USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 17
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(II) Michael Fetterhoof, son of the German immigrant, George Fetterhoof, was born in December, 1802, in Huntingdon county, Penn- sylvania, and died in Spruce Creek township, same state, in December, 1858, on his birthday. He received his education in the common schools and on reaching his majority followed the family vocation of farming. After his marriage he moved to Morris (now Spruce Creek) township, and continued to till the soil. He purchased two hundred and fifty- four acres of wild land, cleared and cultivated it, and erected thereon substantial buildings for himself and cattle. Here he lived until his death. He was a Whig in politics, but had decided to give his allegiance to the Republican party, which had just come into existence, when he died. He held many township offices, in each case giving satisfaction to his constituency. Like his wife he was a devout member of the Lu- theran church, and aided it in every way possible. He was one of the highly respected and influential men of Morris township, and was famous for the sound advice that he gave to those who asked of him counsel. He married Eliza Beighel, born in Huntingdon county, in 1812. She was the daughter of George and Mary ( Rhinehart ) Beighel, who were early residents of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Fetterhoof died in Huntingdon county, in 1874, surviving her husband many years. George Beighel, the German immigrant, came to America about 1760 from Stuttgart, Germany. He was a saddler, and worked at his trade after reaching Philadelphia. He later moved into the interior and be- came an agriculturist. Among his children was Michael, the father of Mrs. Fetterhoof. The father was a saddler by vocation in Carlisle, but after marriage he moved to Huntingdon county and located near Spruce
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Creek. He engaged in farming and became an extensive land owner. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, bearing arms for two years, and made a gallant record. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and led a quiet, unostentatious life. Besides Mrs. Fetterhoof, he was the parent of ten or twelve other children, all of whom are dead, but whose descendants live in the state of Pennsylvania. Children of Michael and Eliza (Beighel) Fetterhoof: I. Samuel, a farmer; deceased. 2. Mary, deceased; married William Shaffer. 3. Elizabeth, married Thomas Henderson; lives at Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania. 4. Jesse, a farmer ; deceased. 5. Daniel, a farmer and soldier in the civil war; deceased. 6. George, of whom further. 7. John, resides in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 8. William, an official of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. 9. Margaret, twin of William; died at age of twenty. IO. Frances, died when a child.
(III) George Fetterhoof, son of Michael and Eliza (Beighel) Fet- terhoof, was born May 7, 1838, in Morris (now Spruce Creek) town- ship, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on his father's farm and educated at the common schools of the township. Reaching manhood he decided to follow farming as his vocation, and after the death of his father in 1858, he, with his brother Daniel, purchased the interests of the other heirs and ran the homestead in partnership until the death of the brother. Since which time Mr. Fetterhoof has man- aged the place alone, meeting with unbounded success, which was in- sured by his systematic and modern methods of farming. In 1875 he erected a handsome and commodious residence on the place and has lived in it since that time. He does general farming and stock raising, and is known in his section of the township as an advanced farmer and an honorable and upright citizen. He votes the Republican ticket; and has been supervisor and school director for many years. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church, and at one time he was an elder and deacon. He ranks high in the local lodge of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, with which he has been actively connected for many years.
He married, in 1878, Margaret Chamberlain, born in Huntingdon county, a daughter of James and Susan (Ginter) Chamberlain, old residents of Pennsylvania, who are descended from English stock. Children: I. Ada C., unmarried, at home. 2. James Jesse, died aged
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two. 3. Rosa, at home, a teacher; educated at Juniata College. 4. Lewis, died aged two years.
One of the most numerous families in Pennsylvania, or YOUNG in all of the eastern part of the United States, is that bearing the name Young. Some branches of the family claim English descent, but those of the name in Center county, Penn- sylvania, trace their lineage to German forbears. The family has been long seated in Pennsylvania, and times without number the strname ap- pears in the public records of the state, but never with sufficient fullness to establish a clear line to the emigrant.
David H. Young was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, died November 23, 1911, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He there spent his entire youth, obtaining his education in the public schools. Upon reaching man's estate he began a pedagogical career, abandoning this to engage in farming, an occupation he followed in Center county until 1887, and in West township, Huntingdon county, on the old McFarland farm, until 1911. He took a great interest in and was an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Politically he was a Democrat, and was extremely active in local affairs. On August 28, 1862, in answer to the president's call for troops, he enlisted in the Union army, serving as a private in Company D, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry. He took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, where he was twice wounded, and in his helpless state, narrowly escaped burning to death. when the woods to which he had been carried were set afire by exploding shells. An honorable discharge was granted him soon after this battle, on account of disability. In this conflict between the states, two of his brothers, Samuel and William, met their death on the field of battle. He married Catherine Carper, daughter of Philip Carper, a miller and farmer of State College, Pennsylvania. Children of David H. and Catherine (Carper) Young: 1. William B., a carpenter of West Virginia. 2. Charles H., lives on the homestead near Markles- burg. 3. J. Elmer, of further mention. 4. Catherine, married William Boyer, and lives near Marklesburg, Pennsylvania. 5. Mary, married James Isett and lives in Ashcom, Pennsylvania.
J. Elmer Young, third son and child of David H. and Catherine
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(Carper) Young, was born at Pine Grove Mills, Center County, Pennsyl- vania, January 31, 1873. He obtained his education in the public schools and spent his early life on the farm. When a young man he learned the miller's trade and followed that occupation for nine years with unvary- ing success. In December, 1901, he purchased the store and stock of E. W. Laird, a general merchant of Petersburg, a business he still con- ducts. Here he has by constant attention and deference to the desires and needs of his patrons organized a business at once flourishing and lucrative.
A Democrat in politics, his worth and sterling qualities have been recognized by his townsmen, who have elected him to the office of president of the borough council, an organization he governs with great satisfaction to the constituency which elected him, and with no less satisfaction to the opponents of his party. He was a director of the Shaver's Creek Bank at the time when that institution was chartered as the First National Bank, and continued in the same capacity in the latter organization. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of the Maccabees.
He married, March 23, 1897, Mary Guisler, daughter of Martin and Susan Guisler, natives of Petersburg, members of a family old in the annals of the state. Children: Frances and Alma. Mr. Young and family are members of the Lutheran church, taking a prominent part in the affairs of that body, he being an officer in the church and teacher in the Sunday school.
Of pure and honorable Irish stock is the Archey family,
ARCHEY of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, of which Francis Wallace Archey, of Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsyl- vania, is a worthy member. The members of it were petty farmers in Ireland for many generations, adding by their industry, thrift and economy to the wealth of their native land. The family also had the distinction of being Protestant, adhering firmly to the Presbyterian church, and rearing their children in that austere faith. The founder of the American branch of the family was Frank Archey, of whom further.
(I) Frank Archey was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, about 1790.
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He was reared there by Christian parents, and received such educational advantages as were afforded by the time, place and circumstances. He followed the family occupation of farming, and must have been success- ful, as he was able to pay the passage of himself, wife and four chil- dren when he emigrated to the United States in 1847. He did not live long to enjoy the pleasures and comforts of his new home in Grays- ville, Franklin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He left to his descendants an unstained name for integrity and honesty which they cherish until this day. His children were: I. John, of whom further. 2. Francis, was one of the earliest employees of the Pennsyl- vania railroad, at Altoona, Pennsylvania, and died there. 3. George, makes his home in Graysville, where he is a much respected citizen. 4. Ellen, married and moved to Illinois with her husband.
(II) John Archey, son of Frank Archey, was born in 1825, in county Tyrone, Ireland, and died in 1890, in Graysville, Pennsylvania. He emigrated with his parents from the land of his nativity in 1847, and, being the eldest of the family of children, it devolved upon him to assist his father. He worked as a day laborer and by the month; was thrifty, energetic and economical, and finally saved enough money to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Franklin township, at the rear of the village of Graysville, and east of the mountain. Here he made a comfortable home and farmed successfully until his death. He was noted in his section for his excessive industry and close attention to the smallest detail on his farm, and by this method he overcame all obstacles, such as confront the recently arrived immigrant, or those of the first generation. His life was unpretentious and quiet, but is an object lesson of real value to the observing and thoughtful. It brings out prominently the characteristics that win, offers encouragement to young men who are willing to work with their hands and heads, and proves that there is rarely a road to a competence in this country other than by work. He was a very staunch Republican after that party came into being, and he worked for its interests to the end of his life. He served as school director and road supervisor, and in both offices gave entire satisfaction. As were his people before him, he was a de- vout Presbyterian, the faith fitting his character perfectly. He was a trustee of the church in Graysville for many years. He married Cath- erine Brett, born in county Tyrone, Ireland. August 18, 1839, and died
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in Graysville, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1913, aged seventy-three. She was one of thirteen children. With her brothers, Thomas and George, the first going to Wisconsin and the latter to the state of New York, she emigrated, in 1850, when only a girl of twenty-one, to Montreal, Can- ada, where they lived a short while, coming then to Huntingdon county, where she met and married John Archey. Like her husband, she was a devout Presbyterian, attending that church until her death. Children: I. Francis Wallace, of whom further. 2. John, a carpenter in Grays- ville; married Olive Woomer. 3. Harry, a dentist in Plymouth, Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania; married Sarah Armstrong. 4. Mary Jane, married W. C. Baker, of Chester, Pennsylvania. 5. Ella, died aged sixteen years.
(III) Francis Wallace Archey, son of John and Catherine (Brett) Archey, was born April 13, 1858, in Graysville, Franklin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, on his father's farm. He received his preparatory education in the common schools of the township, and then attended the Selins Grove Academy two terms. As a boy he worked on his father's farm during vacations, and he early entered ag- ricultural life after leaving school. In 1883 he went to Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, where he mined coal in Clearfield county for eight years. He saved his money, as had done his father before him, and in 1891 he moved to Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania, where he purchased the implement store of W. E. McWilliams. On April 2, 1891, he was appointed postmaster, and has served in that capacity continuously since that time, running at the same time his implement business. He has dispensed the United States mail to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania Furnace with zealous care, and has not had in all these years a single complaint registered against him. He has erected a commodious build- ing, which he uses for his store and the postoffice, besides which he has purchased a comfortable home for himself and family. He is a strong Republican, working for and using his influence in behalf of that party; and has served as township auditor most acceptably. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith and gives his adherence to that church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, member of Tyrone Lodge, No. 194; the chapter at Altoona, and commandery; Mountain Council, No. 10; Harrisburg Consistory ;
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and a member of the Mystic Shrine, Jaffa Temple, Altoona. He ranks as one of the influential and progressive citizens of his town, township, county and section.
He married, April 9, 1891, Nina J. Patton, born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William Patton, of English descent. Chil- dren: I. Harry, died at the age of sixteen months. 2. Wallace, born March, 1895. 3. Catherine, born May, 1897.
IRVIN The American branch of the ancient Irish family of Irvin was established in the United States by Andrew Irvin, the immigrant, who left Ireland about 1812, and located in Cecil county, Maryland. He lived there for several years before he migrated to Center county, Pennsylvania, where he farmed, led a quiet and retired life, and where he and his wife eventually died. He mar- ried in Ireland before emigrating, and his wife Rachel and young chil- dren accompanied him to the United States. Rachel Irvin was an ex- cellent wife, was of fine Scotch-Irish descent, and proved a helpmeet in every way. They were the parents of fourteen children, among whom was Patterson, of whom further.
(II) Patterson Irvin, son of Andrew and Rachel Irvin, was born in 1829, in Center county, Pennsylvania, after his parents had migrated from Maryland; and died in 1897 in the county of his nativity. He was reared on his father's farm, and on reaching maturity began farm- ing. This he followed for some time; later he contracted for making charcoal for the numerous furnaces in that section. He finally located at, or near, Curtin's Iron Works in Bald Eagle Valley, Center county, and there passed the remainder of his days. He was a man of great integrity and energy and as such was much respected. He was a devout Presbyterian, as was his wife, and has been his family before him, both in Ireland and the United States. He married Susan Garrett, born in 1842, in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and died in Center county, in 1912. She was the daughter of Daniel and Susan Garrett, natives of Snyder county, where their families had resided for generations. They later moved to Bellefonte, Center county, where they died. Daniel Gar- rett was a contracting teamster and was an exceedingly busy man during the early days when there were fewer railroads. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and he was active in local politics. Chil-
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dren of Daniel and Susan Garrett: William, a blacksmith, killed by an automobile in 1910; Solomon, forgeman in Bellefonte; Charles, forge- man in Bellefonte; Frank, lives at State College, Pennsylvania; Susan, married Patterson Irvin; Ellen, married William Bell, of Kansas; Kate, died unmarried, in 1910, in Bellefonte. Children of Patterson and Su- san (Garrett) Irvin: I. William, a teamster in Huntingdon county. 2. Daniel, a farmer in Center county. 3. Julia, married William Gates, of Center county. 4. Laura, married William Mountz, of Franklin- ville, Pennsylvania. 5. James Barnhart, of whom further. 6. Harvey J., a blacksmith in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 7. Oscar G., a plumber in Altoona.
(III) James Barnhart Irvin, son of Patterson and Susan (Garrett) Irvin, was born April 25, 1861, at Curtin's Iron Furnace Works, in Bald Eagle Valley, Center county, Pennsylvania. He received his edu- cation in the public schools in Center county, and was reared on the farm. He decided, on reaching his majority, that he would enter the industrial world for himself, and rented a farm in Center county. For fourteen years he rented farms in Center and Huntingdon counties. In 1905 he moved to his present location in Warriors Mark township. Huntingdon county, bought eighty acres, where he has since lived, doing general farming. He has brought his land to a high state of fertility through intensive farming. He is a Republican, supporting the party by his franchise and working for it in a quiet way. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church; he is an M. W. A.
He married, August 9, 1882, Virginia Geist, born in Huntingdon county, a daughter of William Geist. Children of James Barnhart and Virginia (Geist) Irvin: I. Kent, an employee of the Pennsylvania railroad, at Warriors Mark; married Ethel Buck; one child, Chalmer. 2. Andrew G., a machinist, an employee of the Pennsylvania railroad, at Juniata, Pennsylvania; married Bertha Harris; one child, Isabel. 3. Fern M. 4. Susie, a graduate of Warriors Mark high school.
DAVIS It is always pleasing to the biographer or student of human
nature to enter into an analysis of the character and career of a successful tiller of the soil. Of the many citizens gaining their own livelihood, he alone stands preeminent as a totally independent factor, in short, "monarch of all he surveys." His rugged
Henry Davis
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honesty and sterling worth are the outcome of a close association with nature, and in all the relations of life he manifests that generous hospi- tality and kindly human sympathy, which beget comradeship, and which cement to him the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact. Successfully engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of high- grade cattle and horses, Mr. Henry Davis is decidedly a prominent and popular citizen in West township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. where he has resided during the greater part of his long and successful career and where he is the owner of a large estate of five hundred and six acres.
The farm on which he now resides, in West township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, is the birthplace of Henry Davis, the date of his nativity being April 5, 1842. He is a son of Henry Davis Sr., a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1820. The maiden name of his mother was Catherine Walheter, born at Water Street, Morris township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review was Louis Davis, a native of Germany, where he was reared and educated, and where was solemnized his marriage prior to his immigration to Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. Louis Davis became the father of a large family of children, three of whom are mentioned here: Henry Davis Sr .; Mrs. Elizabeth Kinch, formerly a resident of War- riors Mark, Pennsylvania; and Samuel, who made his home with his brother Henry, and who was a blacksmith by trade; he never married.
Henry Davis Sr. grew to maturity in Lancaster county, and there availed himself of such educational advantages as were afforded in that early day. As a young man he came to Huntingdon county and here entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of blacksmith. He purchased ten acres of land in West township, on the banks of Shaver's creek, from a Mr. Innis, and on that property erected a black- smith shop. Part of this old log house still stands. Subsequently he purchased a hundred-acre farm adjoining this plot and the same was managed by his sons. He was active in his trade until within ten years of his demise, which occurred in 1900, at the venerable age of eighty years. In his young manhood he was a stalwart Democrat, but in due time became an ardent Abolitionist, casting his vote for Abraham Lincoln. After the war until his death he was a radical Republican,
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unswerving from party lines. He served with the utmost efficiency as county commissioner of Huntingdon county, and for several terms was director of the poor. His religious faith coincided with the tenets of the Presbyterian church. He married Catherine Walheter, a daughter of Henry Walheter, of German descent. Henry Walheter was a saddler by trade and at one time had a shop in Water Street, Morris township, Huntingdon county. Later in life he purchased a farm in Porter township, this county, and there resided until his re- tirement from active business, when he removed to Alexandria, where he died. He had several children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated: John, died in the civil war; George passed to eternal rest in the state of New Jersey; Catherine married Henry Davis Sr., as already noted; Mary became the wife of David Edmiston; Caroline is single and maintains her home in Alexandria, Pennsylvania; and two other children died young. Henry and Catherine (Walheter) Davis became the parents of six children, as follows: I. Samuel T., married Elizabeth Fenstinar, and for many years was a prominent physician and surgeon in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania; he died while on a hunting trip to old Mexico. 2. William M., married Ellen Foster, and he is engaged in his trade of blacksmith at Cottage, Pennsylvania. 3. Henry Jr., is the immediate subject of this review. 4. Miles L., is a civil war veteran; he is a doctor by profes- sion, and resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; he married Laura E. Wilson, who is now deceased. 5. Mary Catherine, wife of W. S. Liv- ingston, a prominent citizen of Altoona, Pennsylvania. 6. John Wal- heter, is postmaster and druggist at Burlington, New Jersey : he mar- ried Marjory Grundaker.
Henry Davis Jr. was reared to adult age on the old homestead farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. His education was obtained in the neighboring district schools. He was very ambitious as a youth and before he had reached his legal majority was most successfully engaged in raising and sell- ing horses. In due time he became a prosperous farmer and a well- known breeder of horses and cattle. He has continued to buy and sell stock of all descriptions up to the present time and never has less than forty head on his estate. He makes a specialty of breeding Jersey cattle, and has also dealt extensively in sheep. Shortly after his mar-
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riage, in 1864. he bought a tract of one hundred and fifteen acres of land on Warriors Ridge, where he resided for the ensuing three years. In 1869 he bought the old homestead on which he was reared and that place has since represented the family home. He erected a spacious barn in 1876 and has since remodeled the house. In recent years he purchased a neighboring tract of one hundred and forty acres and he has also acquired one hundred and twelve acres of woodland and one hundred and four acres of improved farming land on the ridge. His farming property now aggregates five hundred and six acres. all of which is in splendid condition, the same yielding up fine crops each year. Time and growing prosperity have proved Mr. Davis's innate talent and ability as an agriculturist. All his business dealings have been conducted in a fair and straightforward manner and his friends are legion throughout Huntingdon county. Although seventy-one years of age. he is still hale and hearty and is well able to care for his farming and stock interests. Mr. Davis served in the civil war as a member of Company G. 46th Pennsylvania Militia, which was used mainly to repel local invasions. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and although often urged to run for public office the only capacity in which he would serve was as a member of the township school board.
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