USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 12
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He married, June 15, 1890, Maud S. G. Garner, daughter of Sam- uel Garner. Children: Earl Sorick, Pearl S.
The records of the lives of individuals are of interest SCHELL to the modern citizen, not alone for their historical value, but for the example and the inspiration they afford. Yet we need not look altogether to the past. The records of the lives of men of the present generation afford examples which will be an in- spiration to generations yet to come. And in this connection it may be said that it is not alone the men who are in the public eye who mold the fortunes of a nation. The men who carry on successfully the daily and more homely operations of life are no less to be valued for their efforts in those directions. Among the most useful, and least to
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be spared of these lines of industry, is that of farming, and it is of a family whose members have been farmers for generations that this sketch treats.
(I) George Schell, a miner, is the earliest progenitor of George W. Schell, of Aitch, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, of whom record is found. He was a member of the Lutheran church, married and had issue.
(II) Samuel, son of George and Mary Schell, died in 1907. He was educated in the public schools, and until he was twenty-one years of age followed the occupation of a collier, abandoning this to engage in farming. He was very successful in this undertaking and, from renting ground to cultivate, became the owner of eight hundred acres of excellent farm land. He was a Republican in politics, and was ac- tively interested in all local affairs. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary Richardson, who died in 1909. Children: 1. Blair, a hunberman. 2. Scott W., a farmer of Huntingdon county. 3. William, died aged seventeen years. 4. Cath- erine, married Jeremiah Keith, formerly a farmer, now proprietor of a general store at Marklesburg. 5. Susan, married Martin Donelson, a farmer. 6. Martha, married W. S. Fouse, a farmer. 7. George W., of further mention. S. Jonah R., a farmer. 9. Ann, married Benjamin Franklin Fouse, a merchant. 10. Horatio L., a farmer and merchant.
(III) George W., son of Samuel and Mary (Richardson) Schell, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1860. He attended the public schools of Lincoln township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, later studying in Michigan, thus obtaining an excellent education. Upon returning home he cultivated his father's farm until the latter's death, when he purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land and at the present time conducts fruit raising and dairy operations thereon. In both of these lines he has been very suc- cessful, his fruit being noted for its size and lusciousness, and his dairy a model of cleanliness. Politically he is a Progressive Republi- can, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He married (first) November 25, 1884, Lilly May Moore, (second) Cora Gill. Children of first marriage : I. Samuel, born July 26, 1885; attended Juniata College, followed the teacher's profession, now pro-
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prietor of a store in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 2. Frederick Morrow, of whom further. 3. Robert, born 1888, died in infancy. 4. Eliza, born May 5, 1889, lives at home. 5. Jessie, born March 27, 1892, lives at home. Mr. Schell's second wife bore him a son who died in infancy.
(IV) Frederick Morrow, son of George W. and Lilly May (Moore) Schell, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1887. After the completion of his education, which he acquired at the common schools in his district, he commenced to assist his father in the cultivation of the farm, and thus became familiar with every detail of the work to be done in the most practical manner. He is now the owner of a fine farm, which is largely planted with fruit trees, and has a young orchard, which is now in fine bearing condition. He affili- ates with the Republican party in politics, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Schell married, June II, 1908, Lizzie B., a daughter of Jacob S. and Anthy (Black) Hoover, the former a farmer. They have had children : Lillie Marie, born April 25, 1909; Beulah, born March 20, 19II. In 1909 Mr. Schell purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty- five acres in Huntingdon county. He is very energetic and systematic in his methods, and keeps well apace of the times in current events in the agricultural world. This enables him to take advantage of all new discoveries in this field, greatly to his benefit.
Daniel L. Grove, of Grafton, Pennsylvania, is a member GROVE of the old Grove family of that state, which has long been established in the Juniata Valley. Than the Grove family there is none better known or more highly respected in that section of the commonwealth.
(I) Daniel Grove descended from Jacob Grove and his wife, Mar- garet Summers, who were people of prominence in the early days of Huntingdon county. Daniel came from Lancaster county with his parents, and finally located on the place now owned by his grandson, Daniel L. Grove, in Penn township, Huntingdon county. He pur- chased wild land, cleared it and erected the first house on it, which stood the wear and tear of time for many years. He married Mary Peightal, also of Lancaster county. Among their children was David, of whom further.
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(II) David Grove, son of Daniel and Mary (Peightal) Grove, was born on his father's farm in Penn township; reared on the homestead, and educated in the public schools. He early entered upon an agricul- tural life, and before the close of his career he established a reputation for success in everything that he undertook, which was the result of discriminating judgment, and not good luck. He takes an active in- terest and a large part in the affairs of the township, and his advice is sought by many. He was drafted during the Civil War, but his father paid a sum of money and he was released from serving. He, with his wife, is a member of the Reformed church. He is unremitting in his interest in it, and aids it generously. He still lives on the homestead. He married Emeline Lininger, born in McConnellstown, Huntingdon county, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Speck) Lininger. Mr. Lin- inger was born in Germany, and early in life came to this country and located in Huntingdon county, where he farmed and later died. His wife was born in McConnellstown, there reared on her father's farm. Among their children are: Daniel L., of whom further; Martin, of whom further ; and David.
(III) Daniel L. Grove, son of David and Emeline (Lininger) Grove, was born October 25, 1863, on the Grove homestead. He re- ceived an unusually good education in the public schools of his native township, has farmed all of his life, and at the present time ( 1913) is living on his own place of sixty fertile and highly cultivated acres. Be- sides farming he makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred horses and cattle. especially the former. At this time he has a long-pedigreed colt, the sire of which was imported from England. He also takes great pride in his hogs, breeding only the best. He ranks as one of the progressive farmers, not only of his township, but the state of Penn- sylvania. He, with his family, belongs to the Reformed church, and he to the Democratic party, for which he works and uses his influence. He has never asked for nor held office, devoting all of his time to his business interests.
He married, in 1883, Anna Myers, born in Penn township, the daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Garner) Myers. He was the son of Daniel and Mary (Grubb) Myers. Phillip Garner, the father of Mrs. Myers, was an old resident of Pennsylvania. Abraham Myers was educated in the public schools, was a member of the Reformed
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church, a good citizen and an upright man. His children: Reuben; Elizabeth Ann; Milton; Jane; Sarah Catherine; William; Alice; Ida; Benjamin; Maggie; Frank; Anna, married Daniel L. Grove. Children of Daniel L. and Anna (Myers) Grove: I. Emma Catherine, died young. 2. Mary Alice, at home. 3. Carrie Elizabeth, at home. 4. Charles Andrew, at home.
(III) Martin Grove, son of David and Emeline (Lininger) Grove, was born December 24, 1865, on the Grove homestead. He was edu- cated in the public schools, reared on the farm, and early began farm- ing on the home place, and now operates sixty-five acres to great ad- vantage. He is a staunch Democrat, voting with and using his influ- ence for that party; and is a member of the Reformed church. He wields much influence for good in his township. He married, Decem- ber 29, 1886, Sarah Catherine Myers, born in Penn township, a daugh- ter of Abraham and Catherine (Garner) Myers. Children: I. David H., born March 4, 1888, a farmer in Penn township; he married Grace Boyer. 2. Clara May, born September 1, 1891, at home. 3. Lloyd Myers, born August 24, 1894.
LEININGER The immigrant ancestor of the Leininger family, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, was Frederick, who came to this country from Germany, in 1832, being the first of the name to settle in Pennsylvania. His wife Mary came to the United States at the same time, they making their first home in Canoe Valley, later moving to McConnellstown, where he cul- tivated a farm of one hundred acres. They were both members of the Reformed church, and he a Democrat in politics. His wife was like- wise of German descent. Their children: Jacob, a shoemaker; Isaac, a carpenter ; Peter, died in early manhood; John, a farmer; George, of further mention; Emily; Maria.
(II) George, fourth son and child of Frederick and Mary Lein- inger, was born in Germany, in 1819, and there attended school until he was thirteen years of age, when he came to this country with his parents. He became a farmer of Huntingdon county, owning at his death two hundred and seventy-five acres of the finest land in the valley. He was a member of the Reformed church, and politically was a Demo- crat. He married Sarah Grubb, of German descent. Children: Solo-
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mon, of further mention; Samuel, a retired farmer, born 1852: Harry S., a farmer and owner of the old homestead in Walker township, Huntingdon county.
(III) Solomon, eldest child of George and Sarah (Grubb) Leinin- ger, was born in Walker township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1847. He obtained a public school education and engaged in farming as his life occupation, a pursuit he has followed on a one hundred and fifty-acre farm in his native township since 1878. He is a strong supporter of the Prohibition party, conducting his own habits in accordance with the principles he so stoutly defends, and has been elected to many local offices, including auditor and school director. His religious affiliation is with the Reformed church.
He married, May 25, 1871, Mary M. Yocum, daughter of Isaac and Mary Yocum. Children: I. Emma Grace, married David Sum- mers; children: Marion, Lola, Elizabeth, Henry S., Ella, Alice, Char- lotte. 2. Mary B., married Elmer Grove; children: Edward, Walter, Ralph and Mary. 3. Sarah Alice, a seamstress, lives at home. 4. Lot- tie B. 5. Ella M., employed in a tailor shop at Huntingdon. 6. Frank Y., educated in the public schools and at the Mission Institute, a minis- ter at Prattsville, New York; married Maud Palmer; they have no children.
RICHARDSON The Richardson family, of Huntingdon county, is of Irish descent, and is but three generations old in this country. The first member of the family of whom record remains is William Richardson, who died at Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1837. He ob- tained his education in the public schools of the place of his birth, and in later life conducted auction sales for the Blair & Bedford Company, as well as being the proprictor of a hotel. He was a Democrat in poli- tics, and extremely active in local affairs, being captain of the company of militia.
He married Catherine Kyper of German descent, who died in 1898. Children: 1. Thomas, a farmer, carpenter and cabinetmaker, a veteran of the Mexican and civil wars, in the latter receiving a dis- abling wound. 2. Margaret, deceased; married William Enyeart. 3. Mary, married Samuel Schell. 4. Rebecca, married a Mr. Jones. 5.
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Rachel, married - Snyder. 6. Eliza, deceased. 7. Harris, of fur- ther mention. 8. William, a retired farmer. 9. Catherine Anne, mar- ried David Wiley, a farmer, who served in the civil war, receiving a commission.
(II) Harris, son of William and Catherine (Kyper) Richardson, was born in McConnellstown, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 4, 1833. He was educated in the public schools and spent his early life farming, owning a farm at Mount Airy of one hundred acres, with modern buildings thereon, and another one of one hundred and eighteen acres in Lincoln township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in politics, and has always been extremely active in local and county affairs. He has held numerous offices, among them director of the poor, county treasurer, jury commissioner, county audi- tor, and for ten years associate judge of Huntingdon county, a position he still fills. Among the local offices to which the confidence and re- spect of his fellow citizens have raised him are the following: Con- stable, justice of the people for thirteen years, school director, assessor for twelve years, and judge of election for one term. He has been one of the most faithful of public servants, and has been allowed to re- linquish any of his offices only under vigorous protest by his friends and admirers, who realize that the honorable qualities embodied in Mr. Richardson are rarely coupled with executive ability such as he pos- sesses, and that in his renunciation of public office they lose a most ca- pable, upright and high-minded official. He belongs to the Lutheran church.
He married, December 31, 1854, Sarah Hendershot. Children: I. Susan. 2. John T., a farmer ; married Emma Detwiler. 3. Sarah, mar- ried H. J. Boyer, a farmer. 4. Isabel, married David Fredericks, a farmer. 5. Mary, married L. B. Garner, a passenger conductor on the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad. 6. Isaiah, a farmer, owning a farm of one hundred and fifty acres; married Sadie Shultz. 7. Martha, married Elsworth Dell, an employee of the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad; lives at Grantsville. 8. Margaret, married George Emeigh, a car inspector at Altoona. 9. Ida, married Thomas Gosnell, an em- ployee of the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad. The home of Mr. Richardson is upon a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres at James Creek Mills.
I ays Hamilton Schirm
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The Schirm family of Pennsylvania is descended from SCHIRM the Schirm family of Stuttgart, Germany, where it has been located for untold generations. A member of it is Herman Schirm, the writer on political economy; and Gustav Schirm, the popular poet of the Fatherland, belongs to it. The immediate an- cestor of the American branch lived and died in Germany, as did the distaff progenitor. They were members of the Lutheran church, and were prominent people in their native city.
(I) George Schirm was born in Germany, and there received a careful education. At the age of eighteen he emigrated to the United States and finally located at Huntingdon Furnace, Huntingdon county. Pennsylvania, where he was employed at the furnace for many years. He gave this up and took charge of the hack horses for Mr. Hamilton. and through his care and knowledge the stock increased its earning capacity wonderfully. He relinquished this position and became a farmer in Carrol Valley, where he remained several years. Later he moved to Alexandria, Huntingdon county, and there died. He was a Lutheran, and supported the Republican party with his franchise. He married Dora Rabold, like himself, of German extraction. Children : I. Frederick. 2. David. 3. John. 4. Maggie. 5. George. 6. Hays H .. of whom further. 7. Christina. 8. Caroline.
(II) Hays H. Schirm, son of George and Dora (Rabold) Schirm. was born August 29, 1863, at Huntingdon Furnace, Huntingdon county. Pennsylvania. He received his education in the public schools, and on leaving decided that he would become a farmer, in which vocation he has met with unbounded success. He purchased five hundred and twen- ty-eight acres in Porter township, Huntingdon county, and does an ex- tensive general farming. He also breeds registered Holstein cattle. About 1906 he established a portable saw mill business, and has since operated it with distinct success. He had acquired valuable experience at this work, and knew how to handle it to the best advantage, and in consequence it has been a paying proposition from the beginning of the venture. He is a member of the Lutheran church, as are the other members of his family. He votes the Republican ticket, but has never held office, as his business enterprises preclude time given to outside affairs. He ranks with the honest. upright and progressive citizens of Porter township, where his largest interests lie.
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He married, March 3, 1883, Jennie Goodwin, daughter of David Goodwin, an early settler in the township, whose family has long been established in Huntingdon county. Children: Ella, deceased; George, in partnership with father; Thomas and John, live in Alex- andria; Dora, David, Hays, Lewis, Wilson, Theodore and Walter- all these at home.
McMEEN James B. McMeen, of East Waterford, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, is descended on the paternal side from fine old Irish stock which was transplanted to the New World in the latter part of the seventeenth century; and, which, find- ing a congenial soil for its activities, has grown like the proverbial green bay tree, its branches spreading in many directions. The history of the McMeen family is inseparably connected with that of Juniata county, as well as of the state of Pennsylvania. It has done its part, through succeeding generations, toward the upbuilding of the state.
(I) William McMeen was probably born in county Derry, Ireland, about 1670, and after reaching adult age came to America, then a vast wilderness. He probably landed in New York, drifted to Pennsylvania, and located in Cumberland county. He took up wild land, cleared it, and on it erected houses for his family, crops and stock, meanwhile fighting Indians, who were both vicious and numerous at that time. He was a Presbyterian in faith, a heritage he has left to his descend- ants. He was probably buried at Silver Spring. He was a man of means and was highly respected by his neighbors. Among his children were two sons-Josiah, of whom further, and Robert.
(II) Josiah, son of William McMeen, the immigrant, was probably born in Cumberland county, in old Pennsboro township. He grew up there amid the dangers of Indian warfare, receiving the education that the time and place afforded. On June 7, 1750, he took out a warrant from the Penns for a tract of land, about three hundred acres and al- lowances. This tract he cleared, improved, and lived on it until his death in 1784. He was a Presbyterian by inheritance and predilection, an honorable friend and a good neighbor. He married Grizella Elliott, of Pennsboro, who was a member of a family that was at that time prominent, and which has since become more so. Children: Grizella, married David William Martin; John, married Miss Naylor, of Lan-
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caster county ; William, married Mary Elliott; Robert, of whom fur- ther.
(III) Robert, son of Josiah and Grizella (Elliott) McMeen, was born about 1760, in Pennsboro, on the McMeen homestead. At the death of his father he inherited one-third of the homestead, and in 1790, with his two brothers, he conveyed his rights to Daniel Shelley. John and his wife moved to Buffalo Valley in (now) Union county. Wil- liam and his wife, accompanied by Robert, then unmarried, moved to what is now Juniata county. William and his wife located in Turbett township, west of Juniata river. Robert crossed the river and settled in Lost Creek Valley, where he purchased and made his home upon Epenetus Hart's warrant. In 1792 he married Margaret Curran, and they lived and died, he in 1828, on the Hart land. Like his forbears, he was a member of the Presbyterian church. Robert McMeen was a lieutenant of militia in old Cumberland county. On his farm in Lost Creek Valley he built a substantial log house which has since been "pebble-dashed." He was a leader in his community, and one of its most prominent men. Children: 1. Josiah, born in 1793, lived and died in Juniata county. 2. William, of whom further. 3. Eleanor, born in 1799; died unmarried. 4. Samuel, born in 1803; moved to Por- tage county, Ohio, and there died ; married Elizabeth Wilson. 5. Mar- garet, born in 1805; married Jacob Adams, in 1827; lived and died in Juniata county.
(IV) William, son of Robert and Margaret (Curran) McMeen, was born on the Lost Creek McMeen homestead in 1795. He was reared on the farm and was given the best education that the era per- mitted. In 1840 he purchased the Thomas Boal farm in the same town- ship, which was known as the Edward Armstrong survey, taken origi- nally by Lieutenant Edward Armstrong, who was in command of Fort Granville when it was besieged and the garrison destroyed and himself murdered by the French and Indians in 1756. William McMeen mar- ried, in 1826, Margaret Banks, a daughter of James and Catherine (Nelson) Banks, of the old and prominent families of Banks and Nel- son. William and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church and were among the prosperous people of the community. Children : I. Charles, born in 1826; died in his twenty-eighth year. 2. Josephine, born 1828, died about 1900; married (first) Samuel Brown, to whom
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one daughter was born, Margaret, widow of John A. Robinson, of Tus- carora, by whom she had six children: John A., Josephine Bratton, Sarah, Thomas A., Margaret and Annie Parker. Josephine married (second) Lewis Burchfield; no children. 3. Chiliom, born 1830; died in May, 1912, near Coffeyville, Kansas, leaving sons and daughters; married Frances Kurtz. 4. John, born in 1832; died in 1899; mar- ried Amanda Rogers. Children: Charles, William Andrew and Ruth, who is the wife of William Wallace, a steel maker of Pittsburgh. 5. Mary, died in childhood. 6. Catherine, born in 1836; died in 1911; married (first) J. Dorrance Allen, of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and their children are: Margaret Mooers, of Elmira, New York; John Allen, of Pittsburgh. Catherine married (second) James McCabe. 7. David, died in infancy. 8. Thomas, died in infancy. 9. Robert, born November 20, 1842, a practicing attorney in Mifflintown; married Ann Eliza Parker; one son, Andrew Parker. 10. James Nelson, of whom further. II. William Banks, born in 1852, and who died of sunstroke in 1857.
(V) James Nelson, son of William and Margaret (Banks) Mc- Meen, was born November 8, 1844, in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and here grew up. He married Catherine S. Watts, born in 1844, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann (Kauffman) Watts. After mar- riage James Nelson and his wife settled on the old McMeen homestead, comprised at that time of one hundred and fifty acres. Here they lived, and he died March 26, 1883. His wife died in the old home, also. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and were regarded as among the good, progressive citizens of the township. Children: I. Mary Ellen, living in Lewistown, unmarried. 2. John A., unmarried; makes home in Coffeyville, Kansas, on his farm. 3. William C., a tin- ner at Newcastle, Pennsylvania; married Hattie Forest; two children: Irene and Katherine. 4. Hugh, a merchant in Lewistown, Pennsyl- vania; married Lydia Lesh; two children: James Noll and Margaret. 5. Anna Lou, married John Graham, a farmer in Spruce Hill town- ship, Juniata county ; children: William and Katherine. 6. James B., of whom further. 7. Katherine S., married Guy McCoy, of Lewis- town; two children: Adelaide and Mary.
(VI) James B., son of James Nelson and Catherine S. (Watts) McMeen, was born on the old McMeen homestead in Juniata county,
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October 7, 1880. He was educated in the Oakland public schools and Airy View Academy. Leaving school he began his business life as a clerk in the E. E. McMeen store at Mifflin, from which he was trans- ferred at the end of three months, to a store owned by the same firm at Lewistown, where he remained four years. In 1905 he moved to Waterford, and established a general mercantile business for himself. The stock has more than doubled since the beginning, and the volume of business is constantly increasing. Besides the mercantile business, Mr. McMeen is engaged in other lucrative enterprises. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He is es- teemed as one of the most progressive men of his section.
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