USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 29
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(II) John, son of Daniel Bailey, was born in Monaghan, now Carroll township, York county, Pennsylvania, and there resided until his death, a prosperous fariner and surveyor. He married Mary Nel- son, of English descent. Among his children was a son, Samuel N.
John . Bailey
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(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 1881.
(IV) John Mumper, second son of Colonel Samuel N. and Mar- garet (Mumper) Bailey, was born in Dillsburg, York county, Penn- sylvania, July 11, 1839. He attended the public schools of Dillsburg, finishing his studies at Tuscarora Academy, Academia, Juniata county, Pennsylvania. The expense of the years was in part defrayed by
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teaching during four winter terms in schools of Walker, Porter and Franklin townships, Huntingdon county. During the summer vaca- tions he read law, having determined on the legal profession as his life work. In 1859 he became a law student in the offices of Scott and Brown, Huntingdon, then a leading law firm of that borough. On August 11, 1862, he was admitted to the Huntingdon county bar and three years later to practice before the supreme court of Pennsyl- vania. In 1865 he was admitted to a partnership with his former preceptors, the firm name becoming Scott, Brown and Bailey. In 1869 the senior partner, John Scott, was elected United States senator and withdrew from the firm, which continued as Brown and Bailey until the admission, in 1872, of Mr. Brown's son, Charles G. Brown, when the firm name became Brown, Bailey and Brown. In 1891 a peaceful dissolution was effected, the Browns continuing, Mr. Bailey retiring and practicing alone until 1896. On November 5, 1895. he was elected president judge of the twentieth judicial district, composed of the counties of Huntingdon, Bedford and Mifflin, and on January 1, 1896, assumed the duties of that high office. He wisely and impartially presided over the courts of his district and as a judge fully realized the high opinion of his friends who had elevated him to the bench. He did not live to complete his term, but after seven years of honorable service as judge and forty-one years after his admission to the bar, he died, September 27, 1903. Judge Bailey gave his life to his pro- fession and never sought political preferment, although, as one of the leading Democrats of his county, he could have had any office in his county within his grasp had he so desired. He, however, served his state in the constitutional convention of 1872-1873, serving in that body on important committees. He also accepted one term in the borough council of Huntingdon and served his brethren of the profession as president of the county bar association. He was learned in the law and his years of practice, 1862 to 1896, were characterized no less by marked ability than by his scrupulous regard for the interests of his clients. He won the confidence of his community in which his life had been spent, not only as an able lawyer, but as an earnest upright citizen. Believing not only in his ability, but in his high character also, the electors of his district said : "Come up higher," and to his other known traits was added that of a "just and upright judge." He was an active
1
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member of the Masonic order; was past master of Mount Morialı Lodge, No. 300, Free and Accepted Masons, and past high priest of Standing Stone Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, both of Huntingdon. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, which he joined in 1864, and was a faithful supporter of that church and its various departments of Christian effort.
Judge Bailey married, May 25, 1869, Letitia, daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Jackson) Fisher, both life-long residents of Huntingdon county. Thomas Fisher was for more than fifty years a merchant ; was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Huntingdon ; a member of its first board of directors, later became president, an office he held until his death. He also served as treasurer of Hunting- don county and chief burgess of the borough of Huntingdon. He had seven children: 1. Fanny, died in Huntingdon, unmarried. 2. Belle, died in Huntingdon, unmarried. 3. Horatio G., died May 8, 1890, a prominent coal operator of the Clearfield and Jefferson county dis- tricts, was prominent also in political life, serving as state senator and member of the national house of representatives. He was suc- ceeded in business by his son as president of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company, the largest producers of bituminous coal in this country. 4. Thomas, died in 1884; his father's partner in business. 5. Letitia, married Judge John M. Bailey. 6. Kate, married J. C. Blair, of Huntingdon, an extensive paper manufacturer, whom she survives. 7. Mary, married R. Allison Miller ; both deceased. Children of Judge John M. and Letitia Bailey: Thomas F., of whom further ; Margaret and William, died in childhood. Mrs. Letitia (Fisher) Bailey survives her husband, she and her sister Kate being the last of the family. She is a resident of Huntingdon, a member of the Presbyterian church and a lady greatly beloved.
(V) Thomas F., only son of Judge John M. and Letitia (Fisher ) Bailey to survive childhood, was born in Huntingdon, November 15, 1871. His early education was obtained in the public schools and Blairstown Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey. He prepared at Law- renceville Preparatory School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, entered Princeton University, whence he was graduated, degree of A. B., class of 1894. At the university he took special interest in the debating and literary societies, belonging to the Coffee House Club, which studies
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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 law under the preceptorship of his honored father and in 1896 was admitted to the Huntingdon county bar. He at once began practice in Huntingdon, alone, the elevation of his father to the bench frustrating their long cherished plan of a partnership. Mr. Bailey has been very successful in his profession, has an extensive practice in all state and federal courts of his district and, while conducting a general practice, gives especial attention to corpora- tion law and the trial of cases before judge and jury. He is a Demo- crat in politics, a member of the borough school board, and is inter- ested in all that pertains to the welfare of his town. He belongs to the Masonic order, the state and county bar associations and is a com- municant of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Bailey married, November 19, 1902, Wilhelmina, daughter of Carl Lentz, born in Germany, a prominent leader of the Republican party in Newark, New Jersey, a veteran of the civil war, who carries an empty sleeve, his wife's name being Huldah Wildrick Lentz. The only child of Thomas F. and Wilhelmina Bailey, Elizabeth, was born January 7, 1904.
DE VAULT The earliest record found of this branch is in New Jersey, where Joel De Vault was born, December 25. 1789, died in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1862. He lived in New Jersey intil 1825, then prior to the year 1828 came to Pennsylvania. He became a wealthy farmer and large land owner of the Juniata Valley, his lands lying along the Black Log mountains. His wife, Mary, born in New Jersey. July 4. 1793. died in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1845. Children : 1. Eliza, born November 17, 1813, died in Granville township, June 12, 1886. 2. Joel, born March 14, 1817. 3. Michael, born February 25, 1819, died in Charleston, Illinois, December 26, 1881. 4. George W., of whom further. 5. Christian, born April 1, 1825, died August 17, 1825. 6. John L. S., born April 12, 1828, the first of the children born in Penn- sylvania. 7. Mary J., born January 15, 1833, was killed by the cars at Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1837. 8. Caroline, born March 31. 1835, met her death by accidental burning in Deadwood,
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James Nichols
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South Dakota : she married Patrick Gaston. Joel De Vault married a second wife, Elizabeth, who bore him several children.
(II) George Washington, third son and fourth child of Joel and Mary De Vault, was born in New Jersey, May 9, 1822, died in Peoria, Illinois, April 29, 1877. He was a very young child when his parents moved to Juniata county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. obtaining an education in the public schools. When a young man he left the home farm and located in Marshall county, Illinois, with his brothers, Michael and John L. S. In 1846 he settled in Peoria, where he was general agent for the Truesdale Sewing Machine Com- pany. He was a Republican in politics, and member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married (first) December 3, 1845, Elizabeth McLaughlin, who died April 27, 1853, 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 Lewistown.
(The Nichols Line).
(I) William Nichols came to Juniata Valley, settling at Lewisburg, where he was a merchant for several years, and died May 25, 1852. His first wife, Elizabeth (Crull) Nichols, whom he married in York county, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1807, died September 3, 1811, and in 1813 he married her sister, Jane Crull, who died June 7, 1826.
(II) James, 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 sex- eral years James Nichols was a toll gate keeper. Later he started a grocery on East Market street, thien was elected justice of the peace, an office he held for many years until his death. He was an ardent
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Whig, later a Republican, supporting that party with 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. 110 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.
BREWSTER Charles C. Brewster, of Huntingdon, now serving his second term as district attorney of Huntingdon county, is a descendant of Elder William Brewster of the Mayflower, through the Franklin county, Pennsylvania, branch. He is a great-grandson of William Brewster, an early settler and gen- eral merchant of Fannettsburg, Franklin county, who married Margaret Robinson.
Their son Henry, born in Fannettsburg in 1798, died in Shirleys- burg, Pennsylvania, in 1880. He was a general merchant and man of prominence in public life (for full account of his career, see another Brewster family sketch in this work ). He married (first) Nancy Camp- bell, who was the mother of his eldest son, William H.
William H., son of Henry and Nancy (Campbell) Brewster, was born in Concord, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, died at Shir- leysburg, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1906. He was educated in the
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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 and was its active, energetic head until his latter years, when the heavier burdens of management were shifted to the shoulders of his sons. He never, however, retired, but was potent in the conduct of the business until the last. In his younger years he had studied surveying and all through his life did his own surveying of property as well as acting in the same capacity for others. He was one of the best known business men of the county, his long years as merchant and his work as surveyor having brought him into contact with a great number of people. He was a most capable man of af- fairs and in all his transactions was the soul of uprightness and in- tegrity. He was a Republican in politics, but never sought public of- fice, his private business furnishing an outlet for all his energy. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, which they earnestly supported with personal work and liberal contributions. He married in Shirleysburg, Mary Stewart, who died February 20, 1895, daughter of Robert Stewart, a farmer and live stock dealer of Hunt- ingdon county, where he died a young man. Mary, the daughter, left an orphan at an early age, was taken into the family of Rev. G. W. Shaiffer, the Presbyterian minister at Shirleysburg, who cared for and educated her. Children: Robert Henry, now living retired at Shirleys- burg; Frank Stewart, now a member of the Huntingdon county board of surveyors, residing at Shirleysburg; William Roy, died in infancy; Charles C., of whom further; Laura, died in infancy; John, died in infancy.
Charles C., fourth son of William H. and Mary (Stewart) Brew- ster, was born in Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1867. He was educated in the public schools, Shirleysburg Academy (then con- ducted by Professor J. B. Kidder, a prominent educator of his day) and Juniata College, where he spent the required years to graduate, but departing from the regular courses, taking surveying and other special studies, therefore did not receive a degree. From 1891 to 1897 he was deputy register and recorder of Huntingdon county, then studied law under the direction of Thomas F. Bailey and in 1899 was admitted
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to the Huntingdon county bar. He at once began the practice of law in Huntingdon, where he is well established in general practice. In 1909 he was elected district attorney of Huntingdon county, served his term most acceptably and in 1912 was reëlected. He is a Republican in politics and from 1906 to 1909 served as chief burgess of Hunt- ingdon.
Ile is a member of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 300, Free and Accepted Masons; Standing Stone Chapter, No. 201, Royal Arch Masons ; Hunt- ingdon Commandery, No. 65, Knights Templar ; Jaffa Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (of Altoona) ; the Patriotic Order Sons of America; the Heptasophs, and the Royal Arcanum. His professional societies are: The American, Pennsylvania State and Huntingdon County Bar Associations.
Mr. Brewster married, October 30, 1900, Mary, daughter of John Brewster, president of Standing Stone National Bank of Huntingdon (see his history in this work). Children: Janet, born January 13, 1907; Mary Stewart, July 11, 1908; John, December 15, 1911.
LANGDON In distant England, in the town of Penzance, Corn- wall, Richard Langdon was born of English parents.
There he worked in the mines, married and lived until about 1835, when he came to the United States, settling at Pottsville, Pennsylvania. There he also engaged in mining, holding an official capacity. For several years he was also connected with lead mining in Missouri, but later returned to Pottsville; died in Minersville about 1873. He was an expert in his business and known to his intimate friends as a bountiful entertainer and a most excellent teller of good stories. His wealth of experience gained in the mines of two countries gained him important positions and made him an authority on deep and difficult undertakings. Children : Jane, deceased ; Samuel, a soldier of the civil war, died from the effect of his service; Mary, married (first) George Wigmore. (second) a Mr. Jones, and now lives in Chicago, Illinois ; Richard (2), of whom further ; Jesse W., died at Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, a hardware merchant.
(II) Richard (2), son of Richard (1) Langdon, was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England, March 19, 1830, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1890. He was brought to the United States when a
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boy and became a miner under his father's direction. After his mar- riage he settled at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, but later settled in Schuylkill county; later he went to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where from about 1855 he was superintendent of coal mines for R. B. Davis & Company. Later he became a mine owner, operating in Bed- ford county and in Clearfield county until his death. He operated many mines during his career, both for others and for himself, being a pioneer in some of the now well known producing districts. His home, however, from about 1855 was at Huntingdon. He was a Democrat in politics ; was active in local affairs and was one time chief burgess of Huntingdon. He believed in the enforcement of law and is remembered by the old residents as the "fighting burgess." Both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. He married (first) Ann Denithorne, born in Penzance, England, January 22, 1830, died in Huntingdon in 1878, daughter of John and Ann ( Bartol) Deni- thorne, both born in Cornwall, England. In 1848, the family came to the United States, settling at Phoenixville, Chester county, Pennsyl- vania. John Denithorne was a stone mason and followed that trade with profit. Later he purchased a farm on which Phoenixville is partly built. He died there in June, 1877, aged seventy-four years and ten months. His wife died May 29, 1880, aged seventy-one years and three months; both members of the Episcopal church. Children of John and Ann (Bartol) Denithorne: I. William, born 1827, died young. 2. Ann, married Richard (2) Langdon, of previous mention. 3. William (2), born July 31, 1832, a boiler maker and formerly cap- tain of Battery C, Pennsylvania State Militia. 4. Elizabeth, born Sep- tember 5, 1837, never married. 5. William (3), born January 1, 1840, died in the Union army in 1864. 6. Richard, born June 1. 1842, died in Philadelphia, a contractor. 7. Amelia, born December 24, 1844, married Jacob Mildren and died in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 8. James, born May 18, 1847, died in Huntingdon, a machinist and boiler maker, later a coal operator. 9. Catherine, born October 20, 1850, in Phoenix- ville, died in 1909, married (first) I. W. March, (second) Oliver Nich- ols. 10. Mary, born July 21, 1854, died in infancy. Children of Richard (2) and Ann (Denithorne) Langdon: I. Samuel, died in Philadelphia, a coal operator. 2. Elizabeth, married James C. Long and resides in Philadelphia. 3. Richard (3), died in 1878. 4. John,
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of whom further. 5. Mary, married Harry A. Jacobs and resides in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. 6. William Denithorne, resides in Bed- ford county. 7. Annie, married Charles A. Coyle, whom she survives, a resident of Philadelphia.
(III) John, son of Richard (2) and Ann (Denithorne) Langdon, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1856. He was educated in the public schools and in boyhood worked around the coal mines. In 1872 he went to the Broad Top coal regions and was associated with his father as clerk in the company stores and later under him learned the details of mine management. He was placed in charge of some of the mines owned by his father and in 1884 branched out independently as mine superintendent in the Clearfield district. He incorporated the Clearfield Consolidated Coal Company ; was its superintendent until 1889, when he returned to the Broad Top district. There he became connected with several producing coal com- panies as stockholder and official, but in 1900 sold out all his holdings in these and began his successful career as an individual operator. He has now centered all his interests in Bedford county, where, in his own mines, he employs about three hundred men, shipping his coal to Pennsylvania points, the New England and southern states, also to New Jersey and New York. He is not only a practical mine superintendent, thoroughly familiar with every detail of the mine, but is a capable, efficient man of business, able to combat in the selling as well as the producing field. He is a director of the Union National Bank of Huntingdon, also is interested in the First National Bank of Hunting- don. He is independent in politics and served three years in the city council. In religious faith both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church, which Mr. Langdon served as senior warden. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and treasurer of his lodge.
Mr. Langdon married, in 1879. Annie H. Zeth, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Martin V. Zeth. Children : Jaines, born in 1880, died in infancy; Chester J., born 1883, married Justina Marsteller and resides in Bedford county; Sarab, born 1885, died in February, 1909, married Thomas J. Strickler and left a son, John : Anna Catherine, born in November, 1896; and Helen, born in Novem- ber, 1808.
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The Simpsons came to Huntingdon from Bucks county,
SIMPSON Pennsylvania, a strong Scotch-Irish family. John Simpson of Huntingdon was a revolutionary officer, born in Bucks county. He was a lieutenant in the revolution and shortly after that war was over married, in Dauphin county, a daugh- ter of a comrade in arms and settled within the limits of the present borough of Huntingdon, at what is now the corner of Second and Penn streets. He was a blacksmith by trade and had his shop next door to his dwelling, the site now being occupied by Dr. Moore. He also carried on farming operations in connection with his smithy. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He married in Dauphin, Margaret, daughter of Captain James Murray, also an officer of the revolution. Lieutenant Simpson died in 1807, leaving a large family.
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