USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 13
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He married in November, 1896, Cartie, daughter of W. H. and Sarah (Robins) Felix, of Lewistown. Child : Sarah Felix.
Otis H. Snook, of Reedsville, Pennsylvania, is one of the SNOOK live business men of the town. He descends from English stock that was first planted in New Jersey and which, fol- lowing the trend of the times, drifted into Pennsylvania.
(I) The first of the name in Pennsylvania was John Snook, who came from New Jersey, settled west of Beaver Springs, in Snyder county, and there died. Among his children was Phillip, of whom fur- ther.
(II) Phillip Snook, son of John Snook, of New Jersey, was born in New Jersey and reared in that state, and in Snyder county, Pennsylva- nia. He was a farmer and followed that vocation until his death. He was a Republican in politics, and was a member of the German Reformed church. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Anthony Peters, an early settler in Mifflin county, and they reared a large family. Children : John P., deceased; Jackson, deceased; William; Amos, deceased; Joseph ; Lydia, deceased; Sarah; Mary, deceased; Edward, of whom further; Isaac, deceased : Wilson, deceased ; Francis, deceased.
(III) Edward, son of Phillip and Elizabeth ( Peters) Snook, was born February 22, 1848, in Mifflin county. He was brought up on the farm and educated in New Lancaster, Mifflin county. When eighteen years old he moved to St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he entered school in Colon township. He returned to Mifflin county for a short time, then went again to Michigan, where he worked for Eli Wagner, on his farm, and for Richards & Shearer in their stove plant. He then went to Kent county for a short time, and again returned to Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Six years after his marriage he moved to St. Joseph
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county, Michigan, and located at Colon, where he remained eight years. He returned to Mifflin county at the expiration of that time and farmed with great success until 1905, when he established a meat market and butcher's business in Reedsville, where he has since remained, and where he has accumulated property. In 1871 he married Emma L. Worrell, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Catherine Worrell, who came from Chester county to Mifflin county in the sixties and settled at Mt. Rock. Mrs. Snook died January 5, 1912. Children : Orville C., Elizabeth, Mary: Otis H., of whom further; Belle, Effie. Anna, Grace, Frank.
(IV) Otis H., son of Edward and Emma L. (Worrell) Snook, was born August 31, 1876, in Anna township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools in the townships of Pennsylvania and Michigan, and in the towns in which his parents lived during his school days. He became associated in 1905 with his father in the meat business in Reedsville, and has succeeded in establishing a remunerative patronage. He married, June 23, 1903, Laura Catherine Fisher, born in Mifflin county, a daughter of the late Herman Fisher, a former well- known citizen of the county. Children: I. Edward, born March 12, 1904. 2. Otis Reed, born February 23, 1907. 3. Franklin Worrell, born August 29, 19II.
The first representative of this family in Belleville was Wil-
UTTS son S. (1) Utts, who came when a young man. He was born in 1822, died 1871. He was a tinner by trade, and in Belleville erected a suitable building and established a hardware store that he successfully conducted until his death. He was a man of enter- prise, a good workman and prosecuted his tinning and hardware business with vigor. In political faith he was a Republican, in religion a Presbyterian. He married Margaret Hampson, born in Huntingdon county in 1826, died in Belleville in 1871. Children: Sylvester, de- ceased; Hampson, deceased : Ella, deceased ; Milford; Warner ; Nettie, deceased ; Thomas, deceased; Ollie: Margaret; Wilson S., of whom further.
(II) Wilson S. (2), youngest child of Wilson S. (I) and Margaret ( Hampson) Utts, was born in Belleville, Pennsylvania. April 13. 1867. He attended the public schools and learned the tinner's trade with his brother Hampson, who succeeded their father in business. Hampson
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Utts died March 30, 1912, but for eight years prior to his death had re- tired from business. In 1905 he 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.
Mr. U'tts married, April 1, 1892, Olive Finkle, of Belleville, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Finkle.
WHITE Thomas Jefferson White, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, de- scends from the English family of the same name that for centuries has lived in the south of England. The first of the name to reach the shores of the New World was Andrew, who was among the passengers of the "Planter" in 1674. He located in New Hampshire, and his sons and sons' sons drifted into Pennsylvania.
(I) Joseph White, the first of the name of whom the Pennsylvania branch have any definite record, was a native of Chester county. He married Mary Faddis, also of an old English family. He was a black- smith by trade, and an inventor. He invented the old iron bar plow- share, and for many years he and his sons manufactured them by hand. At his death his sons continued in the business, though not as a company. He was a staunch Whig, always voting with that party, and died about 1852. Children : George Washington, of whom further; Jefferson, Re- becca, James, Joseph, Isaac, Lewis, Hannah, John, Robert ; all of them are dead.
( H ) George Washington, son of Joseph and Mary ( Faddis) White, was born in Chester county, in 1804, died in 1874, in Pennsylvania. His education was gained in the common schools of Chester county. He en- gaged with his father in the smithy and assisted him in the manufactur- ing of plows. He lived near Downingtown, Pennsylvania, very nearly all of his adult life. He was first a Whig, and afterward a Republican.
Like the rest of his family, he was reared a Quaker, while his wife was a member of the Baptist church. He married Esther A. Richardson, daughter of a neighboring farmer. Children: 1. Joseph, deceased. 2.
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Julia Ann, wife of James Miller, of Coatesville, Chester county. 3. James, was a civil war veteran. He, with two brothers, were members of the 192d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and after serving four months he was discharged. James had previously served as first sergeant in the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. 4. Lewis, was also in the civil war. He was in Carlisle when the barracks were burned, and was dispatch carrier. He lives in Parkersburg. Chester county. 5. Isaac was a member of the 192d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. 6. Thomas Jefferson, of whom further. 7. Rebecca, deceased. S. Susannah, de- - ceased. 9. Mary E., living in Pennsylvania. 10. Ella, married Frank Bernard, of Chester county.
(III) Thomas Jefferson, son of George W. and Esther A. (Richard- son) White, was born September 17, 1848, in Chester county, near Downingtown. He received his education in the common schools, after which, he learned the blacksmith's trade by working in the smithy of his father. He remained here one year, then went to Downingtown, where he stayed a year ; from thence moved to Newport, Pennsylvania, and then to Decatur, Illinois, where he remained over two years. He then went back to Newport, Pennsylvania, and purchased the blacksmith shop of his former employer, and ran it for twenty years. In 1898 he moved to Lewistown, and established a coach manufacturing plant in partner- ship with J. H. Zinn. In 1904 he sold his half interest to Mr. Zinn, and engaged with the Standard Steel Company. He owns three houses on Montgomery avenue, and lives in his own home on Depot street. At the beginning of the civil war he enlisted in the 192d Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, and served four months. He is a Republican and a mem- ber of Colonel Huling Post, No. 176, of the Grand Army of the Re- public.
He married, June 29, 1872, Eliza Ann Bair, born November 15, 1847, in Buck's Valley, Perry county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Baskin) Bair. Both he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Children: 1. 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 April 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.
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Eliza Baskin, born August 10, 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 Jefferson 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. IO. Mary Ellen.
The earliest record found of this Laub family is of Jacob
LAUB Laub, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a soldier of the civil war, who died in the service, then past the age of usual military service. Three of his sons also served in the Union army with their father: George, killed at Antietam; Jacob, who now resides in Shasta county, California; and Henry Harrison, of whom further. Jacob married Elizabeth Dietrich, also born in Lancaster county, daugh- ter of Jacob Dietrich, who in 1844 came by packet on the canal to Thompson's Lock, near Thompsontown, Juniata county, and there set- tled. The Laubs had also moved from Lancaster county, and near by the great-grandfather of Henry H. Laub, Jacob Dietrich, had a mill. It was also from Juniata county that Jacob Laub enlisted, although he met and married Elizabeth Dietrich in Lancaster county.
(II) Henry Harrison, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dietrich) Laub, was born in Hinkleton, near New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, January 10, 1840. He was quite young when his parents moved to Juniata county, where he was educated in the public school and at McAlisterville Academy. He learned the carpenter's trade, and was a successful contractor of Snyder county until about 1885, when he became a fruit farmer of Snyder county. He had been a resident of that county from about 1860, going there with the intention of teaching school, but giving up that profession and enlisting in April, 1862, in Company H, 149th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving three years and re- ceiving honorable discharge at the close of the war. At the battle of Antietam he was wounded, but soon recovered and rejoined his regi- ment. He then returned to Snyder, where he is engaged in fruit farm- ing. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. He married Louisa Shout, born at Beaver Springs, Snyder county, February 26, 1844, died in December, 1910, daughter of Adam
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and Sarah (Howell) Shout; Adam Shout was a cooper of Snyder county, combining light farming ; owning a good farm three miles west of Beaver Springs, where both he and his wife died. Sarah Howell, wife of Adam Shout, was a daughter of Jacob Howell, of Beavertown, Snyder county, who died there aged eighty years. Children of Henry Harrison Laub: Henry Harrison (2), of whom further; Sarah Jane, George Albert, Jacob Adam, twin of George A .; Elizabeth Isophine and Grace.
(III) 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, 1886; three months later he was appointed operator and clerk in the Pennsylvania railroad station at Lewistown, remaining until July 1, 1889, when he was appointed station agent at Reedsville for the Pennsylvania railroad, continuing in that position un- til October 1, 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-
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town Commandery, No. 26, Knights Templar. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum.
He married, April 15, 1891, Sarah Olive Knepp, born at McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Child: Anna Louisa, born November 4, 1896.
This branch of the Orr family in the United States descends ORR from Alexander Orr, born in county Antrim, Ireland, from whence he emigrated to the United States in boyhood. He found a home in Decatur township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, there grew to mature years and married Catherine Gardner, of Scotch descent. After his marriage Alexander Orr purchased a farm in the township, prospered there, and reared his family of four children. He was a men- ber of the Presbyterian church, as was his wife, both being active church workers. Children: Mary Jane, married Andrew Cubbison, both de- ceased : Catherine, married George Kearns, and resides in Lewistown ; George. deceased ; William Allen, of whom further.
(II ) William Allen, son of Alexander and Catherine (Gardner ) Orr, was born in Decatur township. Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1838, died in Ohio while on a visit to that state. He was a man of education, a prosperous farmer and prominent in public affairs. He was elected county commissioner of Mifflin county ; county auditor, and for many years was justice of the peace. He was a Democrat in politics. His home was the old Orr farm, he having purchased the interests of the other heirs. He married Martha Orwig, born in Union county, Pennsyl- vania. removing to Mifflin county in girlhood. Children: Allen Alex- ander, of whom further; Mary Grace, married G. E. Smith, and lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
(III) Allen Alexander, 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 fire insurance com- panies, Mr. Orr conducts a real estate business. He is a Democrat in
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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 Woodrow Wilson for president. In the long fight for a candidate at that conven- tion the Pennsylvania delegate was a tower of strength to the Wilson cause, voting for him solidly until victory was theirs, at the end of the forty-sixth ballot. Mr. Orr is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a man of integrity, ability and influence.
He married, in June, 1898, Mary A., born in Lewistown, Pennsylva- nia, daughter of John and Elizabeth Spratt, formerly of Philadelphia. They have one child: Allen Alexander Jr., born July 20, 1899.
John W. Kearns, of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, had
KEARNS for his emigrant progenitor John Kearns, of Germany, who came to this country while yet it was in its swaddling clothes. It is thought that he first located in New York state, afterward joining some of his countrymen in Pennsylvania, where he became a farmer and owned a large tract of land. Among his children was John WV., of whom further.
(II) John W., son of John Kearns, of Germany, was an early and prominent resident of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He moved from there to Mifflin county while it was yet in its infancy, purchased a large tract of land in Decatur township. cleared a portion of it, cul- tivated it and there lived with his family until his death. He was one of the progressive men of the day and was largely instrumental in introducing modern (for that time) methods of local government. He married Elizabeth Stroup, like himself of sturdy German origin, and she proved herself a worthy helpmeet in every way. They were both members of the Presbyterian church, rearing their children in that creed with great strictness. Children, all of whom are dead: Margaret, mar- ried Mr. Hoover ; Thomas; Sophia, married Mr. Preston: Sarah, mar- ried Mr. Townsend ; Phillip S. ; John W. ; Joseph ; Elias Calvin, of whom further.
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(III) Elias Calvin, son of John W. and Elizabeth (Stroup) Kearns, was born February 17, 1839, in Decatur township, Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania, died August 13, 1888, in Derry township, the same county. He was educated in the common schools of the time, and on leaving he began farming. He married and located in Derry township, Mifflin county, buying one hundred and eighty acres, and here lived until his death, a prosperous, highly esteemed citizen of the county. Like his forbears he was a member of the Presbyterian church, as was his wife, and in that faith reared his children. Ile was a staunch Democrat, advocating and supporting actively the principles of the party ; and was elected through it to many of the local offices, in which he served faithfully and for the good of the township. He was poor director for some time, doing all in his power to alleviate the distress of the county charges. He was greatly mourned at his death. He married Nancy J. Sieber, born July 25, 1844. in Juniata county, died in Derry township, April 4, 1905, a daughter of a German family long established in Juniata county. Chil- dren: 1. Samuel C., born March 26, 1866, died October 22, 1878, in an accident. 2. John W., of whom further. 3. George E., a postal clerk ; lives on Logan street, Lewistown. 4. Nancy Elizabeth, unmarried ; lives with her brother Charles. 5. Anna Gertrude, married R. L. Howe, and lives in Philadelphia. 6. Charles, unmarried ; a farmer near Lewistown, and is also employed by the Standard Steel Works.
(IV) John William Kearns, of Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pennsyl- vania, son of Elias Calvin and Nancy J. (Sieber) Kearns, was born No- vember 14, 1867. in Derry township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, east of Lewistown. He was educated in the common schools of the town- ship and at the Lewistown Academy. On leaving school he engaged in farming, with great success. In 1895 he bought, in Derry township, ninety-three acres, and there lived until 1910, when he purchased, in the same township, one hundred and forty-one acres, moved to it, still re- taining the first farm and cultivating both. He does general farming while making a specialty of potatoes, which he harvests for the market. Ten acres are devoted to this particular branch of agriculture, and from it he realizes handsomely. Naturally he is a member of the Presbyterian church. as is his wife. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as school director. Mr. Kearns not only farms successfully, but is inter- ested in real estate to some extent and owns two houses and lots in Lewis-
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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.
HOOFNOGLE Miss Mary Hoofnogle, a highly esteemed resident of Reedsville, is the daughter of George Hoofnogle, born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1795, died near Vandyke, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, 1877. He grew to man- hood in Berks county, learned the mason's trade, and while still a young man moved to Snyder county, establishing his home near Beaver Springs, where he married. Later he moved to near Vandyke, Juniata county, where he worked at his trade until incapacitated by age, lived retired for several years and died. He married Catherine Gleckner, born in Union county, Pennsylvania, died in 1845, leaving five chil- dren. Mr. Hoofnogle never again married, living a widower for
thirty-two years. Children: 1. Sarah, married Wilson Dellett; lived in Milroy, Pennsylvania, where she died in 1906. 2. Rebecca, mar- ried George Smith, whom she survives, a resident of Juniata county. 3. Melinda, married Louis Rousch ; resides at McClure, Pennsylvania. 4. Catherine, married William Horner ; resides at Center Hall, Pennsylva- nia. 5. Mary, now living in Reedsville, Pennsylvania.
(II) Mary, youngest daughter of George and Catherine (Gleckner) Hoofnogle, was born near Vandyke, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1841. Her mother dying in 1845, the child Mary was taken by a kind family, with whom she was reared and educated. On arriving at wom- anhood she became housekeeper for Robert Taylor, remaining in that position until his death in 1896. In that year she moved to Reedsville, Pennsylvania, which is yet her home. She is a member of the Presby- terian church, and is held in high esteem by her many friends. Miss Hoofnogle, many years ago, in memory of the kindness shown herself when a motherless child adopted a young girl, Elizabeth Shafer, on whom she has lavished a mother's love and care and to whose children she is indeed the typical, fond and indulgent grandmother. Miss Shafer married Harry Smith, and now resides in Akron, Ohio, with their chil-
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dren : Hazel, Robert, Mildred, Leroy and Luella, twins; Mabel G., Harry S.
Robert Taylor, the emigrant ancestor of the Taylor fam-
TAYLOR ily of Pennsylvania, and also in New England, landed from a small sailing vessel at New York, about 1680. There he remained until after his marriage with the daughter of another emigrant. He moved with his family to the western part of the province of New York, near the Pennsylvania line, and there settled. At that time it was one of the most dangerous portions of the province of New York, as the Indians were always on the warpath and made living in the wilderness a hazardous experiment. Mr. Taylor remained on the clear- ing that he made and on which he erected a semi-block house, tilled his land, fought his neighbors, the Indians, and reared his family. Later his grandsons migrated to Pennsylvania and there established themselves. Taylor is one of the notable names of the United States. One of the name has been its president ; several have filled the gubernatorial chairs; many have sat upon the bench as chief justices ; others have served in the army and navy, and still others have been plain, honorable citizens, bear- ing their share of the burdens of the great Republic which their progen- itors helped to make.
(I) Robert Taylor, a direct descendant of the first Robert Taylor, and the colonial progenitor of the Taylor family of Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania, took ont warrants in 1754 for a tract containing three thou- sand acres of land, part of which is still in possession of the family, in Mifflin county, as it is now known. He was one of the dominating fac- tors in the upbuilding of that part of the colony of Pennsylvania. He cleared a portion of the land of its forest growth, erected substantial and protective log houses on it, and here lived and reared his family. Among his children was Matthew, of whom further.
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