USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
Mr. Gibson married, in Altoona, July 18, 1872, Annie C., born in New Bloomfield, Perry county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1854, a daughter of Joseph and Charity Marshall, and a sister of Helen Marshall, who married Calvin Etter, a merchant of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Presbyterian church. Children: I. Harriet Flora Belle, born August 13, 1873, died May 13, 1912; married Jolin Kaylor, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now deceased; one son: John, born in 1900. 2. William Albert, see forward. 3. Blanche C., born February 10, 1877: married Ernest M. Newell, who died October 26, 1912 ; children : Dorothy and Ernest. 4. James Marshall, a machinist at Altoona, born October 24, 1879; married Pearl Weaver ; children : Donald and Anna. 5. Mary M., born February 16, 1883; married
1050
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Jerry Foster, manager and proprietor of a restaurant. 6. Oliver Eld- win, born June 25, 1889; is a machinist at Altoona; married Myra Fluke.
(III) William Albert, second child and eldest son of Orlando and Annie C. (Marshall) Gibson, was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, De- cember 24, 1874. He lived in Altoona until he was nearly thirteen years of age, when the family moved to Huntingdon. He acquired a good practical education in the public schools of Huntingdon, and, at the age of fifteen years, became a fireman in the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company. Two years later, 1901, he was advanced to the position of engineer, in which responsible office he is actively en- gaged at the present time. He has been commended for the faithful manner in which he has discharged the duties which fall to his share, and there is every reason to believe that still further advancement is in store for him. He is a member of Lakemont Division, No. 730, Broth- erhood of Locomotive Engineers, and also of Standing Stone Con- clave, No. 134, Improved Order of Heptasophs, of Huntingdon, Penn- sylvania.
Mr. Gibson married, June 14, 1899, Etta C. Hertzler, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Hertzler, of Huntingdon. Mr. Hertzler is a mail carrier at Huntingdon, and was in service during the civil war; he enlisted in 1865 in Company E, IOIst Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and served until the close of the war. Mrs. Gibson has one sister, Mrs. Lloyd T. McClellan, of Huntingdon. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have had children: Floretta Hertzler, born July 4, 1900, attends school; an infant daughter, born September 24, 1902, died September 26, 1902; William Albert Jr., born October 17, 1904, also attends school.
The Starr family, of Pennsylvania, was largely if not STARR wholly descended from James Starr, the immigrant men- tioned below. The New England family is descended from Dr. Comfort Starr, who was born at Ashford, county Kent, Eng- land, where he practiced his profession before coming to America in March, 1634, in the ship "Hercules." He had brothers, Jehosophat and Joyful Starr, a sister Suretrust and sister Constant, both of whom married and came to Charlestown, Massachusetts. Comfort Starr set- tled at Cambridge, Massachusetts, removed to Duxbury, returned to
1051
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Boston, near the Charlestown ferry. His descendants were especially numerous and prominent in Connecticut.
(I) James Starr, the immigrant ancestor, was born, according to records of the Friends, December 28, 1676, son of John and Mary Starr, of Coot Hill, province of Ulster, Ireland. Another record gives the birthplace of John Starr, presumably John, son of James, as county Cavan, Ireland. James Starr married, August 22, 1705, Rachel Lay- bourne, who was born in October, 1686, daughter of Joseph Laybourne, of Blake Hadley, county Durham, England, and his wife Rachel, now of Ardnahue, county Carlow, Ireland. James Starr was a farmer in county Cavan. He came in 1712 and settled in New Garden township. He was a Quaker. In 1714 he was clerk of the Newark monthly meet- ing, and overseer of the New Garden meeting. Upon thie establish- ment of the latter as a monthly meeting, he served as clerk from 1718 to 1726, and was elder in 1727. In 1731 with his family he removed to Charlestown township, the present site of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Children: Joseph, mentioned below; John, had son Jeremiah, born 1725, married Hannah Sharpless, born 1726-7 (p. 188, Sharpless Gene- alogy) ; James, Rachel, Moses, Samuel, Susanna.
(II) Joseph, son of James Starr, was born in county Cavan, Ire- land, December 19, 1710, and came with his father to Pennsylvania. He married, May 16, 1739, at Goshen meeting, Rebecca Lewis, daugh- ter of Griffith Lewis, of Whiteland, and wife Mary. They lived in Charlestown. Children: Joseph, Samuel; James, mentioned below ; Isaac, married Elizabeth Longstreth, daughter of Bartholomew and Ann.
(III) James (2). son of Joseph Starr, was born June 28, 1744, at Charlestown, Pennsylvania, and died at Middletown, in that state, May 20, 1812. He married Sarah Minshall, daughter of Sarah (Smedley), Thomas (2), George Smedley (I). Children: Ann, born January 18. 1770: Aquilla, July 29, 1771, lived at Chester ; Saralı, October 16, 1772; James. August 21, 1774; Joseph, August 21, 1774, twin; Rebecca, March 1, 1776; Beulah, September II, 1778; Mary, August 13, 1780; John Minshall, November 30, 1783.
(IV) The names of all the heads of families in Pennsylvania, ac- cording to the first federal census, taken in 1790, included those men- tioned above, and doubtless all are descendants of James Starr (I).
1052
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
They are: George, John (2), Martin, Ann, Arthur, Christopher, Con- rad, Elijah, George, Henry, Isaac, Jacob (2), James (4), Jeremiah, John (10), Joseph, Moses (2) and Thomas Starr (2). Moses was then living in Northumberland county. He was doubtless son of Moses, grandson of James (I).
(V) The grandfather of John McCulloch Starr, descendant of James, through his son Moses, married Nancy -. Among their children were Amos, James, Moses, Richard and others.
(VI) Amos Starr was born May 5, 1819. He married Nancy Ellen, daughter of James and Nancy (Brown) Hight. Her parents were also early settlers in Henderson township, Huntingdon county. Her father was a farmer and owned large tracts of land. He farmed in what is now West Huntingdon. He was a soldier in the Mexican war. Both parents were members of the Baptist church. Mrs. Starr is their only surviving child. She is now (1913) eighty-four years old. Mr. Starr was a butcher, residing in Huntingdon during most of his active life. In politics he was a Republican, and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Baptist church. Children: I. Ada E., born July 29, 1859, resides at Wabash, Indiana; married Alexander Mills. 2. John McCulloch, mentioned below. 3. Ella, born February 14, 1863, lives at Tyrone, Pennsylvania; married Moses Hamer. 4. Asahel James, born December 18, 1865, a butcher by trade, now re- tired, living at Huntingdon.
(VII) John McCulloch Starr, son of Amos and Nancy Ellen (Hight) Starr, was born January 18, 1861.
The name of Kenyon is of English origin, and has KENYON been familiarly known in the state of Pennsylvania for a number of generations. The members of this family have always been earnest in showing their patriotism and devotion to their country, and when war demanded the sacrifice of even life itself they were always among the foremost to offer themselves. James Oli- ver Kenyon, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, represents the family in that section at the present time.
(I) James Kenyon, grandfather of James Oliver Kenyon, is the first of whom we have detailed information. He was born and raised in Big Valley, and died at the age of fifty-six years, in Huntingdon
1053
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
county, Pennsylvania, where his entire life had been spent. Ile was a shoemaker by trade. He married Mary Hall and had children: I. Alfred, a farmer by occupation, who took an active part during the civil war as a member of a cavalry regiment; he was also active in the public affairs of his section, and served one term as county treasurer. 2. Delilah, married William Eckley. 3. Harriet, married Samuel Steel. 4. Matthew, see forward. 5. Jolm, died in early manhood. 6. Amanda, deceased.
(II) Matthew, son of James and Mary (Hall) Kenyon, spent all his life, with the exception of the years of the civil war, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools of the district, and devoted himself to a life of farming. He enlisted as a private in Company C (afterward transferred to Company B), 49th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His actual participation in the conflict was from the time of his enlistment, August 25, 1861, until his honorable discharge. September 10, 1864, and during this period he was in thirteen battles, among these being Yorktown, Williamsburg, White Oak Swamp, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Antie- tam, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and others, and also a number of skirmishes. Upon his return from the war he resumed the peaceful avocation of farming, and was also prominent in the public affairs of the community and held a number of local offices. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He married Susie Hetrick and had eight children. She is the daughter of Michael and Susan (Acker) Hetrick, of Blair county, Pennsylvania, whose other children were: John, a farmer; Michael, a farmer and carpenter ; Jacob, a carpenter and farmer ; Mary, married David Clapper; Sarah. deceased ; Eliza, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon have had children : James Oliver, see forward; Florence, born in 1868, married Harry Jackson, a farmer; a child, died in infancy ; Harriet, born in 1874, mar- ried William Overnour, a farmer; Alfred, born in 1876, is a plumber in the employ of his brother; Jolin Sidney, born in 1878, is in the em- ploy of the J. C. Blair Company, in Huntingdon; Samuel, born in 1882. is a brakeman on the Pennsylvania railroad.
(III) James Oliver, eldest child of Matthew and Susie (Hetrick) Kenyon, was born in Henderson township, Huntingdon county, Penn- sylvania, June 8, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of the
IO54
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
township, spending his leisure hours in assisting his father in the cul- tivation of the farm, and devoting his entire time to this occupation until he had attained his majority. He then removed to Huntingdon, where he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Upon leaving them he was with the Steel Car Company for about one year, and then for a time supervised the heating and plumbing depart- ments of the Huntingdon Tile Works. His next position was with William McPeak, of Hickory, Pennsylvania, a contractor and carpenter, and when he left his employ Mr. Kenyon returned to Huntingdon and resumed his occupation of plumbing. He established himself in busi- ness independently in 1896, and has been successfully identified with this since that time. He is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife gives her religious allegiance to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of Court No. 321, Patriotic Order of Sons of America; Modern Woodmen of the World; also of Camp No. 79, Sons of Vet- erans.
Mr. Kenyon married, February 25, 1892, Matilda, daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (James) Bard, the former a stone mason. They have had children: Cecil, born October 2, 1892, is in the employ of his father; Edna, born August 1, 1894, was graduated from the high school, and is now at home; Alfretta, born March 14, 1896, is a student at the high school; Luther, born May 26, 1899, attends school; Martha, born January 28, 1901, is at school; Helen, born August 12, 1902, at- tends school; Alice, born March II, 1907, is also at school.
ELLIS Originally residents of North Carolina and Georgia, this branch of the Ellis family of the United States settled in the state of Indiana, from whence they came to Hunting- don, Pennsylvania. The earliest member of the family was John Ellis, a farmer of South Carolina, and also of the states of Georgia and North Carolina. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both he and his wife Lucinda died in the South. Children: William Curtis, of whom further; John, a farmer; Lucinda, deceased; Hamil- ton, now a farmer of the state of Nevada; Joseph, now a farmer in Texas; Franklin, a soldier in the war between the states; Lovic P., a farmer and merchant of the state of Georgia; Willis M., also a farmer and merchant of Georgia.
1055
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
(II) William Curtis, son of John and Lucinda Ellis, was born in Georgia, October 1, 1835. He obtained a good common school educa- tion in his native state, and for several terms taught in the Georgia schools. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed sev- eral years. Abandoning his trade, he began the study of medicine under Dr. Lowry, and after obtaining the required proficiency engaged in the manufacture of medicine several years in the state of Indiana. Later he moved to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he opened a store for the sale of drugs, medicines of his own compounding, and notions. He is a successful business man, stands well in his community, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dur- ing the civil war he served for eighteen months in Company C, 40th Regiment Georgia Infantry.
He married Serepta S. Rucker, born January 27, 1834. Children : I. William Virdes, of whom further. 2. James, was last heard from in Cincinnati, Ohio. 3. Mary, married Elmer Hemphill, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. 4. Arabella. died in childhood. 5. John, deceased. 6. Homer, deceased.
(III) William Virdes, son of William Curtis and Serepta S. (Ruck- er) Ellis, was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, May 29, 1866. He was educated in the public schools, then for a few years worked at car- pentering with his father, and at other employments. In 1890 he moved to Huntingdon, where he entered the employ of the J. C. Blair Com- pany, first as general workman, soon, however, winning promotion to a foremanship of the receiving department. He is a Republican in politics, and is affiliated with Huntingdon Camp, No. 321, Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church.
For twelve years Mr. Ellis was a member of the Pennsylvania Na- tional Guard, in which he was enrolled June 29, 1891, first as a private, then as sergeant, was soon promoted to second lieutenant, and later resigned. He enlisted in the national army service during the Spanish- American war ; was mustered into service May 11, 1898, and was mus- tered out with his regiment, November 7, of the same year, and holds an honorable discharge.
He married, in November, 1907, Mintie, daughter of Michael and Nancy Shultz, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania.
J056
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
John Woolf Jordan, LL.D., eldest son of Francis and
JORDAN Emily (Woolf) Jordan, was born in Philadelphia, Sep- tember 14, 1840. He received his education in private schools of that city, and graduated from Nazareth Hall in 1856. Lafa- yette College conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. in 1902. He is librarian of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; editor of the Penn- sylvania Magazine of History and Biography; president of the Penn- sylvania Federation of Historical Societies; vice-president of the Colonial Society of Pennsylvania; registrar of the Pennsylvania Soci- ety Sons of the Revolution; vice-president of the Swedish Colonial Society ; honorary member of Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati; and connected with many learned societies. He is also a commissioner of Valley Forge Park; a commissioner for the preservation of the pub- lic records of Pennsylvania, etc. During the "Emergency" of 1863 he served in Starrs' Battery, attached to the 32d Regiment Pennsylvania Militia.
Dr. Jordan's contributions to local and general history are numer- ous. He edited "Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia, 1765-98," and among his other contributions are, "A Red Rose from the Olden Time, 1752-72," "Friedensthal and its Stockaded Mill," "Narrative of John Heckwelder's Journey to the Wabash in 1792," "John Heckwelder's Notes of Travel to Ohio, 1797," "Bishop A. G. Spangenberg's Journey to Onondaga in 1747," "Military Hospi- tals at Bethlehem and Lititz During the Revolution," "Revolutionary History of Bethlehem, 1775-83," "Franklin as a Genealogist," etc.
Dr. Jordan was twice married, and has three sons and one daughter.
The Hoover family, of Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- HOOVER vania, has been resident in that state for a number of generations, and they have as a general thing been engaged in agricultural occupations. They came to this country from Germany.
(I) Ludwig Hoover, the first of whom we have recorded infor- mation, owned an extensive piece of property in Huntingdon county, and cultivated this in a model manner. He and his wife were mem- bers of the German Reformed church. They had children: Jacob G .. also a farmer of Huntingdon county; Benjamin, see forward; Cath-
B F. Hovor
1057
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
erine, married Washington Norris; Elizabeth, married Alliston Norris, a farmer.
(II) Benjamin, son of Ludwig Hoover, died in 1893. He was successfully engaged in cultivating the homestead farm, during the greater part of his life. This farm consisted of two hundred and fifty acres of land, a good part of which was planted in fruit trees. He was a popular man in the community in which he resided, and, as a representative of the Democratic party, held a number of local public offices. He was a member of the Reformed church, whose principles he strictly upheld. He married Mary, daughter of Theobald Fouse, who was born in America, of German descent. He was a farmer and a member of the Reformed church, and became the father of: Adam, a farmer; Christopher: John, a farmer; Frederick, deceased, was in active service during the civil war; De Walt, a soldier during the civil war; Samuel, was a farmer, and is now living retired in Marklesburg, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania; Mary, who became the wife of Ben- jamin Hoover. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have had children: Sarah, de- ceased : Reuben, a farmer, married Annie Fenstermaker, deceased; Cath- erine, married Frank Fink, engaged in the hardware business, in Hunt- ingdon, Pennsylvania; Nancy, married William Heffner, a farmer; Elizabeth, married J. K. Brumbaugh ; and Benjamin Franklin, see for- ward.
(III) Benjamin Franklin, son of Benjamin and Mary (Fouse) Hoover, was born in Penn township, Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, July 18, 1873. He was educated in the public schools, from which he was graduated with a very creditable record, and then stud- ied for one term in Juniata College. Upon the conclusion of his edu- cation he became associated with his father in farming interests, and has always been occupied along this line. Educational matters have always engaged a goodly share of his time and attention, and it has been his pleasure to further the cause of education in every manner that lay in his power. In conformity with this idea he is serving as a school director at the present time. The Democratic party has his strong support in political matters, and he has held a number of local offices, filling them to the entire satisfaction of the community. He is a consistent member of the Reformed church.
Mr. Hoover married, in 1894, Lucy Hellyer, a daughter of Ed-
1058
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
ward and Elizabeth (Putt) Hellyer; her father, a miller of Penn township, Huntingdon county. One year after his marriage he pur- chased one hundred and fifty-four acres of land, and is now also engaged as a dairy farmer. They have had children: Charles Ed- ward, born August 31, 1905, attends school; Reuben Merle, born No- vember 27, 1906, also attends school; Benjamin Carl, died in infancy.
GRUBB James Grubb sailed from London, England, in the stout ship "Fortune," John Green, master, in 1647, and landed on the shores of Massachusetts Bay, after a long and tempestuous voyage, during which time the vessel was given up by those who were awaiting the arrival of friends on her. James Grubb settled first at Salem, Massachusetts, and worked for his board and clothes, as he was almost destitute, having lost everything of value while on the voyage. He later left Massachusetts and went into the colony of Delaware, where he located, married and lived the rest of his life. He became known as an Indian fighter. He was expert with a gun, and possessed a keen and accurate eye, both of which requisites were a necessity in his continual warfare with the savages who abode in Delaware. Among his children was James Jr., of whom further.
(II) James Grubb Jr., son of James Grubb, the immigrant, was born in Delaware and lived there all of his life. He was noted as a hunter of game and Indians, having a special antipathy toward the latter. He was one of a scouting party out to locate a band of In- dians on the warpath, when they were surprised and made captives. They were held by the foe several months, Grubb making his escape one night as his captors slept. He never saw any one of his fellow prisoners again, the supposition being that they were killed and scalped out of revenge because of his escape. He had a large family of children, among them being James, Isaac; and Abraham, of whom further.
(III) Abraham, son of James Grubb Jr., was born in Delaware about 1680. He began early to fight the Indians, and he was one of a party of men who stood the savages off until a company of soldiers arrived from the nearest garrison to the relief of the small settle- ment. At the sound of the drum and fife the red men broke for cover, but were pursued by the besieged, when they ran into the arms
1059
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
of the soldiers and were exterminated to the last warrior. Among his children was Isaac, of whom further.
(IV) Isaac, son of Abraham Grubb, was born in Delaware. He lived a quiet life, and farmed when permitted by his red neighbors. He had a large family, among them being William, of whom further.
(V) William, son of Isaac Grubb, was a native of Pennsylvania, where it is thought that his father moved about 1746. His name ap- pears on the roster of one of the companies furnished by the colony to the Continental armny. Among his children was Samuel, of whom further.
(VI) Samuel, son of William Grubb, was born in Pennsylvania, about 1780. He was a farmer by occupation, following it until his death. He married Hannah Boyer, in 1805. He was among the first to enlist in the war of 1812. On his return to his home in Pennsyl- vania he again took up farming. Among his children was Abraham, of whom further.
(VII) Abraham, son of Samuel and Hannah (Boyer) Grubb, was born May 15, 1818, in Hopewell township. He was a farmer of Berks county for many years. He owned at the time of his death about three hundred acres. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, as was his wife. He married Mary Norris, daughter of an old pioneer family of Berks county. Her parents, Isaac and Martha Norris, lived on the farm on which the former was born, and which his grandfather had cleared while the Indians were still inconvenient and dangerous neigh- bors. Among the children of Abraham and Mary (Norris) Grubb was Joseph, of whom further.
(VIII) Joseph, son of Abraham and Mary (Norris) Grubb, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the schools of the township, and on reaching his majority decided that he would follow the family occupation of farming. He remained with his father, and after the death of the latter he remained on the homestead. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Lutheran church. He married Rebecca Bowers, who was born on the farm on which her son, Isaac Bowers Grubb, now lives. Children: Mary, now Mrs. J. R. Schell; Isaac Bowers, of whom further; Sherman. of whom further : Martha.
(IX) Isaac Bowers Grubb, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Bowers)
1060
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Grubb, was born October 8, 1866, in Penn township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He received his early education in the com- mon schools of the township, and began farming very early after leav- ing the school room. He has one hundred and forty-three acres of cleared land and some woodland, which comprise a valuable farm. He is one of the foremost farmers of his section, being up-to-date in every particular. He does a successful general farming. He is a member of the Lutheran church, like all of his family; and gives his political support to the Republican party.
He married, December 26, 1895, Rachel Schultz, born in Lincoln township, Huntingdon county, a daughter of Martin Schultz, of that township. Children: Joseph Carl, Martha Lena, Catherine, Harold, Gertrude.
(IX) Sherman Grubb, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Bowers) Grubb, was born March 25, 1869, in Penn township, on his father's farm. He received his education in the public schools, and became a farmer on reaching maturity. He purchased one hundred and forty acres of land, which he brought to a high state of productiveness, and where he was a general farmer. On April 1, 1910, he purchased a home in Marklesburg, Pennsylvania, and moved to it. He was en- gaged one summer in the sand quarry northeast of Marklesburg, and at the present time (1913) is employed, for the second summer, in the stone quarry near Marklesburg. He is a member of the Lutheran church; is a Republican, and has served as school director.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.