USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 31
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13. Levi. These children all lived to middle and old age, the youngest being nearly fifty at the time of his death.
(V) Samuel B., son of David M. and Rebecca ( Bieler) Zook, was born in Mifflin county, where he grew to manhood, becoming a farmer of Menno township, where he yet resides. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Mennonite church. He married Sarah, born in Mifflin county, daughter of Peter Allgyre. Children: David M .; Emma Eldora; Samuel Herman, of whom further; and Carrie. Three of these children died in infancy.
(VI) Samuel Herman, son of Samuel B. and Sarah ( Allgyre) Zook, was born in Menno township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 31, 1881. He was educated at Allenville high school and Elkhart (Indiana) Institute, whence he was graduated from the business de- partment in the class of 1903. He at once turned his attention to journalism and in partnership with his father purchased the Belleville Times, a weekly newspaper devoted to the interests of Mifflin county. The Times is independent in politics; has a circulation of about four- teen hundred weekly and is one of the leaders of public thought in the county in which it circulates. Under its present management the paper is prosperous and its weekly issues are looked forward to with interest. Mr. Zook married, February 10, 1904, Cora A. Bentz, born in Rose- land, Nebraska. Children: Chester Warren and Fay Pearl.
GREGORY The Gregory family is an ancient one in England, where they may be traced for many generations. The family herein mentioned descends from the New York branch, which sprang from Henry Gregory, born in Nottingham, Eng- land, about 1570, came to New England and settled in Boston before 1639, moved to Springfield, thence to Stratford, Connecticut, of which he was one of the founders. His son, John Gregory, moved to New Haven, thence to Norwalk, of which he was one of the original settlers, deputy to the general court 1662, selectman 1668. There were three generations of John Gregorys sprang from him and then a Daniel, whose son Daniel (2), who was one of the first settlers of Plattekill, Ulster county, New York. From Ulster county the family spread to northern and central and southwestern New York, and are found in Albany, Chenango, Cattarangus and other counties of New York. The
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grandfather of Benjamin F. Gregory was a Chenango county farmer, later of Cattaraugus county, where he died, leaving male issue, in- cluding a son Jason.
(I) Jason Gregory was born in southern New York, where he grew to manhood, then moving to Ohio. He was living in that state when the gold excitement of 1849 swept over the country and was one of those who was carried over plain and mountain in the quest for gold, and while crossing the great American desert, as then known, but now the beautiful state of Nebraska, at a place called Rawhide he was the unwilling witness of the skinning alive of one of the young men of his train by the Indians for killing a young squaw (note description in a book called "Beyond the Mississippi"). He formed a partnership with a stranger and with him "struck" gold in paying quantities. After their mine had yielded them ten thousand dollars in dust and nuggets his partner decamped with the entire proceeds. Fortunately he could not take the mine, and Jason began all over again, but ever afterward held partnerships in disfavor. He worked until he panned another ten thousand, then sold his claim for twenty-five thousand dollars and returned home by way of Cape Horn from San Francisco to New York. But the "lure of gold" was upon him and in 1852 he again went to California, and after another successful experience again returned to Marysville, Ohio, purchasing a farm in Union county, near Rich- wood, and in the year 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 37.
He married, in Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1832, Cynthia Newton, born in southern New York, died in Nebraska, aged eighty- four years, and for seventy-six years a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and a mother of nine children, all girls but one, the youngest being Benjamin F. Gregory, the subject of this biography. She married (second) a Mr. Street and moved to Indiana, on the Macintucky lake, where he was killed by the caving in of a well, the land being very sandy in this locality. She married (third) John W. Turner
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and moved to Iowa, where he followed his trade of blacksmith; he worked for the Northwestern railroad when being built through the state, later died in Iowa. She then moved to Nebraska with her young- est son, Benjamin F. Gregory, only son of nine children by first husband, and there died at the home of a daughter, Laura E. Whiteman, Lincoln, Nebraska, while on a visit.
(II) Benjamin Franklin, youngest of the nine children of Jason and Cynthia (Newton) Gregory, was born on the farm near Richwood, Union county, Ohio, later moved to Indiana. He was with his mother in Indiana and from the age of twelve years had supported himself and mother. IIe worked during the summer months when a boy and during the winters was able to attend school, in this way obtaining his education. At the age of twenty-two years he moved to Whiteside county, Illinois, and there married Sarah A. Newman, of Lyndon. He learned the plasterer's trade, and after his mother was left a widow for the third time moved to Fullerton, Nance county, Nebraska, with his wife and mother and one child, Etta May. He there raised a family of six children, all girls but one, who was named B. F. Gregory Jr., after the father. He there followed his trade, becoming a contractor and remaining fifteen years. During this period six children were born, five girls and one boy, his wife, mother and two children died. He later returned to Whiteside county, Illinois, with his four children and there again married. His second wife, née Jenny King, and himself not living happily were soon parted and divorced, and about 1890 he moved to Snyder county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the con- tracting of concrete construction of various kinds. He was again married in 1898 to Sarah Breon, née Spangler, of New Berlin, Penn- sylvania, and moved to Sunbury, Pennsylvania, thence in 1900 to Lewistown, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in concrete contracting, with yard on Chestnut street and residence on Electric avenue in High- land Park, a suburb. He has also added the sale of coal and wood to his business, thereby making employment for his men during the winter months. He lias a good, well-established business in Lewistown and surrounding territory, the first concrete contractor to establish in Lewis- town. His own residence was the first block concrete house built in the county, but so rapidly has concrete grown in favor that they are no longer a rarity. He is familiar with all forms of concrete construction,
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such as the building of bridges, culverts, houses, sidewalks, steps, posts, curbs, gutters, etc. He has later taken up street paving and road con- struction. He employs from ten to thirty men and is an energetic worker himself. He was one of the organizers of the Highland Park Sewer Company and its first president, a position he yet holds. He is a Progressive Republican and is now serving as supervisor of Derry township, a four-year term. Always a liberal giver in the support of the churches and benevolent societies, although not a member of any church always recognized a Supreme Being.
He married (first) in Whiteside county, in 1876, Illinois. Anna Newman; married (second), in Whiteside county, Julia King : he mar- ried (third) Mrs. Sarah Breon, daughter of Ellis Spangler of Union county, Pennsylvania, but at that time a resident of Snyder county, Pennsylvania. Children of first marriage: I. Etta May, married John Allison and moved to South Dakota and later moved to Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. 2. Martle, married Howard Schock and resides in Harrisburg. 3. Iva, died in girlhood in Nebraska. 4. Estella Rosina, married Elmer Spangler and resides in Lewistown. 5. Benja- min, associated with his father in the cement contracting, coal and wood business. 6. An infant, died in Nebraska.
Benjamin F. Gregory Sr., with his wife, Sarah, are now living at their beautiful home, No. 426. on Electric avenue, Lewistown, Pennsyl- vania, where, surrounded by their children, all not far away, they may enjoy their declining years and reap the reward of nearly sixty years' toil and care, and have the respect and love of all with whom they come in contact in this beautiful Juniata Valley.
The Wagner family is one of those which have been
WAGNER well known in the state of Pennsylvania for a num- ber of generations and, as the name indicates, they came originally from Germany. They brought with them many of the ad- mirable traits which distinguish the natives of that country, and these have been transmitted in ample measure to their descendants. For the most part they were engaged in agricultural pursuits, although we also find the name in the annals of professional and commercial life.
(I) Eli Wagner, who is apparently the first of this branch of the Wagner family to have settled in Pennsylvania, was born in 1826, and
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died October 18, 1861. He was the owner of considerable landed property, the greater part of which was located in Armagh township. In addition to cultivating this land, he was engaged in trade as a cooper. He married Catherine Snook, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and they had children as follows: Solomon, born July 10, 1837, mar- ried Julia A. Spigelmeyer, died 1898; Henry, born November 6, 1838, married Polly Ann Snook; Cornelius, born April 13, 1840, married Sarah Snook; Mary Ann, born July 13, 1841, married David Emmell : Edward, born September 30, 1842, married Amelia Steninger; Cath- erine, born June 13, 1845, married Leonard Bargo; Daniel, born Janlı- ary 1, 1847, married Sophia Steninger; Delilah, born June 14, 1848, married Mr. Derrough : Emmanuel, born April 16, 1850, married Alice Sunday; Levi, born October 5, 1851, married (first) Alice Snook. (second) Belle Shuck ; John D., born August 17, 1853, married Re- becca Aumen; James B. A., see forward ; Amos, born February 17, 1859: Eli Lincoln, born February 11, 1861, died October 18, 1861.
(II) James B. A., ninth son and twelfth child of Eli and Catherine (Snook) Wagner, was born April 17, 1857, in Mifflin, Armagh town- ship, Pennsylvania. The common school of that section furnished him with what was considered a good education for that time, and he prof- ited by it to the utmost of his capacity. He was engaged in the manifold labors of farm life until 1906, in which year he removed to Milroy. There he was in business for a period of four years in the store of his brother-in-law, then engaged in business for himself, and sells all kinds of machinery. In addition to this occupation a goodly portion of his time is occupied in the cultivation of his fine farm consisting of two hundred and fourteen acres, on which he is engaged in general farm- ing. A part of this property is devoted to the purpose of stock raising, in which branch Mr. Wagner has met with undoubted success. In political matters he is a staunch supporter of Republican principles, and lie and his family are devout attendants of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Wagner married, September 12, 1878, Sarah, daughter of Lewis and Fannie (Henry) Houser, and this union has been blessed with six children: I. A son, died unnamed, July 26, 1880. 2. John Lewis, born August 3, 1881, married Bertha Ellen Longwell at Milroy, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1901, is now a letter carrier at Braddock, Pennsylvania : they have one child, Sarah Gertrude. 3. A daughter,
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died unnamed, June 26, 1884. 4. Norman Heister, born September 10, 1886, died March 22, 1891. 5. Ottie Jane, born November 1, 1889; married Arthur Brown at Milroy, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1908; they have one child, Catharine Rebecca. 6. Esther Coretta, born No- vember 3, 1897, now attending Milroy high school.
G. Frank Bousum, of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, a
BOUSUM highly esteemed and substantial citizen of his com- munity, has for his forbears good German stock. The Bousums were originally from Frankfort-on-the-Rhine, Germany, where many of the name still reside. The first of the name to cross the At- lantie in search of new and more advantageous surroundings landed in New York the latter part of the eighteenth century, or soon after the war of the revolution. The original immigrant of the name of Bousum remained in New York several years, finally drifting into Pennsyl- vania, where he established himself.
(I) William Bousum, the first of the name of whom any definite knowledge is had, was an early resident of Perry county, Pennsylvania. He moved from there to historie Juniata county, and lived for some years in Milford township. He was a carpenter by vocation, and there are in Perry and Juniata counties today many useful household articles of his handiwork. He later moved to Middletown and died there in the early nineties. He was the parent of six children: I. Linnie, mar- ried Robert Fleming, of an old Scotch-Irish family of that section ; lives in Mifflin county. 2. Catherine, married James L. Steward, and lives in Milford township, Juniata county ; he served in the civil war with distinction. 3. Mary, married Mr. Minnick ; both dead. 4. George W., lives in Marshalltown, Iowa. 5. David, died in the state of Wash- ington. 6. John W., of whom further.
(II) John W. Bousum, son of William Bousum, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and moved when young with his parents to Juniata county, and afterward to Milford township. He married (first) Catherine Guss, daugliter of George and Mary Guss, who were born of German parents in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and in com- pany with three brothers moved to Juniata county and settled in Mil- ford township. He was a shoemaker and farmer on a small scale. He owned his own home and there died in 1889. He was the father of
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five daughters and five sons. John W. and Catherine Guss were mar- ried in Juniata county. They lived for a short time in Mifflin 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.
(III) G. Frank Bousum, son of John W. and Catherine (Guss) Bousum, was born in Milford township, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, November 8, 1869. He received his early education in the common schools of Red Bank, then matriculated at the Tuscarora Academy and later at the Susquehanna University. On leaving the university he attended the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg, and gradu- ated from it in 1894. Immediately after graduation he was offered the position of bookkeeper with Guss & Seiber, which he accepted and remained with them eleven years. Leaving them he was with the Pennsylvania railway for two years, or until 1907. In 1906 he was elected register and recorder and clerk of the orphian's court. He was reelected in 1909, and will hold the offices until January 1, 1914. In politics he is a Democrat and has served for that ticket on the town council and school board, and is now on borough council. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a Mason in high standing, a member of the Union Lodge, No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mifflin Lodge, No. 911. Through his own unaided efforts, except for splendid mental equipment and a good education, Mr. Bousum has rapidly forged to the front as a representative man of his section. He married, June 17, 1897, Maude Vernon Lumbard, born February 22, 1871, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Lumbard, a native of Selin's Grove, Pennsyl-
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vania. Children : 1. John Guss, born June 12, 1898. 2. Joyce Evelyn, born July 25, 1906.
(The Guss Line).
George Guss was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, as was his wife, Mary. With three brothers he went to Juniata county and there settled in Milford township. He bought a small farm, and in conjunc- tion with his real vocation, that of shoemaking, he farmed. He ac- cumulated quite a nice property by his dual occupations. Being of a thrifty German mind he saved a great portion of his earnings. He died in Milford township in 1889, or thereabouts. Children, all of whom are dead but four, are : I. Rebecca, lives in Milford township, unmarried. 2. Elizabeth, married Samuel W. Heaps, and now lives in Walker township. 3. Mary, now dead, was the wife of Jonathan Kauff- man and lived in Walker township. 4. Martha, widow of M. L. Guss, and lives in Milford township. Those dead are: I. Jolin, a valiant soldier in the civil war, and died from effects of exposure and hard- ships. 2. Alonzo H., died at Akron, Ohio. 3. Reuben L., was a hard- ware merchant. 4. Cloyd, killed on a railroad while going to work. 5. G. Frank, died in 1897. 6. Catherine, married John W. Bousum, and died 1873 (see Bousum II).
The Watts family of Belleville, Pennsylvania, descend
WATTS from the English family of that name that has produced so many men famous in art, science and religion, including Rev. Isaac Watts, an English Independent minister and hymn writer, born July 17, 1674; Alaric Alexander Watts, a journalist and poet ; George Frederick Watts, a painter and sculptor; Henry Watts, a noted chemist ; and others. In the United States a well known public char- acter was Thomas Hill Watts, born 1819, died 1892, a lawyer and statesman of Alabama. He exerted himself continually to keep his state from seceding, but later joined with the Confederacy and served as colonel of the 17th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, but in 1862 was chosen as attorney-general in the cabinet of Jefferson Davis. In 1863 he was elected governor of Alabama, and served as such until the close of the war.
The history of this branch begins with Samuel Watts, born in England prior to the year 1700, settling in Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
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vania, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He married and reared a family, including a son, Thomas.
(II) Thomas, son of Samuel Watts, was born in England, came to Pennsylvania with his father and became a farmer of Caernarvon township, Lancaster county. He married Maria Snyder, of Swiss parentage, and both died in Lancaster county. Children: 1. George, married and moved to Holmes county, Ohio, where he has de- scendants. 2. Philip, twice married, moved to the Kishacoquillas valley, and left two children: Franklin, who became a priest of the Roman Catholic church, and Sarah, who became a Sis- ter of Charity, going to an institute in Paris. 3. Samuel, of whom further. 4. Catherine, married (first) a Mr. Lapp, (second) a Mr. Silknitter.
(III) Samuel (2), son of Thomas and Maria ( Snyder) Watts, was born in Fairville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1822, died March 16, 1910. He was educated in the public school and remained at home, his father's assistant, until 1840, when he came to Belleville to become a clerk in the store of his unele 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- ougli. 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
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a charter member of the Kishacoquillas Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany; charter member of the East Kishacoquillas Turnpike Company, a director and for several years its president. He was one of the leading incorporators of the Reedsville National Bank; its first president, serv- ing until his death. He was also an organizer and president of the Farmer's National Bank of Belleville and of the Citizens National Bank of Lewistown, filling these responsible positions with honor and credit until his death. He aided in the improvement of Belleville by the erection of several modern residences and also made large investments in farm lands in Iowa, South Dakota and Illinois, placing these in charge of his son, Samuel Henry Watts. He abandoned mercantile life in 1895, then devoted himself to the interests of the banking institu- tions over which he presided. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and generous contributors to all churches, regardless of creed. He was very liberal in his own church and a willing worker. He built the present Methodist church at Belleville and presented it to the congregation, and there with them worshipped and labored for the cause of religion until his death. In politics he was an ardent Republican, deeply interested in public af- fairs, but never sought or accepted office for himself. While Mr. Watts's life was an eminently successful one, he did not gain prom- inence by favor. He faced many discouragements and difficulties that would have defeated a less resolute, determined man, and fairly won the high standing he attained. When wealth was gained he used it justly, and there was never a man to say it was not fairly won. He aided in every public enterprise presented to him and much of the prosperity of his section of Mifflin county can be traced to his initiative or cooperation.
Samuel Watts married, February, 1852, Maria, daughter of John and Margaret (Kurtz) Overholtzer and granddaughter of Jacob Over- holtzer, of Lancaster county. Children: I. Elizabeth, died October 4, 1854, aged four months. 2. Martin O., deceased. 3. Samuel Henry, now living in Iowa. 4. James Kurtz, a farmer of Belleville, Pennsyl- vania. 5. Mary Elizabeth, married William HI. Oldt, whom she sur- vives. 6. Levi Metzler, a traveling salesman 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
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public schools, now member of the firm of Watts Brothers and inter- ested in other Belleville business concerns.
(IV) John, son of Samuel and Maria (Overholtzer) Watts, was born in Belleville, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1866, now member of the firm of Watts Brothers of Belleville. He was edu- cated in the public schools and began business life as a clerk in his father's store. In 1895, in company with his brother Isaac, under the fırın name Watts Brothers, succeeded to the mercantile business founded by Daniel Overholtzer and conducted by Samuel Watts since 1851 in Belleville. The business, general merchandise, under their manage- ment has prospered and increased, both partners being able, energetic men of affairs. Jolin Watts is also a director of the Farmer's National Bank of Belleville and interested in other lines of business activity, including the senior membership of the firm, Watts & Yoder, exten- sive grain dealers and millers of Belleville. He is a Republican in poli- tics, but has never accepted public office, belongs to Belleville Lodge, No. 302, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a communicant of Belleville Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Watts is unmarried.
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