USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 18
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October 4, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Mary Anne Wilson, who was born in Logan township, Hunting- don county. Pennsylvania, June 28. 1844. She is a daughter of David C. and Jane (Henry) Wilson, the former of whom was born and reared in West township and the latter in Barree township, Hunting- don county. Mr. Wilson was a farmer all his life, was a Republican in his political affiliations, and for many years served as elder in the Manor Hill Presbyterian Church. Mary Anne was the only child of the Wilsons to grow to maturity. Another daughter, Eliza Jane. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of nine children : 1. Elmer Miles, born October 1, 1865; married Ella K. Koher, born January 19, 1866, in Jackson township, Huntingdon county, a daugh- ter of Henry and Mary Ann (Thompson) Koher, the former for many years a merchant in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. Elmer Davis lives on a hundred and forty acre farm adjoining his father's place. He is a Republican, and is now serving his third term as school direc- tor : he is likewise an elder in the Presbyterian church. He and his
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wife have three children: Floyd K., born December 30, 1893; Elmer Earl, December 26, 1894; and Ernest Thompson, February 27, 1898. 2. Harry Alvin, born July 4, 1867; is an attorney in Altoona, Pennsyl- vania; married Roberta Clark. 3. John Wallace, born June 27, 1868; lives at Center Square, Pennsylvania, where he is engaged in buying and shipping cattle; married Catherine McCall. 4. Nancy Jane, born August 7, 1869, died June 27, 1886. 5. Ada Caroline, born August 10, 1871, died November 14, 1905; married Herbert Mateer. 6. Calim Wilson, born July 29, 1875, died December 10, 1875. 7. Anna Cath- erine, born September 13, 1879, died October 31, 1879. 8. Herman Cloyd, born November 5, 1882, died June 21, 1886. 9. Effie Claire, born August 1, 1884, died October 7, 1884.
THOMPSON Tempted by the promise that in the crown colony of Maryland, America, he could worship God ac- cording to the manner that had been taught him by his parents, John Thompson, a Catholic subject of England, left his home in Kirkfenton, Yorkshire, and sailed for America about 1680. He settled near Baltimore, where he remained until his death. He was a farmer, and in the new country pursued the occupation that had en- grossed the time of his forefathers for generations. Among his chil- dren was John, of whom further.
(II) John Thompson, son of John Thompson, the immigrant, was born in Maryland, there grew to manhood, and followed farming. He became a large landed proprietor and had slaves, like all planters in the colony. Among his children was Peter, of whom further.
(III) Peter Thompson, son of John Thompson, was born in Mary- land, and became a prominent planter and politician. He was one of the men who spoke in favor of the colonies breaking with the mother country, and was among the first to enlist in the Continental army. despite the fact that one of his brothers advocated remaining under the domination of England. At the successful termination of the war of the revolution he returned to Maryland to resume the occupation of planting. He had a large family, among whom was Peter, of whom further.
(IV) Peter Thompson, son of Peter Thompson, of Maryland, was born on his father's plantation, and there grew up, a country gentle-
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man. Owing to religious feeling he left his native state, moved to Pennsylvania, and settled at Raystown Branch, on the historic Juniata river, where he continued to live until his death, a gentleman farmer. He was considered an advanced man at that time, and successfully managed his land, it is thought with the help of negro slaves. Among his children was John, of whom further.
(V) John Thompson, son of Peter Thompson, was probably born at Raystown Branch, Huntingdon county, in the Juniata Valley, where he grew to maturity, married and became a successful farmer, known for his enterprise. He was a strong Democrat, and, like his wife, was a life-long Roman Catholic. He married Eleanor Burke, probably of Scotch-Irish descent, the daughter of a neighboring farmer. Chil- dren: I. Edward, of whom further. 2. John, lived and died in Juni- ata township. 3. Peter, born in Juniata township, died in Blair county, Pennsylvania. 4. Eleanor, married Abram Speck; died at Mill Creek, Pennsylvania.
(VI) Edward Thompson, son of John and Eleanor (Burke) Thompson, was born January 15, 1815. in Juniata township. Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania, on his father's farm, and died there June 30, 1901. He grew to man's estate, received his education and began to farm in his native township. He entered into partnership with his brother John, and purchased land for farming purposes. Soon there- after there was a dissolution of the partnership and a division of the land, the buildings falling to Edward. He immediately began to reno- vate and remodel them, and lived in the dwelling-house until his death. He was a consistent member of the Roman Catholic church, though not bigoted. He married Mary Forshey, a daughter of Obadiah and Sarah (Kyler) Forshey. Mrs. Thompson was a devout member of the Baptist church until her death, April 9. 1860. Five or six years after her death Mr. Thompson married a second time. Children by first marriage: I. John Andrew, of whom further. 2. Sarah Ann, widow of Calvin Corbin; lives in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. 3. Wil- liam, a farmer in Juniata township, now deceased ; married Jane Heff- ner. 4. Ellen, married John Bagshaw; both dead. 5. Isaiah Griffith, a retired business man of Pittsburgh; married Catherine McCann. 6. George W .. died soon after reaching his majority. 7. Henry, died in infancy. Children by second marriage: 8. Mary Jane, married Rob-
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ert McCann, of Pittsburgh. 9. Rachel, married Truman Speck, of Huntingdon county. 10. Ada, married Clement Speck, of Huntingdon county.
(VII) John Andrew Thompson, son of Edward and Mary (For- shey) Thompson, was born June 29, 1847, in Juniata township, Hunt- ingdon county, Pennsylvania. He received his preparatory education in the common school of the township, finishing at the Millersville State Normal, and entered at once into the profession of pedagogy, which he has followed with success since. He taught four years in Blair county, and since that time has devoted his time to the instruc- tion of the youth of Huntingdon county. In all he has taught forty- one winters and five summers, and only for two years did he cease in his labors of imparting knowledge to the young, when he claimed a well-earned vacation. He is a prominent member of the Pennsylvania State Teachers' Association, having on many occasions read before that intellectual body papers on teaching. A few years after he began his life work he purchased one hundred and forty-two acres of land in Morris township, where he does general farming along scientific lines. He is an Independent Democrat, and has served in several town- ship offices of more or less importance. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Reformed church, in which they are prominent workers. He is a member in high standing of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Thompson is one of the best known and most generally esteemed men in Huntingdon county. All of his former pupils are still warm friends and admirers of him. He married, November 18, 1875, Frances Harnish, born in Huntingdon county, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Hommer) Harnish. Children: I. Blanche Ro- berta, died aged three years. 2. Alberta K., a graduate of Millersville State Normal School, after which she taught several terms; married Walter A. Geesey, of Altoona, Pennsylvania; no children. 3. Bruce Harnish, graduated from Millersville State Normal; entered the Wade Business College, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and died while yet a student.
(The Forshey Line).
Under pressure of religious bigots and cardinals of the Roman Catholic church, Louis XIV of France revoked in 1685 the Edict of Nantes. Before this last disgraceful measure and crowning injustice,
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great numbers of French Protestants (known by the specific name of Huguenot ) had escaped from their inhospitable country, and over a million of the best and thriftiest subjects of the oppressed kingdom had sought refuge elsewhere, and more than half the commercial and manufacturing industries of France were crushed, resulting in busi- ness stagnation and utter distress on every hand, except, of course, for those Catholics in high places, who were given the property of the Huguenots. In 1680, André Fourche, of the landed gentry of France, foreseeing the inevitable, moved with his wife, Marie de Foix, and children, Antoine, André, Jean and Jeanne Marie, to Mannheim, at that time the headquarters of the Huguenot refugees. Here he was associated with Count Antoine Pintard, David de Marest, Ma- thèse Blanchan, Frederic de Vaux, Abraham Hasbroucq, Crétien Du- yon, Meynard Journeay, Bourgeon Broucard, and others whose names have since become indelibly linked with the progress of this country, since all of them emigrated later to America, seeking a place where they could enjoy religious freedom. In 1688 André Fourche sailed with his family for America in company with other French families and coreligionists. He located in New York, later going to New Jer- sey. His son Antoine (Anthony) moved to Pennsylvania, where he established himself, and from him descend the Forshey (as it has come to be written) families of the state. He married Sara de Vaux, a daughter of a Huguenot, and among their children was Jean.
(II) John Forshey (to give the anglicized form), son of Antoine and Sara (de Vaux) Fourche, was born in Pennsylvania, and there reached his majority. He married the daughter of a neighbor, like himself a tiller of the soil. He was the parent of a large number of sons, among them being Andrew, of whom further.
(III) Andrew Forshey, son of John Forshey, was born in Penn- sylvania, and there lived and died. He was an Indian fighter, and was with the Royal Americans when they met General Montcalm. He married Nancy Hastings, the daughter of Henry Hastings, an Eng- lishman who had but recently arrived in America. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters. One of their sons was An- thony, of whom further.
(IV) Anthony Forshey, son of Andrew and Nancy ( Hastings) For- shey, was born on his father's farm in Pennsylvania. He entered he
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Continental army from Pennsylvania in 1777, and served until peace was declared between the Colonies and England. He returned to his farm, and there died, a very old man. He had several sons, one of whom was Jonathan, of whom further.
(V) Jonathan Forshey, son of Anthony Forshey, was born about 1800. He was a farmer and lived a quiet, retired life. He moved to Huntingdon county, while in the prime of life and there died. Among his children was Obadiah, of whom further.
(VI) Obadiah Forshey, son of Jonathan Forshey, was born in Huntingdon county, and reared in Penn township. He was a pros- perous farmer and a man of great influence, though he lived quietly and unostentatiously on his place. He married Sarah Kyler, who had great strength of character, and who was known for her charities. Children: I. William, died in southern part of Huntingdon county ; married Rebecca Taylor. 2. Anthony, died in Penn township; mar- ried Mary Jane McCall. 3. John, died unmarried. 4. Nancy, married Jacob Boyer. 5. Mary, married Edward Thompson (see Thompson VI). 6. Rebecca, married Samuel Kyle. 7. Elizabeth, became the second wife of Edward Thompson after the death of her sister.
BUCK It is not necessary that the man who achieves success must be of sterner stuff than his fellow-man, but there are certain indispensable characteristics that contribute to the prosper- ity of the individual; these are energy, enterprise and determination and the ability to recognize and improve opportunities. These qualities have been cardinal elements in the character of Isaac Scott Buck, and they have accompanied him from a humble station in life to one of promi- nence and affluence. Although raised a comparatively poor farmer boy, he is now recognized as one of the prominent and successful agricul- turists of Warriors Mark township, where he is the owner of three farms, aggregating three hundred and fifty-seven acres.
Mr. Buck was born in Warriors Mark township, Huntingdon county. Pennsylvania, August 22, 1852. He is a son of Isaac and Lydia (Kri- der) Buck, the former of whom passed to the life eternal at Warriors Mark, in 1902, and the latter of whom died in 1865. He lived to the venerable age of eighty-four years. Isaac Buck's parents, John and Catherine (Longenecker) Buck, were natives of Dauphin county, Penn-
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sylvania, and there they were reared to maturity and married. They came to Huntingdon county prior to the year 1830 and settled in War- riors Mark township, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres of timber land, which he proceeded to clear, and on which he erected good, substantial buildings. The residence was plastered on the outside and has since been replaced by a more modern building, but the old barn is still doing service on this land. John Buck was a Whig in his political affiliations, and he was the popular and efficient incumbent of a number of important offices of trust in his home community, where he was rec- ognized as a man of mark in all the relations of life. He and his wife were both members of the Dunkard church. He died in 1868 and she passed away in 1875. When they came to Huntingdon county they were accompanied by Mr. Buck's aged parents, both of whom are in- terred in the family cemetery on the present Ross farm. Their graves are marked, but their names are unknown. John and Catherine Buck became the parents of nine children, as follows: Jacob was a farmer by occupation, and he died near Eldorado, Pennsylvania; Isaac, likewise a farmer, was the father of the subject of this review and a brief sum- mary of his life will be contained in a following paragraph; John Jr. was a merchant at Ironsville during his active career and he died in Huntingdon county : Christian was a tanner by trade and his demise occurred at Unionville, Pennsylvania; Nancy married David Grazier and died at Tyrone, this state; Benjamin died in Center county, where he was engaged in farming operations during his active career ; Samuel died at the age of sixteen years; David is still living and a brief sketch of his life will be found in the following paragraph ; and Catherine mar- ried Jeremiah Buck and passed to eternal rest at Warriors Mark.
David Buck was born in Warriors Mark township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1833. He is a son of John and Catherine (Longenecker) Buck, as noted above. He was raised on his father's pioneer farm in this section and attended the early subscrip- tion schools in Huntingdon and Center counties. He assisted in the work of the home farm until he had reached his twenty-third year, when he married and purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-nine acres in Warriors Mark township. He resided on this estate and won success as an intelligent tiller of the soil, operating it for a period of forty-three years. In 1908 he retired from active business life and
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since that time has maintained his home at Tyrone. His wife, whose maiden name was Christina Beck, died in 1892. David Buck is the only living member in a family of nine children. Although eighty years of age he is still hale and hearty, and is popular among his fellow- citizens by reason of his genial good nature and kindly spirit.
Isaac Buck, second in order of birth in the family of nine children born to John and Catherine (Longenecker) Buck, was born probably in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, the year of his nativity being 1818. He was about twelve years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Huntingdon county and here he grew up and was educated. After his marriage he purchased a farm of one hundred and eighteen acres, on which he erected good buildings and on which he resided until about 1886, when his son Isaac Scott Buck bought him out. He retired to the village of Warriors Mark about 1890 and there died in 1902, aged eighty-four years. His first wife, Lydia Krider by name, died in 1865. Her father was a farmer and land owner near Warriors Mark, and he died in young manhood, although his wife lived to be old and blind. Mrs. Buck had two brothers, Henry and Joseph. For his second wife Isaac Buck married Hannah Elder. He was a Republican in his politi- cal convictions and he held various township offices. In religious faith he was a devout member of the United Brethren church. Isaac and Lydia (Krider) Buck had six children, as follows: Mary is the widow of Martin Beck, and lives at Warriors Mark; Jane died at the age of sixteen years; Diller married Lydia Goodman, and they reside at War- riors Mark; Isaac Scott is the immediate subject of this sketch; Anna married John Bell, of Warriors Mark; and Sarah Sabina is the wife of John Dougherty, of Altoona.
Isaac Scott Buck passed his boyhood and youth on the farm he now owns and operates and he obtained a good elementary education in the neighboring district schools. He is a general farmer and has won marked success as a breeder of high-grade cattle, keeping many head on hand constantly for butter purposes. The estate on which he lives com- prises one hundred and eighteen acres, and he likewise owns two other farms, of one hundred and twenty-one and one hundred and eighteen acres, respectively. He is strictly a self-made man, owing his splendid success in life to his own inherent ability and energy. Although a stal- wart Republican in matters of national import, in local politics he main-
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tains an independent attitude, giving his vote to men and measures of which he approves, regardless of party creed. He has served for many terms on the local school board, and his religious faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1880 Mr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Lily Waite, a native of Warriors Mark township, and a sister of H. H. Waite, who is mentioned on other pages of this book. Mr. and Mrs. Buck became the parents of eight children: Edith married Rev. Frank Fisher, of Petersburg, and they have one son, Frank Jr .; George married Verna Conrad, and he is a farmer at Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania, and has one child, Wilfred; Irma is at the parental home; Alma is the wife of Ernest Nearhooff, of Warriors Mark township, and has two children, Scott and George : Hazel. Walter and Donald are all at home; and Isaac, twin of Donald. died in infancy.
Oliver Wilson Stevens, of Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania,
STEVENS descends from an honorable Irish family that has con- tributed by its valiant deeds and steadfast adherence to the Protestant religion much to the history of the Emerald Isle. There is scarcely a battle of note, since the first Irish kings, that a Stevens was not in the forefront. fighting for the cause that he deemed just. There was a Theodore Stevens, from Ireland, among the Crusaders, and a John Stevens waged war in France under Henry V. When he was complimented by Henry and called a "redoubtable Englishman," he modestly disclaimed being an Englishman, and said proudly that he was a native of Ireland. From this John Stevens descends the Stevens fami- ily of Pennsylvania, of which Oliver Wilson Stevens is a member.
(I) David F. Stevens was born in Ireland, April 6, 1808, and died in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, January 15. 1883. He immi- grated with his family to the United States, and after locating in vari- ous sections finally settled at Saltillo, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He was a man of means before leaving Ireland, and on selecting Penn- sylvania as his place of abode he purchased two hundred and ten acres of land, which he cleared, improved, erected a dwelling and out houses thereon, and cultivated until the day of his death. After reaching the United States he became a naturalized American citizen, and thereafter took a keen interest in politics and all matters pertaining to the general
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welfare, not only of his own community, county and state, but the country as well. He held the office of justice of peace for many years, and became famous in that section for administering justice impartially to all who came before him for petty misdemeanors. He was one of the influential men of his neighborhood, and was much esteemed by those who knew him. He married, in Ireland, Elizabeth Fisher, born June 21, 1817, died in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1888. Like her husband she was of a distinguished Irish family whose deeds are recorded in history. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Stevens origi- nally went from Scotland to Ireland, where he hoped to live a more peaceful life than it was possible to do at that time in England or Scot- land. Scotland was torn asunder by clan feuds and England was in the throes of political revolution. In Ireland only, at that time, could peace be found for those who did not mingle in politics nor take part in the ever-recurring changes in the other two countries. Children of David F. and Elizabeth (Fisher) Stevens: I. Jesse P., a butcher in Montana, where he died. 2. James H., a retired farmer in Illinois. 3. Allan, a miner, living at Six Mile Run, Bedford county, Pennsylvania. 4. Har- riet, married W. P. Grissinger, and lives at Mt. Union, Pennsylvania. 5. Joseph, a carpenter in Orbisonia. 6. David, a veterinary surgeon in Illinois. 7. Kate, married Benjamin Horton, deceased; lives at Broad Top City, Pennsylvania. 8. Fletcher, lives at Rockford, Illinois. 9. Oliver Wilson, of whom further. 10. Elizabeth, died in infancy. II. Martha, twin of Elizabeth, died in infancy.
(II) Oliver Wilson Stevens, son of David F. and Elizabeth (Fisher) Stevens, was born September 27, 1857, in Saltillo, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He received a fair education in the public schools in Clay township, Huntingdon county, and on reaching adult age engaged in farming on the homestead, which he managed for his father. In 1890 he changed his place of abode to Spruce Creek township, where he purchased forty acres of land, afterward adding to it two hundred and sixty acres. He erected new and modern buildings and continued his improvements until he has today one of the model farms of that section. He does a highly successful general farming, having brought his tillable acreage to a remarkable state of productiveness. He sup- ports the Republican party with his franchise, and has served as school director. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, as is his wife,
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and gives it substantial support. He ranks as one of the leading men of his community, is progressive, generous, honorable and thorough- going and esteemed by his neighbors. He married, February 19, 1885, Lillie May Jamison, born December 2, 1865, in Center county, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of John and Catherine (Carter) Jamison. Chil- dren of Oliver Wilson and Lillie May (Jamison) Stevens: I. Neva Ethel, born July 3, 1886 ; married Clair Stewart ; lives in Juniata, Penn- sylvania ; no children. 2. Lula Catherine, born August 1, 1888; married Harry Bathurst, lives in Birmingham, Pennsylvania; children: Gladys May, Martha Elizabeth. 3. Oliver, born November 17, 1892; died June 17. 1894. 4. John Stewart, born November 29, 1894, lives at home. 5. Franklin Beck, born August 21, 1897. 6. Thelma Virginia, born January 13, 1901. 7. Alice Daisy, born September 20, 1903.
(The Jamison Line).
John Jamison, father of Lillie May (Jamison) Stevens, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1832. He was educated in the public schools of the day, and descending from a scholarly Scotch family he absorbed easily the knowledge afforded him in the primitive schools of that time. He engaged in farming at an early age in Center county ; and in 1875, with his family he moved to Saltillo, Huntingdon county, where he engaged in the same occupation, continuing it until five years before his death, which occurred in November, 1898. During the last five years of his life he was the proprietor of a hotel, which he ran successfully. He married (first) Elizabeth Markle, by whom he had nine children. He married (second) Catherine (Carter) Bathurst, widow of Reuben Bathurst, by whom she had two children. Catherine (Carter) Jamison was born in Center county, May 22, 1838. She was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Bathurst) Carter. John and Cath- erine (Carter ) Jamison were the parents of nine children, of whom Lillie May (Jamison) Stevens was the eldest.
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