USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 27
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of apprenticeship. Henceforward until death he continued at the head of the "Democrat" and fully established its value and influence as a leading Democratic journal. His conduct of the editorial department proved him a man of brain and of unusual ability as a writer of force and logic. He upheld the principles of Jefferson and Jackson, in which lic firmly believed, and gained deserved recognition for his valuable service. He took an active and prominent personal part in county, state and national affairs and became an acknowledged leader of his party. In 1862 he was elected to the lower house of the State Legis- lature, serving his term with credit. In 1868 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, held in New York City, that nominated Horatio Seymour for the presidency. In 1872 he was the candidate of his party for Congress, from the district comprising Cum- berland, Perry and York counties. Notwithstanding the heavy Repub- lican victories of that year all over Pennsylvania, Mr. Magee was elected by a majority of eighteen hundred and twenty-six out of a total vote of twenty-eight thousand eight hundred and ninety. This splendid endorsement shows plainer than volumes could tell his popu- larity and great strength before the people. He was the unanimous choice of the delegates from Perry county to the Congressional Con- ventions of 1874 and 1878 and a delegate to the National Democratic Convention of 1876, held in St. Louis, that nominated Samuel J. Til- den for the presidency. He was also many times a delegate to state conventions of his party. In 1894 he was elected chairman of the first division Democratic State Executive Committee, embracing the counties of York, Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Dauphin, Lebanon, Perry, Juniata and Mifflin; was reelected in 1895 and 1896, declining another election in 1897. In 1896 he was delegate to the Democratic State Convention at Allentown; was there chosen a delegate to the national convention that later met at Chicago and nominated William Jennings Bryan for the presidency. Mr. Magee continued his work and activity in newspaper and public life until his death, literally dying, as he always declared he would, "with the harness on." In his discussion of public questions, through his editorial columns, Mr. Magee was dig- nified, able and unbiased, while local news received especial care and attention. He was loyal and true to the people of his county who so faithfully rallied to his support whenever called upon and who always
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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 his 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 : I. Alexander Ramsey, born April, 1858, died November 6, 1862. 2. Charlotte Annie, born November 28, 1859, now residing with her brother, James S. Magee, in New Bloomfield, unmarried. 3. William Ramsey, born September 19, 1862, died July 29, 1901, unmarried; a well-known educator and magazine writer. 4. James Sample (of whom further). 5. John Alexander (2), born February 20, 1867, died September 20, 1871. 6. Benjamin Crever, born August 12, 1869, died September 25, 1886. 7. Louis Alexander, born September 18, 1872, died July 25, 1884.
Mrs. Margaret H. Ramsey Magee was a daughter of William Dean Ramsey and granddaughter of Archibald Ramsey, whose parents, Sam- uel and Esther Ramsey, came from Ireland to America about 1750, settling in Cumberland county, about four miles from Carlisle, where Archibald Ramsey was born. The Ramseys were of Scotch ancestry, theirs being one of the noted families of Scotland that trace descent far into the "long ago." Samuel Ramsey was a farmer, owned land in Cumberland county, and there reared a family.
Archibald, son of Samuel and Esther Ramsey, was born in Cum- berland county, was a farmer and there died. He married Margaret Dean, who bore him: Samuel; William Dean; Robert, served in the Mexican war and never returned; John Alexander, died unmarried ; and Hettie, died in childhood.
William Dean, son of Archibald and Margaret (Dean) Ramsey, was a lawyer of the Cumberland county bar, married Charlotte, daugh- ter of Dr. John and Rachel (Weakley) Arnold, of Adams county, and in 1838 moved in a covered wagon to the state of Ohio with his wife, and there died in 1842. After becoming settled, he applied for ad- mission to the bar, but the law required a year's prior residence. Be-
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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.
(III) 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, and nine 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 been one of its strong features, while local, county and state happenings are attractively presented. The mechanical department has been constantly improved and a complete job department, with ample equipment of modern machinery, draws a large patronage.
James S. Magee was appointed by President Cleveland cashier of the Ninth Internal Revenue District of Pennsylvania, and for four and a half years was stationed at Lancaster. For ten years he was chairman of the Perry County Democratic Committee, and is the pres- ent chairman of the Seventeenth Congressional District. In 1912 he so successfully managed the campaign that a Democratic congressman was elected. He has at various times represented Perry county in
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state conventions and is one of the influential, active Democrats of Perry county. He is a member of Adams Lodge, No. 319, Free and Accepted Masons, also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
Mr. Magee married, February 13, 1889, Mary Mortimer, born in New Bloomfield, daughter of Captain Frank Mortimer, a gallant officer of the civil war, editor and owner of the "Perry County Times." Cap- tain Mortimer was born in Massachusetts, son of Samuel and Eleanor (Richardson) Mortimer. He prepared for the practice of law, but poor eyesight prevented his ever entering actual practice, although ad- mitted to the bar of New York in 1853. At the outbreak of the war be- tween the states, he entered the service as captain of Company I, Ninth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. He was captured in De- cember, 1862, and held a prisoner at Culpeper and Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, until April, 1863, when he escaped, reaching the Union lines in safety. He then resigned his commission and in January, 1864, came to Perry county, where he engaged in mercantile business at Green Park until March, 1865; then moved to New Bloomfield, engaging as a merchant until 1889. In 1867 he had established the "Perry County Times," and in 1889 he sold his mercantile business to John Arnold and gave his entire time to the editorial and business management of his paper. The "Times," until 1892, was independent in politics, then was made to reflect the political faith of its owner, and has since been · an advocate of Republican principles.
Captain Mortimer married and had issue : Eleanor, of Philadelphia ; Mary, married James S. Magee : Harry, died March, 1896: Alice, wife of W. E. Maxfield, of Philadelphia; and Adelaide, who married Harry Briggs and resides in New York. Children of James S. and Mary Magee : I. John Alexander (2), born January 29, 1890, graduate of Yale University. A. B., class of 1912, taking first honors and awarded the philosophical oration. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Theta Pi fraternities, now professor of Latin and Greek at Dr. Holbrook's Preparatory School at Ossining, New York, unmarried. 2. James Ramsey, born March 26, 1891, a student of the law depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, LL.B., class of 1914. 3. Frank Mortimer, born March 22, 1895, now a student at Bloomfield Academy.
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James Loudon, of East Waterford, Juniata county,
LOUDON Pennsylvania, represents in his person the admirable qualities of the transplanted Celt in the second genera- tion, which make them such desirable citizens of this Republic.
(I) Robert Loudon, the grandfather of James Loudon, was born in Ireland, and was there married. His stalwart sons, growing tired of the scant prospect of advancement at home, determined to put their fortunes to the touch, and emigrated to America. After some years they induced him to join them in the United States, and it is probable that his wife crossed with him. He was then an old man, and never returned to Ireland, spending his last days with his children near East Waterford. His children, all of whom are dead, were: John, Robert, David, William, Solomon, Lydia, Eliza, Nancy, Paul and James.
(II) Solomon Loudon, son of Robert Loudon, was born in the County of Derry, Ireland, as was his wife. He came to the United States at the age of eighteen and located near East Waterford. Here he married Eliza Barton, who came with her parents from Ireland when she was but twelve years old. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tuscarora township, and later added to it another one hundred and sixty acres, making in all three hundred and twenty as fertile acres as could be found in that part of Pennsylvania. In his early manhood he followed the shoemaker's trade, eventually gave that up and devoted himself to agriculture, and became one of the successful farmers of his section. He lived a quiet, retired, though useful, life. Ile erected substantial buildings on his farm, and it was known far and near for its up-to-dateness. In politics he was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He died about 1869 and she in 1879. Children: 1. Sarah Jane, married Daniel Thatcher; she is dead. 2. John M., married May McKee ; lived and died in Nebraska. 3. Mary Ann, married Robert McWil- liams; he served as register and recorder of Juniata county; they moved to Illinois, and he was killed there; she died, aged eighty-four. 4. Samuel B., tailor by trade at East Waterford; he was elected sheriff of Juniata county, and died at Mifflintown; married Mary Sweringen. 5. Paul. at the age of twenty-five moved to Ireland and lives there. 6. James, of whom further. 7. Elizabeth, married John Silverborn;
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both died in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. 8. Rachel, married James McConnell ; lived in Perry county some years, now makes her home in Germantown, Pennsylvania. 9. David S., enlisted in civil war and served four years ; married Mary Elder, and moved to Page county, Iowa, and there lives. 10. Margaret, married L. E. Dougherty ; lives in Page county, Iowa. II. Martha, widow of John Anderson ; he died in Cambria county, Pennsylvania. 12. Tabitha, died at the age of eight years.
(III) James Loudon, son of Solomon and Eliza ( Barton) Loudon, was born in Tuscarora township, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 26, 1833. He was educated in the common schools of the town- ship and reared on the farm. He remained with his father until after the civil war, then, following the trend of the times, went to the oil region. He returned home, and with his brother, David, took over the management of the home farm. A year later David went west, and James purchased the homestead from the other heirs, and there made his home until 1895. In that year he moved to East Waterford, to occupy a house that he had erected the year previous, and has lived there until now (1913). In 1909 he disposed of the farm and retired from business life. In politics he is a Democrat and has served in township offices, and has been tax collector. He and his wife are men- bers of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for more than forty years. He is a member of the local Grange. He married, February 14, 1867, Susan E. Dougherty, born January 22, 1849, in Juniata county, daughter of Mathew and Susan (Minary) Dougherty, old residents of Juniata county. Children: 1. Ida M., widow of James Hockenberry; lived near Waterford; children: Eva and Pearl. twins. 2. Florence, died in infancy. 3 Charles W., en- gaged in a silver ore smelter in Montana; married Olive Allen: chil- dren : Dale, died aged four ; and Ray. 4. Millie G., married J. Harry Murphey, an employee on railroad at Altoona, Pennsylvania ; children : Annis, John and James, the two latter twins. 5. Lottie J., married Bruce Hockenberry ; lives in Berea, Kentucky; children: Susan Ray, James Loudon and Dorman. 6. Margaret M., married Harry Lawton ; has one child, Faye. 7. Frank F., married Blanche Allen; he is a ranchman at Plumber, Idaho. 8. Mabel S., married James B. McMeen (see McMeen sketch, this work).
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(The Dougherty Line).
Mathew Dougherty was the only son of his father, who died when he was quite a lad, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. He married Susan Minary, daughter of Joseph Minary, an old resident of Philadel- phia, where lie was a carpenter before he moved to Juniata county, at an advanced age, and died in the home of his daughter.
Mathew Dougherty was born in the state of Delaware, December 22, 1810, and, owing to the death of his father when he was quite young, he was reared by an aunt. He married Susan Minary, February 8, 1837, in Philadelphia, and soon moved to Juniata county. They lo- cated near Mifflin, and in 1857 moved to Tuscarora township and bought a farm, and later added two more to the land holdings, aggre- gating two hundred and seventy-five acres. He died February 15, 1889, and his wife died February 1, 1889. They were both devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he was a Democrat. Chil- dren: 1. William, a farmer. and died in Juniata county. 2. Joseph, (lied on homestead. 3. Jolin, lives in Harrisburg. 4. Thomas, one of the wealthy men of Iowa. 5. Sarah, married John Andrews; died in Ohio. 6. Mathias Day, lives in Iowa. 7. Lemuel Emory, lives in Iowa. 8. Susan Evans, born January 22, 1849, married James Lou- don (see Loudon III). 9. Ellen, married Moses Felmlee and lives at Shade Gap. 10. Charles, died aged eight. 11. Juniata, died in infancy. 12. Wilson Mccullough, died on homestead. 13. Martha Jane Irvin, married David Milliken, and lives in Reedsville, Penn- sylvania.
Mrs. Mary P. (Frankum) Deni- FRANKUM-DENITHORNE thorne, widow of James Denithorne, is a granddaughter of John Frank- 11111, of German parentage, who lived in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Ile was an expert stone cutter and engraver of intricate designs in stone, renowned in his art, traveling to many places where his especial skill was required. He married Susan Posey, also born in Chester county, where both died, members of the Lutheran church : children : Lindley : Violet, who married Thomas Hipple ; Matilda, married William AAyres ; Susan, never married: Reuben H. (of whom further) ; Nancy. married Joseph Clark.
James Jenithorne
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(II) Reuben H., son of John and Susan ( Posey) Frankum, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, died in 1881. 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 Gramm, 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 United States, settling in Phoenixville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he died in June, 1877, aged seventy-four years and ten months. He was an expert stone mason and until his retirement from active labor always followed that occupation. His widow, Anna, survived him until May 29, 1880, dying at age seventy-one years, three months ; children : William, born January 25, 1827, died in 1835; Ann. born in January, 1830; William (2), born July 1, 1832, died young : John (2), born November 22, 1834. married Caroline Francis: Elizabeth, born September 5, 1837, never married ; William (3), born January 1, 1840, died in the Union army in 1864: Richard, born June 1, 1842, married Emma Tustin ; Amelia, born December 24, 1844. married Jacob Mil- dren; James (see forward) ; Catherine, born October 20, 1851, died
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1909, married (first ) I. W. Marsh, (second) Oliver Nichols; Mary, born July 21, 1854, died young.
James, son of John Denithorne, was ten months of age when he was brought to Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he was educated in the public schools of Phoenixville. He learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked in his younger years. He then took a course of instruction in drafting and civil engineering in Philadelphia and umtil 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: 1. Grace B., born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 15. 1881, died in Huntingdon, November 26, 1911, unmarried. 2. George, born July 21, 1891, is now a student at State College, depart- ment of civil and mining engineering.
Mrs. Mary P. Denithorne survives her husband, and continues her residence in Huntingdon. She is a member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, and lives a life full of gracious, womanly usefulness.
For thirty years the well-beloved and PARKER-MCDOWELL useful pastor of the East Kishacoquillas Church of Reedsville, it may be said of the Rev. Andrew H. Parker that he gave his life to that church, com- ing there shortly after his ordination and continuing until death ended his labors.
Rev. Andrew H. Parker was a son of Caleb Parker, who early in
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life settled in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and about 1834 located in Mifflintown, where for many years he was justice of the peace until his death in 1885. His wife, Sarah McCully, was born in Mifflin county, daughter of an early pioneer family. They were married in Mifflintown and there their children were born. Both were members of the Presbyterian church-he a Democrat in politics. Five of their children grew to adult years: Robert, James, Thaddeus, Cloyd and Andrew H., all deceased except Cloyd, who resides in Harrisburg.
Rev. Andrew H. Parker was born in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, in 1845, died in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1899. His early education was obtained in the public schools; his preparatory education at Tuscarora Academy ; his classical education at Princeton College, when he was graduated, class of 1866. He chose the ministry as his profession and pursued a three years' course in divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary, whence he was graduated in April. IS69. He had received a license to preach from the Huntingdon Pres- bytery, October 7, 1868, and soon after his graduation was invited to become "stated supply" of the East Kishacoquillas Presbyterian Church during the summer. He accepted the call in May, 1869, and so well had he pleased the congregation that during the following summer they made him a formal call to become their permanent pastor. He accepted, and at an adjourned meeting of Huntingdon Presbytery, held in the East Kishacoquillas Church, December 7, 1869, he was ordained a minister of the Gospel and installed as pastor of that church. The first twenty-four years of his pastorate he preached in the "Brick Church," in which he was ordained, situated about three-quarters of a mile from Reedsville, on a hill consecrated by many precious memo- ries, where the congregation had worshipped for one hundred and ten years. In 1893 it was deemed wise to change the place of wor- ship to Reedsville, and a handsome brownstone church was erected there, and has since been the home of the congregation, which still retains its old time name, East Kishacoquillas Presbyterian Church. On June 14, 1894, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pastorate of Rev. Parker was celebrated with appropriate services held in the church, a number of ministers, elders, and a great many members and friends of the church and pastor participating. The services at the church were followed by a banquet at the town hall, where the pastor was pre-
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sented with an expensive silver water service of beautiful design and suitably inscribed. Five years later, after a pastorate of thirty years, he ceased from his labors, and in the presence of a large gathering his funeral services were held in the church he had served so well. He was a faithful servant of God, studious and earnest, a pleasing, forceful preacher of the highest type of character and a man beloved by all. His church prospered spiritually and materially under his guidance and many were added to the church roll of membership. He was interested in all that concerned the welfare of his community, aided in their civic affairs, and was a strong force for good. He was considered one of the strong men of the Huntingdon Presbytery and beld many honors re- ceived at the hands of his brethren.
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