  adequate  opportunity  for  recreation  and 
enjoyment.  His  was  an  open-handed  generosity,  yet  his  charity  was 
never  ostentatious.  Of  him  it  may  truly  be  said :  "He  was  a  friend 
of  the  people."     A  fair  estimate  of  the  life  and  character  of  the  man 


86o  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

as  a  citizen  is  given  in  the  loving  tribute  paid  to  him  by  his  hfelong 
friend  and  former  law  partner,  President  Judge  Kunkel,  at  the  meeting 
of  the  Bar  Association  convened  at  the  time  of  his  death : 

'T  have  listened  with  extreme  satisfaction  to  the  kind  tributes  which 
love  and  friendship  have  paid  to  the  memory  of  our  departed  friend 
and  brother,  and  it  is  needless  to  say  that  in  them  I  sincerely  join.  The 
life  that  has  gone  out  I  knew  and  loved.  The  attributes  of  his  mind 
you  have  had  an  equal  opportunity  with  me  to  know  and  admire,  but, 
touching  the  qualities  of  the  heart  and  soul,  my  long  and  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  him  have  given  me  a  truer  knowledge  and  a  fuller 
admiration. 

"The  character  of  our  friend  can  best  be  portrayed  by  reference  to 
those  qualities,  which,  though  common  to  liuman  nature,  were  singularly 
absent  in  him.  He  disdained  show  and  ostentation.  He  was  frank 
and  open.  He  was  unpretentious.  He  was  without  guile.  He  was 
incapable  of  pretence  or  simulation,  and  he  sought  to  be  taken  for  what 
he  really  was  and  for  no  other.  But,  remarkable  above  all  else,  he  was 
a  man  in  whom  there  was  no  envy.  In  this  world  of  strife  and  conten- 
tion, where,  in  the  struggle  for  preference  and  power,  for  wealth  and 
station,  this  characteristic  of  human  nature  is  displayed,  he  rejoiced  in 
the  success  and  advancement  of  others,  friend  or  foe,  and  felt  in  no 
degree  the  sensation  of  envy's  influence. 

"With  these  qualities  there  were  combined  in  him  unswerving  loy- 
alty to  friends  and  an  unselfish  and  untiring  activity  for  their  interests. 
His  course  was  one  labor  of  friendship;  his  public  and  his  private  life 
one  sacrifice  for  others.  His  stay  here  has  been  brief,  but,  in  that  brief 
period,  he  has  spent  the  energy  and  achieved  the  success  of  many  years. 

"To  say  his  presence  among  us  will  be  missed  is  to  say  what  may 
be  said  of  anyone,  but  to  say  his  forceful  influence  in  public  life,  his 
delightful  companionship  at  the  bar,  and  his  unostentatious  beneficences 
in  private  life  will  be  missed,  is  to  express  in  feeble  and  inadequate  terms 
the  deep  and  lasting  impression  his  life  and  character  have  made  upon 
his  fellows.  The  body  may  decay,  the  physical  presence  of  our  friend 
and  associate  may  pass  from  our  view,  but  the  delightful  memories, 
which  have  entwined  themselves  about  his  strong  personality,  can  never 
die.     In  this  world  of  evanescent  things  these  will  remain." 

On  September  lo,  1902,  Mr.  Millar  married  Josephine  B.  ^^lichener, 
of  Duncannon,  Pennsylvania;  children:  Albert  Elkin,  born  June  12, 
1903,  and  Josephine  M.,  born  August  23,  1906.  After  the  death  of 
her  husband,  Mrs.  Millar  returned  to  Duncannon  with  her  children, 
and  there  resides,  occupying  her  old  home. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  86 1 

(The  Michener  Line). 

The  first  emigrant  of  this  name  to  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  from 
France  settled  at  Plymouth,  jMontgomery  county,  where  he  reared  a 
family  and  lived  until  death. 

Eleazer  Michener,  his  son,  was  born  in  Plymouth,  which  was  his 
home  until  after  his  marriage  and  the  birth  of  some  of  his  children. 
About  1838  he  moved  to  Penn  township,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  purchased  and  cultivated  a  farm  until  his  death  many  years 
later.  He  married  Mary  Fye;  children:  Jonathan,  a  farmer,  lived  and 
died  on  the  Perry  county  homestead  farm ;  Katherine,  died  young,  un- 
married; Philip,  a  noted  worker  in  the  Lutheran  church,  died  in  Dun- 
cannon;  Joseph,  of  whom  further;  Martha,  died  in  December,  1912, 
unmarried;  Eleazer  (2),  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war;  Doan,  killed  in  a 
railroad  accident;  Lewis,  died  aged  twenty-seven  years;  Washington, 
the  only  survivor  (1913),  lives  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Joseph,  son  of  Eleazer  Michener,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1830,  died  in  Duncannon,  Pennsylvania,  February  26, 
1907,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  He  was  in  his  ninth  year  when  his 
parents  moved  to  Perry  county,  and  there  he  was  educated  and  ever 
afterward  lived.  He  was  for  many  years  a  contractor  and  builder  of 
Duncannon,  later  engaging  there  in  the  grocery  business,  and  continu- 
ing until  his  death.  He  was  an  honorable,  capable  builder  and  a  good 
business  man.  While  raised  in  and  always  partial  to  the  Lutheran 
church,  he  never  formally  connected  with  any  religious  body.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  holding  the  perfect  esteem  of  his  breth- 
ren. In  political  faith  a  Republican,  he  held  several  of  the  town 
offices.  He  married  Margaret  M.  Mell,  born  in  Petersburg  (now 
Duncannon).  Perry  county,  in  1836,  died  in  Perry  county,  March 
10,  1912,  aged  seventy-six  years,  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church.  She  was  the  daughter  of  .Adam  and 
Agnes  (Reed)  Mell,  both  old  settlers  of  Perry  county.  Adam  Mell, 
of  German  parentage,  lived  in  Duncannon  and  there  died.  His  wife 
survived  him  many  years  until  1865.  I)ut  never  remarried;  children  of 
Adam  Mell:  Matilda,  married  John  Topley,  and  died  in  Duncannon; 
Sarah,  married  Joseph  Waite,  and  died  in  New  Buffalo ;  John,  a  veteran 
of  the  civil  war,  died  in  Duncannon;  Christina,  married  Theodore  De 


862  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Normandie;  Catherine,  the  only  survivor,  married  Samuel  Saul,  and 
resides  in  California;  Harvey,  died  in  Harrisburg;  Margaret  M.,  mar- 
ried Joseph  Michener,  of  previous  mention;  children:  Edward,  married 
Hannah  Gross,  and  resides  in  Duncannon;  Mary  Agnes,  married  An- 
drew Shull,  and  resides  in  Harrisburg;  Matilda,  married  Andrew 
George,  and  resides  in  Duncannon;  Martha  Ann,  married  William 
Owen,  and  resides  in  Duncannon;  Josephine  B.  (of  previous  mention), 
widow  of  Albert  Millar,  resides  in  Duncannon  in  the  home  of  her  girl- 
hood; Anna  D.,  married  Frank  Harper,  and  resides  in  Duncannon. 

Isaac  Lawrence  Goss.  during  his  life,  was  one  of  the  im- 
GOSS     portant,  progressive  and  successful  business  men  of  Mifflin 

county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  descended  from  English 
ancestry,  the  name  being  a  famous  one  to  this  day  in  England,  where 
it  is  written  Gosse,  and  to  which  belonged  the  eminent  poet,  Gosse. 
The  first  of  the  name  to  cross  the  Atlantic  to  America  probably  reached 
New  York  about  1740,  possibly  earlier.  He  drifted  into  Pennsylvania, 
settled  there,  and  reared  his  family,  all  of  whom  became  substantial 
citizens. 

(I)  Jacob  Goss,  father  of  Isaac  Lawrence  Goss,  was  born  in  Snyder 
county,  Pennsylvania,  as  was  his  wife,  Sarah  Stumpff.  There  they 
grew  to  maturity  and  married,  making  their  first  home  in  West  Beaver 
township,  Snyder  county.  He  was  one  of  the  first  wagonmakers  in 
the  county,  and  one  of  his  specialties  was  the  old  fashioned  "tar" 
wagon,  which  was  universally  used  in  that  day.  They  lived  in  West 
Beaver  until  after  the  birth  of  their  last  child,  when  they  moved  to 
Mifflin  county,  bought  land  in  Decatur  township,  cleared  it,  erected 
buildings,  and  put  it  under  cultivation.  From  the  first  Mr.  Goss  was 
successful  as  a  farmer,  and  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  an  advanced 
age  in  the  quiet  surroundings  of  their  home.  They  were  both  mem- 
bers of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  in  this  faith  reared  their 
children.  They  ranked  among  the  most  respected  members  of  the  town- 
shi]x  He  was  a  Republican,  and  worked  actively  for  its  principles. 
Children:  i.  Margaret,  widow  of  John  Weader;  makes  home  in  Sny- 
der county.  2.  George,  lived  and  died  in  Adamsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
3.  John  O.,  lived  and  died  in  Snyder  county.  4.  A  boy,  died  in  in- 
fancy.    5.  Jacob  Irvin,  a  retired  farmer  in  Paintersville,  Mifflin  county, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  863 

Pennsylvania.  6.  William  Howard,  makes  home  in  Paintersville.  7. 
Isaac  Lawrence,  of  whom  further.  8.  Robert,  died  in  infancy.  9. 
Jeremiah,  died  in  Miliflin  county.     10.  Andrew,  lives  in  Mifflin  county. 

(H)  Isaac  Lawrence  Goss,  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Stumpff) 
Goss,  was  born  September  5,  1857,  in  West  Beaver  township,  Snyder 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  education  in  the  West  Beaver 
township  schools.  On  reaching  his  majority,  with  an  axe  as  his  sole 
personal  possession,  he  went  to  a  lumljer  mill  in  Mifflin  county,  where 
he  was  engaged  as  a  chopper.  Later  he  bought  a  team  and  finally,  by 
dint  of  economy,  assisted  by  shrewd  judgment,  he  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  for  himself,  thus  demonstrating  his  ability  to  overcome  that 
great  handicap,  the  want  of  capital  with  which  to  begin  Inisiness.  In 
1884  he  formed  a  partnership  with  William  Howard  Goss,  his  brother, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Goss  Brothers,  and  they  continued  in  the  lum- 
ber business  at  Paintersville  until  the  death  of  Isaac  L.,  which  occurred 
November  2,  1902.  It  had  grown  to  large  proportions  and  was  extend- 
ing with  each  month.  They  owned  several  mills  in  Mifflin  county  and 
had  extensive  farming  interests.  In  1900  Mr.  Goss  erected  a  handsome 
home  in  Derry  township,  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  He  was  a 
Republican,  working  for  the  ticket  in  local,  state  and  national  affairs. 
He  served  one  term  as  school  director  and  one  as  supervisor,  being 
the  latter  at  his  death.  Like  his  parents,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
German  Reformed  church,  as  is  his  wife. 

He  married  Rebecca  C.  Kemberling,  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Decatur 
township,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Sarah  (Gibboney)  Keml^erling, 
who  were  old  time  residents  of  Mifflin  county.  He  was  a  veteran  of 
the  civil  war,  and  a  prosperous  farmer.  His  children  were:  i.  Pris- 
cilla,  married  Charles  McElhoe,  of  Wagner,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Emma, 
deceased;  married  Adam  Goss.  3.  Rebecca  C.,  married  Isaac  Lawrence 
Goss.  4.  Child,  (lied  in  liabyhood.  5.  John,  a  railroad  employee; 
died  in  German  Hospital,  Philadelphia.  6.  Albert,  lives  in  Lewistown ; 
is  ex-sheriff  of  the  county.  7.  Lizzie,  married  William  Steininger  of 
Maitland,  Pennsylvania.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kemberling  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  death  of  Isaac  Lawrence 
Goss  was  universally  regretted  by  those  who  knew  him,  especially  those 
with  whom  he  had  done  business.  He  was  one  of  the  honest,  con- 
scientious and  upright  citizens  of  his  community,  and  was  held  in  the 


864  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

highest  esteem.  Children:  i.  WilHam  R.,  born  1879;  died  in  infancy. 
2.  James  A.,  born  November  27,  1881 ;  lives  in  Maitland,  Pennsylvania; 
married  Sadie  M.  Hummel.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Mififlin  county  and  the  Kutztown  State  Normal,  from  which  he 
graduated  with  honors.  Leaving  school  he  taught  seven  years  in  Mifflin 
county,  making  for  himself  a  reputation  as  an  educator.  Since  191 1 
he  has  engaged  successfully  in  milling  at  Maitland.  He  has  no  chil- 
dren. 3.  Sadie  M.,  born  May  6,  1883;  married  James  L.  Smith,  a 
baker  of  Lewistown;  one  son,  Russell.  4.  Earl  Woodford,  born  July 
5,  1886;  married  Ellen  Yeatter;  lives  in  Maitland;  no  children.  5. 
Jacob  Howard,  born  November  20,  1890;  unmarried;  a  miller  by 
trade,  and  a  partner  of  James  A.  Goss,  the  firm  being  known  as  J.  A. 
Goss  &  Company.  6.  Died  unnamed.  7.  Hettie  Sophia;  married 
Samuel  Richard,  of  Maitland.  8.  Sherman  Harrison,  a  student  at  Mer- 
cersburg  Academy.     9.  Ruth  Rebecca,  at  home  with  her  mother. 


This  branch  of  the  Smith  family  descends  from  Andrew 
SMITH     Smith,  born  in  Switzerland,  who  early  in  life  came  to  .this 

country,  settling  in  Baltimore  county,  Maryland.  He  was 
a  tailor  by  trade,  but  varied  this  with  farming  operations.  His  wife 
came  from  Germany  when  a  young  woman,  working  for  two  years  after 
her  arrival  to  pay  her  passage  money,  under  a  custom  then  much  in 
vogue. 

(II)  George,  son  of  Andrew  Smith,  was  born  in  Baltimore  county, 
Maryland,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  followed  his  father's  trade 
of  tailor.  He  married,  in  Queen  Anne's  county,  Maryland,  Mary  Mani- 
nee,  and  later  moved  to  Hopewell  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  still  followed  his  trade.  In  the  fall  of  18 12  he 
bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  where  Cassville  now 
stands,  there  built  a  log  house,  and  resided  until  1829,  his  sons  cultivat- 
ing the  farm  and  the  father  working  at  his  trade.  In  1829  he  sold  his 
farm  and  moved  to  Tod  township,  where  he  bought  ninety-eight  acres 
which  he  improved  and  thereon  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and 
died  in  December,  1839.  He  was  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  wife,  Mary  Maninee,  was  born  in 
Maryland,  of  French  parentage,  died  in  Cass  township,  Huntingdon 
county,  in  1855;  children:  Eliel;  William,  died  in  Huntingdon  county, 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  865 

Pennsylvania;  Daniel,  died  in  West  Virginia;  Sarah;  Levi,  of  whom 
further;  George,  died  in  Trough  Creek  VaUey;  Jesse  P.,  born  March  9, 
18 12,  married  Susan  Gherrett;  Andrevi^;  Isaac,  died  in  Kansas;  Ehza- 
beth  S.,  married  Samuel  Miller,  and  died  at  Mount  Union,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Barton;  Mary  M.,  and  one  died  in  infancy. 

(Ill)  Levi,  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Maninee)  Smith,  was  born  in 
Hopewell  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  the  year 
1808,  died  from  the  effects  of  an  accident,  at  his  farm  in  Union  town- 
ship, Huntingdon  county,  in  1873.  He  always  followed  the  occupation 
of  a  farmer,  settling  after  his  marriage  in  Union  township.  His  school- 
ing was  in  the  old  Stever  school,  in  Cass  township,  where  for  a  month 
or  two  each  year  he  sat  on  rough  pine  slab  seats,  studying  his  book  by 
light  admitted  through  the  paper  covering  the  window  openings.  After 
his  settlement  in  Union  township  he  became  duly  prosperous,  and  was 
highly  respected  in  his  community.  He  held  various  township  offices, 
and  was  a  devout  Methodist,  being  class  leader,  a  teacher,  and  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school.  In  political  belief  a  Whig,  he  joined  with 
the  Republican  party  when  the  old  party  passed  out  of  existence.  He 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  (2)  Pheasant,  who  when  a  young 
man  came  from  Maryland,  settling  on  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Trough 
Creek  Valley,  which  he  purchased  and  improved.  He  added  to  his 
original  farm  by  purchase,  and  there  successfully  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock  raising  until  his  death,  October  30,  1 871,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
eight  years. 

He  was  held  in  high  esteem,  and  was  chosen  by  his  neighbors 
for  the  offices  of  tax  collector,  supervisor  and  school  director.  He 
was  an  active,  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
which  he  served  as  class  leader  and  trustee.  Samuel  Pheasant  married 
(first)  Annie  Snyder,  who  died  at  the  homestead  in  Trough  Creek  Val- 
ley, September  22,  1853,  aged  fifty-eight  years.  He  married  (second) 
Mary  Baumgardner.  Mary,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Samuel  Pheasant  by 
his  first  wife,  married  Levi  Smith  (of  previous  mention).  Samuel 
was  the  son  of  Samuel  Pheasant,  of  Sheffield,  England,  who  to  escape 
military  service  was  smuggled  in  a  barrel  on  board  a  ship  bound  for 
America.  He  landed  in  Baltimore,  settling  in  Queen  .•\nne's  county, 
Maryland,  where  he  married,  and  there  his  son  Samuel  (2)  was  born. 
Two  of  the  eleven  children  of  Samuel  Pheasant  by  his  first  wife  are  yet 


866  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

living — Samuel,  a  farmer  of  LJnion  township;  and  Christian,  living  in 
Trough  Creek  Valley.  Mary  Pheasant  Smith  died  in  1910,  aged  ninety- 
three  years  two  months  and  three  days,  having  been  a  widow  for  thirty- 
eight  years.  Both  she  and  her  husband  are  buried  in  Mapleton  ceme- 
tery. 

Children  of  Levi  and  Mary  (Pheasant)  Smith:  i.  Samuel  Pheas- 
ant, of  whom  further.  2.  George,  a  physician,  died  in  HoUidaysburg, 
Pennsylvania.  3.  John,  a  farmer,  died  in  Huntingdon  county.  4.  Annie, 
married  Abram  Swope.  5.  Rosa  Belle,  married  Joseph  Pheasant,  whom 
she  survives,  a  resident  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  6.  Elizabeth,  married 
John  Bookheimer,  and  resides  in  Tyrone,  Pennsylvania.  7.  David, 
killed  in  a  railroad  accident.  8.  James,  a  physician,  died  in  Tyrone, 
Pennsylvania.  9.  Miles,  now  living  in  Huntingdon  county.  10.  Abra- 
ham, killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  11.  Isaac,  now  living  in 
Manhattan,  Kansas.  12.  Mary,  died  in  Kansas;  married  William  Chil- 
coot.     13.  Leonard,  now  a  farmer  on  the  old  homestead. 

(IV)  Samuel  Pheasant,  eldest  son  of  Levi  and  Mary  (Pheasant) 
Smith,  was  born  in  Union  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  3,  1832.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  finishing  his  studies 
at  Cassville  Seminary.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  and 
there  became  proficient  in  the  occupation  he  ever  followed — farming. 
After  his  marriage  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Union  township,  where  he  built  a  fine  home  and  otherwise  im- 
proved. In  1859  he  sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  Huntingdon,  to  fill 
the  office  of  county  commissioner,  to  which  he  had  been  elected.  After 
his  term  expired  he  returned  to  the  farm  in  Smith  Valley,  where  he 
resided  until  1895,  when  he  sold  and  purchased  another  of  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  in  Brady  township,  where  he  conducted  farming 
and  stock  raising  operations  until  1907,  when  he  disposed  of  his  farm 
property  and  moved  to  Huntingdon,  where  he  now  lives  a  retired  life. 
He  is  a  member  of  Mount  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  300,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  of  the  Patriotic  Order  of  Sons  of  America.  He  is  a  man 
of  high  standing  in  the  community;  was  justice  of  the  peace  in  both 
Union  and  Brady  townships,  in  the  latter  serving  in  all  township  offices, 
and  in  1881  was  chosen  county  commissioner  on  the  Republican  ticket. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  in  his  younger 
days  took  an  active  part  in  church  affairs. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  867 

He  married,  November  15,  1853,  Catherine  W.,  daughter  of  David 
and  Isabella  (Wright)  Swope,  of  German  descent.  Children:  i.  Ralph 
P.,  born  in  Union  township,  Huntingdon  county,  September  7,  1854; 
a  teacher  in  his  youth;  now  a  farmer  of  Cass  township,  where  he  has 
resided  since  1872;  married,  September  10,  1872,  Amanda  Fisher,  and 
has  issue:  Elmer,  Lottie,  Clem,  Beulah,  Denver  and  Carrie.  2.  Isa- 
bella, married  Madison  Swope ;  children :  A.  Dennis  and  ^lay.  3. 
Jane,  married  James  Kidder,  and  resides  in  North  Dakota;  no  issue. 
4.  Josephine,  married  Milton  JMierly,  a  farmer,  and  resides  in  Porter 
township,  Huntingdon  county;  children:  Mamie,  Maud,  Lillian,  Oscar 
and  John.  5.  Harrison  S.  (Harry),  of  whom  further.  6.  Catherine, 
married  Andrew  Neff,  and  lives  at  Alexandria,  Pennsylvania;  by  a 
previous  marriage  she  has  a  son,  Fred  M.  Laird.  7.  Samuel,  a  farmer 
of  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley;  married  Currie  Bumgardner; 
children:  Lloyd,  Clair,  Sam,  Anna.  Edith.  Margaret,  Alma.  8. 
Julia,  married  Charles  Streightifif,  and  resides  in  Huntingdon ;  no 
issue.  9.  Edgar,  a  farmer  of  Alexandria,  Pennsylvania ;  married 
Rebecca  Huly;  children:  Mary  A.,  Cora,  Edna  and  Samuel.  At 
this  writing  (1913)  Samuel  P.  Smith  and  his  wife  have  fourteen  grand- 
children. 

(V)  Harrison  S.  (familiarly  known  as  Harry),  son  of  Samuel  P. 
and  Catherine  W.  (Swope)  Smith,  was  born  in  Union  township,  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  Pennsylvania,  October  3,  1862.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  and  remained  at  home  as  his  father's  assistant  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  then  for  several  years  in  the 
employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  continuing  until  1897, 
when  he  was  appointed  guard  at  the  Huntingdon  State  Industrial  Re- 
formatory. In  1909  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Huntingdon  county,  an 
office  he  filled  with  credit  and  yet  holds.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Patri- 
otic Order  of  Sons  of  America  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  of  Huntingdon;  is  a  Republican;  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

He  married.  May  i,  1884,  May  L.,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
(Helsell)  Snowden,  both  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania:  chil- 
dren: Grace,  born  January  5.  1886,  married  Ray  Goddard,  a  mechani- 
cal draughtsman,  and  resides  in  Alton,  lUino.is;  Ethel,  Isabel  and 
Robert,  at  home. 


868  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  Garretts,  of  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  descend 
GARRETT     from  German  ancestry,  the  emigrant,   Jacob   Garrett, 

coming  at  an  early  day,  and  settling  in  what  is  now 
York  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  farmer,  married  and  left  issue, 
including  a  son  Jacob. 

(II)  Jacob  (2),  son  of  the  emigrant,  Jacob  (i)  Garrett,  was  born 
in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  there  lived  and  died.  He  was  a  farmer 
of  York  county,  but  lived  in  the  Juniata  Valley  for  some  time.  He 
married  and  had  issue,  including  a  son  John  W. 

(III)  John  W.,  son  of  Jacob  (2)  Garrett,  was  born  about  1812, 
learned  the  millwright's  trade,  and  when  a  young  man  located  in  the 
state  of  Ohio.  While  dressing  a  mill-stone  in  a  mill  at  Cincinnati,  his 
home,  he  was  crushed  to  death.  John  W.  Garrett  married  Mary 
Shuhz,  born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  181 5,  died  1892, 
daughter  of  John  Shultz,  a  pioneer  of  the  Juniata  Valley,  who  had  the 
following  children:  Christina,  died  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  her  ninety-seventh  year;  Elizabeth,  died  in  Lewistown,  Penn- 
sylvania, aged  eighty-five  years;  Mina,  died  aged  eighty-eight;  Mary, 
married  John  W.  Garrett  and  died  aged  seventy-seven  years;  Hannah, 
died  aged  seventy-eight  years;  George,  died  in  his  ninety-ninth  year. 
The  average  age  of  the  six  children  was  eighty-six  years.  John  W. 
Garrett,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  left  an  infant  son,  John  S.,  of  whom 
further. 

(IV)  John  S.,  only  child  of  John  W.  and  Mary  (Shultz)  Garrett, 
was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  April  26,  1843,  0"'y  ^  ^^^  months  prior 
to  the  accidental  death  of  his  father.  His  mother  returned  with  her 
babe  to  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  lived  with  her  father,  John 
Shultz,  until  her  marriage  to  Henry  Kemerling,  who  died  in  1865,  leav- 
ing a  daughter  Margaret,  now  the  widow  of  Henry  S.  Jacobs,  of  Perry. 
John  S.  Garrett  attended  the  public  schools  in  his  early  boyhood,  but 
at  the  age  of  seven  years  drove  a  team  on  the  tow  path  of  the  canal 
and  continued  a  canal  boatman  until  the  war,  working  summers  and 
attending  school  in  the  winter  months.  In  1861  he  joined  the  second 
company  of  Logan  Guards,  later  enlisting  in  Company  A,  46th  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania  Infantry.  He  served  with  credit  until  September, 
1864,  then  was  honorably  discharged  at  Atlanta,  Georgia,  returning  to 
his  home  in  Lewistown  at  once.     He  was  in  railroad  employ  a  short 


d;(U^^.r>-^:fr 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  869 

time,  then  reenlisted  at  Philadelphia,  March  6,  1865,  in  Company  E, 
Third  United  States  Volunteers,  for  one  year,  discharged  March  6, 
1866,  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  He  served  during  his  military  service 
with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  was  with  Sherman  in  the  west,  and 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Nashville,  Chattanooga,  Marietta,  Reseca, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  siege  of  Atlanta,  and  was  within  seven  miles  of 
Washington  the  night  of  President  Lincoln's  assassination,  his  regiment 
acting  as  guard  over  prisoners.  After  his  final  discharge  Mr.  Garrett 
returned  to  Lewistown  and  for  two  years  again  worked  on  the  canal. 
He  was  then  elected  head  constable  of  the  township  and  appointed  chief 
of  police  of  Lewistown,  serving  six  years.  He  was  then  in  the  employ 
of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  for  two  years.  In  1881  he  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Mifilin  county,  serving  three  years,  returning  to  the  railroad 
in  1885.  Since  that  year  he  was  continuously  in  the  employ  of  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad,  up  to  1913,  when  he  was  retired,  his  last  capac- 
ity being  joint  yardmaster  at  Lewistown  Junction.  He  resides  in  Lew- 
istown, where  he  erected,  in  1884,  a  good  home  at  the  corner  of  Wayne 
and  Fifth  streets.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics;  a  member  of  Lewis- 
town  Lodge,  No.  97,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men,  Lodge  No.  67;  the  Brotherhood  of  Railroad  Train- 
men; Huling  Post,  No.  176,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  is  an 
attendant  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Garrett  was  for  eleven  years 
a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard,  connected  with  the 
Fifth  Regiment,  as  private,  sergeant,  lieutenant,  captain  and  lieutenant- 
colonel.  Mr.  Garrett  has  the  record  of  never  having  tasted  any  kind 
of  intoxicating  liquor  in  his  life. 

He  married,  December  25,  1867,  Mary  E.  Peters,  born  in  Mifflin 
county  in  1850,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Rachel  (Jones)  Peters.  Daniel 
Peters  died  in  1896,  aged  about  eighty  years;  his  wife  died  September  7, 
1872,  aged  forty-seven  years.  The  family,  after  their  father's  death, 
moved  to  Clyde,  Sandusky  county,  Ohio.  Daniel  and  Rachel  Peters 
had  thirteen  children,  four  now  living:  Frank,  Leonard.  Solomon  and 
Mary  E.  Children  of  John  S.  and  Mary  E.  (Peters)  Garrett:  i. 
William  H.,  born  November  12,  1868,  died  May  16,  1869.  2.  Oliver 
Perry,  born  March  13,  1870,  married  Lila  Owens,  and  has  children: 
Joseph  Shultz,  John  Howard,  Robert  Hughes,  Harry  Owens,  Oliver 
Perry   (2),  Richard  Paul  and  Enslow  Beale.     3.  Samuel  Henry,  born 


870  ,  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

August  31,  1872,  died  January  16,  1873.  4.  John  Lewis,  born  Decem- 
ber 4,  1873,  married  Harriet  E.  Briner,  and  has  children:  Charles 
Briner,  John  Shultz  and  Thomas  Hooker.  5.  Daisy  Grace,  born  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1876,  at  home.  6.  Elsie  Piatt,  born  July  18,  1879,  married 
Oliver  P.  Smith.  7.  James  Albert,  born  May  i,  1881,  married  Elva 
Crissman,  and  has  children:  Esther  C.  and  Catherine  Elizabeth.  8. 
Edward  Smith,  born  January  8,  1883,  died  February  13,  1884.  9. 
Anna  Webb,  born  August  15,  1884,  died  January  20,  1889.  10.  Rufus 
Elder,  born  November  16,  1886,  married  Bessie  Thornburg,  and  has: 
Mildred,  Elizabeth  and  Margaret  Robinson.  11.  Mary  Elizabeth,  born 
February  11,  1888,  married  Harry  C.  Stuck,  and  had  child,  John  Gar- 
rett. 12.  Catherine  Strang,  born  July  16,  1890,  married  Harold  Law- 
rence Wampole.  and  has  Elizabeth  Garrett.  13.  Robert  Jacobs,  born 
January  16.   1895,  died  May  7,   1898. 


One  of  the  first  of  Ireland's  sons  to  come  to  America 
MILLER     was  Matthew  Miller,  the  founder  of  the  Miller  family 

in  Pennsylvania.  Coming  from  Donegal  county,  Ire- 
land, soon  after  the  revolution,  he  settled  in  Juniata  county,  then  mov- 
ing to  Huntingdon  county  and  there  purchasing  a  large  farm  in  Miller 
township.  This  was  all  virgin  forest,  and  before  a  building  could  be 
raised,  the  mighty  work  of  reclaiming  the  land  from  Nature's  sway 
had  to  be  performed.  No  buzzing-toothed  wheel  could  be  used  here, 
no  power  could  be  utilized  but  that  in  the  strong  right  arm,  and  for 
weeks  the  only  sound  rising  above  the  low  rustling  murmur  of  the 
forest  was  the  steady  ring  of  axe  upon  wood.  Here  in  the  home  he 
had  made  for  himself  in  the  country  he  had  adopted  as  his  own  Mat- 
thew Miller  died  at  the  marvelous  age  of  one  hundred  and  ten  years. 
His  wife,  Mary  (Dunn)  Miller,  died  there,  also,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  ninety-five  years.  Both  had  been  lifelong  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  Children:  i.  Margaret,  born  in  Ireland,  died  in  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  Pennsylvania ;  married  Robert  Stewart.  2.  James,  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  died  in  Ohio.  3.  David,  died  in  Huntingdon  county. 
4.  Samuel,  of  whom  further.  5.  Thomas,  died  in  Huntingdon  county. 
6,  Jfihn.  a  Methodist  minister,  died  in  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

(II)    Samuel,  third   son  and   fourth  child  of   Matthew  and  Mary 
(Dunn)  Miller,  was  born  in  Huntingdon  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  in  1791, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  871 

died  there  1855.  He  inherited  a  large  portion  of  the  old  homestead 
and  spent  his  entire  life  thereon.  When  his  sons  attained  man's  estate 
he  turned  the  entire  care  of  the  farm  over  to  them  and  a  few  years 
later  retired.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  married,  October 
3,  1816,  Charlotte  GraiTfius,  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  January  31, 
1794,  died  April  11,  1877,  daughter  of  Nicholas,  born  1746,  died  1822, 
and  Elizabeth  Graffius,  born  1753,  died  1845,  natives  of  Germany,  who 
emigrated  about  1800  and  settled  in  Huntingdon  county.  Children  of 
Samuel  and  Charlotte  (Graffius)  IMiller:  i.  Graffius,  a  merchant,  sher- 
iff, and  assistant  judge  of  courts  of  Huntingdon  county;  born  July  14, 
1817,  died  in  Huntingdon,  1885.  2.  Matthew,  a  physician  of  McAl- 
veys  Fort:  born  March  4,  1819,  died  December  6,  1884.  3.  James, 
born  May  4,  1821,  died  November  19,  1894.  4.  Jacob  C,  a  farmer; 
born  June  10,  1823,  died  June  9,  1898.  5.  John  S.,  a  hotel  proprietor 
of  Huntingdon ;  born  October  6,  1825.  6.  Abraham,  a  farmer  of  Hunt- 
ingdon county;  born  February,  1828,  died  September  2,  1895.  7-  Ben- 
jamin F.,  a  physican;  born  April  16,  1830,  died  in  Fairmont,  West  Vir- 
ginia, January  29,  1855.  8.  Samuel,  born  July  3,  1833,  died  March  15, 
1861.     9.  David  P.,  of  whom  further. 

(Ill)  David  P.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Charlotte  (Graffius)  Miller, 
was  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  6,  1836.  Hav- 
ing received  a  thorough  preliminary  education,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
six  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  his  brother  Mat- 
thew, later  entering  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  whence 
he  was  graduated  in  1864.  Recognizing  the  great  need  of  surgeons  in 
the  military  service  of  that  time,  he  at  once  enlisted  and  was  stationed 
as  assistant  surgeon  in  a  hospital  at  Washington,  D.  C.  During  the 
winter  of  1864-65  he  was  on  duty  on  a  hospital  steamer,  and  was  re- 
tained until  the  last  patient  had  been  removed  from  Dupotfield  Hospital 
at  City  Point,  when  he  entered  Columbia  College  Hospital  at  Washing- 
ton, remaining  there  until  July,  1865.  Returning  to  Huntingdon  he 
began  practice  there,  continuing  until  19 10,  when  he  retired,  having 
completed  nearly  half  a  century  of  continuous  and  active  practice.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  County,  State  and  American  Medical  associations, 
and  fraternally  is  connected  with  the  Mount  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  300, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  Standing  Stone  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Masons.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 


872  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

He  married,  September  20,  1880,  Alice  C.  Anderson,  died  July, 
1897,  daughter  of  John  P.  and  Margaret  Anderson,  natives  of  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  Pennsylvania.  Child  of  David  P.  and  Alice  C.  (An- 
derson) Miller:  Charlotta,  educated  at  Oilman  school  for  girls,  Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts. 


The  Watts    family,   of    Belleville,    Pennsylvania,   descend 
WATTS     from  the  English  family  of  that  name  that  has  produced 

so  many  men  famous  in  art.  science  and  religion,  includ- 
ing Rev.  Isaac  Watts,  an  English  independent  minister  and  hymn 
writer,  born  July  17,  1674;  Alaric  Alexander  Watts,  a  journalist  and 
poet;  George  Frederick  Watts,  a  painter  and  sculptor;  Henry  Watts,  a 
noted  chemist,  and  others.  In  the  United  States  a  well-known  public 
character  was  Thomas  Hill  Watts,  born  18 19,  died  1892,  a  lawyer  and 
statesman  of  Alabama.  He  exerted  himself  continually  to  keep  his 
state  from  seceding,  but  later  joined  with  the  Confederacy  and  served 
as  colonel  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment,  Alabama  Infantry,  but  in  1862 
was  chosen  as  attorney-general  in  the  cabinet  of  Jefferson  Davis.  In 
1863  he  was  elected  governor  of  Alabama,  serving  until  the  close  of 
the  war. 

The  history  of  this  branch  begins  with  Samuel  Watts,  born  in  Eng- 
land prior  to  the  year  1700,  settling  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  He  married  and  reared 
a  family,  including  a  son  Thomas. 

(II)  Thomas,  son  of  Samuel  Watts,  was  born  in  England,  came  to 
Pennsylvania  with  his  father,  and  became  a  farmer  of  Caernarvon 
township,  Lancaster  county.  He  married  Maria  Snyder,  of  Swiss 
parentage,  and  both  died  in  Lancaster  county.  Children;  i.  George, 
married  and  moved  to  Holmes  county.  Ohio,  where  he  has  descendants. 
2.  Philip,  twice  married,  moved  to  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  and  left 
two  children :  Franklin,  who  became  a  priest  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  Sarah,  who  became  a  Sister  of  Charity,  going  to  an  institute 
in  Paris.  3.  Samuel,  of  whom  further.  4.  Catherine,  married  (first) 
a  Mr.  Lapp,  (second)  a  Mr.  Silknitter. 

(III)  Samuel  (2),  son  of  Thomas  and  Maria  (Snyder)  Watts,  was 
born  in  Fairville,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  22,  1822.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  school  and  remained  at  home  as  his  father's 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  873 

assistant  until  1840,  when  he  came  to  Belleville  to  become  a  clerk  in  the 
store  of  his  uncle,  Daniel  Overholtzer.     He  continued  his  studies  under 
private  tuition,  at  the  same  time,  but  later  returned  to  his  father's  home, 
where  he  found  means  to  acquire  a  thorough  education,  attending  the 
academy  at  New  London  Cross  Roads,  Chester  county.     There  he  had 
as  classmates  two  men   later   famous   in   Lancaster  county.   J.   Smith 
Frithy  and  Robert  Emmet  Monaghan.     Again  he  returned  home  and 
studied  under  private  tutors  at  New  Holland.     He  next  established  a 
private  school  near  his  home,  where  he  taught  for  several  years.     In 
1844  he  began  his  long  and  successful  career  as  merchant  and  financier. 
He  first  opened  a  store  at  Galtsville,  Lancaster  county ;  later  established 
in  the  flour  and  feed  business  at  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county.     In  1850 
he  exchanged  his  Pottsville  store  for  that  of  his  uncle,  Daniel  Over- 
holtzer, in  Belleville,  Alifilintown,  taking  possession  in  1851.     Although 
starting  with  little  capital,  he  so  used  his  powers  of  youth,  perseverance, 
economy  and  business  acumen,  that  he  became  one  of  the  most  substan- 
tial and  useful  men  of  his  borough.     As  his  business  grew  he  enlarged 
and  expanded  in  many  ways.     He  was  one  of  the  principal  organizers 
of  the  Kishacoquillas  Valley  Railroad  Company,  and  aided  largely  in 
the  construction  of  that  road  in  1892,  and  was  its  first  president.     He 
was  also  one  of  the  organizers  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Kishacoquil- 
las Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company:  charter  member  of  the  East  Kisha- 
coquillas Turnpike  Company ;  a  director  and  for  several  years  its  presi- 
dent.    He  was  one  of  the  leading  incorporators  of  the  Reedsville  Na- 
tional Bank;  its  first  president,  serving  until  his  death.     He  was  also  an 
organizer  and  president  of  the  Farmer's  National  Bank  of  Belleville  and 
of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank  of  Lewistown,  filling  these  responsible 
positions  with  honor  and  credit  until  his  death.     He  aided  in  the  im- 
provement of  Belleville,  by  the  erection  of  several  modern  residences, 
and  also  made  large  investments  in  farm  lands  in  Iowa,  South  Dakota 
and  Illinois,  placing  these  in  charge  of  his  son,  Samuel  Henry  Watts. 
He  abandoned  mercantile  life  in  1895,  then  devoted  himself  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  banking  institutions  over  which  he  presided.     Both  he 
and  his  wife  were  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  generous  contributors  to  all  churches,  regardless  of  creed.     He  was 
very  liberal  in  his  own  church  and  a  willing  worker.     He  built  the 
present  Methodist  Church  at  Belleville,  and  presented  it  to  the  congre- 


8/4  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

gation,  and  there  with  them  worshiped  and  labored  for  the  cause  of 
rehgion  until  his  death.  In  politics  he  was  an  ardent  Republican,  deeply 
interested  in  public  affairs,  but  never  sought  or  accepted  ofBce  for  him- 
self. While  Mr.  Watts'  life  was  an  eminently  successful  one,  he  did 
not  gain  prominence  by  favor.  He  faced  many  discouragements  and 
dii^culties  that  would  have  defeated  a  less  resolute,  determined  man, 
and  fairly  won  the  high  standing  he  attained.  When  wealth  was  gained 
he  used  it  justly,  and  there  was  never  a  man  to  say  it  was  not  fairly 
won.  He  aided  in  every  public  enterprise  presented  to  him  and  much 
of  the  prosperity  of  his  section  of  Mifflin  county  can  be  traced  to  his 
initiative  or  cooperation.  Samuel  Watts  married,  February,  1852,  Ma- 
ria, daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Kurtz)  Overholtzer,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Jacob  Overholtzer,  of  Lancaster  county.  Children:  i. 
Elizabeth,  died  October  4,  1854,  aged  four  months.  2.  Martin  O.,  de- 
ceased. 3.  Samuel  Henry,  now  living  in  Iowa.  4.  James  Kurtz,  a 
farmer  of  Belleville,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Mary  Elizabeth,  married  Wil- 
liam H.  Oldt,  whom  she  survives.  6.  Levi  Metzler,  a  traveling  sales- 
man of  Belleville,  married,  October  28,  1896,  Sue  Stroup,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Sue  (Stroup)  Killian.  7.  John,  of  whom  further.  8.  Isaac 
Sturk,  educated  in  the  public  schools,  now  member  of  the  firm  of  Watts 
Brothers  and  interested  in  other  Belleville  business  concerns. 

(IV)  John,  son  of  Samuel  and  Maria  (Overholtzer)  Watts,  was 
born  in  Belleville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  12,  1866, 
now  member  of  the  firm  of  Watts  Brothers,  of  Belleville.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  school  and  began  business  life  as  clerk  in  his  father's 
store.  In  1895,  in  company  with  his  brother  Isaac,  under  the  firm 
name  Watts  Brothers,  he  succeeded  to  the  mercantile  business  founded  by 
Daniel  Overholtzer  and  conducted  by  Samuel  Watts  since  185 1  in  Belle- 
ville. The  business,  general  merchandise,  under  their  management  has 
prospered  and  increased,  both  partners  being  able,  energetic  men  of 
affairs.  John  W'atts  is  also  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank 
of  Belleville,  and  interested  in  other  lines  of  business  activity,  including 
the  senior  membership  of  the  firm  Watts  &  Yoder.  extensive  grain 
dealers  and  millers  of  Belleville.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  has 
never  accepted  public  office;  belongs  to  Belleville  Lodge,  No.  302,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  a  communicant  of  Belleville 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.    Mr.  Watts  is  unmarried. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 


^/o 


The   Vuille    family,    of   Huntingdon,    descends    from    a 
VUILLE     French  Huguenot  ancestor  who  fled  to  Switzerland  when 

religious  liberty  was  denied  him  in  France  by  the  revoca- 
tion of  the  Edict  of  Nantes.  This  record  dates  to  Onesime  Vuille,  a 
descendant  of  the  French  Huguenot  emigrant.  Onesime  Vuille  was  a 
watchmaker,  and  had  a  shop  at  Locle,  in  that  part  known  as  French 
Switzerland.  He  was  active  in  military  affairs  and  was  a  leader  in  the 
demonstration  against  Napoleon  when  he  attempted  to  invade  Switzer- 
land. For  his  courage  and  determined  stand  he  was  presented  with  a 
medal  by  his  grateful  countrymen.  He  married  Louise  Emma  Rosalie 
Perrnoud:  children:  Paul  Emile,  of  further  mention;  Marie,  married 
James  Geneell,  and  resides  at  Lausanne,  Switzerland;  Elise,  married 
Herman  Vuille.  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  New  York  City 
and  had  children  now  living  on  Staten  Island,  New  York. 

(II)  Paul  Emile,  son  of  Onesime  Vuille,  was  born  in  Locle,  Switzer- 
land, was  there  educated,  grew  to  manhood,  and  married.  In  1881  he 
came  to  the  United  States,  settling  first  in  New  York  City.  He  later 
resided  in  Watertown  and  Fond  Du  Lac,  Wisconsin,  finally  settling  in 
Greentown,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died.  He  was  an  expert  watch- 
maker and  the  inventor  of  several  attachments  to  watches  that  gave  him 
a  high  standing  in  his  trade.  For  many  years  he  was  connected  with 
the  Waltham  Watch  Company,  and  ranked  as  one  of  the  masters  in  the 
delicate  art  he  practiced.  He  became  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  and  acted  with  the  Republican  party.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  French  Evangelical  church  (Presbyterian).  He  mar- 
ried (first)  in  Switzerland,  Elise  Girard,  born  in  that  country,  died  in 
the  United  States,  in  1883.  He  married  (second)  Lisa  Perrett,  who 
for  several  years  was  instructor  to  the  present  Czar  of  Russia  and  his 
brothers  and  sisters.  Children  by  first  wife:  i.  Emile,  now  residing 
in  Greentown,  Pike  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  old  Vuille  homestead 
farm;  he  is  a  prosperous  farmer,  prominent  in  political  life  and  in  edu- 
cational work.  2.  Amelia,  married  Paul  Heine,  cashier  of  the  banking 
firm  of  :\Iul]er.  Schall  &  Company,  No.  44  Wall  street.  New  York  City, 
a  large  and  prominent  German  banking  house ;  they  reside  at  Stapleton, 
Staten  Island,  New  York,  and  have  five  children.  3.  Emma,  married 
Albert  M.  Price,  and  resides  at  Bushkill  Falls,  Pike  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania.    4.  Charles  A.,  of  whom  further. 


8-6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(III)  Charles  A.,  youngest  son  of  Paul  Emile  and  Elise  (Girard) 
Vuille,  was  born  in  Locle,  Switzerland,  July  12,  1876.  He  was  brought 
to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  in  188 1,  and  obtained  a  good  Eng- 
lish education  in  the  schools  of  Hoboken,  New  Jersey,  and  New  York 
City.  He  then  took  a  course  at  the  College  of  Arts,  in  Berlin,  Germany, 
and  on  his  return  to  the  United  States  entered  the  Illinois  College  of 
Photography,  at  Effingham,  Illinois.  He  practiced  the  latter  art  at 
Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  from  1890  until  1898  with  success,  but  with 
the  coming  of  the  automobile  became  interested  in  that  business.  He 
first  was  a  dealer  in  steam-driven  cars,  but  with  the  development  of  the 
gas  engine  obtained  the  first  county  license  to  operate  a  gasoline-driven 
car  ever  issued  in  Pennsylvania.  He  obtained  an  agency  for  gasoline 
cars  and  entered  that  field,  in  which  he  was  a  pioneer,  as  he  had  been 
in  the  earlier  steam  car,  both  as  driver  and  dealer.  His  first  garage  was 
a  small  building  in  the  rear  of  No.  819  Washington  street,  where  he 
remained  ten  years,  selling  in  the  first  years  two  or  three  cars  annually. 
Sales  then  rapidly  increased  until  by  1908  he  was  selling  one  hundred 
cars  annually.  In  1908  he  erected  a  modern  garage  and  salesrooms, 
fifty  by  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  feet,  at  Nos.  609  and  611  Mifflin 
street,  where  he  is  now  located.  Since  1902  he  has  been  the  direct 
representative  of  the  Cadillac  car,  which  he  now  handles  exclusively, 
being  the  third  oldest  dealer  in  the  Cadillac  organization.  His  territory 
covers  the  counties  of  Huntingdon,  Blair.  Mifflin,  Center,  Snyder,  Juni- 
ata and  Fulton,  to  cover  which  requires  the  services  of  ten  men.  His 
garage  in  Huntingdon  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  equipped  of  any 
located  between  Harrisburg  and  Pittsburgh,  and  is  the  official  "blue 
book"  garage.  Mr.  Vuille  is  a  capable  business  man,  thoroughly  un- 
derstands the  automobile,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  b_y  all  who  know 
him.  Fie  is  a  member  of  Brevard  Lodge,  No.  113,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons ;  India  River  Chapter,  No.  27,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  the  Knights 
of  Pythias;  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  the  Patriotic  Order 
of  Sons  of  America,  and  Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith;  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  never  accepted  public  office,  but 
is  interested  in  puljlic  affairs  and  a  warm  friend  of  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion. Himself  a  highly  educated  man,  and  speaking  five  languages,  he 
realizes  the  benefits  of  education  to  a  business  man,  as  well  as  to  the 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  877 

professional  man.  A  pioneer  in  the  automobile  business  in  the  Juniata 
Valley,  he  led  where  others  are  now  eager  to  follow,  but,  with  a  firmly 
established  reputation  for  honorable  dealing,  he  now  reaps  the  reward 
of  his  enterprise,  far-sighted  vision,  and  belief  in  a  business  held  in  low 
esteem  when  he  first  ventured  into  it. 

During  the  Spanish-American  war,  in  1898,  Mr.  Vuille  enlisted  as 
a  member  of  Company  A,  Fifth  Illinois  Regiment,  and  served  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  reenlisted  in  Company  A,  Fifth  Regiment,  Penn- 
sylvania National  Guards,  and  was  commissary  sergeant. 

Mr.  Vuille  married,  June  5,  1901,  Juniata  E.  Eby,  born  in  Hunting- 
don county,  daughter  of  Samuel  Eby,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Baptist  church,  and  for  many  years  a  trustee  of  Juniata  College. 
Children:  Alice,  born  August  16,  1903;  Ruth,  April  16,  1905;  Samuel, 
August  12,  1907;  James,  March  16,  1909. 


The  founder  of  this  branch  of  the  Beers  family  in  Penn- 
BEERS     sylvania  was  Andrew  Beers,  a  native  of  Ireland,  where  his 

early  life  was  spent.  After  his  marriage  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  near  Concord,  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
there  engaged  in  farming.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  he  returned  to 
Ireland,  where  he  married  (second)  a  Miss  Anderson,  whom  he  brought 
back  to  Franklin  county  with  him.  He  had  issue  by  both  wives,  and 
founded  a  numerous  influential  family. 

(II)  Joseph  B.,  youngest  son  of  Andrew  Beers  and  his  second  wife, 
was  born  near  Concord,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  18 16,  died 
in  Marysville,  Perry  county,  December  2,  1889.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  that  neighborhood,  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home 
farm,  and  learned  the  art  of  tanning  leather.  After  his  marriage  he 
moved  to  Horse  Valley,  Toboyne  township.  Perry  county,  where  he 
purchased  a  tract  of  three  hundred  acres,  seventy-five  of  which  was 
cleared.  He  remained  on  his  farm  until  1863,  cleared  the  balance  of 
his  acres,  erected  new  buildings,  and  prospered.  In  1863  he  moved  to 
New  Bloomfield,  Perry  county,  where  for  one  year  he  was  engaged  as 
a  tanner  with  S.  A.  Peale.  In  1864  he  moved  to  McVeytown,  Mifflin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  for  about  three  years  he  engaged  in  tlie 
tanning  business  with  Samuel  Myers.  Fie  then  became  owner  of  some 
excellent  medical  formulas,  and  for  eighteen  years  was  successfully  en- 


878  ,  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

gaged  in  the  manufacture  of  "patent  medicines."  His  best-known  prep- 
aration was  "Beers'  Famous  American  Liniment,"  widely  known  in  the 
Juniata  and  Susquehanna  valleys  as  a  sovereign  remedy  for  colds,  head- 
aches, etc.  Later  in  life  he  retired  and  spent  his  declining  years  with 
his  son,  John  W.  Beers,  in  Marysville,  Pennsylvania.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics  he 
was  an  ardent  Republican,  but  never  accepted  public  office. 

j\Ir.  Beers  married,  in  Perry  county,  Anna  Kelley,  born  in  Franklin 
county',  July  23,  1817,  died  at  the  residence  of  her  son  in  Marysville, 
March  i,  1895,  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Kelley.  John  Kelley 
was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Jersey,  one  of  the  group  of  islands  lying  in  the 
English  channel  off  the  northwest  coast  of  France.  He  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  Horse  Valley,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  became  a  landowning  farmer.  He  was  a  strict  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  every  Sunday  walked  the  five  miles  from 
his  home  to  the  nearest  church  of  his  faith.  His  wife,  a  Miss  Scyoc, 
bore  him  eight  children,  all  now  deceased.  Children  of  Joseph  W.  and 
Anna  Beers:  i.  Andrew  Jackson,  born  October  19,  1846,  now  residing 
near  McVeytown,  Mifflin  county,  a  farmer.  2.  John  Wesley,  of  whom 
further.  3.  Margaret  E.,  born  March  26,  185 1,  died  August  29  fol- 
lowing. 4.  Joseph  Alexander,  born  March  i,  1853;  a  tool  sharpener 
with  the  Pressed  Steel  Car  Company,  now  residing  at  McKees  Rocks, 
Pennsylvania.  5.  Sarah  E.,  born  September  13,  1855,  died  September 
18,  1856.  6.  Cambridge  Graham,  born  November  2,  1857,  now  residing 
in  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania ;  a  railroad  engineer. 

(Ill)  John  Wesley,  second  son  of  Joseph  B.  and  Anna  (Kelley) 
Beers,  was  born  in  Horse  Valley,  Toboyne  township.  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1848.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  township,  and  Bloomfield  Academy.  About  1864  he  be- 
gan business  life  as  a  newsboy  on  the  trains,  then  became  interested  in 
telegraphy,  but,  after  learning  that  art  and  working  for  the  Pennsyl- 
vania railroad  for  a  time,  abandoned  it  for  a  clerkship  in  a  general  store 
at  Mattawana,  Mifflin  county.  In  1869  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad  at  Altoona,  first  as  a  laborer,  but  soon  becoming 
foreman  in  the  maintenance  of  way  department.  On  July  5,  1870,  he 
was  transferred  to  Marysville  as  foreman  of  the  quarry  owned  by  the 
company.     In  1872  he  was  sent  to  Bedford,  Pennsylvania,  as  foreman, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  879 

but  soon  afterward  was  made  conductor  of  a  construction  train.  On 
March  i,  1873,  he  was  returned  to  [Marysville  as  foreman  of  subdivision 
No.  4,  a  position  he  fiUed  until  his  resignation,  January  i,  18S1.  In 
November,  1880,  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Perry  county  for  a  term  of 
three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Bell  Telephone  Company,  at  jMarysville,  being  connected 
with  their  suit  for  patent  rights  for  three  years.  In  1887  he  engaged 
in  the  flour,  feed  and  grain  business  in  Marysville,  as  senior  membep 
of  the  firm  of  Beers  &  Heisley.  In  1891  he  sold  his  interest  in  that 
business,  and  until  1903  was  successfully  engaged  in  lumbering  opera- 
tions in  Perry  and  Dauphin  counties.  He  did  a  large  business,  the 
timber  from  his  mills  being  largely  disposed  of  to  railroad  companies. 
In  1897  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  jMarysville,  and  has  served  un- 
der successive  appointments  until  the  present  time,  his  present  term 
expiring  March  4,  19 16.  During  this  period  the  office  has  advanced 
from  fourth  to  third  class,  and  is  headquarters  for  several  rural  de- 
livery routes. 

In  July,  1895,  ^I'"-  Beers  was,  with  H.  M.  Horner,  one  of  the  in- 
corporators of  the  Marysville  Water  Company;  was  elected  its  first 
treasurer  and  still  holds  that  position.  In  1897  he  again  joined  with 
Mr.  Horner  in  the  organization  of  the  Marysville  Electric  Light,  Heat  & 
Power  Company,  was  elected  its  treasurer  and  still  serves  in  that  ca- 
pacity. Later  Mr.  Beers  purchased  Mr.  Horner's  interest  in  both 
companies.  In  1906  he  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Marysville;  was  chosen  first  vice-president,  and  now 
holds  that  office.  In  1908  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Eastern 
Perry  County  Telephone  Company,  and  since  1909  has  been  president 
of  that  prosperous,  growing  company. 

During  his  useful,  busy  life,  Mr.  Beers  has  not  only  been  the  suc- 
cessful business  man.  but  in  public  life,  in  fraternal  life,  and  in  the 
church  has  borne  well  his  part.  In  1877  he  made  his  entrance  into 
public  life  as  the  Republican  candidate  for  sheriff  of  Perry  county,  los- 
ing the  verdict  at  the  polls  by  only  nine  votes.  In  1880  he  was  again 
the  nominee  of  his  party  and  was  elected.  He  filled  the  office  well  and 
faithfully,  retiring  with  the  good  wishes  of  the  judges  and  court  officials 
with  whom  much  of  his  business  was  necessarily  transacted.  As  post- 
master for  sixteen  years  he  has  given  abundant  satisfaction,  both  to 


88o  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

the  patrons  of  the  office  and  to  the  department  at  Washington.  His 
public  service  also  includes  several  terms  as  school  director,  where  his 
interest  in  the  cause  of  education  has  been  of  value.  His  fraternal  or- 
ders are  :  Perry  Lodge,  No.  458,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Newport 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Beulah  Lodge,  No.  269,  Knights  of 
Pythias;  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Mr.  Beers  married,  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  September  16, 
1873,  Rebecca  E.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Martha  Kauffman.  Chil- 
dren: I.  Joseph  C,  born  November  27,  1874;  now  a  plumber  and  elec- 
trician of  Marysville;  he  married  (first)  Mattie  Rupley,  who  bore  him 
Leah  and  John  Wesley  (2)  ;  he  married  (second)  Jennie  Sellers,  and 
has  a  son  Ernest.  2.  Pearl,  born  December  4,  1876,  who  resides  with 
her  father,  the  widow  of  H.  C.  Hippie ;  children :  Victoria  and  Theo- 
dore, the  latter  deceased.  3.  Walter  B.,  born  October  14,  1879,  now 
living  in  Conneaut,  Ohio,  in  the  employ  of  the  Lake  Shore  &  Michigan 
Southern  Railroad  Company;  he  married  Virginia  Ellenberger,  and  has 
a  son.  4.  Albert  W.,  twin  of  Walter  B.,  also  resides  in  Conneaut,  in 
the  employ  of  the  Nickel  Plate  railroad ;  he  married  Edna  Groninger. 


Stephen  J.  Boyd,  of  Marysville,  Pennsylvania,  a  member 
BOYD  of  an  influential  and  prominent  family  of  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania, is  of  clean  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The  emigrant 
member  who  founded  the  family  in  America  was  born  in  county  Antrim, 
Ireland,  about  1690,  and  about  1730  sailed  with  his  family  to  the  New 
World,  landing  most  probably  in  New  York.  He  later  made  his  way 
into  Pennsylvania,  and  there  lived  and  died.  He  was  of  staunch  Pres- 
byterian stock,  and  it  was  perhaps  on  account  of  his  religious  predilec- 
tions that  he  left  his  native  land  to  try  his  fortunes  in  a  new  and  wild 
one.  Among  his  children  was  John,  of  whom  further  is  to  be  found 
below. 

(I)  John  Boyd,  son  of  the  Irish  emigrant,  was  born  in  county  An- 
trim, Ireland,  in  1721.  When  quite  a  lad  he  accompanied  his  parents 
and  the  rest  of  the  family  to  this  country,  and  with  them  located  in 
Drumore  township,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  lie  was  reared 
on  the  Boyd  farm,  which  had  been  reclaimed  from  the  wilderness,  and 
received  such  education  as  the  times  afforded.     Like  his   father,  John 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  88i 

Boyd  was  a  farmer,  taking  up  wild  land,  clearing  and  improving  it. 
He  married  a  daughter  of  a  neighbor,  after  which  he  moved  to  L'each 
Bottom  township,  York  county,  and  there  lived  and  died.  Among  his 
children  was  John  Jr.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  John  Boyd  Jr.,  son  of  John  Boyd,  was  born  in  Peach  Bottom 
township,  York  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm, 
and  remained  a  farmer  throughout  his  life.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the 
revolution,  being  a  member  of  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  of  volunteers 
to  join  the  Continental  army,  as  is  duly  listed  in  the  roster  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania companies.  He  was  a  man  of  importance  in  his  township  and 
county,  was  a  justice  of  peace  for  many  years,  and,  like  his  forbears, 
was  a  staunch  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  actively  supported 
it  throughout  his  life.  He  married  Nancy  Sample,  of  an  old  and  dis- 
tinguished family  of  York  county,  Pennsylvania.  Among  his  children 
was  John,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  John  Boyd,  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Sample)  Boyd, 
was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  an  extensive  land 
owner  and  a  progressive  farmer  of  York  county,  where  he  had  located 
on  reaching  his  majority.  He  was  much  interested  in  all  matters  per- 
taining to  education  and  religion,  and  assisted  by  all  means  in  his  power 
in  the  establishment  of  public  schools  in  his  township;  and  he  actively' 
supported  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  was  a  devout  and  con- 
sistent member.  During  the  earlier  years  of  his  life  he  voted  with  and 
worked  for  the  ^^'hig  party,  but  on  the  organization  of  the  Repul)lican 
party  he  became  one  of  its  most  ardent  advocates  and  voted  with  it  until 
his  death.  He  married  Martha  J.  Farmer,  the  daughter  of  a  neighbor. 
Children:  i.  Stephen,  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania;  a  Repulili- 
can  in  politics,  was  nominated  and  elected  to  the  state  legislature  on 
that  ticket,  where  he  served  his  county  faithfully  and  well;  was  also 
superintendent  of  York  county,  and  one  of  llie  chief  contractors  and 
builders  of  the  Southern  Pennsylvania  railroad.  2.  William,  an  attor- 
nev  and  civil  war  veteran;  died  in  1873.  3.  Nathaniel  W.,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 4.  John  C,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  a  retired  farmer  in  York 
county.  5.  George  \V.,  deceased,  a  physician.  6.  Jane,  widow  of  James 
Luney ;  lives  on  homestead. 

(IV)  Nathaniel  W.,  son  of  John  and  Martha  J.  (Farmer)  Boyd, 
was  born  June   23,    1843,    in   Peach   Bottom  township,   York  county, 


882  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Pennsylvania.     He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  township, 
after  which  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Peach  Bottom  township,  where  he 
farmed  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  old.     Seeking  other  outlets  for  his 
ambition,  he  founded  the  Delta  Herald,  in  Delta,  which  he  ably  con- 
ducted for  six  months  as  editor  and  proprietor,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  time  he  disposed  of  the  paper  and  all  his  interest  in  it  and  ac- 
cepted the  position  of  assistant  civil  engineer  on  the  force  which  sur- 
veyed what  is  now  known  as  the  Southern  Pennsylvania  railroad.     He 
next  entered  the  shops  of  the  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company,  of  Steelton, 
Pennsylvania,  to  learn  the  manufacture  of  railway  track  appliances,  and 
was  soon  promoted  to  the  position  of  foreman  of  that  department.     In 
1886  he  resigned  from  the  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company  and  accepted 
the  position  of  editor  of  the  Steelton  Advocate,  which  he  held  for  six 
months.     He  organized  the  Boyd  Switch  Stand  and  Signal  Company, 
for  the  manufacture  of  automatic  switch  stands  of  which  he  was  the 
inventor  and  patentee,  and  became  general  manager  of  the  company. 
He  disposed  of  this  advantageously   in    1889  and  moved  to   Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania,  and  became  superintendent  of  the  frog  and  switch  works 
of  the  Carlisle  Manufacturing  Company,  which  was  the  principal  com- 
petitor of  the  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company.     On  January  i,   1897,  he 
resigned  to  devote  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  his  personal  business 
enterprises,  which  included  the  making  and  putting  on  the  market  of 
twenty  patents  for  railway  frogs  and  switches.     Later  in  the  year  he 
accepted  the  superintendency  of  the  New   York  Switch  and  Crossing 
Works  at  Hoboken,   New  Jersey,  a  position  he  held  until  his  death, 
February  2,  1902.     He  was  a  Republican,  voting  with  and  working  for 
the  party.     Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  he  was  a  Heptasoph  and  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic.     On  August   17,   1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,   130th 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  sent  to  the  front. 
He  served  until  May  22,  1863,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Antietam,  Fred- 
ericksburg and  Chancellorsville.     He  married,  December  6,  1866,  Carrie 
M.  Boyd,  a  second  cousin,  born  August  4,  1843,  in  Drumore  township, 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  S.  W.  P.  and  Mary  (Mc- 
Conkey)    Boyd.      Mrs.    Boyd    died    January    29,    1891.     Children:     i. 
Stephen  J.,  of  whom  further.     2.  Blanche  I.,  died  aged  eleven.     3.  Wil- 
liam B.,  an  attorney  at  Steelton,  and  member  of  Dauphin  bar.     4.  Har- 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  883 

vey  H.,  employed  by  United  States  government;  resides  in  Washington, 
D.  C.     5.  Frank,  died  in  infancy. 

S.  W.  P.  Boyd,  father  of  Carrie  AI.  Boyd,  wife  of  Nathaniel  W. 
Boyd,  is  also  a  descendant  of  the  Scotch-Irish  emigrant  who  landed  on 
these  shores  in  1730.  He  was  a  man  of  influence  and  great  prominence 
in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  Republican,  and  was 
elected  on  that  ticket,  by  an  overwhelming  majority,  sheriff  of  Lan- 
caster. He  was  a  large  land  owner  and  had  a  number  of  farms  on 
which  he  raised  stock  for  the  market.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married  Mary  iNIcConkey,  of  an 
old  Pennsylvania  family.  Children:  i.  Jerry,  a  merchant  in  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania.  2.  Anna,  deceased;  married  George  Steineford.  3.  Ida, 
married  Kirk  White,  of  Lancaster  county.  4.  Slater,  clerk  of  court  of 
Philadelphia  county.  5.  John  O.,  deceased,  a  physician.  6.  Harry,  clerk 
in  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company,  Steelton,  Pennsylvania.  7.  Carrie  M., 
married  Nathaniel  W.  Boyd  (see  above).  8.  jNIary  Paulina,  married 
Charles  Powers,  of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania. 

(V)  Stephen  J.,  son  of  Nathaniel  W.  and  Carrie  'SI.  (Buyd)  Boyd, 
was  born  June  27,  1869,  in  Delta,  York  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  the  high  school  at  Steel- 
ton,  Pennsylvania.  Having  finished,  he  was  employed  in  his  father's 
frog  and  switch  enterprises  until  the  death  of  the  latter.  He  was  em- 
ployed by  the  switch  department  of  the  Pennsylvania  Steel  Company 
from  1899  until  June  22,  1912,  when  he  severed  his  connection  with  that 
company  and  moved  to  Marysville,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  purchased 
the  Railroad  Hotel,  of  which  he  has  since  been  proprietor.  He  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  best  hotel  men  in  that  part  of  the  state,  and  through 
his  unfailing  courtesy  and  geniality  always  has  the  nineteen  rooms  filled 
with  guests,  both  transient  and  permanent.  It  was  established  about 
forty  years  ago,  though  the  present  building  is  new  and  up-to-date  in 
every  respect.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  served  on  the  Steelton  borough 
council  for  a  time.  He  was  reared  a  Presbyterian,  but  is  not  a  member 
of  the  church.  He  is  a  Heptasoph.  a  charter  member  of  the  Steelton 
Club,  and  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

He  married,  May  28,  1891,  Pauline  K.  Dress,  born  in  Dauphin 
county.  Children:  Nathaniel  \V.,  a  graduate  of  the  Steeitf)n  High 
School;  Julia  D. 


884  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  earliest  ancestor  of  this  family  in  Pennsylvania  was 
KNOX     Exeter  Knox,  a  blacksmith,  who  with  his  family  resided  at 

Blairs  Mills,  in  Huntingdon  county;  by  his  wife  Elizabeth 
he  had  live  children,  three  sons,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity  and 
married;  and  two  daughters  who  remained  unmarried.  They  were: 
John,  of  further  mention;  James,  married  Elizabeth  Smith;  Robert, 
married  Mary  Ann  Sherer;  Sallie  and  Ranie.  The  family  was  of  Scotch 
descent. 

(II )  John,  son  of  Exeter  and  Elizabeth  Knox,  was  the  eldest  child 
of  the  family,  and  was  born  at  Blairs  Mills,  Huntingdon  county,  where 
his  parents  resided  for  many  years.  He  grew  to  maturity  and  became  a 
blacksmith,  like  his  father,  passing  all  of  his  life  on  the  place,  and 
eventually  dying  there.  He  married  Jean  Briggs,  also  a  resident  of  the 
county,  and  like  himself  a  descendant  of  Scottish  forefathers.  They 
had  a  family  of  fifteen  children,  two  of  whom  died  young;  the  remain- 
ing thirteen  were :  James,  married  Cassius  Zimmerman ;  Ellen,  married 
Sol  Pertney;  Elizabeth,  married  George  Hutchen;  Sarah,  unmarried; 
John,  of  further  mention;  Nannie,  married  Jacob  Keller;  Mariah,  mar- 
ried John  Phillips;  Margaret,  married  George  Amy;  Robert,  married 
Nannie  Ray;  Julia,  married  John  Stall;  Henry,  married  Maggie  Hut- 
chen; Alexander,  married  Sukie  Wake;  Pamelia. 

(III)  John,  son  of  John  and  Jean  (Briggs)  Knox,  was  born  at 
Blairs  Mills,  and  died  October  4,  1907,  at  Lewistown,  Mifflin  county. 
He  commenced  life  as  a  blacksmith,  learning  the  trade  with  his  father 
and  working  with  him.  Later  on,  however,  he  gave  up  this  calling  and 
became  a  laborer,  removing  to  Lewistown  about  1890  or  1891.  He 
served  about  three  years  in  the  civil  war,  and  was  in  politics  a  Democrat. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  was  also  his 
wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Mary  J.  Kennedy;  she  was  born  also  in  Juniata 
county,  near  Blairs  Mills,  and  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Ruth 
(Kerald)  Kennedy,  of  that  county,  of  which  they  were  natives  and 
where  they  lived  and  died.  Mr.  Kennedy  was  a  millwright,  he  and  his 
wife  having  eight  children:  David,  married  Malie  Griffin;  John,  mar- 
ried Lizzie  Snipe;  William,  married  Lizzie  Smith;  Smith,  married  Mary 
Yocum:  Mary  J.,  married  John  Knox;  Margaret,  married  Samuel  Elem; 
Sarah,  married  Sullivan  Rambler;  James,  killed  during  the  civil  war. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knox  had  the  following  children :    Jennie,  married  John 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  885 

Commer,  a  railroad  conductor  of  Altoona,  Pennsylvania ;  Lucy,  married 
William  Rush,  a  carpenter  and  farmer  of  Granville,  formerly  of  Al- 
toona; George,  of  further  mention;  John,  married  iSlaggie  Roades,  of 
Altoona;  Robert,  became  minister  of  the  Methodist  church  in  Hunting- 
don county,  and  married  Nannie  Barrick;  Maud,  married  Charley 
Roundtray,  a  landlord  and  butcher  at  State  College;  Nanny,  married 
Harry  Price,  a  mechanic  at  Lewistown;  Adolphus,  a  heater  at  Altoona, 
married  Mollie  Steinbarger ;  Homer,  married  Pearl  Berlew,  and  became 
a  Methodist  minister  at  Lewistown ;  William,  an  iron  worker  at  Al- 
toona, married  Sadie  dinger. 

(IV)  George,  son  of  John  and  ]\Iary  J.  (Kennedy)  Knox,  was  born 
December  5,  1869,  at  ^IcVeytown,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He 
worked  on  the  farm  as  a  boy  and  young  man.  receiving  his  education 
meanwhile  in  the  district  schools.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  studies  he 
became  a  contractor  and  merchant,  engaging  also  in  lumbering  and  mill- 
ing; of  late  years  he  has  devoted  his  time  and  energies  chiefly  to  con- 
tracting and  building.  He  has  met  with  great  success  in  his  various 
business  ventures,  and  owns  a  great  deal  of  real  estate  and  other  prop- 
erty, having  a  number  of  farms  which  aggregate  in  all  al)out  five  or  six 
hundred  acres.  He  has  become  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  this  place, 
and  is  influential  in  the  Republican  party,  whose  principles  he  warmly 
advocates.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Gran- 
ville, as  is  also  his  wife. 

He  was  married.  May  27,  1891,  to  Miss  Eliza  Rittenhouse.  who  was 
born  March  22,  1871,  the  daughter  of  George  and  Susan  (Owens) 
Rittenhouse;  her  father  is  a  farmer  of  Granville  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Knox  have  had  the  following  children:  Florence,  born  July  11, 
1892,  died  January  4,  1896;  Charles,  born  November  29,  1893,  died 
in  infancy;  Bertha,  born  June  7,  1894;  Cartie,  March  4,  1897;  Anna, 
August  5,  1899;  John,  August  29,  1902;  Lorna,  June  2,  1904,  died  in 
August;  Mary,  October  5,  1906:  Ruth,  August  2.  1909.  died  in  infancy. 


This  branch  of  the  Snyder  family  traces  to  a  German 
SNYDER     ancestor,  who  on  coming  to  this  country  settled  in  Perry 
countv,    Pennsylvania.      He   there    engaged    in    farming 
until  his  death.     He  married  and  had  issue,  including  a  son  George. 

(II)   George  Snyder  was  born  in  Liverpool,  Perry  county.   Penn- 


886  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

sylvania,  and  died  there,  after  a  long  life  of  usefulness.  He  learned 
the  saddler's  trade,  also  the  art  of  tanning  leather.  He  built  a  tannery, 
operated  in  part  by  steam,  in  the  operation  of  which  he  was  assisted  by 
his  son,  Henry.  He  prospered  in  business  and  held  high  rank  in  his 
community.  He  married  Matilda  Spicer,  and  had  issue:  Henry  Clay, 
of  further  mention;  Simeon,  a  lawyer,  who  practiced  in  the  west; 
John,  a  captain  in  the  civil  war,  wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  now  de- 
ceased. 

(HI)  Henry  Clay,  son  of  George  and  Matilda  (Spicer)  Snyder,  was 
born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
school,  and  for  several  years  was  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
tannery,  and  later  conducted  the  same  business  for  himself.  He  de- 
veloped considerable  talent  as  a  musician  and  was  locally  famed  as  a 
teacher  as  well  as  a  performer.  He  enlisted  in  the  United  States  signal 
corps  during  the  civil  war,  rose  to  the  rank  of  captain,  and  served  until 
the  war  closed.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
and  his  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  U.  S.  Grant  Post,  of 
Chicago.  He  married  (first)  Emma  Huggins,  (second)  Laura  Jane, 
sister  of  his  first  wife;  they  were  daughters  of  John  Huggins,  of  Liver- 
pool, Pennsylvania,  who  also  had  sons :  Charles,  now  living  in  Chicago, 
and  Thomas,  who  settled  further  west.  His  third  daughter,  Kate,  mar- 
ried John  Dietrick,  a  blacksmith,  of  Liverpool,  and  a  civil  war  veteran. 
Laura  Jane  (Huggins)  Snyder  survived  her  husband  and  was  for  many 
years  postmistress  at  Liverpool.  Children  of  second  wife:  Charles  H., 
of  whom  further ;  George,  now  a  railroad  employee,  living  in  Philadel- 
phia.    By  his  first  wife  he  had  a  daughter  Annie,  who  died  young. 

(IV)  Charles  H.,  son  of  Henry  Clay  and  Laura  Jane  (Huggins) 
Snyder,  was  born  in  Liverpool,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  September 
i8,  1877.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  for  several  years 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  In  the  year  1900  he 
built  and  equipped  a  shirt  factory  at  Liverpool,  beginning  with  a  few 
machines  and  employees.  He  prospered  from  the  first  and  has  contin- 
ually added  to  his  equipment  and  force  of  workers  until  he  now  employs 
about  sixty-five  persons.  His  goods  are  well  established  in  the  market, 
the  demand  therefor  at  times  exceeding  the  supply.  His  plant  is  modern 
and  well  conducted,  Mr.  Snyder  giving  his  entire  time  and  energy  to  its 
operation  and  to  the  two  farms  he  owns  nearby.     He  is  a  member  of 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  887 

Lock  Haven  Lodge,  No.  199,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Corinthian 
Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  the  Commandery,  Knights  Templar ;  Lulu 
Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  (Philadelphia),  and  Lock  Haven 
Lodge,  No.  182,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  political 
faith  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  religion  is  a  Methodist. 

He  married,  June  12,  1902,  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  O.  D.  and  Frances 
Wingert — he  a  merchant  of  Millerstown,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Snyder  have  one  child,  Frances  Louise,  born  April  16,  1905. 

Robert  Bruce  Zimmerman,  of  Mifflintown,  Mif- 
ZIMMERMAN  flin  county,  Pennsylvania,  typifies  a  successful 
American  of  the  best  type.  Of  good  old  stock, 
that  has  been  planted  in  Pennsylvania  for  many  generations,  he  is  a  part 
of  the  state,  as  well  as  county  life.  The  original  immigrant  ancestor 
was  from  Germany,  but  the  family  records  do  not  give  his  name.  Like 
so  many  of  his  countrymen,  he  located  in  Pennsylvania,  lived  and  died 
there,  a  tiller  of  the  soil. 

(I)  Jacob  Zimmerman,  a  descendant  of  the  above  mentioned  immi- 
grant, was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  married 
Jane  Pratt  Irwin,  the  daughter  of  a  neighboring  farmer.  He  came 
with  his  family  to  Juniata  county  in  the  early  fifties,  and  was  a  post 
fence  maker  for  a  railroad  company,  and  later  moved  to  Perry  county, 
now  Newport,  about  1881,  where  he  died.  His  wife  died  in  Juniata 
county  in  1850.     Among  his  children  was  Nathan  H.,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Nathan  H.,  son  of  Jacob  and  Jane  Pratt  (Irwin)  Zimmerman, 
was  born  in  Perry  county  in  182 1.  He  was  educated  in  Perry  county 
and  came  to  Juniata  county  with  his  parents.  Leaving  school,  he  was 
apprenticed  to  a  tanner  and  learned  the  trade  thoroughly  with  Robert 
Moore,  following  that  occupation  until  within  a  few  years  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  March,  1886.  He  married  Caroline  Sample,  born 
in  Mifilin  county.  Pennsylvania,  in  1821,  near  Greenwood,  died  July  4, 
1892.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Children:  i.  Robert  Bruce,  of  whom  further.  2.  Thomas  Irwin,  of 
Altoona,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Rebecca  Jane,  married  William  E.  Brown, 
of  Milroy.  4.  Rachel  EHzabeth,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  5.  Lydia 
Ann,  married  Isaac  Frymoyer,  of  Ephrata.  Lancaster  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania.   6.  Sarah  Catherine,  married  John  Parker,  of  Montana. 


888  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

(III)  Robert  Bruce,  son  of  Nathan  H.  and  Caroline  (Sample) 
Zimmerman,  was  born  May  19,  1850,  at  Oakland,  Fayette  township, 
Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  township  and  in  a  private  seminary. 
He  farmed  many  years,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  twelve  acres 
which  he  brought  up  to  a  high  state  of  fertility  and  productiveness.  He 
is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  was  elected  on  that  ticket  in  1909  as 
sheriff  of  Juniata  county.  During  his  incumbency  of  the  office  he  has 
given  universal  satisfaction  to  his  constituency.  He  moved,  January  i, 
1910,  to  Mifflintown,  Juniata  county,  where  he  now  resides.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  married, 
January  23,  1878,  Ada  J.  Ranck,  born  in  Walker  township,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1859,  a  daughter  of  Phillip  and  Nancy  (Hawk) 
Ranck,  of  Juniata  county.  They  have  one  son,  Banks  A.,  who  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  on  leaving  took  up  the  occupation 
of  farming.  He  married  Katherine  Calhoun,  daughter  of  ex-Sherifif 
James  P.  Calhoun,  of  Juniata  county,  of  one  of  the  prominent  families 
of  that  section  of  the  state;  children:  Mildred,  James  D.,  Gladys,  Ira 
Brown,  Robert  Banks,  Paul,  and  Samuel  Franklin. 


The  Moses  family  is  very  widely  distributed  throughout 
MOSES     the  United  States,  there  scarcely  being  a  state  in  the  Union 

that  has  not  one  or  more  of  the  name  within  its  borders. 
It  has  also  furnished  a  number  of  bright  men  to  the  country,  among 
whom  may  be  mentioned  Governor  Moses,  of  South  Carolina,  who  made 
history  for  that  state  during  the  reconstruction  period  soon  after  the 
civil  war.  Also,  Bernard  Mosps,  an  educator,  writer  and  ripe  scholar, 
who  is  the  author,  among  other  works,  of  "The  Federal  Government  of 
Switzerland,"  which  is  generally  accepted  as  a  guide  book  by  political 
students. 

It  is  a  matter  of  actual  record  that  as  far  back  as  1647  there  were 
three  New  England  colonists  bearing  the  name  of  John  Moses:  one 
lived  at  Plymouth,  one  at  Portsmouth,  and  the  third  at  Windsor.  From 
these  three  came  the  numerous  families  of  the  same  name  in  this  coun- 
try. In  1660  John  Moses  was  a  juryman  in  Portsmouth,  and  Benoni 
Moses,  his  son.  was  a  soldier,  his  name  appearing  in  the  Lexington 
Alarm  list.     The  name  is  to  be  found  frequently  in  the  rosters  of  the 


,  '^,c..'>4-t'-v-7tA7/7'7-tA-ix2.- — 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUxXIATA   'v^ ALLEY  889 

companies  furnished  to  the  Continental  army  by  the  various  colonies, 
both  north  and  south.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  the  Moses  family 
in  Pennsylvania  descended  from  John  Moses,  of  Windsor,  as  he  is 
thought  to  have  come  to  America  from  Switzerland  by  way  of  England. 
A  descendant  of  his  settled  in  Philadelphia  in  1750,  and  later  located 
near  Landisburg,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania.  Here  he  warranted  a 
tract  of  land,  which  he  cleared  and  improved,  and  erected  a  house  for  his 
family.  He  was  also  an  iron  worker,  and  helped  cast  some  of  the 
cannon  that  were  used  so  effectively  against  the  British  during  the  revo- 
lutionary war.  He  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  highly  respected  for  his 
many  sterling  qualities  by  his  neighbors  and  friends.  Among  his  chil- 
dren was  Simeon,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Simeon,  son  of  John  Moses,  and  great-great-great-grandson  of 
John  Moses,  was  born  near  Landisburg,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania. 
It  is  supposed  that  he  was  afforded  the  best  facilities  for  obtaining  an 
education  to  be  had  in  that  day,  as  it  is  proverbial  that  the  Swiss  seek, 
even  under  the  most  adverse  circumstances,  to  give  their  children  educa- 
tions. He  is  known  to  have  been  a  farmer,  and  most  probably  pur- 
chased a  part  of  the  land  warranted  by  his  father.  He  married  Miss 
Heckendorn,  like  himself  of  Swiss  extraction,  and  they  were  both  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church.  Children:  i.  Joseph.  2.  Andrew.  3. 
Samuel  H..  of  whom  further.  4.  Daniel.  5.  A  son  who  moved  to 
Louisiana,  and  there  founded  the  Moses  family,  among  the  best  known 
in  the  state.  6.  Fannie,  married  Mr.  Roush.  7.  Julia,  married  William 
Isenberg.    8.  Mrs.  Miller. 

(III)  Samuel  H.,  son  of  Simeon  and  (Heckendorn)   Moses, 

was  born  near  Landisburg,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1830,  and 
died  February  17,  1906.  He  married  Mary  A.  Wade,  born  in  1832, 
died  Mav  13,  1908,  daughter  of and  Annie  (Foulk)  Wade;  the  for- 
mer died  when  Marv  A.  was  one  year  f)I(l  and  his  widow  married  a  ^Ir. 
Goss.  Mr.  Wade  was  a  shoemaker  in  Whcatfield  township.  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  died.  Children  by  first  marriage:  i.  Catherine 
Wade,  married  John  Depew,  a  shoemaker,  of  Duncannon.  2.  Mary  A., 
married  Samuel  H.  Moses.  Children  by  second  marriage:  i.  ^^'illiam 
Goss.  2.  Lawrence  Goss.  3.  Mrs.  Jo.seph  Fleming,  of  Altoona.  Penn- 
sylvania. 4.  Mrs.  John  Parson,  of  Duncannon.  5.  Mrs.  David  Rice, 
of  Duncannon.    6.  Mrs.  John  Phillips,  of  Wooster,  Ohio. 


890  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Mr.  Moses  was  educated  in  the  coimnun  country  schools.  As  a  youth 
he  learned  the  cabinetmaker's  trade,  and  on  reaching  man's  estate  he 
engaged  in  that  vocation,  making  many  of  the  handsomest  pieces  of 
furniture  found  in  the  homes  of  that  day  and  section.  With  cabinet- 
making  he  combined  undertaking,  and  by  the  dual  occupation  succeed- 
ed in  accumulating  a  nice  estate.  He  lived  and  died  at  Duncannon. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  working  for  the  party  at  every  election. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  he 
belonged  to  the  Lutheran  company,  was  a  generous  supporter  of  the 
church,  and  one  of  its  trustees.  Children:  i.  Name  unknown.  2.  El- 
mira,  married  A.  P.  Nickel,  of  New  Bloomfield.  3.  Carrie  E.,  married 
R.  M.  Coy,  ticket  agent  at  Lewistown  Junction.  4.  Charles  Grant,  of 
whom  further.  5.  Minnie,  married  Professor  J.  L.  Bucke,  living  in 
Duncannon.     Several  children  died  in  infancy. 

(IV)  Charles  Grant  Moses,  son  of  Samuel  H.  and  Mary  A.  (Wade) 
Moses,  was  born  August  22,  1868,  in  Duncannon,  Pennsylvania.  He 
attended  the  public  school  in  Duncannon,  and  later  entered  the  Eastman 
Business  College,  graduating  therefrom  in  1887.  He  at  once  became 
associated  with  his  father  in  his  business.  Since  the  death  of  his  father 
he  has  introduced  a  line  of  furniture,  and  has  one  of  the  handsomest 
estaljlishments  in  Duncannon.  In  j^olitics  he  follows  the  family  ten- 
dency, and  is  a  Repuljlican :  and  attends  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr. 
Moses  ranks  as  one  of  the  most  progressive  and  up-to-date  business  men 
of  his  native  town. 


The  KautTmans  of  the  Juniata  Valley  are  a  very 
KAUFFMAN  prominent  and  widely  distributed  family,  who  have 
intermarried  among  themselves  and  the  best  fami- 
lies of  the  surrounding  country  until  the  connection  is  one  of  the  widest 
in  this  portion  of  the  state.  They  are  probably  all  descended  from  the 
immigrant,  Michael  Kauffman,  who  with  his  family  came  from  the 
vicinity  of  Greenstad,  Hesse,  on  the  Upper  Rhine,  some  time  between 
the  years  1710  and  1719,  and  settled  in  this  region.  Michael  died  a  few 
years  after  his  arrival,  leaving  a  widow  who  survived  but  a  compara- 
tively short  time.  Two  children,  a  son  John  and  a  daughter  Elizabeth, 
remained,  whose  guardian  bought  of  William  Penn's  commissioner  a 
considerable  tract  of  land  in  the  locality  now  known  as  Landisville, 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  891 

Lancaster  county,  where  John  Kauffman  took  up  his  abode.  All  that 
is  known  of  Elizabeth  is  that  she  was  married  to  Christian  Stoneman, 
December  12,  1734.  John  Kauffman  had  three  sons:  Christian,  Michael 
and  John.  This  last  John  Kauft'man  lived  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Samuel  Nissley,  about  a  mile  from  Landisville,  where  he  died  March 
24,  1776.  His  widow  died  December  22,  i(So6.  They  had  nine  children 
who  reached  maturity  and  married:  Mary,  Anna,  Christian,  Barbara, 
John,  Michael,  Elizabeth,  David,  Isaac;  two,  Anna  and  Susanna,  died 
in  youth.  Michael,  the  third  son,  who  was  born  in  1767,  near  Landis- 
ville, became  a  physician  after  removing  to  Manheim,  where  he  was 
first  engaged  with  his  brother  John  in  the  hardware  business.  He  was 
a  man  of  considerable  prominence,  and  in  183 1  was  elected  to  the  house 
of  representatives,  being  re-elected  the  following  year;  he  died  in  1839, 
at  Manheim. 

(I)  Christian  Kauffman.  from  whom  the  branch  of  the  family  now 
under  consideration  was  descended,  was  a  farmer  and  land  owner,  l)cing 
an  early  settler  in  Walker  township. 

(II)  John,  son  of  Christian  Kauft'man,  was  born  in  Juniata  county. 
where  he  grew  to  maturity,  becoming  a  farmer  like  his  father.  He 
owned  over  a  hundred  acres  of  land  to  which  he  devoted  his  attention, 
and  passed  a  quiet  and  industrious  life,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member,  as  was  also  his  wife, 
of  the  Lutheran  church;  he  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  His 
wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Sarah  Cargill  before  her  marriage,  was  also  a 
native  of  Juniata  county,  dying  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years;  her 
husband  survived  her  but  never  married  again.  Children :  Harry,  died 
on  the  homestead;  Margaret,  widow  of  Watson  Crimmel,  a  soldier  of 
the  civil  war,  lives  in  Mifflin;  James,  of  further  mention;  Christian,  a 
farmer,  died  in  Walker  township;  Alton,  resides  at  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia, unmarried;  Frank,  lives  in  Illinois;  Clara,  married  Albert  Otto, 
and  lives  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana;  Joseph,  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia; Marv,  married  John  Dobbs,  and  died;  three  remaining  children 
died  in  infancy. 

(III)  James,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Cargill)  Kauffman,  was  born 
in  Walker  township,  December  14.  184S.  He  passed  his  earlier  years  in 
Walker,  and  upon  attaining  manhood  resided  for  a  while  at  Fermaugh ; 
he  however  returned  to  Walker  township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm 


892  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY 

of  thirty  acres  in  extent,  and  here  passed  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe,  dying 
October  28,  1908.    As  a  yonth  of  nineteen  he  made  an  attempt  to  enlist 
as  a  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  bnt  his  father  objected  on  account  of  his 
immaturity,  and  prevailed  upon  him  to  relinquish  the  idea.     ]\Ir.  Kauff- 
man  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  convictions,  but  was  never  a  promi- 
nent politician  or  an  officeholder.     He  was  at  one  time  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.     On  January  5,  1875,  he  was  married  in  Walker  town- 
ship to  Miss  Mary  Clack,  who  was  born  February  4,  1857.  in  the  town- 
ship.    She  survived  her  husband,  and  is  still  living  on  the  old  home- 
stead.    She  was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Annie  (Kauffman)  Clack, 
both  natives  of  Juniata  county.     William  Clack,  who  was  a  shoemaker 
all  his  life,  was  born  in  Fermaugh  township,  settling  after  his  marriage, 
in   1 85 1,  in  Walker  township.     He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
belonged,  as  did  also  his  wife,  to  the  River  Brethren  church.     He  died 
about  the  year  1901.     Mrs.  Clack,  who  was  born  in  Walker  township, 
died  in  April.  1900,  but  a  short  time  prior  to  the  death  of  her  husband. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Nancy  (Runk)  Kaufifman,  who 
were  early  settlers  of  Fermaugh  township,  where  they  grew  to  maturity 
and  were  married,  living  many  years  subsequently  in  the  place.     Mr. 
Jonathan  Kauffman  owned  land  in  Walker  township  and  was  a  pros- 
perous farmer.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clack  had  in  all  eight  children:    Mary, 
who  became  Mrs.  James  Kauffman;  Susanna,  widow  of  Winfield  Suloff, 
living  at  Denholm,  Pennsylvania;  Sarah,  married  (first)  James  Depew, 
(second)  David  Zimmerman,  antl  now  lives  in  Milford  township;  Anna, 
married  Albert  Miller,  and  lives  in  L'nion  county;  John,  lives  in  Walker 
township;  Clara,  married  Fred  Lauffer  and  died;  William,  a  railroad 
man  in  Mifflintown;  Minnie,  married  Earl  Leyder  and  lives  in  Walker 
township.     William  Clack  was  a  son  of  David  and  Susanna  (Walter) 
Clack,  who  were  natives  of  Lancaster  and  Chester  counties  respectively. 
They  married  and   removed  to  Juniata  county,   settling  in   Fermaugh 
township,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  shoemaker  until  he  removed 
finally  to  McAllisterville,  where  he  died;  his  wife  died  in  Walker  town- 
ship.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Kauffman  had  nine  children:    Sarah,  mar- 
ried William  Ellis,  a  blacksmith,  and  resides  in  Fermaugh  township; 
Thcorous,  of  further  mention;  Milton,  went  west;  Annie,  died  in  in- 
fancy;  Eleanor,  lives  with  her  mother;  Rena,   died  in  infancy;  Ella, 
unmarried;  Mabel,  resides  at  home;  Clara,  resides  at  home. 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  893 

(IV)  Theorous  Kauffman,  son  of  James  and  JNIary  (Clack)  Kauff- 
man,  was  born  in  Walker  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  on 
February  18,  1877.  He  received  his  education  in  the  county  schools 
and  grew  to  maturity  on  his  father's  farm.  On  September  14,  1900, 
when  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  and  has  remained  with  them  ever 
since,  having  been  promoted  to  the  position  of  engineer,  the  position 
which  he  now  holds,  on  August,  1907.  His  work  for  the  company  has 
been  eminently  satisfactory  in  every  respect,  and  by  his  industry  and 
economy  he  has  succeeded  in  accumulating  considerable  means,  so  thai 
in  May,  1906,  he  invested  his  savings  in  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
five  acres  in  extent  in  \\'alker.  He  erected  new  buildings  on  his  prop- 
perty  and  conducts  a  stock  and  chicken  farm,  breeding  full-blooded 
Holstein  cattle,  Poland  China  hogs,  and  Buff  Orphington  chickens.  .Ml 
of  the  stock  raised  by  Mr.  Kauffman  is  of  the  best  breeds  and  full- 
blooded,  and  he  has  won  for  himself  a  name  in  the  surrounding  country 
for  the  excellence  of  his  farm  products. 

In  politics  Mr.  Kauffman  is  a  Republican.  He  has  never  desired 
public  office,  contenting  himself  to  lend  his  voice  to  the  selection  of  those 
ofificials  whom  he  deems  will  best  serve  the  country's  needs.  He  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Patriotic  Order  of  the  Sons  of  America, 
and  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Firemen.  On  Alay  15,  191 1,  Mr. 
Kauffman  was  married  to  Miss  Annie  Gertrude  Sieber,  a  native  of 
Juniata  county,  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  Gideon  and  Rebecca  (Trego)  Sieber,  both  parents 
also  having  been  born  in  Juniata  county,  where  they  made  their  home, 
and  where  her  mother  died  October  19,  1S91.  Her  father,  who  has 
been  a  farmer,  now  lives  in  Fermaugh  township:  he  is  a  Republican  and 
a  member  of  the  Dunkard  church,  his  wife  having  been  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  had  four  children :  Grace  Mary, 
residing  at  home:  Annie  Gertrude,  now  Mrs.  Kauffman:  Thaddcus 
Banks,  and  Oscar  Lee,  both  at  home.  Mrs.  Kauffman's  paternal  grand- 
parents were  Jonas  and  Barbara  Sielier,  her  grandfather  having  removed 
to  Fermaugh  township  from  Berkshire  county,  settling  later  in  Walker, 
where  he  owned  two  farms  and  where  he  ultimately  died.  Mrs.  Kauff- 
man's mother  was  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  Trego,  Mr. 
Trego  having  removed  from  Chester  county  to  Juniata  county,  making 


894  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

his  residence  in  Fayette  township.     He  was  a  farmer,  and  lived  a  quiet 
and  useful  life,  dying  in  Fayette  township. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Theorous  Kauffman  have  one  son,  Maxwell  Sieber, 
born  December  i8,  1912. 


The  Marshalls  of  Newport,  Pennsylvania,  descend 
MARSHALL  from  an  illustrious  English  family  that  were  long 
seated  in  Derbyshire,  England.  A  member  of  this 
family  was  Abraham  Marshall,  the  distinguished  botanist  and  horticul- 
turist, who  came  from  Gratton  parish,  Derbyshire,  in  1700,  and  settled 
in  West  Bradford,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  John  Marshall,  the 
celebrated  chief  justice  of  the  L'nited  States  Supreme  Court,  was  also 
related  to  this  family. 

John  Marshall,  the  American  emigrant,  was  born  in  Derbyshire, 
England,  Elton  parish,  from  whence  he  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1686. 
He  first  located  and  lived  for  a  year  in  Blockley  township,  Philadelphia 
county,  then  moved  to  a  farm  in  Darby  township,  Delaware  county, 
Pennsylvania  (then  Chester  county).  He  was  a  member  of  Darby 
meeting.  Society  of  Friends,  and  his  marriage,  10  mo.  19,  1688,  to 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Smith,  was  the  first  solemnized  in  that 
meeting.  John  Marshall  died  9  mo.  13,  1729;  his  widow  5  mo.  16, 
1749.  Children:  i.  John,  born  6  mo.  16,  1690,  died  8  mo.  4,  1749, 
married  (first)  Joanna  Paschall,  (second)  a  widow,  Eleanor  Shenton. 
2.  William,  born  2  mo.  11,  1692,  died  1727,  married  Mary  Sellers.  3. 
Thomas  (of  whom  further). 

(II)  Thomas,  youngest  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Marshall, 
was  born  in  Darby  township,  Delaware  county,  Pennsylvania,  12  mo.  10, 
1694.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  settled  in  Concord  township,  Delaware 
county,  but  then  Chester  county.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Ann  (Pennell)  Mendenhall.  He  died  in  1741,  and  his 
widow  married  (second)  Peter  Grubb.  Thomas  and  Hannah  Marshall 
had  nine  children,  of  whom  John  (2)  was  the  eighth. 

(HI)  John  (2),  son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Mendenhall)  Mar- 
shall, was  born  in  Concord  township,  then  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, II  mo.  22,  1734.  In  1765  he  moved  to  Kennett  township,  Ches- 
ter county,  where  he  became  an  extensive  land  owner  and  proprietor  of 
a  grist  and  saw  mill.     He  and  his  family  were  members  of  Hockesin 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  895 

meeting,  and  of  Kennett  monthly  meeting;  he  died  11  mo.  30,  1815. 
He  married  (first)  Hannah,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  (Hick- 
man) James,  of  Westtown.  Until  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1764,  John 
Marshall  lived  in  Birmingham  township,  lie  married  (second),  4  mo. 
2-/,  1768,  Susanna  Lamborn,  born  4  mo.  7,  1749,  died  3  mo.  3,  1839, 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Ann  (Bourne)  Lamborn.  Children  of  first 
wife:  Mary,  married  William  Phillips;  ALnrtha,  died  unmarried.  Chil- 
dren of  second  wife:  Thomas,  born  4  mo.  22,  1769,  died  2  mo.  2,  185 1, 
married  Sarah  Gregg;  Robert,  of  whom  further;  William,  born  5  mo. 
26,  1773,  died  young;  Hannah,  born  i  mo.  7,  1775,  died  i  mo.  21,  1857, 
married  John  Yeaman ;  Ann,  born  8  mo.  22,  1778,  died  5  mo.  26,  1862, 
married  John  Scarlett;  Martha,  born  8  mo.  20,  1780,  died  i  mo.  3, 
181 1,  unmarried;  William,  born  7  mo.  30.  1784,  died  1859.  married 
Margaret  McCammon. 

(IV)  Robert,  son  of  John  (2)  Marshall  and  his  second  wife,  Su- 
sanna Lamborn,  was  born  in  Kennett  township,  Chester  county,  9  mo. 
15,  1771,  died  there  in  1869.  He  inherited  the  paternal  homestead 
farm  in  Kennett,  and  also  operated  the  first  grist  mill  there.  He  mar- 
ried, II  mo.  22,  1804,  Mary  Hoopes,  born  3  mo.  16,  1781,  died  7  mo. 
30,  1S47,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Bane)  Hoopes,  of  Goshen, 
Chester  county;  children:  Caleb  H.,  of  whom  further;  John,  born  10 
mo.  7,  1808,  died  5  mo.  23,  1885,  married  (first)  Sarah  Phillips,  (sec- 
ond) Mary  Harlan;  Martha,  born  8  mo.  i,  1810,  married  Thomas  Han- 
num;  Abner,  born  8  mo.  27,  1814,  married  Ann  Eliza  Pyle;  Thomas, 
born  3  mo.  18,  1818,  died  3  mo.  6,  1887,  married  Mary  \\'ay.  Thomas 
was  a  miller  and  successfully  operated  the  mill  at  Kennett  for  many 
years.  In  1856  he  began  the  manufacture  of  paper,  establishing  the  large 
plant  later  operated  by  his  sons,  T.  Elwood  and  Israel  W.  Marshall. 

(V)  Caleb  H..  eldest  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Hoopes)  Marshall, 
was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Kennett,  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, 9  mo.  II,  1806,  died  12  mo.  16,  1888.  He  operated  the  grist 
mill  in  Kennett  until  his  removal  to  Mill  Creek  hundred,  New  Castle 
county,  Delaware.  There  in  partnership  with  his  brother  John  he  en- 
gaged in  the  iron  business  at  the  present  site  of  Marshalltown,  Dela- 
ware, named  in  their  honor.  The  brothers  conducted  a  large  business 
until  1863,  when  Caleb  H.  moved  to  Philadelphia,  where  they  had  pre- 
viously established  a  plant,  known  as  the   Penn  Treaty  Iron  Works, 


896  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

erected  on  the  land  where  Wihiam  Penn  held  his  deliberations  with  the 
Indians  and  where  the  famous  treaty  was  signed.  In  1878  he  sold  his 
interest  in  the  business  to  his  sons,  Wilmer  W.,  Alfred  and  J.  Howard 
Marshall,  whom  he  had  previously  admitted  as  partners.  Caleb  H.  was 
a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  a  wise,  capable  man  of  affairs. 
He  married  Jane  Thompson,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Reed) 
Thompson,  of  i\Iill  Creek  hundred,  Delaware;  children:  i.  Wilmer  W., 
of  whom  further.  2.  Alfred,  born  October  29,  1848;  member  of  the 
firm  of  Marshall  Brothers  &  Company,  and  a  prominent  man  of  affairs, 
now  living  in  Langhorne  Manor,  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania ;  he  mar- 
ried Florence  Virginia  Mather.  3.  Sarah,  died  young.  4.  J.  Howard, 
junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Marshall  Brothers  &  Company;  died  in 
Philadelphia,  5  mo.  23,  1885. 

Jane  (Thompson)  Marshall,  the  mother  of  these  children,  was  a 
descendant  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Thompson,  of  Yorkshire,  Eng- 
land, where  Thomas  was  born,  in  Kirkfenton  parish.  In  1658  he 
moved  to  Ireland  with  his  wife  and  two  sons,  John  and  Andrew,  locat- 
ing in  the  parish  of  Donard,  county  Wicklow,  where  both  died;  chil- 
dren: John,  of  whom  further;  Andrew,  married  in  county  Wicklow,  in 
1664,  Isabel  Marshall,  and  had  Elizabeth,  William  and  Andrew,  all  born 
in  Ireland. 

John,  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Thompson,  was  born  in  York- 
shire, England,  in  1635,  moved  to  county  Wicklow,  Ireland,  with  his 
parents  in  1658,  and  there  married,  in  1665,  Jane,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Humble,  who  had  then  lately  moved  to  Ireland  from  county  Durham. 
Four  children  were  born  to  John  and  Jane  Thompson  in  Ireland,  and 
on  9  mo.  16,  1677,  John,  his  brother  Andrew  and  their  families,  sailed 
on  the  ship  "Mary,"'  arriving  at  Salem,  New  Jersey,  12  mo.  22,  1677. 
There  they  joined  the  Fenwick  Colony,  and  there  John  died  in  1715. 

James,  son  of  John  and  Jane  Thompson,  was  born  in  county  Wick- 
low, Ireland,  8  mo.,  1668,  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1677, 
settled  in  Salem  county.  New  Jersey,  where  he  died  in  1712,  leaving 
five  children.  He  married,  in  October,  1700,  Ann,  daughter  of  Valen- 
tine and  Ann  (Calvert)  Hollingsworth,  of  New  Castle,  Delaware. 

James  (2),  youngest  son  of  James  and  Ann  Marshall,  was  born  in 
Salem  county.  New  Jersey,  8  mo.  26,  17 12.  His  father  died  the  same 
year  and  he  was  reared  under  his  mother's  care.     On  arriving  at  man- 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXIATA    VALLEY  897 

hood  he  settled  in  Leacock  township,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
but  after  his  marriage  he  moved  to  New  Castle  county,  Delaware,  locat- 
ing in  Mill  Creek  hundred.  He  married  (lirst),  3  mo.  22,  1735,  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  Worsley,  of  New  Castle  county,  Dela- 
ware; she  was  born  4  mo.  3,  1717.  He  married  (second),  4  mo.  10, 
1742,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Amy  (Gregg)  Hadley,  of  Mill 
Creek.     Three  children  by  first  marriage,  several  by  second  marriage. 

Daniel,  son  of  James  (2)  Thompson  and  his  first  wife,  Sarah  Wors- 
ley, was  born  in  Mill  Creek  hundred,  Delaware,  11  mo.  16,  1737.  He 
married,  10  mo.  25,  1764,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Miller)  Chambers,  of  White  Clay  Creek,  by  whom  he  had  nine  chil- 
dren. 

John,  sixth  child  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Chambers)  Thompson, 
was  born  5  mo.  17,  1777,  in  Mill  Creek  hundred,  Delaware,  and  there 
married  Elizabeth  Reed. 

Jane,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Reed)  Thompson,  married 
Caleb  H.  Marshall. 

(VI)  Wilmer  W.,  eldest  son  of  Caleb  H.  and  Jane  (Thompson) 
Marshall,  was  born  in  Marshalltown,  Delaware,  in  1846.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Marshalltown,  Westtown  and  Philadelphia, 
his  parents  moving  to  the  latter  city  in  1863.  On  leaving  school  he 
engaged  in  business  with  his  father  at  the  Penn  Treaty  Iron  Works,  of 
which  the  latter  was  proprietor,  and  after  mastering  every  detail  was 
admitted  a  partner.  In  1878  \\'ilmer  W.,  in  company  with  his  brothers, 
Alfred  and  J.  Howard,  purchased  the  interests  of  their  father  and  uncle, 
John  Marshall,  continuing  business  as  Marshall  Brothers  &  Company. 
This  firm  was  the  first  to  manufacture  galvanized  sheet  iron,  and  in 
1892  theirs  was  the  first  plant  in  the  United  States  to  manufacture  tin 
plate  commercially.  They  made  an  instant  success  of  tin  plate  and  con- 
tinued in  great  prosperity  until  1898,  when  they  sold  out  their  plant  to 
the  American  Tin  Plate  Company,  but  continued  the  iron  and  steel 
business  as  jobbers,  handling  an  immense  business.  Shortly  after  1870 
the  Marshalls  had  bought  a  pig  iron  plant  at  Newport,  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  after  disposing  of  his  interests  in  Philadeliihia,  Wil- 
mer \V.  Marshall  lived  retired  until  his  death  in  1895  '<  his  son,  Edward 
E.  Marshall,  came  to  the  plant  in  1899.  He  was  a  fine  type  of  the 
Quaker  business  gentleman,  just  and  upright  in  his  dealings,  a  man  of 


898  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

clear  vision  and  quick  decision,  thoroughly  understanding  every  detail 
of  his  business.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  never  accepted 
public  office.  He  married  Julia,  daughter  of  George  \V.  Jacoby,  of 
Conshohocken,  Pennsylvania,  a  manufacturer  of  marble  ornamental 
work  for  buildings.  He  died  in  Philadelphia,  leaving  children:  Julia 
(of  previous  mention)  ;  Susan,  deceased,  married  Colonel  Thomas 
Freedley,  a  marble  manufacturer  of  Philadelphia.  Children  of  Wilmer 
W.  and  Julia  Marshall:  i.  Lillian,  married  John  Blakeley,  and  resides 
in  Germantown,  Pennsylvania.  2.  Edward  E.,  of  whom  further.  3. 
Edith  W.,  married  a  Mr.  Flavell,  and  resides  in  Ambler,  Pennsylvania. 

(VII)  Edward  E.,  only  son  of  Wilmer  W.  and  Julia  (Jacoby)  Mar- 
shall, was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  July  3,  1877.  He  was 
educated  in  William  Penn  Charter  School,  Philadelphia,  and  Sheffield 
Scientific  School,  Yale  University,  whence  he  was  graduated,  class  of 
1899.  He  at  once  became  a  chemist  at  the  Marshall  Iron  Works  in 
Newport,  was  promoted  vice-president  and  manager,  serving  as  such 
until  1913,  when  he  was  elected  president  of  the  company.  In  1908  the 
plant  was  enlarged  from  a  capacity  of  fifty  tons  to  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  tons.  The  company  employ  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men,  sixty  of  whom  are  engaged  at  the  iron  mines  in  Cumberland  and 
Adams  counties,  which  supply  the  furnaces  with  ore. 

Mr.  Marshall  has  other  important  business  interests ;  he  is  president 
of  the  Perry  County  Electric  Light,  Heat  and  Power  Company,  which 
supplies  light  and  power  to  the  three  boroughs  of  Millerstown,  Newport 
and  New  Bloomfield ;  is  senior  partner  of  the  Marshall  &  McNitt  Lum- 
ber Company;  and  vice-president  of  the  American  Tea  Growing  Com- 
pany of  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  In  political  faith  a  Republican,  he 
was  a  nominee  for  representative,  but  was  defeated.  In  religious  faith 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church.  Dur- 
ing the  Spanish- American  war.  Mr.  Marshall  enlisted,  May  4,  1898,  in. 
Battery  A,  United  States  army,  as  sergeant,  serving  a  term  of  seven 
months  until  honorably  discharged. 

He  married,  in  1904,  Sarah  L.  Tyler,  born  in  New  London,  Connec- 
ticut, daughter  of  Colonel  A.  C.  Tyler,  a  retired  officer  of  the  United 
States  army.  The  Marshall  residence  is  a  beautiful  home  in  the  out- 
skirts of  Newport,  surrounded  by  trees,  shrubber}-  and  plants  that  be- 
speak the  tasteful  arrangement  of  the  landscape  gardener.    In  the  stables 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  899 

several  fine  horses  are  kept;  these  are  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to  their 
owner. 


This  family,  found  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States 
CARMON  as  Carman,  Carmen  and  Carmon,  descends  from  John 
Carman,  who  came  from  England  to  Roxljiury,  Massa- 
chusetts, with  his  wife,  Florence,  arriving  November  4,  163 1.  Later 
he  was  in  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  going  thence  to  Wallingford,  Connec- 
ticut, there  joining  with  John  Seamen  in  the  purchase  of  a  large  tract 
of  land  on  Long  Island,  extending  from  the  Sound  to  the  ocean.  About 
1633  he  settled  with  his  family  at  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  where  he 
died  in  1653,  leaving  sons:  John,  Caleb  and  Joshua.  From  these  sprang 
a  numerous  family,  now  distributed  all  over  the  United  States.  The 
Carmons  of  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  descend  from  Livingston  Car- 
mon, first  of  New  York  state,  later  of  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  his  son  Alexander  followed  him,  as  head  of  a  family. 

(II)  Alexander,  son  of  Livingston  Carmon,  was  born  in  Hunting- 
don county,  Pennsylvania.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  iiome  farm, 
later  becoming  proprietor  of  a  hotel  in  Stone  Valle}-,  then  engaged  in 
the  same  business  at  Warm  Springs.  Later  he  moved  to  the  borough 
of  Huntingdon,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  until  his  death. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church.  His  wife,  Mary 
Ann,  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Kyler;  children:  Thomas,  lived  and 
died  in  Huntingdon:  John,  also  a  lifelong  re.^^ident  of  Huntingdon: 
William:  Robert:  Joseph  R..  of  whom  further:  Harrison:  Howard: 
Henrv;  Sarah:  Louanna:  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

(ill)  Joseph  R.,  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary  Ann  (Kyler)  Car- 
mon, was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  July  24,  1S35.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  school  and  when  a  very  young  man  was  en- 
gaged in  the  work  of  conducting  the  Huntingdon  and  Broad  Top  rail- 
road. At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  entered  mercantile  life,  opening 
the  first  store  in  1855  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Penn  streets,  Hunt- 
ingdon. He  prospered  and  outgrew  his  quarters  there,  removing  soon 
to  a  building  at  No.  420  Washington  street.  There  he  continued  to 
enlarge  his  business,  and  again  moved  to  more  commodious  quarters, 
locating  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Washington  streets,  where  he  con- 
tinued in  successful  business  until  1903,  when  he  sold  out  Iiis  mercan- 


900  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

tile  interests  and  retired  to  a  well-earned  rest.  For  nearly  a  half  century 
he  was  engaged  as  a  general  store  merchant  in  Huntingdon,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  retirement  had  been  in  continuous  business  for  a  longer 
period  than  any  other  merchant  in  Huntingdon.  Fie  was  a  wise  man- 
ager, and  in  all  his  transactions  preserved  a  strict  business  integrity, 
rendering  to  every  man  his  just  due.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  borough  council,  but  whether 
in  or  out  of  office  has  always  borne  his  share  in  all  movements  to  ad- 
vance the  interests  of  Huntingdon. 

He  married,  in  1S57,  Anna  Mary  McCahan,  daughter  of  John  K. 
and  granddaughter  of  John  McCahan,  born  in  county  Tyrone,  Ireland, 
but  an  early  settler  in  the  Juniata  Valley  (see  forward).  Of  the  eight 
children  of  Joseph  R.  and  Anna  Mary  Carmon,  three  are  living,  four 
died  3'oung.  A  daughter,  Florence  H.,  deceased,  married  Carl  M.  Gage, 
manager  of  the  Huntingdon  &  Broad  Top  railroad;  she  left  children, 
Carlotta  and  Edith.  The  living  children  are :  Martha  Cornelia,  married 
Colonel  Samuel  W.  Miller,  of  the  United  States  army,  who  after  service 
in  the  Philippines  is  now  stationed  at  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  children: 
Lillian,  married  Lieutenant  Harrison,  Ruth,  residing  with  her  parents ; 
Adelaide  R.,  married  Frank  W.  L.  Snyder,  a  supervisor  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania railroad,  and  resides  at  Tyrone;  children:  Mary  Adelaide, 
Joseph,  Eleanor  and  Florence ;  Warren  W.,  now  a  farmer  near  Newton 
Hamilton,  Pennsylvania ;  he  married  Anna  Mary  Herncane. 

Since  his  retirement,  Mr.  Carmon  and  his  wife  have  spent  a  great 
deal  of  time  in  travel  and  in  visiting  the  many  points  of  scenic  and 
historical  interest  in  the  United  States.  Their  home  bears  many  evi- 
dences of  their  journeyings  in  the  shape  of  relics  of  historical  and 
local  interest. 

The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Carmon,  John  McCahan,  was  born  in  the 
village  of  Drumnahaigh,  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  in  November,  1780, 
and  came  to  the  I'nited  States  a  lad  of  twelve  years,  landing  in  August, 
1792.  He  learned  the  printer's  trade  with  Steel  &  McClain,  of  Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania,  beginning  in  1795.  After  the  failure  of  that  firm  he 
came  to  Huntingdon,  where  in  1797  he  worked  as  a  journeyman  printer 
on  the  Courier.  After  the  death  of  that  paper  he  went  to  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  and  in  1799  worked  for  William  Pechin  on  a  "Digest  of  the 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  901 

Laws  of  the  United  States."  In  1801  he  founded  the  Gazette,  in  Hunt- 
ingdon, and  continued  its  editor  and  pubhsher  until  June  9,  1828,  when 
he  transferred  its  control  and  management  to  his  son,  John  Kinney 
McCahan.  John  McCahan  was  identified  with  many  of  the  improve- 
ments and  institutions  of  his  time,  acquired  a  large  landed  estate,  and 
remained  a  resident  of  the  borough  of  Huntingdon  until  1843,  when 
he  moved  to  the  "Log  Cabin  Farm"  in  Walker  township,  opposite  Hunt- 
ingdon, on  which  he  had  erected  a  fine  brick  residence.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  energy,  fairness  and  tact,  traits  that  characterized  his  entire 
business  life.  He  was  a  Democrat,  participating  in  all  the  political  con- 
tests of  his  day,  but  outside  of  borough  offices  refusing  political  prefer- 
ment. He  died  Sunday  morning,  March  22,  1857,  aged  seventy-seven 
years,  and  is  buried  in  Huntingdon  cemetery. 

John  Kinney,  son  of  John  McCahan.  grew  up  in  the  newspaper 
business  under  his  father,  and  July  9,  1828,  became  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Gazette,  founded  in  Huntingdon  by  John  McCahan.  He 
had  been  practically  its  editor  for  the  preceding  ten  years,  but  on  the 
date  named  assumed  full  control.  He  conducted  the  Gazette  as  a  Demo- 
cratic organ  until  April  23,  1834,  when  he  sold  it  to  Alexander  Gwin 
and  moved  to  Laurel  Springs  Mills,  a  short  distance  from  Birmingham. 
Here  he  resided  until  after  the  death  of  his  father  in  1857,  when  he 
returned  to  Huntingdon,  residing  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Washing- 
ton and  Fifth  streets  until  his  death.  January  16,  1883,  aged  seventy- 
nine  years.  His  wife,  ^Mary  Taylor,  died  several  years  before  her 
husband. 


The  Flertzlers  of  Port  Royal,  Pennsylvania,  descend 
HERTZLER  from  Jacob  Hertzler,  a  Swiss  emigrant,  and  date  their 
Pennsylvania  history  from  the  year  1749-  During 
the  fifth  generation  in  the  Juniata  Valley  the  family  have  been  substan- 
tial and  highly  regarded  citizens,  and.  while  usually  agriculturalists, 
have  also  been  prominent  in  business  life,  in  the  Mennonite  church  and 
in  public  affairs,  sitting  in  state  councils  as  legislators,  and  presiding 
over  churches  as  ministers  and  bishops. 

Jacob  Hertzler  was  born  of  Swiss  parents,  in  Switzerland,  in  1703. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  mountain  home,  became  a  farmer,  and 
a   minister   of   the   Amish  Mennonite    church.       He  married,  but    his 


902  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY 

wife  died  early,  leaving  him  a  son  John.  He  then  married  a 
second  wife.  Catherine,  and  moved  to  the  German  Palatinate,  now 
Bavaria,  part  of  the  German  Empire.  He  resided  there  several 
years,  but  finally  was  driven  by  religious  persecution  to  seek  a  home  in 
America.  He  sailed  on  the  ship  "St.  Andrew"  from  Rotterdam,  touch- 
ing at  Plymouth,  England,  and  arriving  at  Philadelphia  September  9, 
1749.  He  settled  on  a  farm  in  Berne  township,  Lancaster,  now  Upper 
Berne  township,  Berks  county,  two  miles  west  of  Hamburg.  This  he 
purchased  from  the  proprietaries,  Richard  and  Thomas  Penn,  warrant 
dated  January  9,  1750,  price  stated  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per 
acre,  name  of  the  tract,  "Contentment,"  its  area  one  hundred  and 
eighty-two  acres  and  thirty  perches.  In  1752  he  purchased  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  acres:  in  1765,  thirty-six  acres;  in  1766,  forty-four  acres; 
and  in  1773,  thirty  acres  with  odd  perches  in  each  tract,  the  whole 
totaling  four  hundred  four  acres,  four  perches,  which  he  improved. 
On  August  30,  1773,  he  divided  his  lands  among  his  children — John, 
Jacob,  Christian  and  Fanny,  the  latter  wife  of  John  Kaufifman.  Cath- 
erine, his  second  wife,  died  between  August  30,  1773,  when  she  is  known 
to  have  been  alive,  and  March  4,  1774,  when  it  is  known  she  was  dead. 
Jacob,  the  Swiss  emigrant,  died  in  the  year  1786,  later  than  March  20. 
Both  are  buried  in  the  Amish  Mennonite  burial  ground,  two  miles  west 
of  Hamburg.  Pennsylvania;  their  graves  were  unmarked,  as  was  the 
custom  of  that  faith,  until  191 1,  when  suitable  granite  monuments  were 
erected  by  their  descendants.  The  sons  of  Jacob,  having  taken  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  King  of  England,  consequently  took  no  active  part 
in  the  revolution,  refusing,  as  did  all  the  Amish  Mennonites,  to  break 
their  oath. 

(II)  Jacob  (2),  first  son  of  Jacob  (i)  Hertzler  by  his  second  wife, 
was  born  in  1733,  came  to  Pennsylvania  with  his  parents  in  1749,  and 
became  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Berks  county,  as  then  considered.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Amish  Mennonite  church  and  a  good  man.  He 
married,  in  1773.  Barbara  Yoder,  who  died  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1821.  He  died  in  y\pril,  1795;  children:  Daniel  (of  whom 
further);  John,  married  Catherine  Yoder:  David,  married  Catherine 
Reichenbach ;  Barbara,  married  John  Stutzman ;  Samuel,  died  unmar- 
ried, and  seven  children  who  died  young. 

(III)  Daniel,  eldest  son  of  Jacob  and  Barbara   (Yoder)   Hertzler, 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 


903 


was  born  in  Upper  Berne  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  June 
26,  1774,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  married  in  1803,  and  in 
1804  moved  to  a  farm  in  Caernarvon  township,  Lancaster  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  hved  on  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  in 
Lancaster  county  until  after  the  birth  of  his  twelve  children,  then  sold 
and  moved  to  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  settled  in  Turbett 
township,  April  5,  1834.  He  then  purchased  from  Jacob  Rice  a  tract 
of  two  hundred  thirteen  acres,  on  which  he  erected  suital)le  buildings 
for  the  comfort  of  his  family  and  the  proper  conduct  of  his  business, 
including  a  wool  factory  and  a  saw  mill  for  the  production  of  finished 
lumber.  He  was  a  man  of  superior  attainments,  was  educated  in  both' 
English  and  German,  and  was  of  the  strictest  integrity  and  universally 
respected.  He  was  a  man  of  industry  and  economy,  and  trained  his 
sons  in  these  same  sterling  virtues.  In  early  life  he  acted  with  the 
Democratic  party,  but  in  1828  became  a  Whig,  voting  and  working  with 
that  party  until  his  death.  Like  his  sires,  he  was  a  memljer  of  the  Amish 
Mennonite  church,  strictly  observing  the  austere  faith  of  that  denomi- 
nation. He  died  in  Turbett  township,  March  23,  1848.  He  married, 
in  November,  1803,  Barbara  Zug  (Zook),  born  January  25,  1778, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Christian  and  Magdalene  (Blank)  Zug.  of  Whiteland 
township,  Chester  county,  Penns}'lvania.  lioth  descendants  of  Swiss 
Mennonite  families.  She  survived  her  husband  and  died  at  the  Turbett 
township  farm,  December  29,  1852;  children:  Christian,  married  Chris- 
tianna  Shirk;  Jacob,  married  Christianna  Kepner;  Henry,  married 
Sarah  Hertzler;  Solomon,  married  Mary  Trago;  Daniel,  married  Mary 
\\'eaver;  David,  married  Phoebe  A.  Kauffman;  Noah  (of  further  men- 
tion) ;  Magdalene,  married  Casper  Schwartzantruber ;  Nancy,  married 
Jacob  Kurtz:  Samuel;  a  child,  died  in  infancy,  and  John.  The  last 
survivors  of  this  family  were  John  and  Magdalene. 

(IV)  Noah,  son  of  Daniel  and  Barbara  (Zug)  Hertzler,  was  born 
in  Caernarvon  township.  Lancaster  county.  Pennsylvania,  July  29.  1815, 
died  in  Old  Port  Royal,  Juniata  county,  June  6,  1887.  He  obtained  a 
good  education  in  both  German  and  English,  and  grew  to  manhood  as 
his  father's  farm  assistant.  He  came  with  the  family  to  Turbett  town- 
ship, Juniata  county,  in  1834,  and  remained  at  the  home  farm  until  he 
was  aged  twenty-three  years.  He  then,  in  company  with  two  of  his 
brothers,  opened  a  general  country  store  which  they  successfully  con- 


904  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

ducted  for  several  years.  He  then  bought  out  his  partners  and  con- 
ducted the  business  alone  until  his  death.  He  dealt  heavily  in  grain, 
and,  in  addition  to  his  mercantile  business,  owned  and  conducted  several 
fertile  farms.  He  possessed  unusual  business  qualifications,  and  his 
enterprise  carried  him  into  channels  of  business  hitherto  unknown  in 
the  family.  He  invested  in  banks  and  held  directorships  in  the  Juniata 
Valley  Bank  of  Mifflintown  and  the  Port  Royal  Branch  Bank.  He 
took  a  deep  interest  in  public  affairs,  held  many  township  offices,  and 
was  a  candidate  for  the  legislature.  He  was  a  zealous  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  while  departing  from  the  religious  faith  of  his 
forbears,  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  name 
was  a  synonym  for  integrity,  and  dying  he  left  to  his  children  an  un- 
sullied character,  in  addition  to  a  generous  store  of  earthly  possessions. 
He  married,  in  1845,  Susan  Garman,  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  18,  1817,  died  December  10,  1901,  daughter  of  John 
Garman,  an  early  settler  of  Dauphin  county,  later  moved  to  Perry 
county,  where  he  owned  two  good  farms  aggregating  four  hundred 
acres,  there  lived  and  died.  He  married  Catherine  Wallower,  and  both 
are  buried  in  the  churchyard  of  the  Hill  Church  cemetery  in  Turbett 
township,  Juniata  county,  both  having  been  members  of  that  church. 
Children  of  John  Garman :  Catherine,  married  John  Steece,  and  died  at 
"The  Aqueduct,"  Perry  county :  Mary,  married  Dr.  David  Alter,  and 
died  in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania:  Susan,  married  Noah  Hertzler  (of 
previous  mention)  ;  John,  a  farmer,  died  in  Harrisburg.  Children  of 
Noah  Hertzler:  i.  John  G.,  born  November  23,  1848;  now  a  merchant 
at  Old  Port,  a  village  near  Port  Royal ;  married  Euphenia  Groninger. 
2.  David,  born  December  4,  1850:  now  a  manufacturer  of  Philadelphia; 
married  Eliza  A.  Wolford.  3.  Mary  Alice,  born  January  ir,  1854; 
married  James  N.  Groninger,  a  millwright,  and  resides  at  Old  Port. 
4.  William,  of  whom  further. 

(V)  William,  youngest  son  of  Noah  and  Susan  (Garman)  Hertzler, 
was  born  in  Turbett  township,  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  7, 
1858.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  township,  Air  View 
Academy,  and  Washington  and  Jefferson  College,  from  which  latter 
institution  he  graduated  with  the  class  of  1881.  He  chose  the  profes- 
sion of  law,  and  began  his  study  under  the  Honorable  Lewis  E.  Atkin- 
son, but  his   father's   health   failing,   he  was   obliged  to   abandon   all 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  905 

thought  of  a  professional  career.  With  his  brother,  John  G.  Hertzler, 
he  then  assumed  charge  of  his  father's  affairs,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  entire!}-  engaged  in  business  and  pohtical  affairs.  At  the  death 
of  his  father  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  executors  of  his  estate  and 
ably  administered  that  important  trust.  He  is  a  hfelong  RepubHcan, 
and  dates  his  active  pohtical  life  from  the  year  1881,  when  he  was 
elected  chairman  of  the  Republican  county  committee,  being  then  but 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  the  youngest  county  chairman  in  the  state. 
He  held  the  same  position  in  1882,  and  in  1888  had  become  so  well  and 
favorably  known  that  he  was  chosen  to  represent  his  district  in  the 
general  assembly,  being  the  only  Republican  elected  on  the  ticket  that 
year,  and  triumphing  by  a  majority  of  two  hundred  and  ninety-seven 
votes.  He  was  renominated  in  1890,  but  in  that  year  was  defeated  with 
the  entire  Republican  ticket,  though  he  was  defeated  by  only  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-nine  votes. 

In  1889  Mr.  Hertzler  was  nominated  by  the  Republicans  of  Juniata 
county  for  member  of  the  constitutional  convention,  but  declined  the 
honor.  In  1892  he  secured  the  endorsement  of  the  Juniata  county  con- 
vention, though  not  that  of  the  Republican  district  convention,  for  state 
senator;  but  in  1896  he  was  again  a  candidate  for  the  office,  and,  receiv- 
ing both  the  necessary  endorsements,  was  elected  to  represent  the  coun- 
ties of  Juniata,  Mifflin,  and  Perry,  constituting  the  thirty-first  senatorial 
district,  by  a  majority  of  nine  hundred  and  twenty-seven  votes.  His 
record  in  both  the  lower  and  upper  houses  of  the  state  legislature  was 
one  of  fearless  advocacy  of  the  rights  of  the  people  and  of  devotion  to 
the  interests  of  his  constituents.  He  served  on  important  committees, 
and  by  his  course  in  the  case  of  needed  legislation  gained  state-wide 
fame.  On  January  i,  1902,  during  the  second  session  of  the  Fifty- 
seventh  Congress,  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  committee  on  war 
claims  of  the  National  House  of  Representatives  by  the  Hon.  Thad- 
deus  M.  Mahon,  M.C.,  and  served  under  that  appointment  five  years. 
He  was  then  reappointed  by  Hon.  Kittridge  Ilaskins,  M.C.,  of  Vermont, 
and  served  under  that  appointment  in  the  first  and  second  sessions  of  the 
Sixtieth  Congress  and  the  first  session  of  the  Sixty-first  Congress,  a 
total  service  of  seven  years  and  five  months,  his  term  expiring  .August 
6,  1909.  During  his  congressional  committee  service  he  was  also  private 
secretary  to  the  Hon.  Thaddeus  M.  Mahon,  M.C.,  until   1907,  and  to 


9o6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Congressman  Benjamin  K.  Folk  until  July,  191 1,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  which 
important  office  he  now  holds. 

Since  1901  Senator  Hertzler  has  served  as  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Mifflintown,  and  in  1909  was  chosen  president  of 
that  well-known  and  stable  institution.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  being  a  past  master  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  324,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Mifllintown,  and  past  high  priest  Newport 
Chapter,  No.  238,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  at  Newport;  and  is  a  member 
of  Lewiston  Commandery,  No.  26,  Knights  Templar,  at  Lewistown; 
and  Zemblo  Shrine,  Ancient  Accepted  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine.  He  is  also  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  of  the  Ancient  Ac- 
cepted Scottish  Rite,  belonging  to  Harrisburg  Consistory.  His  other 
orders  are  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Mifflintown,  and 
the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  of  Lewistown.  He  is 
interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  good  of  the  community,  especially 
the  cause  of  education,  to  which  he  devoted  five  years'  service  on  the 
school  board.  His  life  has  been  a  busy  and  useful  one,  and  few  men 
can  point  with  more  just  pride  to  a  lifework  now  just  in  its  prime. 

Senator  Hertzler  is  married  to  Miss  MoUie  M.  Kaufman,  a  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Kurtz  Kaufman,  and  a  member  of  an  old  Mifflintown 
family,  their  union  being  blessed  with  one  son,  Penrose,  born  August 
15,  1898,  and  now  a  student  in  the  Lewistown  Preparatory  School. 

The  family  home  is  at  Port  Royal,  Pennsylvania,  near  where  Jacob 
Hertzler  first  settled  in  1834. 


This  is  an  old  Mifflin  county  family,  the  ancestor,  John 
STEELE  Steele,  who  was  of  German  extraction,  having  been  born 
here,  where  he  resided  for  a  while  until  his  removal  to 
Huntingdon  county,  where  he  became  a  large  land  owner  and  farmer. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  as  was  also  his  wife,  who, 
like  himself,  was  of  German  descent.  She  was  a  Miss  Elizabeth  Hart- 
sock  before  her  marriage,  and  was  born  in  the  state  of  Indiana.  Their 
children,  eleven  in  number,  were:  Sarah,  married  (first)  J.  C.  Stever, 
(second)  G.  W.  Sipe;  Susan  Jane,  married  Robert  Oakman;  Mary 
Ellen,  married  William  Focht;  Rebecca,  married  Robert  Geist;  Salina, 
married  S.  H.  Phesant ;  Isaiah;  Charles  W.,  of  further  mention;  John, 


1ynA^ 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  907 

married  Miss  Davis;  Thomas,  married   Margaret   Zimincrnian;    i'.eile, 
married  Samuel  G.  Steel,  no  relation;  Mariah,  died  a  maiden. 

(II)  Charles  W.  Steele,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hartsock) 
Steele,  was  born  May  6,  1834,  at  Belleville,  Mifflin  county.  He  learned 
the  trade  of  cabinetmaking,  which  he  followed  until  later  on  he  became 
a  farmer  of  Union  township,  Huntingdon  county,  where  he  removed 
and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  politics  he  was  a  life-long 
Democrat,  and  in  his  religious  affiliations  was  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Protestant  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belonged.  He  died 
August  3,  1895.  ''"cl  was  survived  by  his  wife  fourteen  years.  She 
was  Miss  Sarah  Smith,  born  September  8,  1837,  and  died  April  23, 
1909.  Her  parents  were  Dr.  Andrew  Smith  and  his  wife,  who  was  a 
Miss  Elizabeth  Pheasant;  he  being  a  native  of  Maryland  and  his  wife 
of  Pennsylvania:  both  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Dr. 
Smith  was  also  a  lifelong  farmer  of  Union  township,  Huntingdon 
county.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  family:  Sarah,  who  became 
Mrs.  Steele:  Rachel,  married  Jacob  Estep :  Mary,  married  James  Bow- 
ser; Susan  Jane,  married  Jacob  David;  Thompson,  married  Almira 
Murry:  William  Bland,  married  Mina  Saner;  Charles  Wesley,  married 
Belle  Klippinger;  Salina,  married  W.  P.  Magsam. 

Children  of  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Steele,  who  were  married  December  16, 
1855:  Jeannette  Belle,  born  January  i.  1857,  married  T.  J.  Wright; 
Mary  Elizabeth,  born  November  16,  1858,  married  D.  C.  Wilson;  John 
A.,  of  whom  further:  James  S.,  an  officer  in  the  Pennsylvania  Indus- 
trial Reformatory,  born  October  12,  1865,  married  Mary  Prough:  Bruce 
P.,  of  further  mention:  William  T..  a  farmer  of  Huntingdon  county, 
born  August  3,  1869,  married  Luella  Deavor;  Minnie  R.,  Ixmi  .\ugust 
15,  1871.  married  Harry  J.  Silknetter,  a  blacksmith  of  Altoona,  Penn- 
sylvania; Sarah  D.,  born  March  19,  1877,  married  James  P.  Bohner,  a 
bricklaver  of  Altoona;  Prudence  M.,  born  December  6.  1879.  married 
C.  H.  Haines,  a  butcher  of  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Zellah,  born  November  16, 
1881,  married  Robert  Smith,  a  carpenter  of  Altoona:  and  a  child  who 

died  in  infancy. 

(Ill)  John  A.,  son  of  Charles  W.  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Steele,  was 
born  in  L'nion  town.ship,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  June  9,  i860. 
His  education,  which  was  acquired  in  the  pul)lic  schools  of  his  native 
township,  was  a  good  and  practical  one,  and  upon  its  completion  he  was 


9o8  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY 

apprenticed  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade  with  R.  W.  Cook,  of  Bedford 
county,  during  the  years  1878-80.  He  followed  this  calling  for  the 
period  of  one  year  at  Huntingdon,  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Gon- 
dola Tanning  Company,  with  \\hom  he  remained  eleven  years.  He  was 
then  appointed  to  an  official  position  in  the  Pennsylvania  Reformatory, 
filling  the  duties  of  his  office  ten  years,  and  in  1901  became  a  candidate 
for  the  position  of  sheriff  of  the  county,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  but 
was  defeated  in  this  ambition  by  seventy-eight  votes.  Removing  to 
Philadelphia,  he  acted  in  the  capacity  of  superintendent  of  the  Wolfe 
Process  Leather  Company  for  about  seven  years,  and  then  returned  to 
Huntingdon.  There  he  erected  a  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  ice,  and 
organized  a  company,  of  which  he  became  the  president  and  manager, 
and  four  other  members  of  his  family  are  holding  official  positions  in  it. 
Mr.  Steele  has  always  been  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party 
in  his  borough,  and  has  wielded  considerable  influence  in  it.  He  was 
solicited  by  his  many  friends  to  become  a  candidate  for  sheriff  in  the 
fall  election  of  1913,  and  it  is  predicted  that  he  will  be  the  next  sheriff  of 
Huntingdon  county.  Mr.  Steele  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of 
Moose. 

Mr.  Steele  married,  July  17,  1881,  Agnes  L.,  daughter  of  Simeon  and 
Ellen  (Eistep)  Wright,  and  they  have  had  children:  i.  R.  Ernest,  a 
trainmaster  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  2.  Albert 
W.,  engaged  as  a  machinist  with  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company; 
married  Margaret  Hohman ;  one  child,  Frederick  Hohman.  3.  C.  Le- 
Roy,  a  fireman  on  the  middle  division  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad; 
married  Nannie  Carmon. 

(Ill)  Dr.  Bruce  P.  Steele,  son  of  Charles  W.  and  Sarah  (Smith) 
Steele,  was  born  September  i,  1867,  in  Union  township,  Huntingdon 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  education  in  the  local  schools  of 
Huntingdon  county  and  at  Juniata  College  in  the  city  of  Huntingdon,  be- 
ing well  fitted  for  the  profession  of  teaching  which  he  then  adopted.  For 
six  years  he  taught  in  the  schools,  being  principal  at  Huntingdon  for  a 
period  of  three  years.  In  1895  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  study  of 
medicine,  entering  the  Medico-Chirurgical  College  at  Philadelphia  and 
being  graduated  therefrom  in  1898  after  a  very  successful  three  years' 
course.    He  located  at  once  in  Newton  Hamilton,  Mifflin  county,  where 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUXL\TA    VALLEY  909 

he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  remained  for  three 
years,  coming  to  ilcVeytown  April  i,  1901,  and  continuing  here  ever 
since.  His  practice  has  grown  very  rapidly  and  he  is  now  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  in  this  locality,  occupying  a  prominent  position  in 
social  and  business  circles  as  well  as  in  the  professional  world.  He 
is  a  bank  director  here,  and  is  influential  in  the  Democratic  party,  of 
which  he  is  a  member.  Dr.  Steele  is  also  interested  in  fraternal  mat- 
ters, and  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  McVeytown  Lodge,  No.  376, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
to  which  both  himself  and  his  wife  belong. 

On  December  4,  1901,  after  he  had  established  himself  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  IMcVeytown,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lorma 
Postlethwaite,  who  was  born  August  28,  1881,  daughter  of  Lambert 
Postlethwaite  and  his  wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Sarah  Catherine  Rhodes. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Steele  have  two  children  :  Sarah,  born  December  18,  1902, 
and  Rachel,  born  January  23,   ic 


Mary  Barbara,  daughter  of  John  and  Barbara  (Mack) 
STUBER     Troutman,  was  born  in  Germany  in   September,   1837. 

She  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents,  the  fam- 
ily settling  in  Spruce  Creek  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania. 
Her  brother  Michael,  born  in  Germany  in  1834,  came  to  this 
country  at  the  same  time  as  his  sister  and  spent  most  of  his 
active  life  in  the  employ  of  the  Huntingdon  and  Broad  Top  Railroad 
Company.  Hilary  Barbara  Troutman  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
and  in  1858  married  Valentine  Brown.  He  was  proprietor  of  a  board- 
ing house' until  his  enlistment,  August  16,  1862,  in  Company  F,  125th 
Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  a  term  of  nine 
months,  after  which  he  was  mustered  out  with  an  honorable  discharge. 
He  fought  with  his  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Antietam,  there  receiving 
a  severe  wound.  After  the  war  he  worked  at  house  and  bridge  car- 
pentering, continuing  until  his  death  in  1882.  He  was  a  man  of  in- 
dustry and  good  character,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  faith- 
ful to  his  obHgations;  children:  William,  born  January  26.  1861,  died 
aged  three  vears:  Harriet,  born  May  7.  1859,  died  aged  seven  years. 
B^y  a  first  marriage  Valentine  Brown  had  a  son,  John.  After  remaining 
a  widow  nine  years,  Mary  Barbara  (Troutman)  Brown  married   (sec- 


9IO  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

ond)  in  1891,  Gottfried  Stuber,  of  German  parentage.  He  was  an 
employee  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  for  several  years,  then  entered 
the  employ  of  the  J.  C.  Blair  Company  of  Huntingdon,  continuing  with 
them  until  his  death.  He  was  an  upright,  industrious  man,  trusted  by 
his  employers  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church;  no  issue  by  second  mar- 
riage. 

Mrs.  Stuber  continues  her  residence  in  Huntingdon  and  though 
bereft  of  children  and  husband  to  cheer  her  declining  years,  looks  upon 
the  bright  side  of  life  and  is  unafraid.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  is  most  highly  regarded  by  her  many  friends. 


This  name,    originally   Reiden,    was    brought  to    Pennsyl- 
RIDEN     vania  from  Germany  by  three  brothers,  who  came  before 

the  revolutionary  war,  in  which  they  served.  They  first 
settled  in  New  York  state,  later  moving  to  York,  Pennsylvania,  where 
descendants  yet  reside.  The  spelling  of  the  name  has  changed  to  Riden, 
but  earlier  generations  retained  the  German  spelling,  Reiden. 

The  early  records  of  the  borough  of  Newport,  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, show  that  on  the  second  of  April,  1789,  David  (2)  English  sold 
to  Paul  Reiden  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  acres  of  land,  which  Eng- 
lish had  bought  from  his  father,  David  (i)  English,  the  original  grant 
dated  February  8,  1775,  having  been  made  to  the  latter.  By  will, 
dated  August  6,  1804,  Paul  Reiden  gave  the  same  tract  to  his  sons: 
Paul  (2),  John,  Daniel,  Abraham  and  Ephraim.  Paul,  John  and  Daniel, 
after  coming  into  possession  of  the  paternal  estate,  first  laid  out  and 
surveyed  the  town,  now  Newport,  into  fifty- four  lots,  with  streets  and 
alleys.  The  part  laid  out  was  south  along  the  Juniata  River  and  Little 
Buffalo  Creek ;  the  north  part  the  heirs  retained.  The  settlement  was 
called  Reidenville  until  the  formation  of  Perry  county  in  1820.  A 
ferry  across  the  river  was  established,  which  was  known  as  Reiden's 
Ferry,  and  in  the  war  of  1812  was  used  by  the  American  troops  to 
cross  the  river.  This  ferry  was  in  use  until  supplanted  by  the  bridge 
built  by  the  Reiden's  Ferry  Bridge  Company,  incorporated  April  4, 
1838.  The  Reiden  brothers  owned  a  mill  and  engaged  in  boating  on  the 
Juniata,  transporting  farm  produce  and  freight  for  the  merchants. 
After  several  years  they  dissolved  their  partnership  and  divided  their 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  911 

property.     Paul   (i)   Reiden  married  a  Miss  Closser,  and,  besides  the 
five  sons  mentioned,  had  four  daughters. 

(II)  John  Riden,  son  of  Paul  (i)  Reiden,  was  born  about  1808. 
He  engaged  with  his  brothers  in  founding  the  town  of  Newport,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  their  agricultural  and  boating  enterprises  until  the  disso- 
lution of  partnership.  He  then  continued  in  business  alone,  principally 
agricultural.  He  married  Hester  Mitchell,  and  both  died  in  Mifflin 
county,  leaving  issue. 

(III)  John  (2),  son  of  John  (i)  and  Hester  (Mitchell)  Riden,  was 
born  in  Dry  Valley,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  1830.  He  was 
a  miller  by  trade,  and  operated  at  different  points  in  Mifflin  county, 
including  Milroy.  He  was  an  active  Democrat,  and  a  devoted  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married  Frances  Camp,  a  descendant 
of  John  (i)  Camp,  born  in  France,  came  to  America  in  1828,  landing 
in  New  York,  finally  settling  in  the  west  end  of  the  l<ishaco(|uillas  Val- 
ley, remaining  six  years,  then  moved  to  jNIilroy,  where  he  died  Septem- 
ber 18,  1854.  Frances  Camp  was  born  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania.  Chil- 
dren :  Annie,  deceased ;  Alvaretta,  deceased ;  Margaret,  deceased ;  Sid- 
ney, deceased;  Robert  J.,  of  whom  further;  George  B.  McClellan; 
Harry;  Fannie;  William  J.,  deceased. 

(IV)  Robert  J.,  son  of  John  (2)  and  Frances  (Camp)  Riden,  was 
born  in  Milroy,  Pennsylvania,  May  24,  i860.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and  on  arriving  at  manhood  engaged  in  the  butcher  busi- 
ness. In  1893  he  came  to  Reedsville,  where  he  established  a  meat  market. 
This  he  conducted  very  successfully  until  191 1,  when  it  was  merged  with 
his  department  store  business.  In  1909  Mr.  Riden  built  what  is  said 
to  be  the  largest  frame  store  building  in  the  state.  It  is  one  hundred 
by  fifty  feet  on  the  ground,  three  stories  in  height.  The  third  floor  is 
occupied  by  lodges  and  societies,  the  second  floor  as  an  opera  house, 
and  the  first  floor  by  Mr.  Riden's  department  store.  He  is  well  estab- 
lished in  business,  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous  men  of  his  town.  He 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  has  served  as  school  director.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  Milroy  Lodge,  No.  213,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  Reedsville  Eyrie,  Fraternal  Order 

of  Eagles. 

He  married,  in  1883,  Ella,  born  in  Reedsville,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Kellv.     Children:    Beatrice,  Joseph,  Frances,  Mildred. 


912  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

The  first  settlers  of  Bucke's  Valley,  Buffalo  township, 
ALBRIGHT     Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  were  Reuben  Earl,  John 

Law,  George  Albright,  Samuel  Rankin  and  Martin 
Wain,  who  took  up  lands  along  the  Susquehanna  river  about  1773. 
George  Albright  came  to  that  locality  from  Lancaster  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. At  the  outbreak  of  the  revolution  he  entered  the  patriot  army, 
served  throughout  the  war,  leaving  at  home  a  wife  and  several  young 
sons  who  did  the  farming.  Mrs.  Albright  and  her  servant  girl  took 
her  grain  to  the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna  on  horseback,  loaded  it  into 
a  canoe  and  poled  down  the  stream  to  the  nearest  mill,  which  was  at 
Dauphin.  After  the  grain  was  converted  into  flour,  they  poled  up 
the  stream  to  the  spot  where  the  horses  had  been  left  hitched,  when  it 
was  again  loaded  on  their  backs  and  all  returned  to  the  farm.  After  the 
war  George  Albright  returned  to  the  farm  in  Perry  county,  and  there 
resided  until  death.  He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  soil  of  the  valley 
he  helped  to  defend  from  foreign  and  savage  foe. 

(II)  George  (2),  son  of  George  (i)  Albright,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  married.  Later  he  moved  to 
Ferguson's  Valley,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  purchased 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  on  which  he  built  a  stone  house  that  is  yet 
standing.  He  prospered  in  his  new  home  and  became  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  the  valley.  In  addition  to  the  homestead,  he  owned 
a  tract  of  about  one  hundred  acres  on  which  the  village  of  Yeagertown 
was  built.  He  donated  the  land  on  which  the  Lutheran  church  stands 
and  also  gave  the  land  for  the  Lutheran  cemetery  at  Yeagertown,  in 
which  he  is  buried.  His  wife,  Elizabeth,  was  also  born  in  Lancaster 
county.  Children:  i.  Sarah  ("Sally"),  died  unmarried.  2.  Eliza,  mar- 
ried Miller  Mcllvaine,  moved  west  and  there  died.  3.  Peter,  died  in 
Nebraska.  4.  John,  died  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Daniel,  died 
in  Yeagertown.  6.  William,  died  in  Kansas.  7.  George,  died  aged 
twenty  years,  and  was  the  first  person  buried  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery 
at  Yeagertown.    8.  Henry  (of  whom  further). 

(III)  Henry,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  Albright,  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county  in  1818,  but  when  a  boy  was  brought  by  his  parents 
to  Ferguson  Valley,  Mifflin  county,  where  his  after  life  was  spent.  ITe 
inherited  the  homestead  farm,  on  which  he  lived  as  owner  for  forty 
years,  a  substantial,  contented  and  respected  farmer.    In  1897  he  moved 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  913 

to  Yeagertown,  where  two  years  later,  in  1899,  he  died.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics  and  served  his  township  as  collector  of  taxes  and 
supervisor.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  He  married  (first)  1834,  Mary  Miller,  born  in  Juniata  county, 
who  left  an  only  child,  Joseph,  now  living  in  Reedsville.  He  married 
(second)  ;Mary  Ann  AlcCartney,  born  in  Huntingdon  county  in  1834, 
died  1909,  daughter  of  James  and  Catherine  (Collobine)  McCartney. 
James  McCartney  was  born  in  Centre  county,  Pennsylvania,  1806,  where 
he  married  and  farmed  all  his  active  life.  Later  he  moved  to  Mifflin 
county,  where  his  wife  died  on  their  Ferguson  Valley  farm.  His  last 
years  he  spent  with  his  sons  in  Burnham,  where  he  died  in  1893.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  Lutherans.  Fifteen  children:  Alfred;  John; 
James,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war;  Jerry;  Irvin,  died  young;  Sarah, 
married  John  Irvin;  Mary  Ann,  married  Henry  Albright;  Ellen,  died 
young;  Asbury,  died  young;  Anthony,  and  five  who  died  in  infancy. 
All  these  children  are  deceased,  except  Jerry,  who  resides  in  Yeager- 
town, and  Anthony,  of  Burnham.  Children  of  Henry  and  Mary  Ann 
Albright:  i.  Millard  Burns  (of  whom  further).  2.  Laura,  married 
Porter  Mann  and  lives  in  Pottstown.  3.  James,  resides  in  Yeagertown. 
4.  Lizzie,  married  James  Darwin,  of  Lewistown.  5.  Harry,  of  Yeager- 
town. 

(IV)  :Millard  Burns,  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  Ann  (McCartney) 
Albright,  was  born  in  Ferguson  Valley,  Mififlin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  11,  1859.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school,  grew  to  man- 
hood at  the  homestead  farm  settled  by  his  grandfather,  and  continued 
there,  engaged  in  its  cultivation,  until  the  year  1900.  He  then  joined 
in  partnership  with  his  brother  Harry  and  established  a  meat  market 
and  butchering  business  in  Yeagertown,  which  he  operated  until  Jan- 
uary, 191 1,  when  Millard  B.  purchased  his  brother's  interest.  He  con- 
ducted the  business  alone  until  1912,  then  sold  to  Harry  Albright,  his 
former  partner.  Millard  B.  then  moved  to  Burnham,  where  he  erected 
a  suitable  building  and  again  established  in  the  butcher  business,  which 
he  still  continues.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church,  his  wife  belonging  to  the  Methodist  denomination. 
He  is  also  a  Knight  of  Malta.  He  married.  May  13,  1906,  Mrs.  Delia 
(Confer).  Wallizer,  born  in  Centre  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
Elias  C.  and  Alice  (Musser)   Confer,  both  natives  of  Centre  county. 


914  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

he  now  living  retired  on  a  small  farm  in  Penn  township,  but  she  died 
July  27,  1905.  Children:  i.  Delia,  married  (first)  in  1890,  Elmer 
Wallizer,  by  whom  she  had ;  Bruce,  married  Alice  Way  and  resides  in 
Yeagertown;  Elias,  living  at  home;  she  married  (second)  Millard  B. 
Albright.  2.  Carrie,  married  Asher  Confer  and  lives  in  Centre  county. 
3.  Franklin,  resides  at  home.    4.  John,  living  in  Renovo. 

Mrs.  Delia  (Confer-Wallizer)  Albright  is  a  granddaughter  of  George 
and  Catherine  Confer,  who  were  all  residents  of  Centre  county.  Four 
of  their  sons  served  in  the  Union  army,  one  of  them,  Felta,  receiving  a 
wound  from  which  he  died.  Alice  Musser  was  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Catherine  (Stumm)  Musser,  natives  of  Centre  and  Clinton  counties, 
respectively. 

The  only  child  of  Millard  B.  and  Delia  Albright  is  Mary  Alice,  born 
April  20,  1909.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  46  North  Main  avenue, 
Yeagertown,  which  Mr.  Albright  built  in  1906. 

The   Roughs  came  to   Perry  county  from  York  county, 

KOUGH     Pennsylvania,    where   Peter   Rough   lived   and   died   near 

Hanover.     He  married  a  Miss  Bosserman,  and  had  three 

children :     Peter,  settled  in  Adams  county ;  John,  of  whom  further ;  and 

Catharine,  who  married  John  Marshall,  of  Waterloo,  New  York. 

(II)  John,  son  of  Peter  Rough,  was  born  in  York  county  in  1789, 
where  he  resided  until  his  majority.  He  then  came  to  Perry  county, 
settling  on  a  tract  of  land  inherited  from  his  father.  He  became  one 
of  the  early  iron  men  of  that  section,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Rough,  Everhardt  &  Loy,  operating  a  foundry  and  furnace,  situated 
east  of  Landisburg.  The  business  depression  of  1846  caused  the  failure 
of  the  firm.  After  his  failure  Mr.  Rough  engaged  in  farming  until 
his  death  in  1869.  He  was  a  prominent  Whig  and  a  member  of  the 
German  Baptist  (Dunkard)  church.  He  married  Eleanor,  daughter  of 
John  Ilallopeter,  an  early  settler  of  Howe  township,  Perry  county, 
later  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he  and  his  wife,  a  Miss  Fahnestock,  died; 
children :  Mary,  married  William  Bosserman,  and  died  in  Newport, 
Pennsylvania.  2.  Margaret,  married  James  Everhardt,  who  lived  and 
died  near  Newport,  well  known  and  prominent.  3.  Sarah,  married  John 
Bosserman,  of  local  prominence,  died  in  Newport.  4.  Catherine,  mar- 
ried Jesse  L.  Gantt,  a  leading  hotel  proprietor  of  Newport,  where  both 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  915 

died.  5.  Eleanor,  married  Jacob  Sauserman,  whom  she  survives,  a 
resident  of  Newport.  6.  William  (of  whom  further).  7.  John,  died  at 
his  farm  near  Newport.  8.  George,  a  foundryman,  died  in  East  Water- 
ford,  Juniata  county. 

(Ill)  William,  son  of  John  and  Eleanor  (Hallopeter)  Kough,  was 
born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1813,  died  in  Newport,  in  1893. 
He  settled  after  his  marriage  in  Juniata  township.  Perry  c<junty,  where 
he  owned  a  farm  of  nearly  three  hundred  acres,  which  he  greatly  im- 
proved and  on  which  he  resided  for  several  years.  In  1867  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  Mr.  Everhart,  engaging  in  the  coal,  grain  and  iron 
business.  Later  the  firm  became  William  Kough  &  Sons,  continuing 
as  such  for  two  years.  Mr.  Kough  then  sold  to  his  sons,  retiring  from 
business,  and  they  continued  dealing  in  coal,  iron,  salt,  grain,  flour, 
feed,  etc.  He  continued  his  residence  in  Newport  until  his  death,  at 
the  age  of  eighty  years.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  for  one 
term  was  county  commissioner,  also  filling  many  township  offices.  He 
married  Mary  McKenzie,  born  in  Duncannon,  Perry  county,  in  181 5, 
died  in  Newport,  in  1885.  Both  were  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Association;  children:  i.  John  \\'.  S.,  located  in  Spokane,  Washington, 
died  in  1910  in  Newport.  2.  Sarah,  married  E.  B.  Weise,  once  county 
treasurer  of  Perry  county,  now  deceased;  she  survives,  a  resident  of 
Newport.  3.  Mary,  married  John  Acker;  both  are  deceased.  4.  Mar- 
garet, married  Watson  L.  Gantt  and  resides  in  Newport.  5.  William  H., 
a  retired  grain  and  coal  dealer  of  Newport,  ex-sheriff  of  Perry  county, 
now  living  retired  in  Newport.  6.  Katherinc,  married  Rev.  H.  A. 
Stoke,  an  evangelical  minister,  and  resides  at  York,  Pennsylvania.  7. 
Ambrose,  now  a  retired  coal  dealer  of  Newport.  8.  Amos  W.,  of  whom 
further.     Four  other  children  died  in  infancy. 

Mary  McKenzie  Kough,  mother  of  these  children,  was  a  daughter 
of  John  McKenzie  and  his  wife,  a  Miss  Boyd  and  a  descendant  of  the 
emigrant  from  Inverness,  Scotland,  who  came  in  1775,  said  to  have 
borne  the  name  of  Kenneth  McKenzie.  He  served  in  the  American  revo- 
lution, was  captured  by  the  British  and  never  again  was  heard  from. 
He  left  issue,  including  a  son  John.  John  McKenzie  grew  to  manhood 
in  Philadelphia,  early  coming  to  Duncannon,  Perry  county,  where  he 
bought  a  farm  of  three  hundred  acres,  on  which  he  built  a  home  and 
a  blacksmith  shop.     He  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of   1812.  married. 


9i6  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

and  reared  a  family,  dying  at  the  age  of  forty  years,  from  blood  poison- 
ing, the  result  of  a  horseshoe  nail  wound  received  while  shoeing  a 
restless  horse. 

He  had  a  son,  John  (2)  McKenzie,  born  on  the  Duncannon  farm, 
and  followed  the  trade  of  blacksmith  in  addition  to  his  farming  opera- 
tions. He  was  prosperous,  owning  considerable  property  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, including  one  of  the  hotels  of  the  town.  He  died  in  Dun- 
cannon,  about  the  year  1867.  By  his  first  wife,  a  Miss  Boyd,  he  had 
two  children:  Mary,  who  married  William  Kough,  of  previous  mention, 
and  John  (3),  a  foundryman,  who  lived  and  died  in  New  Bloomfield. 
By  his  second  wife,  a  Miss  Peacock,  he  also  had  issue. 

(IV)  Amos  W.,  son  of  William  and  Mary  (McKenzie)  Kough,  was 
born  in  Juniata  township,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  14, 
1854.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  township,  Newport 
high  school,  and  Silas  Wright's  select  school  at  Millerstown,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  taught  school  for  one  year,  then  was  in  business  at  Carlisle 
for  a  year,  then  for  four  years  taught  school  and  worked  at  the  home 
farm.  In  the  year  1S81  he  located  in  Newport,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
bought  a  stock  of  groceries  from  his  brother-in-law,  Ephraim  B.  Weise, 
and  began  business  at  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Third  streets.  He  has 
prospered  and  is  still  in  active  business,  his  being  the  oldest  exclusive 
grocery  house  in  Newport.  Six  years  after  his  start  he  bought  his 
present  property,  on  which  two  houses  and  his  store  are  standing.  In 
1894  he  was  elected  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  in  Jan- 
uary, 1913,  was  elected  vice-president.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
serving  nine  years  as  school  director,  eight  of  these  years  being  presi- 
dent of  the  board,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  town  council.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  and  in  religious  faith 
a  Lutheran,  having  served  that  church  as  deacon  for  many  years. 
Active  and  interested  in  all  that  concerns  the  welfare  of  his  town,  Mr. 
Kough  is  one  of  the  men  that  have  been  the  leaders  in  Newport's  pros- 
perity. Known  as  an  honorable,  upright  business  man,  he  is  no  less 
esteemed  for  his  many  manly  qualities  and  friendliness.  He  is  inter- 
ested in  historical  matters  and  has  a  well-filled  case  of  relics  pertaining 
to  early  Pennsylvania  history. 

He  married,  January  8,  1880,  Annie  F.,  daughter  of  Abraham  K. 
and  Rebecca  (Loy)  Long;  children:    i.  Harry  M.,  engaged  in  the  piano 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  917 

business.  2.  Nellie  McKenzie,  graduate  of  Newport  high  school,  a 
student  at  Bucknell,  also  attended  Combs'  Conservatory  of  Music.  3. 
Ralph  Long,  a  clerk  in  his  father's  store.  4.  Irene  L.,  a  graduate  of 
Westchester  Normal  School;  is  a  teacher.  5.  Jessie  M.,  at  home;  grad- 
uate of  Newport  high  school. 


The  first  of   this  name   in  the   Juniata   Valley  of 
FLICKINGER     whom  there  is  record  was  Henry  Flickinger,  born 

in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  i,  1765, 
died  November  10,  1853.  He  came  to  Perry  county  a  young,  unmar- 
ried man.  He  bought  a  small  farm  near  Ickesburg,  where  he  remained 
a  number  of  years,  afterward  and  until  his  death  residing  on  a  farm 
just  north  of  that  village,  not  far  from  the  Tuscarora  mountain.  He 
married  Margaret  Yohn,  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania, 
April  4,  1779,  died  April  27,  1853,  daughter  of  John  Yohn.  Mr. 
Flickinger  and  his  wife  were  Lutherans,  and  are  buried  at  Shuman's 
Church,  I^shcol,  Pennsylvania.  They  had  nine  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, among  whom  were:  i.  John,  died  at  Center,  Perry  county.  2. 
Henry,  died  at  Ickesburg.  3.  Isaac,  died  in  Juniata  county.  4.  Jo- 
seph, of  whom  further.  5.  George,  died  in  Newport,  Penns}lvania. 
6.  Nicholas,  died  in  Ohio.  7.  Daniel,  killed  by  a  train  at  Port  Royal, 
Pennsylvania;  has  son  Robert  living  in  Nebraska.     8.  Peter,  died  in 

Ickesburg.     9.   David,   deceased.      10.   Elizabeth.      ir.   ,   married 

Shraffler.     12.  Name  not  known.     13.  Mary,  died  in  Perry  coun- 
ty; married  a  Mr.  Fuller.     14.  Christina,  married  Henry  Long. 

(II)  Joseph,  son  of  Henry  Flickinger,  was  born  in  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  9,  18 18,  died  September  7,  1902.  He  grew 
up  a  farmer  and  for  several  years  worked  rented  farms  near  Ickes- 
burg, his  home.  He  later  bought  a  farm  near  Marklesvilie,  on  which 
he  lived  forty-five  years,  until  his  death.  He  was  a  Republican  and 
held  many  township  offices  and  the  county  office  of  director  of  the 
poor.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  Lutherans.  He  married  Nancy, 
daughter  of  William  Campbell,  son  of  the  immigrant  Campbell,  a  sol- 
dier under  the  great  Wellington,  prior  to  his  coming  to  America.  Wil- 
liam Campbell  settled  near  Landisburg,  Pennsylvania,  when  a  young 
man,  and  there  married.  He  was  a  carpenter,  and  a  soldier  of  the  war 
of  1812.     He  had  eight  children:     William   (2),  died  near  Newport, 


9i8  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Pennsylvania,  a  boatman  on  the  old  Juniata  canal;  George,  a  farmer 
and  commissioner  of  Perry  county,  died  near  Newport;  Sarah,  married 
John  Hummell;  a  daughter,  married  an  Adams;  Jane,  married  Major 
Shull,  an  officer  of  the  Mexican  and  civil  wars;  Margaret,  married 
David  Crist,  lived  and  died  at  Markleville ;  Nancy,  married  Joseph 
Flickinger;  a  daughter,  married  Jerry  Dunkleberger.  Children  of  Jo- 
seph Flickinger:  i.  William  Henry,  now  a  retired  merchant  of  Hart- 
ford, Kansas;  he  served  during  the  civil  war,  in  Company  G,  208th 
Reeiment,  Pennsvlvania  Volunteer  Infantrv:  he  married  Elizabeth 
Tressler.  2.  Levi  H.  C,  of  whom  further.  3.  Joseph  Martin,  now 
a  merchant  of  Newport,  Pennsylvania;  married  Frances  Van  Camp. 
4.  Darwin  Crawford,  now  an  engineer  in  a  ruliber  works  at  Akron, 
Ohio;  married  )iliss  Parker.  5.  Margaret,  married  John  N.  Kretzing, 
and  resides  in  Juniata  township,  Perry  county.  6.  Miller  Emery,  now 
a  merchant   of   Markleville,    Pennsylvania:   married   Mary   Lenker. 

(Ill)  Levi  Hiram  Campbell,  son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Campbell) 
Flickinger,  was  born  near  Ickesburg,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  Au- 
gust 20,  1843.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Markleville 
Academy,  teaching  after  graduation  until  his  enlistment  in  the  army. 
When  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  threatened  by  invasion,  called  for 
men,  Mr.  Flickinger  enlisted,  in  June,  1863,  in  Company  B,  36th  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Get- 
tysburg the  day  before  the  battle  began,  and  during  the  three  days" 
fight  was  engaged  in  guarding  the  supply  train.  After  the  battle  they 
were  detailed  to  bury  the  dead  and  clear  the  battlefield  of  the  evidences 
of  the  fierce  battle,  so  far  as  possible.  In  September,  1864,  he  re-en- 
listed in  Company  G,  208th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, serving  as  corporal  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  saw  hard 
service,  being  engaged  at  Hatcher's  Run,  Warren's  raid,  siege  of 
Petersburg,  Fort  Stedman,  "Fort  Hell,"  Fort  Mahone,  "Fort  Damna- 
tion," "Fort  Heaven,"  capture  of  Petersburg,  and  in  pursuit  of  Lee. 

After  the  war  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  attended  the  acad- 
emy for  a  year,  then  returned,  teaching  during  the  school  years  and 
working  at  carpentering  in  summer.  For  twenty-five  years  he  followed 
the  ])rofcssion  of  teaching,  and  won  favorable  commendation  as  an 
educator.  In  1866  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen 
acres,  in  Juniata  township,  and  resided  thereon  until  1869.     He  then 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  919 

rented  his  farm  and  for  a  time  bought  and  sold  wool  and  merchandise. 
He  then  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  until  1878,  then  returned  to 
his  farm,  remaining  until  1894,  engaged  in  successful  farming  opera- 
tions. In  1894  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  Perry  county,  serving  his 
term  with  honor.  Since  retiring  from  the  treasurer's  office  he  has 
continued  his  home  in  New  Bloomfield.  In  1907  he  sold  his  farm  and 
purchased  a  brick  residence  on  Main  street,  which  is  his  present  home. 
From  1905  until  1913,  when  he  resigned,  Mr.  Flickingcr  was  general 
agent  for  the  Susquehanna  &  Western  Railway  Company.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  in  1882  was  elected  county  auditor,  serving 
three  years,  and  from  1904  until  1907  was  county  treasurer,  as  stated. 
In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran;  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed  church.  Mr.  Flickinger's  life  has  been  a  useful,  busy  one, 
given  over  largely  to  the  service  of  his  county  and  country.  For  twen- 
ty-five years  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  he  trained  the  youthful 
minds  of  many  whose  names  are  not  unknown  to  fame.  As  soldier  and 
public  official  he  gave  more  years  of  his  manhood's  vigor,  and  then 
retired  to  the  quiet  of  private  life,  honored  and  respected.  The  war 
record  of  the  Flickinger  family  is  an  honorable  one,  about  twenty  of 
the  family,  all  closely  related,  offering  themselves  and  serving  during 
the  war  between  the  states. 

Mr.  Flickinger  married,  August  23,  1866,  Susan  Elizabeth,  born 
in  Perry  county,  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  Kretzing;  children:  i. 
Minnie  :\Iaude,  married  William  B.  Anderson,  and  resides  in  New 
Bloomfield.  2.  John  Joseph  Flickinger,  a  conductor  on  the  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  railroad,  with  residence  in  Chicago :  he  married 
Emma  Drufnick:  children:  Florence,  Clarence  Ray.  Howard,  and  one 
deceased.  3.  Kearney  Emerson,  now  an  eni])loyee  of  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad,  with  residence  at  Newport:  he  married  Ida  May  Johnson; 
children-  Goldie  Mav,  married  Donald  Soulouff;  and  Jessie  Maude. 
4  Nannie  Susan,  married  E.  W.  Swartz,  and  resides  at  Longfellow, 
Pennsylvania.  5.  Henrv  Foster,  a  farmer  of  Abingdon.  Illinois;  mar- 
ried Josephine  Bridson ;  children:  Everett  Otts.  Loyal  Dean.  Susan 
Marilla  and  Mun  Levi.  6.  Miles  HowaP<l,  now  manager  of  the  elec- 
trical signal  department  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  res.dmg  at  Dun- 
cannon.  Pennsvlvania:  married  Annie  Imlmff;  children:  Jean  Eliza- 
beth  and  Leslie  Howard.     7-  ^'evin  West,  nnw  travelling  salesman  for 


920  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

Allentown  Rolling  Mills;  he  married  (first)  Emma  Lee,  of  Hazleton, 
Pennsylvania,  (second)  Eva  Hademan;  children:  George  (deceased), 
and  Rose  Elizabeth.  8.  George  Ernest,  died  in  infancy.  9.  Margaret 
S.,  married  Joseph  E.  Leiter,  whom  she  survives,  a  resident  of  Allen- 
town,  Pennsylvania.  10.  Mary  Florence,  married  Frank  E.  Eckerd; 
she  died  March  11,  1913,  leaving  children:  Sarah  Geraldin,  Mary 
Elizabeth,  Frank  Raymond  and  George  Hiram. 


This  family,  which  is  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  is  de- 
RODGERS     scended   from  Matthew   Rodgers,   who   with  his  wife 

Ann  came  to  America  from  Ireland  in  about  1803. 
Matthew  Rodgers  was  a  ship  carpenter  from  his  early  youth,  and  con- 
tinued his  trade  in  this  country,  assisting  in  fitting  out  the  fleet  with 
which  Commodore  Perry  won  his  memorable  victory  over  the  British 
on  Lake  Erie  in  September,  1813.  Mr.  Rodgers  travelled  from  city 
to  city  in  the  pursuit  of  his  business  and  was  last  known  as  a  resident 
of  Pittsburgh;  after  this  the  family  lost  trace  of  him.  He  and  his 
wife  had  seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters:  Matthew, 
married,  and  resided  near  Philadelphia,  where  he  died,  leaving  a  daugh- 
ter Sarah,  married  to  Joseph  Longer,  whose  descendants  now  reside  in 
that  vicinity;  Samuel,  mentioned  further;  Robert,  became  a  brick- 
maker,  marrying  and  going  to  Iowa  as  a  pioneer  settler,  and  leaving  a 
family  there  who  are  among  the  best  citizens  in  the  state;  Margaret, 
became  Mrs.  Hood,  of  Philadelphia,  and  left  children;  names  of  the 
other  daughters  not  given. 

(II)  Samuel,  son  of  Matthew  and  Ann  Rodgers,  was  born  near 
Philadelphia,  and  received  his  education  in  that  city,  learning  the  trade 
of  milling  spices  in  the  village  of  Milltown,  in  Philadelphia  county. 
Here  also  he  was  married,  spending  his  subsequent  life  in  various 
places  and  at  various  occupations.  For  nine  years  he  followed  the  pur- 
suit of  farming  in  Chester  county,  after  which  he  became  state  super- 
visor on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  between  Downingtown  and  Paoli; 
he  remained  thus  for  about  six  years,  when  he  became  interested  in  the 
milling  business  in  Philadelphia  county,  where  he  continued  for  the 
subsequent  seven  vears,  the  last  five  of  which  were  passed  in  the  bor- 
ough of  Frankford.  His  next  venture  was  the  purchase  of  a  farm  at 
Gwynedd,  in  Montgomery  county,  where  he  remained  for  about  four 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  921 

years,  after  which  he  again  turned  his  attention  to  milHng  at  Frank- 
ford.  In  i860  he  removed  to  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Lewisville,  on  which  he  resided  for 
about  eight  years,  removing  in  1868  to  Mifflin  county,  where  he  be- 
came a  resident  of  Lewistown.  He  bought  the  Mt.  Rock  mills  in  this 
place  and  managed  them  for  sixteen  years,  finally  selling  out  to  Andrew 
Spanogle,  and  retiring  from  active  business  life.  He  died  in  1885, 
at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  He  married  three  times.  His  first  wife 
was  Sydney  Hallerman,  daughter  of  Jacob  Hallerman ;  she  died  in 
1844.  The  name  of  his  second  wife  is  not  known.  His  third  wife  was 
Sarah  Bragg.  His  children  were:  Julia  Ann,  became  Mrs.  Alexander 
Harrison ;  Maurice,  married  Isabelle  Oilman,  and  had  three  children ; 
Eliza,  became  Mrs.  Cool,  and  had  one  son;  Isaac  H.,  of  further  men- 
tion ;  Annie  M.,  married  Edward  Miller,  and  had  one  daughter. 

(III)  Isaac  Hallerman  Rodgers,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sydney  (Hal- 
lerman) Rodgers,  was  born  near  Downingtown.  Chester  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  7,  1838.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  the 
county,  and  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  milling  business  in  associa- 
tion with  his  father,  with  whom  he  resided  until  he  was  twenty-nine 
vears  of  age.  He  then  became  a  miller  on  his  own  account,  purchasing 
the  Logan  steam  flouring  mills  at  Lewistown  in  1885.  In  1893  he 
bought  the  Brookland  roller  flouring  mills  at  McVeytown.  where  he 
resided  until  his  death.  May  20,  1901.  Mr.  Rodgers  was  successful 
in  his  various  enterprises,  reaping  financial  profit  and  producing  goods 
of  the  finest  quality  in  his  line  of  business,  so  that  the  products  of  his 
mills  came  to  be  very  widely  and  favorably  known.  He  became  one 
of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the  place,  being  liberal  and  public 
spirited  in  his  views.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Republican  party.  He 
attended  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  all  his  family  were 
attendants.  On  October  18,  1868,  he  was  married  to  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Gideon  and  Elizabeth  Brahm,  of  McConnellsburg,  Fulton  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Children:  Joseph  L.,  died  when  about  nine  years  of 
age;  John  T.,  of  further  mention;  Anna  Mary;  Samuel,  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

(IV)  John  T.  Rodgers,  son  of  Isaac  Hallerman  and  Sarah  (Brahm) 
Rodgers,  was  born  June  28,  1871,  at  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania.  He 
received  his  earlier  education  at  the  public  schools  of  Lewistown,  sub- 


922  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

sequently  attending  Professor  Riley"s  academ_v,  and  at  the  conclusion 
of  his  studies  entered  upon  his  business  career  by  working  in  his 
father's  mill.  He  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  calling,  com- 
ing to  McVeytown  in  1893,  at  the  time  that  his  father  purchased  the 
Brookland  mills,  and  making  his  home  in  this  place  ever  since.  He 
has  prospered  greatly  and  has  become  the  owner  of  the  mill  which  he 
manages.  His  position  in  the  community  is  a  prominent  one,  and  he  is 
connected  in  various  capacities  with  other  large  business  enterprises  in 
this  place.  He  is  a  director  in  the  bank,  where  his  influence  is  keen 
and  beneficial;  and  in  politics  he  is  also  a  leading  figure,  being  now 
treasurer  of  the  town  council  and  having  been  formerly  its  secretary. 
He  is  a  memljer  of  the  Republican  party.  Mr.  Rodgers  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  belonging  to  the 
Bright  Star  Lodge,  No.  705.  In  religiotis  circles  he  is  held  in  high 
esteem,  being  a  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  both 
himself  and  his  wife  are  members. 

On  November  27,  1902,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jessamine  Mack- 
lin,  who  was  born  October  9,  1879;  she  is  the  daughter  of  James  and 
Jennie  (Leattor)  Macklin,  residents  of  this  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rodg- 
ers have  two  sons:  James  Macklin,  born  February  2^,  1909;  and 
John  T.  Jr.,  born  August  12,  1910. 

Ishmael  Owens  was  born  in  Wales,  April  20,  1748,  and 
OWENS     was   a  brewer  of   malt   and   hops.     He  located    in   New 

Orleans,  Louisiana,  about  1769,  and  from  there  removed 
to  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  He  remained  there  for  a  while,  when 
he  settled  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  lived  from  1774 
until  1813,  covering  the  periods  of  the  two  wars  with  Great  Britain. 
Here  he  was  married  and  here  all  his  children  were  born.  He  served 
during  the  revolutionary  war  as  a  member  of  the  Chester  county  light 
horse,  and  in  after  years  was  fond  of  recalling  his  experiences  and  de- 
scribing the  events  which  came  under  his  observation,  frequently  refer- 
ring to  the  battle  of  Brandywine  and  the  massacre  of  Paoli.  His  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren  have  recollection  of  his  uniform,  which  was  of 
bright  blue  cloth  trimmed  with  yellow  and  adorned  with  large  brass 
buttons.  He  wore  a  leather  hat  with  a  projection  in  front  and  plain 
behind,  and  carried  a  sword.     He  was  in  every  respect  a  patriotic  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  923 

exemplary  citizen,  and  served  both  church  and  state  to  the  best  of  his 
abihty.  He  attended  the  Manor  meeting  house  near  West  Chester, 
for,  though  he  was  an  Episcopahan  in  his  rehgious  behefs,  he  had  no 
hesitancy  in  worshipping  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 

It  was  while  he  was  still  living  in  Chester  county  that  his  oldest 
son,  Morris,  was  drafted  for  service  at  Baltimore  to  assist  in  quelling 
the  riots  of  July  27-28.  during  the  first  year  of  the  war  of  1812.  The 
company  in  which  he  served  marched  all  night  in  order  to  reach  the 
scene  of  the  troubles,  but  reached  their  destination  after  the  fighting 
was  all  over  and  quiet  had  been  established.  In  1813  Mr.  Owens  re- 
moved to  Middletown,  Dauphin  county,  where  he  resided  four  years, 
before  he  made  his  final  home  in  Lewistown,  Mifllin  county.  Here  he 
died  in  the  year  1820  from  the  effects  of  a  fall,  being  then  seventy-two 
years  of  age.  He  was  a  man  well  preserved  for  his  age,  and  in  stature 
was  inclined  to  be  short  and  stout;  it  is  not  believed  that  he  had  other 
relatives  in  this  country  beside  his  immediate  faniilw  at  llie  lime  of  his 
death.  He  was  buried  in  Millerstown,  Perry  county,  where  his  wife 
was  also  buried  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  afterward,  in  1846.  She 
was  a  Miss  Catherine  Stem  before  her  marriage,  born  March  24,  1763, 
the  daughter  of  Conrad  Stem,  of  German  descent.  Children :  Morris, 
born  February  12,  1788;  Henry,  March  19,  1791  ;  Elizabeth,  October 
10,  1792;  David,  March  i,  1794;  Rebecca,  June  26,  1796;  William, 
November  28,  1797:  Sarah,  August  20,  1799;  Rachel,  April  5,  1801 ; 
Lewis,  February  18,  1802;  Owen,  .\pril  16.  1805.  mentioned  further: 
Mary,  August  5,  1807. 

(II)  Owen  Owens,  son  of  Ishmael  and  Catherine  (Stem)  Owens, 
was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  parents  resided 
for  many  years,  on  April  16,  1805.  Tie  was  seven  years  of  age  when 
his  father  removed  to  Middletown,  Dauphin  county,  and  accompanied 
him  afterward  to  Lewistown,  in  Mifilin  county.  Here  he  resided  until 
the  year  1829,  when  he  settled  in  Wayne  township,  now  Oliver,  at 
what  is  now  Lockport.  He  was  a  blacksmith,  and  it  was  he  who 
opened  for  the  first  time  the  three  locks  for  boats  to  pass  through.  He 
remained  at  Lockport  for  four  or  five  years,  when  he  removed  to  a 
farm  which  James  Shepherd  had  previously  owned;  and  in  1861  he 
located  on  the  McFadden  farm  at  what  is  now  Granville. 

(III)  Walter  L.   Owens,   son  of   Owen   Owens,   accompanied   his 


924  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

father  to  Granville,  where  he  opened  a  store  in  1865 ;  this  was  made 
a  passenger  station  in  1866,  and  during  the  same  year  a  postoffice  was 
established  there.  The  place  had  previously  been  known  as  Wolf- 
kill's  Siding.  Mr.  Owens  became  a  i^rominent  man  in  the  neigh- 
borhood and  was  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  town.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  E.  Price,  and  had  children  as  follows:  i.  Anna,  de- 
ceased; married  R.  W.  Kline;  children,  Charles  E.,  Frank  A.  and 
Ethel.  2.  Charles  G.,  of  whom  further.  3.  Blanche,  married  W.  G. 
Satzler;  no  issue.  4.  James  H.,  married  Miss  Mumper;  children:  Her- 
bert, William  (deceased)  and  Elizabeth. 

(IV)  Charles  G.  Owens,  son  of  Walter  L.  and  Mary  E.  (Price) 
Owens,  was  born  November  11,  1866,  in  Granville  township,  Mifflin 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  township,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  begin- 
ning work  as  a  young  man  on  the  railroad.  He  subsequently  entered 
the  merchandise  business,  and  for  seven  years  has  been  connected  with 
the  store  in  Granville,  where  he  has  conducted  a  general  trade  with 
distinguished  success.  He  now  has  full  ownership  of  the  store,  and 
is  besides  in  possession  of  other  properties  in  the  city.  His  influence 
in  the  community  is  a  very  strong  one.  On  January  i,  191 1,  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  of  Granville.  In  politics  Mr.  Owens  is  a  Repub- 
lican, though  he  has  never  made  himself  conspicuous  in  his  party  or 
aspired  to  public  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  as  is  also  his  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  on  March  7,  1895. 
She  was  Miss  Arietta  Emory,  before  her  marriage,  born  November  i, 
1869,  in  Perry  county,  and  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Mariah 
(Scyoc)  Emory,  also  natives  of  that  county.  They  have  had  six  chil- 
dren, all  born  in  Granville  township,  and  all  now  at  home  with  their 
parents:  Cecilia,  born  January  26,  1896;  Walter,  May  8,  1898;  Owen, 
January  29.  1902;  Mary,  August  7,  1904;  Bruce,  April  i,  1905;  Merle, 
December  23,  1907. 


Jacob  H.  Richard,  of  Maitland,  Mifflin  county,  Penn- 
RICHARD     sylvania,   has  behind  him  a  long  line  of  colonial  and 

revolutionary  ancestry.  The  Richard  family  was  of 
Devonshire,  England,  stock.  The  first  to  come  to  America  was  Rich- 
ard Richard,  who  landed  in  Massachusetts  in   1634,  and  it  is  thought 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  925 

that  from  him  sprung  all  the  numerous  families  of  the  name  in  the 
United  States.  Many  of  the  name  were  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
the  various  colonies  before  the  revolution,  and  several  were  famous 
Indian  fighters. 

(I)  John  Richard,  a  descendant  of  Richard  Richard,  was  an  early 
settler  in  Mifflin  county.  He  was  one  of  the  very  useful  men  of  his 
day,  and  w^as  known  far  and  wide  by  the  thrifty  housewives  of  Mif- 
flin and  adjoining  counties,  as  he  was  the  maker  of  spinning  wheels. 
He  was  also  a  wheelwright,  and  furnished  very  nearly  all  of  the  wag- 
ons that  w^ere  in  use  during  his  day.  Only  two  of  his  children  are 
known  by  name:  Elizabeth,  and  John,  of  whom  further  to  be  found 
below. 

(II)  John  (2),  son  of  John  (i)  Richard,  was  born  in  1798,  near 
Beaver  Springs,  and  died  June  8,  1870,  in  Derry  township,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-three.  Under  his  father  he  learned  the  wheelwright's  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  some  time,  or  until  Whitney  invented  the  cotton 
gin,  in  Augusta,  Georgia.  Finding  his  occupation  gone,  superseded  by 
the  invention  of  the  gin.  he  began  farming,  and  remained  at  that  peaceful 
vocation  until  his  death.  He  married  Sarah  Cupples,  a  daughter  of 
James  Cupples,  who  was  first  sergeant  in  a  Pennsylvania  company  dur- 
ing the  revolutionary  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cupples  were  born  in  Mif- 
flin countv  and  died  there.  He  was  of  hardy  Scotch-Irish  descent,  his 
emigrant  forefather  coming  from  Ireland  in  1750,  after  having  lived 
in  Scotland  until  his  young  manhood,  when  he  moved  to  Ireland  and 
there  married,  it  is  thought.  The  wife  of  James  Cupples  was  of  Ger- 
man extraction,  and  they  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Chil- 
dren of  John  and  Sarah  (Cupples)  Richard:  i.  Reuben,  married  Ma- 
tilda Graham.  2.  Nancy,  married  Benjamin  Mowerey.  3.  Mary  Ann. 
4.  John  Jr..  married  in  Ohio.  5.  Hannah.  6.  Samuel,  of  whom  fur- 
ther. 7.  James,  married  Sarah  Bornman.  8.  Sarah,  married  William 
Sager.  9.  AA'illiam.  married  Miss  Roush.  10.  Anna,  twin  of  William, 
married  George  Elliot. 

(III)  Samuel,  son  of  John  (2)  and  Sarah  (Cupples)  Richard,  w^as 
born  May  6,  1835,  in  Derry  township,  Mifllin  county.  He  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  was  educated  in  the  Derry  township  public  school  and 
at  Lewistown.  As  a  young  man  he  taught  for  three  terms.  In  1882 
he  purchased  one  hundred  acres,  the  place  on  which  he  now  lives,  and 


926  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

has  since  that  time  done  general  farming,  until  his  son  Jacob  took  over 
the  farm.  He  was  drafted  during  the  civil  war,  but  offered  a  substi- 
tute. He  is  a  Democrat,  upholding  the  principles  of  that  party,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  German  Baptist  Brethren  church.  He  married,  April 
26,  1856,  Mary  Ann  Howe,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Howe,  of  Cumber- 
land county,  where  he  lived  and  died  a  blacksmith.  She  died  February 
6,  1902.  Children:  i.  Jacob  H.,  of  whom  further.  2.  Joseph  L.,  mar- 
ried Miss  Kripps:  lives  in  Illinois,  a  farmer.  3.  Rudy,  married  Pora 
Finkenbinder ;  he  is  farming  at  Lena,  Illinois.  4.  William,  a  steel 
moulder  in  Ohio;  married  (first)  Miss  McCalley;  married  (second) 
Miss  Bair. 

(IV)  Jacob  H.  Richard,  of  Maitland,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  A.  (Howe)  Richard,  was  born  May  9,  1857,  in  Derry  town- 
ship, Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  near  Maitland.  His  education  was 
received  in  the  public  school  at  Maitland,  and  he  was  reared  in  the  free 
life  on  the  farm.  When  about  twenty-one  or  twenty-two  he  worked 
for  two  years  at  an  ore  bank.  He  entered  the  mercantile  business  at 
Maitland  and  remained  in  it  for  six  years,  from  18S1  until  1887,  after 
which  time  he  bought  his  father's  farm  and  has  remained  a  farmer 
since.  He  owns  ninety  well  tilled  highly  productive  acres,  on  which  he 
does  general  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  the  Brethren, 
of  which  he  has  been  an  able  minister  since  1892.  He  was  commis- 
sioned postmaster  under  President  Garfield,  which  position  he  held  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  township.  Besides  being  a  successful 
farmer,  he  combines  with  it  stock  raising,  making  the  two  net  him 
handsome  sums  yearly. 

He  married  (first)  December  25.  1877,  Mary  M.  Baker,  daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Susan  (Ritter)  Baker,  longtime  residents  of  Snyder 
county;  she  died  March  4,  1900.  He  married  (second)  Minnie  Show- 
ers, February  iS,  1904.  Children  by  first  marriage;  i.  Annie,  mar- 
ried Samuel  Allen,  and  lives  in  Iowa.  2.  Daniel,  married  Lilly  Butler; 
he  is  a  mechanic  at  Burnham,  Pennsylvania.  3.  Howard,  a  farmer; 
married  Jennie  Stuck.  4.  Clarence,  employed  at  Burnham,  Pennsyl- 
vania; married  Lottie  Edmonson.  5.  Esther,  married  Lewis  Edmon- 
son, who  is  employed  at  Burnham.  6.  Samuel,  employed  at  Burnham ; 
married  Hittle  Goss.  7.  John  J.,  unmarried.  Children  by  second  mar- 
riage;     I.  Paul,  born  1905.     2.  David,  born  in  1908. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  927 

This  name  is  found  in  the  annais  of  Snyder  county, 
MEISER  Pennsylvania,  as  early  as  1788,  when  Henry  Meiser 
owned  and  operated  a  saw  mill  in  Middle  Creek  town- 
ship. At  about  this  time  a  frame  grist  mill  was  built  on  the  south  side 
of  Aliddle  Creek,  at  what  is  now  known  as  Meiser's  Station. 

David,  son  of  Henry  Meiser,  was  a  miller  by  trade,  owning  a  mill 
at  Aleiserville,  Snyder  county,  and  later  purchasing  the  grist  mill  at 
Meiser's  Station.  He  was  in  business  there  for  many  years,  and  later 
retired  to  Chapman,  in  Chapman  township,  Snyder  county,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death.  David  Aleiser's  children  were :  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried John  Snyder,  and  lived  and  died  near  Meiserville;  Catherine,  who 
married  William  Fryman;  Sally,  who  married  John  Leitzel,  and  an 
only  son,  John  S. 

John  S.  Meiser  was  born  and  is  now  residing  in  Snyder  county. 
For  many  years  he  has  been  the  agent  at  Meiser's  Station,  and  simul- 
taneously is  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  He  is  a  veteran  of 
the  civil  war,  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Patri- 
otic Order  Sons  of  America,  and  the  Lutheran  church.  On  February 
13,  1869,  a  son,  Charles  Ammon,  was  born  to  John  S.  Meiser  and 
Mary  Ann  Jane  Walter,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Walter,  both  living  in 
Middle  Creek  township;  ^Nlary  Ann  Jane  was  born  in  1850,  and  died 
April  13.  1881. 

Charles  Ammon  Meiser  was  destined  to  become  before  many  years 
one  of  the  foremost  figures  in  Central  Pennsylvania  commerce.  Step 
by  step  he  fought  his  way,  staunchly  keeping  his  commercial  operations 
on  the  solid  foundation  of  good  Christian  principles  upon  which  he  was 
building  his  life.  After  a  common  school  education  he  attended  the 
Freeburg  Academy,  and  shortly  thereafter  began  teaching  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  which  vocation  he  followed  for  five  years.  His  first  ven- 
ture into  business  took  the  form  of  a  copartnership  with  one  B.  W. 
Yoder,  at  Globe  Mills  (Meiser's  Station),  but  after  si.\  months  the  part- 
ners sold  out  and  for  a  while  engaged  in  farming  at  Kreamer.  Al- 
ready at  this  time  it  seems  that  the  trading  instinct  was  thoroughly 
aroused  in  the  young  merchant,  for  we  find  important  changes  follow- 
ing each  other  in  rapid  succession.  Never  slow  to  make  a  decision,  we 
find  him  two  years  as  a  butcher  in  copartnership  with  his  brother-in- 


928  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

law,  Harrison  Moyer,  at  Middleburg,  and  two  years  as  a  baker,  having 
thereafter  bought  the  estabhshment  of  A.  L.  Eshehnan,  and  this  human 
dynamo  is  ready  to  change  his  habitat  from  Snyder  county  to  Juniata, 
httle  suspecting  himself  to  what  extent  fame  and  fortune  would  smile 
upon  him  in  this  new  environment. 

At  Thompsontown,  Juniata  county,  James  A.  Cameron  was  con- 
ducting a  small  general  store.  The  place  was  well  located  and  the  town 
was  good,  but  somehow  this  particular  corner  seemed  to  discourage 
one  storekeeper  after  another,  and  tradition  had  it  that  no  one  could 
make  the  corner  pay.  How  fate  led  Charles  Meiser  to  Thompsontown 
we  do  not  know,  but  we  do  know  that  on  a  very  lucky  day  for  Thomp- 
sontown, in  the  year  1900,  this  man  slipped  into  town,  inquired  in  a 
seemingly  casual  manner  whether  the  place  was  for  sale  as  usual, 
walked  down  the  road  a  piece  to  assure  himself  that  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad  was  doing  business  at  a  sufficiently  close  distance,  and  before 
the  town  was  aware  of  his  presence  he  had  bought  out  the  little  stock, 
consisting  of  about  thirteen  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  general  mer- 
chandise, and  was  busily  engaged  breathing  new  life  into  a  business 
that  had  bordered  on  failure  from  its  inception.  Rapid  almost  beyond 
belief  were  the  strides  this  humble  little  corner  took.  One  addition 
would  hardly  be  completed  before  another  would  be  started ;  soon  the 
structure,  for  the  most  part  three  stories,  measured  one  hundred  and 
forty  by  forty  feet.  Then  it  was  necessary  to  start  outbuildings,  one 
of  which,  a  well-equipped  private  garage,  together  with  a  number  of 
fine  automobiles,  was  completely  destroyed  by  fire  during  the  winter 
of  1912. 

The  inventory  of  the  store  proper  amounts  to  upward  of  $30,000, 
without  taking  account  of  the  goods  handled  in  special  departments, 
such  as  pianos  and  organs,  automobiles,  farm  machinery,  etc.,  which 
are  handled  entirely  separate  and  managed  by  men  who  are  specialists 
in  their  respective  lines.  In  this  business  that  Charles  A.  Meiser  has 
built  up,  one  can  purchase  anything  from  a  paper  of  pins  to  a  carload 
of  cement — hardware,  groceries,  men's  wear,  women's  wear,  shoes, 
millinery,  gas  engines,  implements,  fencing,  paints,  oils,  glass,  house 
furnishings — in  fact,  the  slogan,  "Meiser  Sells  Everything,"  fits  the 
case  exactly.  In  the  automobile  fraternity.  Merchant  Meiser  is  known 
far  and  wide  as  a  hard  man  to  meet  in  competition.     The  Ford  and 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  929 

Imperial  automobiles  could  not  have  a  more  energetic  representative 
than  Merchant  Aleiser  has  proven  to  be.  In  the  piano  department  Air. 
Meiser  insured  his  success  by  taking  on  the  agency  for  the  very  finest 
of  instruments,  with  the  result  that  his  reputation  is  being  still  furtlier 
enhanced.  Lauter  and  Janssen  pianos,  together  with  a  number  of  other 
excellent  makes,  are  being  sold  near  and  far  by  this  courageous  mer- 
chant. As  a  whole,  this  flourishing  business  in  the  small  town  of 
Thompsontown  is  a  monument  to  the  enterprise  and  sagacity  of  the 
man  who  owns  it. 

Aside  from  the  business  which  bears  his  name,  Mr.  Meiser  is  a 
leading  spirit  in  various  undertakings  through  Central  Pennsylvania, 
among  which  might  be  mentioned  the  Northumberland  Improvement 
Company,  of  which  he  is  a  director;  the  Northumberland  Realty  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  is  a  director;  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Thomp- 
sontown, of  which  he  is  a  founder  and  director;  and  the  Thompson- 
town  Water  Company,  of  which  he  is  an  owner.  Outside  of  the  state 
of  Pennsylvania,  too,  he  is  a  prominent  stockholder  in  several  large 
corporations.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, the  Patriotic  Sons  of  America,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  pronounced 
Progressive.  He  has  served  his  community  as  assessor,  school  director 
and  councilman. 

On  December  6,  1891,  Mr.  Aleiser  was  married  to  Ida  Catherine, 
daughter  of  John  AI.  and  Sallie  (Dreese)  Moyer,  of  Middleburg,  Sny- 
der county,  in  whom  he  found  an  unusually  capable  and  active  help- 
meet, and  one  to  whom  he  owes  much  of  the  efficient  management  of 
his  complicated  business.  Their  union  is  blessed  with  two  children : 
Mary,  a  student  of  the  Susquehanna  Conservatory  of  Music,  graduate 
of  School  of  Commerce,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  Delaware 
Literary  Society:  and  Moyer  M.,  a  son,  who  has  already  exhibited 
traits  that  prove  him  worthy  of  his  heritage.  He  is  a  student  at  Mer- 
cersburg,  and  graduate  of  the  School  of  Commerce,  and  former  stu- 
dent of  Stevens  Hall,  Gettysburg.  Pennsylvania. 


The  Orbison  family  of  Pennsylvania  is  of  Irish  descent, 

ORBISON     the  American  ancestor,  Thomas   (i),  being  born  near 

Lurgan,  Ireland,  alx)ut   1715,  died  in  Franklin  county, 

Pennsylvania,  March,   1779.     He  came  to  America  in   1740  and  pur- 


930  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

chased  a  farm  near  Welsh  Run,  in  what  was  then  Peters  township,  Cum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  (first)  October  19,  1744, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  James  Miller,  who  died  March  3,  1763;  (second) 
August  12,  1765,  Mary  Kyle.  He  left  a  will  which  was  proved  March 
10,  1779,  and  is  recorded  in  the  register's  office  at  Carlisle  in  will  book 
C,  page  145.  Children  of  first  wife:  i.  William,  born  x^ugust  2,  1745, 
commissioned  officer  in  United  States  military  service  during  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  and  killed  in  "Flying  Camp"  campaign.  2.  Thomas,  of 
further  mention.  3.  John,  born  March  27,  1750,  died  1827.  4.  Susanna, 
September  20,  1752.  5.  Bethiah,  November  2,  1755.  6.  James,  Decem- 
ber 21,  1757.     Children  of  second  wife:    7.  Jean,  born  July  5.  1766. 

(II)  Thomas  (2),  son  of  Thomas  (i)  and  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Or- 
bison,  was  born  September  23,  1747,  near  Welsh  Run,  now  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  Millerstown  (now  Fairfield),  Pennsyl- 
vania, October  2,  1784.  He  was  a  farmer  at  Willallowa\s  Creek,  in 
York  (now  Adams)  county,  where  his  family  resided  during  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  while  he  was  in  the  United  States  service,  in  which  he 
gained  the  rank  of  captain.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  moved  to  Mil- 
lerstown, where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  until  his  death, 
caused  by  scarlet  fever.  He  married,  April  5,  1774,  Elizabeth  Bailey, 
born  December  23,  1752,  died  April  7,  1826,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Bailey,  an  Irish  emigrant.  His  widow  married,  May,  1787,  William 
Agnew.  Children  of  Thomas  (2)  and  Elizabeth  (Bailey)  Orbison: 
I.  Isabella,  born  January  13,  1775:  married  John  Slemmons,  of  Butler 
county,  Pennsylvania;  child:  Elizabeth  R.,  married  John  Hogg,  of 
Butler  county.  Children  of  John  and  Elizabeth  R.  (Slemmons)  Hogg: 
Mary  Jane,  born  July  21,  1838;  Caroline  Harriet,  born  December  20, 
1840,  died  December  19,  1846;  Orbison  S.,  born  May  25,  1843;  Alice 
Rachel,  born  March  31,  1846,  died  December,  1853  :  Norman  Doak,  born 
February  24,  1849,  died  June  14,  1852;  Isabel  Elizabeth,  born  June  29, 
1852.  2.  William,  of  further  mention.  3.  Elizabeth  Miller,  born  Octo- 
ber 27,  1779:  married  Samuel  Porter. 

(III)  William,  only  son  of  Thomas  (2)  and  Elizabeth  (Bailey) 
Orbison,  was  born  in  York  (now  Adams)  county,  Pennsylvania,  June 
-7'  ^777'  died  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  August  23,  1857.  He 
attended  the  Rev.  Alexander  Dobbins'  school  near  Gettysburg  from 
1794  to   1797,  when  he  studied  languages,  and  in  April,   1799,  com- 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY  931 

menced  reading  law  with  his  uncle,  James  Orbison,  at  Chambersburg, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Huntingdon  county.  Until  1830  he  prac- 
ticed in  Huntingdon,  after  which  date  he  devoted  most  of  his  time  to 
hterary  pursuits.  He  was  president  of  the  Huntingdon  Bank,  chartered 
in  1814.  He  purchased  large  tracts  of  land  in  Cromwell  township  and, 
having  laid  out  part  of  the  property  in  town  lots,  named  the  town 
Orbisonia.  He  married,  October  6,  1808,  Eleanor  Elliott,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Ashman)  Elliott.  Children  of  William  and 
Eleanor  (Elliott)  Orbison:  i.  Sarah  Harriett,  born  July  11,  1809,  died 
November  25.  1832;  married.  January  28,  1830,  her  cousin.  Dr.  Ben- 
jamin McMurtrie;  child:  Harriet  Orbison,  born  November  25,  1832, 
died  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  June  7,  1893  :  married,  1855,  Richard 
Rush  Bryan.  2.  Caroline  Elizabeth,  born  March  16,  181 1.  died  Sep- 
tember 9,  1829.  3.  Thomas  Elliott,  born  November  26.  1812.  4.  Wil- 
liam Penn.  of  further  mention.  5.  Ellen  Matilda,  born  July  19,  1816; 
married,  May  2,  1837,  Dr.  John  Harris,  of  Bellefonte,  Pennsylvania, 
later  of  Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania ;  during  the  war  of  the  reljellion  she 
was  secretary  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  spent  much  time  minister- 
ing to  soldiers  in  the  hospitals.  Her  husband  having  been  appointed 
consul  to  Venice  in  1870,  she  journeyed  there  with  him,  remaining  until 
his  death  in  1881.  6.  Henrietta  Ashman,  born  December  12.  1817.  died 
April  12.  1857;  married,  September  16,  1841,  Hugh  Nelson  McAllister, 
of  Bellefonte,  Pennsylvania;  children:  Mary  Allison,  married  Gen. 
James  A.  Beaver,  ex-governor  of  Pennsylvania;  Ellen  Elliott,  born 
April  8,  1846,  died  August  18,  1886;  Sarah,  married  Dr.  Thomas  R. 
Hayes,  of  Bellefonte,  Pennsylvania.  7.  Martha  .Ann,  born  December  i, 
1819.  died  September  i.  1824.  8.  Louisa  Augusta,  born  October  2, 
1821  ;  married,  April  4,  1850,  Samuel  Colhoun,  died  in  Colorado,  1883; 
child :  Emma  C,  married,  1876,  Dr.  Francis  Atwood.  of  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota,  died  August.  1882.  9.  Edmund  Burke,  born  April  20,  1823. 
10.  Tames  Henrv,  born  Alarch  23,  1826.  ir.  Isabella  Slemmons,  born 
November  18,  1831.  drowned  September  14.  1833.  12.  Charles  Car- 
roll, born  December  i,  1835.  died  November  20.  1836. 

(IV)  William  Penn,  second  son  and  fourth  child  of  \Mllinni  and 
Eleanor  (Elliott)  Orbison,  was  born  at  Pluntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  No- 
vember 4,  18 14,  died  February  28,  1898.  He  was  graduated  from  Jef- 
ferson College  in  1832,  and,  deciding  upon  the  legal  profession  as  his 


932  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

future  walk  in  life,  read  law  with  John  P.  Miles,  Esq.,  at  Huntingdon, 
graduating  from  the  Carlisle  Law  School  in  1835.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  Huntingdon  county  bar  November  12,  1835.  In  the  spring  of  1836 
he  entered  into  partnership  with  James  M.  Bell,  Esq.,  continuing  with 
him  until  1845.  Until  the  time  of  his  death  he  and  his  son,  Robert 
Allison,  conducted  a  law  oflice  in  partnership.  He  was  president  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Huntingdon  from  1871  to  1878,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  was  ordained  ruling 
elder.  He  married,  September  16,  1841,  Lydia  Rebecca  Allison,  born 
August  2,  1816,  died  April  i,  1891,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  (El- 
liott) Allison.  Children  of  William  Penn  and  Lydia  Rebecca  (Allison) 
Orbison:  i.  William  Allison,  born  August  29,  1842,  died  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania,  June  26,  1893;  he  was  for  a  time  a  coal  merchant, 
later  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Robert  Allison,  and  Charles  G. 
Welch,  built  Huntingdon  Car  Works.  2.  Mary  Elliott.  3.  Ellen  Har- 
ris.    4.  Robert  Allison,  of  further  mention. 

(V)  Robert  Allison,  youngest  child  of  William  Penn  and  Lydia 
Rebecca  (Allison)  Orbison,  was  born  January  31,  1849.  I"  preparation 
for  the  legal  profession  he  took  a  classical  course  at  Washington  and 
JefTerson  College,  graduating  in  1868,  then  read  law  with  his  father  for 
two  years;  was  graduated  from  the  Albany  Law  School  in  1871,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Huntingdon  county  bar  on  May  25,  1871.  From 
September,  1877,  to  September,  1878,  he  was  a  member  of  the  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota,  bar,  returning  in  the  latter  year  to  Huntingdon.  In  July, 
1880,  he  was  appointed  assistant  to  the  assistant  attorney-general  of  the 
United  States,  whose  business  it  is  to  defend  the  LTnited  States  in  the 
court  of  claims,  and  went  to  Washington,  D.  C.  This  position  he  held 
until  1882,  when  he  returned  to  Huntingdon,  receiving  in  January,  1887, 
appointment  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  the  commonwealth  at  Har- 
risburg.  On  June  i,  1887,  he  was  appointed  chief  clerk  in  the  attorney- 
general's  office,  where  he  remained  four  years,  and  on  June  i,  1891, 
entered  the  auditor  general's  office,  occupying  a  position  there  for  one 
year.  Mr.  Orbison  has  always  1)een  prominent  in  civic  afifairs  of  Hunt- 
ingdon, and  at  the  time  of  the  "Old  Home  Week"  celebration  in 
Huntingdon,  in  connection  with  J.  Murray  Africa  and  several  others,  he 
published  an  exceedingly  valuable  and  interesting  pamphlet  entitled 
"Histo'-ic  Huntingdon,"  containing  so  much  historical  data  as  was  never 


HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA    VALLEY  933 

before  published  in  book  form.  This  has  had  a  wide  circulation  among 
the  libraries  of  the  country,  because  of  its  interesting  form  of  compo- 
sition and  the  light  which  it  throws  upon  the  history  of  the  locality.  In 
his  research  for  the  publication  of  this  work  ]\Ir.  Orbison  unearthed 
some  very  old  and  valuable  town  documents,  among  which  was  a  con- 
tract for  the  erection  of  the  first  court  house,  which  definitely  fixed  the 
date  of  building,  a  date  hitherto  unknown.  It  also  contained  lists  of 
organization  of  the  townships  of  Huntingdon  county.  He  was  elected 
chief  burgess  of  Huntingdon,  February  16,  1897,  the  same  position 
having  been  held  by  his  great-grandfather,  Benjamin  Elliott,  in  1796, 
and  by  his  grandfather,  Robert  Allison.  Aside  from  the  political  posi- 
tions he  has  held,  Mr.  Orbison  has  been  active  in  county  politics,  and 
was  a  delegate  to  the  Keystone  State  Convention  and  chairman  of  the 
Huntingdon  county  committee.  In  1912  he  was  chairman  of  the  Wash- 
ington county  party  committee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyteran 
church,  and  in  1898  was  elected  a  ruling  elder  of  that  denomination. 
In  1913  he  was  sent  as  a  commissioner  to  the  great  General  Assembly  in 
Atlanta.  He  has  been  in  the  past  one  of  the  men  who  have  done  most 
to  bring  Huntingdon  to  the  forefront  of  cities  of  its  size  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  it  may  well  be  hoped  that  in  the  future  his  efforts  shall  be  as 
well  directed  and  shall  bear  as  abundant  fruit  as  they  have  in  the  past. 
He  married,  June  14.  1894,  J.  Estelle  Gregory,  born  in  Hancock, 
Maryland,  daughter  of  Richmond  and  Ann  Lewis  (Snively)  Gregory. 
Children  of  Robert  Allison  and  J.  Estelle  (Gregory)  Orbison:  Allison 
Estelle,  Virginia  Gregory. 


The  Grove  family  of  Pennsylvania  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
GROVE     length  of  residence  in  the  state.     The  immigrant  ancestor 

came  over  from  England  soon  after  \\'illiam  Penn,  and 
on  his  invitation.  For  years  he  was  closely  associated  with  that  dis- 
criminating Quaker  gentleman,  though  not  of  his  religion.  The  eldest 
son  of  each  succeeding  generation  was,  for  many  years,  named  Jacob. 
Each  married  and  was  the  parent  of  children,  and  in  this  way  the  name 
has  been  widely  perpetuated  in  the  state.  As  time  passed  members  of 
the  family  wandered  into  other  states  and  territories  of  the  Union  until 
to-day  there  is  not  a  state  in  the  United  States  that  has  not  within  its 
borders  one  or  more  of  the  name.    The  name  has  always  been  well  and 


934  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

worthily  borne  by  the  succeeding  generations,  and  is  synonymous  with 
integrity,  honor  and  morahty. 

(I)  Jacob  Grove,  the  first  of  the  family  of  whom  any  thing  definite 
is  known,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  before  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  and  is  thought  to  have  taken  part  in  that  glorious  con- 
flict for  personal  and  political  liberty.  He  moved  from  Lancaster  to 
Huntingdon  county  before  1800,  located  in  Penn  township,  took  up 
wild  land,  cleared  and  improved  it,  erecting  comfortable  log  houses  for 
the  occupancy  of  himself  and  family.  Pie  was  the  parent  of  a  large 
number  of  children,  among  whom  was  a  son  Jacob,  of  whom  further 
below. 

(II)  Jacob  Grove,  son  of  Jacob  Grove,  was  born  October  18,  1806, 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Penn  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  township,  and 
on  reaching  maturity  began  farming  on  the  land  on  which  his  children 
and  the  children  of  his  son  Samuel  S.  were  born,  containing  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  fine  timber  land  and  one  hundred  and  forty  under  culti- 
vation. He  was  a  prominent  man  and  because  of  his  established  probity 
he  was  selected  as  guardian  of  various  orphan  children,  the  property  of 
whom  he  administered  with  equity  and  care.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Mennonite  church  and  was  a  devout  attendant  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  June  20,  1892.  Than  Mr.  Grove  there  was  no  more  highly 
respected  citizen  of  Huntingdon  county.  He  married  Margaret  Sum- 
mers, J\larch  2,  1828,  born  November  7,  1807,  and  died  January  7, 
1872.  She  was  the  daughter  of  a  wealthy  and  influential  citizen  of 
Huntingdon  county,  and  was  of  English  descent.  Children  of  Jacob 
and  Margaret  (Summers)  Grove:  i.  Mary,  born  January  22,  1832.  2. 
Catherine,  born  November  4.  1834;  died  November  24.  1904.  3.  An- 
drew, born  March  23,  1836;  died  June  15,  1890.  4.  Elizabeth,  born 
September  17,  1S38.  5.  Henry,  born  November  17,  1840.  6.  Margaret, 
born  March  17.  1842;  died  November  24,  1904.  7.  Jacob,  Jr.,  born 
July  21,  1845.     Samuel  S.,  of  whom  further. 

(III)  Samuel  S.  Grove,  youngest  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  (Sum- 
mers) Grove,  was  born  April  10,  1848,  in  Huntingdon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  died  in  the  county  of  his  nativity,  November  i,  1902.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  community.  Leaving  school, 
he  very  naturally  entered  the  field  of  agriculture,  as  he  had  been  reared 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  935 

in  the  free  atmosphere  of  the  farm.  He  later  acquired  the  homestead 
and  lived  there  until  his  death.  He  did  successful  general  farming, 
keeping  his  stock  in  admirable  condition.  Among  the  latter  were  Per- 
cheron  horses  of  which  he  was  very  proud,  and  which  were  the  objects 
of  admiration  of  the  county.  He  was  a  Democrat,  voting  and  working 
for  the  ticket,  but  never  held  any  office  save  that  of  school  director. 
With  his  wife  he  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church,  was  a  con- 
sistent Christian,  a  thoroughly  good  and  honorable  man,  who  was  gen- 
erally esteemed  in  the  township.  He  married  INIary  Jane  Donelson,  born 
September  16,  1850,  in  Lincoln  township,  Huntingdon  county,  daughter 
of  John  H.  and  JNIargaret  (Shultz)  Donelson,  of  Lincoln  township.  They 
were  both  of  old  families  who  had  long  been  established  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 'Sir.  Donelson  was  a  wealthy  and  influential  farmer.  .\t  the 
outbreak  of  hostilities  between  the  North  and  South  in  1861  lie  was 
assigned  the  duty  of  drilling  the  raw  recruits,  and  was  denominated 
captain.  Owing  to  the  age  limit,  he  was  not  permitted  to  go  to  the 
front,  but  was  kept  employed  in  preparing  younger  men  for  active  ser- 
vice. Mr.  Donelson  was  born  x-Xpril  22,  1821,  and  died  January  27, 
1887,  after  a  long  and  useful  life.  His  wife  was  born  I\Iay  15,  1825. 
and  died  [March  30,  1898.  Their  children  were:  Elizabeth;  John;  Mar- 
tin; Catherine;  Mary  Jane  (Mrs.  Grove)  ;  Reuben;  Mehala;  Clara  and 
William  (twins)  ;  Emma;  Samuel;  Flora  and  Ellen.  Children  of  Sam- 
uel S.  and  Mary  Jane  (Donelson)  Grove:  i.  Elmer  D.,  of  whom  fur- 
ther.   2.  Alice.    3.  John  D.    4.  Nora.     5.  Chester. 

(IV)  Elmer  D.  Grove,  son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Mary  Jane  (Donel- 
son) Grove,  was  born  August  27,  1871,  in  Penn  township,  below  Markel- 
burg,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  preparatory 
education  in  the  schools  of  the  township;  after  which  he  attended 
Juniata  College,  where  he  prepared  himself  for  the  pedagogic  profes- 
sion. He  was  the  instructor  of  youth  for  ten  consecutive  years,  after 
which  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  C.  H.  Miller  Hardware  Company 
in  1902.  first  in  the  shipping  department  and  then  as  shipping  clerk,  and 
held  that  position  for  a  number  of  years.  For  the  past  three  years 
he  has  been  billing  clerk  of  the  Miller  Hardware  Company  of  Hunting- 
don, Pennsylvania,  one  of  the  most  responsible  firms  in  the  state.  Mr. 
Grove  is  one  of  its  most  valued  employees,  and  justly  so,  as  he  has  given 
it  energetic  and  loyal  service.    He  is  independent  in  politics,  voting  for 


936  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

the  man  he  deems  best  suited  to  the  office.  He  has  never  held  nor  asked 
for  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church,  supporting  it  gen- 
erously on  all  occasions.  He  married,  June  7,  1899,  Mary  Blanche 
Lininger,  the  daughter  of  Solomon  Lininger  (see  sketch  of  Solomon 
Lininger).  Children:  i.  Edward  Rollin.  2.  Walter  Lininger.  3. 
Ralph  Elwood.     4.  Mary  Luella. 


The  Cutshall  family  of  Pennsylvania  descends  from 
CUTSHALL     Caspar  Cutshall,  who  emigrated  from  Germany  to  the 

Province  of  Maryland  about  1700.  He  located  in 
Frederick  county,  there  married  and  reared  a  family.  Among  his  de- 
scendants was  Conrad,  of  whom  further. 

(I)  Conrad  Cutshall  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  about 
1740,  and  it  is  thought  that  he  was  a  revolutionary  soldier,  as  the  name 
Cutshall  appears  frequently  in  the  records  of  the  war  in  the  state  de- 
partment. He  moved,  in  1800,  from  Maryland  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
located  in  what  is  now  known  as  Springfield  township,  Huntingdon 
county.  He  took  up  wild  land,  cleared,  improved,  built  log  houses  and 
planted  grain.  Before  his  death  he  owned  many  hundreds  of  acres  of 
land,  and  at  his  death  gave  to  each  of  his  children  a  farm,  except  to 
Peter,  to  whom  he  gave  nothing.  He  married  Hannah  Morrison,  born 
in  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  who  accompanied  him  to  Pennsylvania. 
They  were  buried  in  the  family  burial  ground  on  the  farm.  Among  his 
children  was  Peter,  of  whom  further. 

(II)  Peter  Cutshall,  son  of  Conrad  and  Hannah  (Morrison)  Cut- 
shall,  was  born  in  Frederick  county.  Maryland,  in  1790,  and  died,  at  an 
advanced  age,  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  came  with  his 
parents  when  he  was  ten  years  old  to  Pennsylvania.  He  remained  with 
his  father  until  reaching  his  majority,  when  he  took  up  wild  land,  con- 
verted it  into  a  farm  and  there  lived  and  died.  It  was  the  old  Wilds 
and  Byrd  survey,  famous  in  its  day.  He  married  Charlotte  Lane,  born 
at  Lane's  mill,  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  the  daughter  of  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  miller.  Children:  i.  Button,  died  in  Iowa.  2.  Albaugh,  a 
soldier  in  the  civil  war.  3.  Abraham,  killed  at  Sailor's  Creek  in  one  of 
the  last  engagements  of  the  civil  war,  April  6,  1865.  4.  Jeremiah  Morris, 
of  whom  further.  5.  Samuel.  6.  Marv.  7.  Susan.  8.  Caroline.  9. 
Anna  T. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  937 

(III)  Jeremiah  Morris  Cutshall,  son  of  Peter  and  Charlotte  (Lane) 
Cutshall,  was  born  in  Springfield  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  remained  a  farmer 
during  his  Hfe.  He  combined  stock  raising  with  farming,  making  the 
two  pay  him  handsomely.  He  was  a  man  of  importance  in  his  town- 
ship, exerting  his  influence  for  the  good  of  the  county  and  township. 
He  was  justice  of  peace  for  ten  or  fifteen  years,  his  rulings  giving  uni- 
versal satisfaction. 

Jeremiah  M.  Cutshall  married  Mary  A.  Brown,  born  in  Springfield 
township,  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  Margaret  Brown.  John  Brown 
was  a  revolutionary  soldier,  and  passed  the  winter  with  General  W'asli- 
ington  at  Valley  Forge ;  and  is  buried  in  the  Baptist  cemetery  in  Spring- 
field township.  His  wife  [Margaret  was  of  German  descent,  but  her 
forbears  came  to  this  country  while  it  was  yet  in  its  infancy.  J.  M.  and 
Mary  A.  (Brown)  Cutshall  were  members  of  the  Church  of  God,  and  he 
was  a  ^^'hig,  voting  with  and  working  for  the  party.  Children:  i.  J.  B., 
of  whom  further.  2.  Peter  B.  3.  Allen,  4.  Rush.  5.  Alice.  6.  Rachel, 
died  aged  two  years.    7.  Laura. 

(IV)  Jeremiah  B.  Cutshall.  one  of  Jeremiah  jNIorris  and  Mary  A. 
(Brown)  Cutshall,  was  born  December  21,  1853,  in  Springfield  town- 
ship, Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  lie  received  an  excellent  edu- 
cation in  public  schools  of  Springfield  township  and  the  summer  normal 
schools  under  the  various  county  superintendents.  He  taught  two  years 
in  Iowa,  three  years  in  Ohio,  and  for  the  past  ten  years  in  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Industrial  Reformatory,  located  at  Huntingdon.  Pennsylvania. 
In  all  he  has  been  an  instructor  of  youth  for  over  twenty-five  years. 
He  has  been  and  still  is  one  of  the  best  teachers  and  disciplinarians  in 
the  county.  His  pupils  respect  and  love  him,  and  on  leaving  school  to 
enter  the  business  world  they  still  remain  his  friends.  He  has  taught 
various  branches,  some  of  them  the  dead  languages  and  higher  mathe- 
matics. Before  and  after  entering  the  profession  of  pedagogy  he  studied 
under  Professor  Kidder,  a  well-known  instructor,  and  others,  thus  pre- 
paring himself  for  his  life's  vocation.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 

He  married  Mary  E.  Bolinger.  Children:  I.  S.  Ernest,  deputy 
treasurer  of  Huntingdon  county.  2.  Reed,  died  in  infancy.  3.  Marion 
Grace,  at  home. 


938  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

About  1 7 12  John  Todd  left  his  home  in  Scotland  and  emi- 

TODD     grated  to  the  Colony  of  Maryland,  in  America.     With  him 

came    his    wife    ]\largaret   and   three   small   sons,    William, 

Robert  and  Thomas.     From  these  sons  and  others  born  after  reaching 

America  are  descended  the  numerous  Todd  families  in  both  Maryland 

and  Pennsylvania. 

(I)  Ira  Todd  was  born  in  1835,  in  southern  Maryland.  He  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education  and  while  yet  a  young  man  began 
railroading.  He  moved  to  Mifflin,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  as 
a  locomotive  fireman  for  one  month.  Demonstrating  his  mechanical 
ability  and  thorough  knowledge  of  machinery,  he  was  promoted  to  the 
position  of  locomotive  engineer  in  1854  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad. 
He  continued  as  engineer  for  many  years,  gradually  rising  until  he  was 
made  assistant  to  what  would  be  known  at  the  present  time  as  road 
foreman  of  engines,  at  which  time  he  moved  to  Harrisburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  served  the  road  faithfully  and  efficiently  for  years  and  is 
now  on  the  retired  list,  receiving  a  pension  as  a  small  reward  for  his 
loyalty  and  continued  service.  He  is  a  staunch  Democrat.  He  married 
Catherine  Harvey,  born  at  Newton  Hamilton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1844. 
She  is  a  member  of  an  old  family  long  resident  of  Huntingdon  county. 
Children:  i.  Ira  Chester,  unmarried;  a  piece  work  inspector  in  Pitts- 
burgh, Pennsylvania.  2.  William  LTpton,  of  whom  further.  3.  Harry 
Blair,  a  chemist  in  Pittsburgh ;  married  Eliza  Hertzler.  4.  Charles  K., 
a  drug  salesman,  lives  in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  5.  Donald,  died, 
aged  thirty.  6.  Frank,  a  machinist  in  Pittsburgh.  7.  Lida,  twin  of 
Frank,  married  Gustavus  Falhaver.  a  drug  clerk  in  Harrisburg.  8. 
Josephine,  deceased,  married  H.  C.  Mank. 

(II)  William  Upton  Todd,  son  of  Ira  and  Catherine  (Harvey) 
Tofld,  was  born  December  22,  1863,  in  Altoona,  Pennsylvania.  He  at- 
tended the  pulilic  schools  in  Harrisburg  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of 
age,  when  he  entered  the  machine  shops  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  in 
Harrisburg,  and  served  an  indentured  apprenticeship  of  twelve  hun- 
dred and  forty  days.  He  entered  the  machinist  gang,  where  he  worked 
for  some  time.  In  1896,  because  of  close  attention  to  his  business  and 
a  loyal  interest  in  the  company's  afifairs,  he  was  promoted  to  the  fore- 
manship  of  the  railroad  shops  in  Mifflin,  Pennsylvania,  and  continued 
in  that  position  until  the   fall  of   1906.     At  that  time  he  was  made 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA   VALLEY  939 

foreman  of  the  shops  at  Huntingdon,  and  still  holds  that  place.  He  is 
a  Democrat  in  principle,  but  votes  for  the  man  and  the  best  interests  of 
the  country  as  he  sees  them  rather  than  with  the  party.  He  is  pleasant 
and  genial  and  possesses  the  requisite  faculty  of  being  in  accord  with 
his  men;  in  consequence  he  is  always  master  of  every  situation.  Like 
his  father,  who  railroaded  in  JNIaryland  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  when 
he  was  only  a  lad,  he  is  a  thorough  machinist.  lie  loves  his  work  and 
does  everything  in  his  power  to  advance  and  uplift  those  who  are  under 
him. 

He  married,  April  13,  igoo,  Bessie  Groniger,  born  in  ]Mifllin  county, 
and  died  on  January  10,  1902,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Groniger,  a  farmer 
of  Mifflin  countv.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Todd  had  no  children. 


James  Port,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Fox)    i'ort,  was  born 
PORT     in  Smithfield  township,  Huntingdon  county,    Pennsylvania, 

January  6,  1824,  and  died  November  3,  1909.  In  his  earlier 
years  he  was  engaged  in  the  meat  trade,  but  later  was  a  speculator  in 
real  estate  and  a  money  lender.  For  a  period  of  seven  years  prior  to 
his  death  he  was  totally  blind.  He  was  a  strong  Republican  in  his  politi- 
cal principles  and  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church.  Mr.  Port  mar- 
ried, September  16,  1847,  I\Iary  Catherine  Hoffman,  born  January  26, 
1833,  died  June  16,  1907.  They  had  children:  George  A.,  see  forward: 
Lewis  Edgar,  born  December  14,  1849,  is  engaged  in  the  livery  business 
in  Huntingdon,  and  married  Rebecca  J.  Steel:  Sarah  A.,  Iiorn  November 
2^,  185 1,  married  D.  Burkett  Wilson,  born  December  9,  1850;  Mary  C 
born  October  2,  1853,  is  unmarried;  James  E.,  born  February  16,  1856, 
died  August  18,  1891,  married  Elizabeth  Chamberlain;  Alexander,  born 
February  19  1858,  died  February  20,  1891,  was  a  butcher  in  Utniting- 
don,  married  Caroline  Moore. 

(II)  George  A.,  son  of  James  and  Mary  Catherine  (Hoffman)  Port, 
was  born  in  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  June  27,  1848,  and  died  June 
6,  189;.  He  was  engaged  in  the  meat  business,  in  which  he  was  very 
successful.  Republican  in  his  political  opinions,  he  was  selected  to  fill 
several  borough  offices  to  the  great  benefit  of  the  community.  He  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Port  married, 
February  26,  1871,  Eliza  Jane,  born  in  Williamsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
May  26,  1850,  daughter  of  John  McGregor  and  Rebecca  Ann  (Smith) 


940  HISTORY    OF    THE   JUNIATA   VALLEY 

Stroup,  and  granddaughter  of  Bernard  and  Elizabeth  (McGregor) 
Stronp.  Bernard  Stroup,  Mrs.  Port's  grandfather,  was  a  resident  of 
Morrison's  Cove,  Blair  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
landowner.  He  married  (first)  Elizabeth  McGregor,  and  (second) 
Nancy  McGregor,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  Children:  James;  Robert; 
Bernard  Jr. ;  Samuel ;  William ;  Peter ;  John  McGregor,  see   forward ; 

,   who  went  west:  -,  who  also  left   Pennsylvania:   Mary 

Jane,  who  married  (first)  Joseph  Bulger,  (second)  Adam  Hamacker; 
Anna,  married :  and  Sarah,  married  Peter  McGraw.  John  Mc- 
Gregor Stroup,  father  of  Mrs.  Port,  was  born  in  Blair  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  i6,  1825.  His  early  years  were  spent  on  the  home 
farm,  and  he  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company  as  a  freight  conductor.  He  followed  this  occupation  until  his 
death  at  Harrisburg,  August  4.  1869.  At  first  he  gave  his  allegiance 
to  the  Democratic  party,  but  later  affiliated  with  the  Republicans.  He 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  married  at 
Williamsburg,  Pennsylvania,  July  26,  1849,  Rebecca  Ann,  daughter  of 
James  and  Elizabeth  (Riley)  Smith,  the  former  a  blacksmith  of  Blair 
county.  They  had  one  child :  Eliza  Jane,  who  married  Mr.  Port,  aa 
stated  above.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Port  had  children:  Jennie  E.,  born  May 
22,  1872,  died  in  infancy;  George  Chalmers,  born  November  25,  1873, 
is  captain  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  police  force,  at  Al- 
toona,  married  (first)  Ada  Barrick,  (second)  Beatrice  Wills;  J.  Clyde, 
see  forward:  Mary  H.,  born  March  27,  1878,  died  in  infancy;  Lewis  E., 
born  December  23,  1879,  also  died  in  infancy:  David  Jesse  M.,  born 
August  31,  1883,  is  a  constable  at  Huntingdon,  and  unmarried:  Beatrice 
Ellen,  born  April  13,  1885.  is  a  graduate  of  the  Moravian  Seminary  at 
Bethlehem.  Pennsylvania;  Ruth  Jeannette,  born  July  20,  1894. 

(Ill)  J.  Clyde,  son  of  George  A.  and  Eliza  Jane  (Stroup)  Port,  was 
l)orn  in  Huntingdon,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  20,  1876. 
His  early  education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools,  and  after  a 
period  of  attendance  at  Juniata  College,  he  became  a  student  at  Dickinson 
College  in  1898,  leaving  this  institution  in  1900.  He  then  commenced 
reading  law  with  W.  W.  Henderson,  continued  this  for  two  years  until 
1903,  and  then  established  himself  in  the  insurance  and  real  estate 
business,  with  which  he  has  been  successfully  identified  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Port  married,  December  12.  1906,  Maud  Hefi'ner,  daughter  of 


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HISTORY    OF    THE    TUXIATA    VALT.EY 


941 


Oliver  L.  and  Martha  (Heffner)  Stewart.  Mr.  Stewart  was  a  clothing 
merchant  in  Huntingdon,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  nominee 
of  his  district  for  the  state  senatorship.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Port  have  chil- 
dren: Margaret  Stewart,  born  December  25,  1907;  Cathline  McGregor, 
born  December  13,  1910.  Mr.  Port  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Huntingdon  Club. 


The  Snyder  family,  of  which  John  W.  Snyder,  of  Hunt- 

SNYDER     ingdon    county,    Pennsylvania,    is    a   member,    has   been 

resident  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  since  some  time  in 

the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century,  and  has  been  favorably  identified 

with  its  agricultural  and  other  business  interests. 

Charles  J.  Snyder,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
near  W'iirtemburg,  Germany,  and  died  in  Juniata  township,  in  1863. 
In  1837  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  making  the  trip  in  a  sailing 
vessel,  and  was  landed  at  the  city  of  New  York.  His  stay  in  that  city 
was  of  short  duration,  for  very  shortly  after  his  arrival  here  he  re- 
moved to  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  acres  in  Juniata  township.  This  was  already  partly  im- 
proved, and  Mr.  Snyder  cultivated  it  very  successfully  until  18 — , 
when  he  sold  it  and  purchased  another  farm,  of  two  hundred  acres,  in 
the  same  township,  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death.  His  farm 
was  located  about  two  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Muiitingdon,  on  the 
road  from  Huntingdon  to  Cassville.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of 
the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Snyder  married  in  Germany,  Anstiena 
.  also  born  near  W'iirtemburg,  about  1801,  died  on  the  home- 
stead farm,  in  November,  1873.  They  had  children:  Anstiena,  married 
Abraham  Corbin,  and  died  in  Juniata  township:  Charles  J.,  died  in 
boyhood;  Frederick  L.,  was  a  farmer  in  Nebraska,  where  he  died  April 
18,  1912;  Elizabeth  C,  married  John  Leffard,  and  died  in  Huntingdon, 
about  November.  1905;  J.  Peter,  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  Juniata 
township  in  June,  1908:  Mary  M.,  married  James  Frew,  a  prosperous 
resident  of  the  state  of  Nebraska:  Maggie  B.,  married  David  Eckley, 
and  also  lives  in  Nebraska ;  John  \Y.,  see  forward. 

(IT)  John  W.,  son  of  Charles  J.  and  Anstiena  Snyder,  was  born 
in  Juniata  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  30. 
1850.     He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  section,  and  his 


942  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

early  life  was  the  ordinary  career  of  a  farmer's  son,  who  assists  with 
the  farm  work  as  far  as  his  strength  will  permit.  Later  he  engaged 
in  farming  on  his  own  account,  buying  the  family  homestead  in  1882, 
and  not  selling  it  until  1906.  In  April,  1883,  he  removed  to  Hunting- 
don, and  established  himself  in  business  as  a  teamster.  In  the  fall  of 
the  same  year  he  also  commenced  to  deal  in  coal  in  a  small  way,  but 
continued  with  his  teaming  work.  Late  in  the  year  1907  Mr.  Snyder 
met  with  an  accident  which  necessitated  his  giving  up  his  personal 
attention  to  the  teaming  business,  and  he  delegated  the  supervision  of 
this  to  his  son.  In  the  meantime  his  coal  business  had  grown  to  very 
much  larger  proportions,  and  in  19 12  he  handled  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred tons  of  soft  coal  and  six  hundred  tons  of  hard  coal.  He  has 
been  actively  interested  in  a  number  of  other  business  enterprises,  and 
for  the  past  ten  years  has  been  a  director  in  the  Provident  Building  and 
Loan  Association.  He  has  been  identified  with  many  movements  which 
had  for  their  object  the  betterment  of  existing  conditions,  and  has  given 
his  political  support  to  the  Republican  party.  For  nine  years  he  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  borough  council,  and  has  been  a  member  of 
the  borough  school  board  for  a  period  of  five  years.  He  and  his  wife 
are  both  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  he  is  aiflliated  with  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  also  with  the  Improved  Order 
of  Heptasophs. 

Mr.  Snyder  married  (first)  June  30,  1872,  Rosanna,  who  died  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1882,  a  daughter  of  Martain  Kippert,  of  Huntingdon.  He  had 
children:  Charles  J.,  died  in  infancy;  Maggie  B.,  died  in  infancy;  Fred- 
erick L.,  a  drayman  in  Huntingdon,  married  Mary  Kelly  and  has  seven 
children.  Mr.  Snyder  married  (second)  June,  1885,  Maggie  B.  Kip- 
pert, a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  who  died  two  months  after  her  marriage. 
He  married  (third)  February,  1889,  Pauline,  born  in  Huntingdon,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  Leonhard,  and  they  have  had  children :  Elsie  M.  and' 
Mildred  C. 


The  Ruperts  are  of  German  descent  and  early  settlers  of 

RUPERT     Franklin  county,   from  whence  came  Adam  and   Mary 

(Grouse)   Rupert,  settling  in  Huntingdon  county,  along 

the     Ridge,    where    they    lived    until    death    upon    their    own    farm. 

Both,   originally  Lutherans,   became   members   of   the   Ghurch   of   the 


HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY  943 

Brethren  (Dunkard),  a  faith  their  descendants  adhere  to.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  pohtics,  but  a  very  quiet,  industrious  man,  taking  httle 
part  in  public  affairs.  Children  by  first  wife:  i.  Joseph,  married  Eliza- 
beth Rupple  and  lived  in  dift'erent  parts  of  Huntingdon  county.  2. 
Samuel.  3.  David,  married  Margaret  Dorian.  4.  John,  married  (first) 
jMartha  Wakefield,  (second)  Widow  Allen.  5.  Adam  (2),  married, 
Jane  Corbin.  6.  Hannah,  married  Joseph  Hannawalt.  7.  Elizabeth, 
married  Michael  Bollinger  and  moved  west.  8.  Catherine  Ann.  married 
Jacob  Goodman,  who  resides  in  Big  Valley.  9.  Sophia,  married  John 
Goodman  and  died  in  Illinois.  At  the  time  of  becoming  the  wife  of 
Adam  ( i )  Rupert,  Mary  Crouse  was  a  widow.  Qiildren  of  Adam 
Rupert  and  Mary  Crouse:  10.  George  (of  whom  further).  11.  Wil- 
liam, married  Mary  Ann  Shenefelt.  12.  I\Iary,  marrfed  a  Mr.  Corbin.  a 
farmer  of  Huntingdon  county. 

(II)  George,  son  of  Adam  and  Mary  (Crouse)  Rupert,  was  bom  in 
Huntingdon  county  in  1828,  died  at  Fortress  Monroe.  Virginia.  April 
7,  1863,  while  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  government  as  a  sol- 
dier. He  was  a  carpenter  and  pump  maker  by  trade,  also  engaged  in 
farming.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  at  one  time  was  tax  col- 
lector of  Brady  township.  He  married,  January  10,  1853.  Mary  S. 
Boring,  born  April  15,  1834,  who  survived  him  and  married  (second) 
April  16,  1869,  Jesse  Goodman,  born  May  19,  1838,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Susan  (Newkirk)  Goodman.  Jesse  Goodman,  a  farmer  and  carpenter. 
enlisted  in  Company  K,  Second  Kansas  Cavalry,  recruited  in  Omaha, 
Nebraska,  January  15,  1861,  and  served  in  the  Union  army  three  years 
and  fourteen  days,  seeing  hard  service  and  ranking  as  second  duty 
sergeant.  He  resided  for  a  time  in  Pike  county,  Illinois,  then  journeyed 
to  Montana  and  Utah,  remaining  in  Beaver  county,  Utah,  two  years 
before  returning  to  Huntingdon.  Mrs.  Goodman  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church :  her  husband  a  member  of  George  Simpson  Post  No. 
144,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and 
present  assessor  of  the  third  ward.  Chiklren  of  George  and  Mary  S. 
(Boring)  Rupert:  i.  Jesse  W.,  born  October  9,  1853,  now  a  teamster 
for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  married  Amanda  David.  2.  Nancy  Jane, 
born  November  28,  1855,  died  1878,  the  year  of  her  marriage  to  Levi 
Guss.  a  printer,  of  Huntingdon.  3.  James  Lee  (of  whom  further).  4. 
Edward,  born  1861,  now  a  banker  of  McVeytown,  Pennsylvania,  mar- 


944  HISTORY    OF    THE    JUNIATA    VALLEY 

ried  Ella  Lamberson.  5.  Harry  M.,  born  April  12,  1863,  died  Sep- 
tember, 1909;  married  Maud  Hatfield. 

Mary  S.  ( Boring j  Rupert,  mother  of  Jaines  Lee  Rupert,  is  the 
daughter  of  Zachariah  and  Elizabeth  (Diffenbaugh)  Boring,  natives  of 
Maryland.  Zachariah  Boring  was  a  son  of  an  English  emigrant,  who 
settled  in  Maryland,  where  Zachariah  learned  the  cooper's  trade.  Later 
in  life  he  moved  to  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  pur- 
chased and  cultivated  a  farm  near  Mill  Creek,  dying  thereon  about  1851. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth  Diffenbaugh,  born  January  27,  1800,  died  in  May, 
1897,  lacking  but  three  years  of  reaching  a  full  century  of  years. 
Zachariah,  born  about  1790,  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a  Whig 
in  politics;  she  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church;  children:  i.  John, 
born  in  ]\Iaryland,  became  a  farmer  of  Huntingdon  county,  married 
Barbara  Pheasant  and  died  in  Mapleton.  2.  David,  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  also  a  railroad  employee,  married  Zella  Grady.  3.  Michael,  a 
farmer  of  Trough  Creek  Valley,  married  Rebecca  Sloan.  4.  Catherine, 
died  aged  nineteen  years.  5.  Jacob,  died  in  infancy.  6.  Mary  S.,  mar- 
ried (first)  George  Rupert;  (second)  Jesse  Goodman,  both  of  previous 
mention.  7.  Angeline,  married  John  Potter,  a  pump  maker  and  farmer 
of  Huntingdon  county.  8.  Rebecca,  married  William  Lovell  and  resided 
in  Cambria  county,  Pennsylvania.  9.  Nancy  J.,  died  in  infancy.  The 
only  survivors  of  this  family  are  Angeline  (Mrs.  John  Potter)  and  Mary 
S.,  wife  of  Jesse  Goodman,  now  living  in  Huntingdon. 

(Ill)  James  Lee,  son  of  George  and  Mary  S.  (Boring)  Rupert,  was 
born  March  ly,  1858,  in  Union  township,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  educated  in  the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  School,  in  Anderson- 
burg,  Perry  county,  later  taking  a  business  course  at  Huntingdon,  under 
Professor  Kidder.  He  then  entered  the  printing  offices  of  "The 
Brethren,"  established  by  Quinter  &  Brumbaugh  Brothers,  becoming  an 
expert  typesetter  and  continuing  in  that  employ  seven  years.  For  the 
succeeding  six  years  he  worked  for  the  J.  C.  Blair  Company  until  1890, 
when  he  established  a  printing  establishment  in  Huntingdon,  which  he 
has  ever  since  successfully  conducted.  He  does  job  printing  of  every 
variety,  has  a  well-e<iuipped  plant  and  has  established  a  reputation  for 
fine  printing  and  just  prices.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  has 
always  closely  attended  to  his  private  business  and  never  sought  political 
preferment.     He  is  interested,  however,  in  all  that  pertains  to^the  wel- 

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