A History Ofthe Juniata Valley v.2
A History Ofthe Juniata Valley v.2
A History Ofthe Juniata Valley v.2
3 3433 08044016 1
A HISTORY
OF THE
JUNIATA VALLEY
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATE P.
■. • -•..••••
NEW YORK
LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
1913 ,
1 U fv M'lUNOAl IONS-
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.
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
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-^ — ■
(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.
6;?"?n 1
(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."
(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-
(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.
of one hundred acres. Henry Hanawalt, died in 1794, leaving two sons,
George and John.
(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,
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.
:>
(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.
;ii
(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
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
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.
Jr^ U. ^a/r^^^^^^^<LM
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.
both the paternal and the distaff side. Both the Byler an-l Hartzler
(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.
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-
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.
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.
Mr. Vollmer employes three thousand men, and the products turned
out for a large and ever increasing market are, steel castings, tires,
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".
(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
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.
"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,
.■>-o
(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-
(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.
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-
(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).
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.
(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)
(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
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^
(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.
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.
(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
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.,
(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.
in politics, and both he and his wife are attendants of the Presbyterian
church.
(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.
(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) 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.
church. They have one daughter, Margaret, born September 12, 1866,
married Parks Murtiff. (See Alurtitf III).
(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
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.
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.
(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
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.
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.
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.
(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-
(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,
/aU^Mjeyr—
(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.
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.
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.
and farmer. He married, reared a family and both he and his wife, after
(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.
(III) Martin Luther, son of John and Margaret (Bair) Stroup, was
born March i, 1837, in Decatur township, and was educated in the pub-
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.
(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.
ccA.
'O^^/^
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.
(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
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
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.
(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.
(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.
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.
(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
(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-
(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
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.
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.
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-
(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.
(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
(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
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.
(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.
(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
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.
(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
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
(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
7. Mary E., born November 16, 1865; married James William Kyle.
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.
(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.
(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.
For nearly one hundred years the Hayes family has been
HAYES prominent in the Kishacoquillas valley, the original settler
(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-
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.
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 :
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) 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
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.
(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
(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
John, son of William and Nancy (Beatty) Henry, was born in Lan-
caster county, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1783, and was a boy of
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.
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.
(2) will be found in this work. Air. and Mrs. Freed have no
children.
"Lay on Macduff,
"And damn'd be he that first cries, 'Hold, enough' !"
(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.
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
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,
PUBLIC UBRARY
'fy^^^.^^^r//
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.
phone Company, and is also trustee and treasurer of the Little Valley
Presbyterian Church.
1897- ^___^
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.
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.
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
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.
(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-
(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.
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.
(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.
(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.
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.
WHITE scends from the English family of the same name that for
the name to reach the shores of the New World was Andrew, who was
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.
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.
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,
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.
(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-
(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
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.
(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.
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.
dren: Hazel, Robert, Mildred, Leroy and Luella, twins; Mabel G.,
Harry S.
(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.
(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
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
(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
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 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.
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,
(Ill) Lewis Elwood, eldest son and second child of Henry and
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.
(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.
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
(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.
(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.
(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.
the different races that have combined to produce the American nation of
(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
(II) Simon E., eldest son of Henry E. and Mary Jane (Eppler)
(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<^
(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
(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.
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.
(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.
(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
(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-
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".
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
(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
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.
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.
(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
PUBUC UBRARY
MTOn, LtMVK MM
^<l^M^7u:^^
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 665
died in infancy.
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
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).
'''HE NEwTorT
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HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 669
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.
(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
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.
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.
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
(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
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.
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.
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.
a^ ^^u^
lUU^-^-t^
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.
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.
(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
(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
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.
(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.
i-i..(C LIBRARY
■tf
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.
o-
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,
citizens. From this old German "patriarch" sprang Jacob Rice, grand-
father of Charles Miller Rice, of Lewistown.
(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.
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.
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.
PUBLIC UBRARY
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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:
700
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."
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 :
"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."
02
Taylor.
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,"
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.
(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.
(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
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.
(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.
his patience and submission to his great affliction binding him to his
friends and parishioners.
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.
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.
/M
(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.
township for four hundred and sixty-two pounds. He had been in the
(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.
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.
(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.
/V
who died in 1908. He died when only thirty-eight years old. Among
his children was one, Nelson, of whom further.
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.
\\iio In
(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.
(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-
found in tlie county is of David Young, a weaver, who with his wife
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-
(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
(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.
(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
(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-
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
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.
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.
ROBISON and a half with the fair name and high fortunes of the
province in the days when, where are now opulent cities, live towns, busy
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.
cy K (/LA'xA-'^-^^
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.
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.
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.
(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.
J^^v^ b
vV-i v>.^
jTHENl. . ■^'
IpUBUC UBRaRY
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
(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
(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
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.
son and reared a large family. Both were members of the Presby-
terian church.
(VI) William Stilt, only son of Judge George Taylor and his third
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.
(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.
PUBUC UBRARY
••TOM, L(>M>
TTLDtK r
.o+€.=^
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-
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.
(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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
//D
,j(une.i u fnif/h
'/fJf/IC
(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
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.
Rev. Andrew 11. Parker was a son of Caleb Parker, who earlv in
'^. %,"' \
Erajd by CamphcllBmtl
PUBLIC UBRARY
(McDowell Line).
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
(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,
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.
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.
'/
(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.
(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
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.
"^ J
^aniP4 -Jhe/io/.i
{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.
(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
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.
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.
a Ik
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.
(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
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
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
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.
(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
ZAi^
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.
(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-
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.
son. These sons all married and left issue, except Jacob, who had no
children. There were also five daughters.
(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.
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.
(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.
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.
(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
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.
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.
vania. Children: i. John Guss, born June 12, 1898. 2. Joyce Evelyn,
born July 25, 1906.
(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
public schools, now member of the firm of Watts Brothers and inter-
ested in other Belleville business concerns.
(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
(III) James Sellers, fourth child and third son of Philo and Sus-
anna (Hurl) Pannebaker, was born in Juniata county, Pennsyl-
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.
(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-
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.
(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
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.
Q,rZ. A-M"^:/:'
(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-
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,
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.
(VI) Isaac Harvey, only son of Henry Boyer and Susan Fink
(Peightal) Brumbaugh, was born in Penn township, March 10, 1870.
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.
(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.
^yd^VCc^WrC^^^ ^.XT"
(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.
(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.
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.
(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.
PUBLIC UBRaRY
MTMt, LeM«X
'My^l/^
2.^^^^
4v*x,
VMLn^
J- Ow
n/iPAWiiy^
THE
IT,,,,, ^ewyork
PUBLIC UBRAPv
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.
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.
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.
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.
W^4^.^ ^-^'-^^c
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
'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.
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.
Isaac Lawrence Goss. during his life, was one of the im-
GOSS portant, progressive and successful business men of Mifflin
(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,
(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.
(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
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.
(II) Samuel, third son and fourth child of Matthew and Mary
(Dunn) Miller, was born in Huntingdon coimty, Pennsylvania, in 1791,
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.
(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
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.
^/o
(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.
(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
(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
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
(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
(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.
(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.
(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
(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.
(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
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.
(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.
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.
, '^,c..'>4-t'-v-7tA7/7'7-tA-ix2.- —
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.
(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
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.
Mr. and Mrs. Theorous Kauffman have one son, Maxwell Sieber,
born December i8, 1912.
(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,
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.
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-
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.
(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.
several fine horses are kept; these are a source of great pleasure to their
owner.
(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-
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.
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.
(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.
903
(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-
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.
1ynA^
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
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.
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.
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-
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.
(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).
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.
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.
(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
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.
(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.
Shraffler. 12. Name not known. 13. Mary, died in Perry coun-
ty; married a Mr. Fuller. 14. Christina, married Henry Long.
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.
(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
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.
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.
(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
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.
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.
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.
(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
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.
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.
(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
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.
Robert and Thomas. From these sons and others born after reaching
and Pennsylvania.
James Port, son of John and Mary (Fox) i'ort, was born
PORT in Smithfield township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
(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)
(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.
^ ~y/o-^<-^ /CAJ ^^
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941
the first half of the nineteenth century, and has been favorably identified
(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
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 Ridge, where they lived until death upon their own farm.
(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-
ried Ella Lamberson. 5. Harry M., born April 12, 1863, died Sep-
tember, 1909; married Maud Hatfield.
(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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