USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 24
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John Madden was educated in the public schools of his native place. After reaching manhood he engaged in general farming on an estate in Fulton county, later removing to Springfield township, in Huntingdon county, where he owned a hundred and twenty acres of fine bottom land. For ten years he was engaged in the milling business in Fulton county. He retired from active business in 1906, and since that time has maintained his home at Three Springs, where he enjoys to the full the fruits of his former years of earnest endeavor. He was a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party until the formation of the Progressive party, since which time he has given his unalloyed support to its prin- ciples and policies. He was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of justice of the peace, but he never took up the commission.
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Ile served for six years as director of the poor. Ile and his family are members of the Baptist church, to whose good works they are most liberal contributors.
In August, 1862, John Madden married May Jane Starr, a woman of most gracious and kindly personality. Ten children are the result of this union: Samantha, Judson, Arthur Scott, Charles Eugene, Alice Gertrude, Ralph Clayton, Luther C., Lloyd, Beatrice and Russell B.
The Waite family of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
WAITE has been so long settled in that state that it is difficult to trace it back to the original English ancestor, who probably reached the New World in 1650-1660. One branch of it located in Berks county, Pennsylvania, moved to Bedford county, and later mi- grated to Blair county. The earliest record is of Joseph and Mary Waite, who were residents of Tyrone township, Blair county, until they were advanced in years, when they moved to Franklin township, Hunt- ingdon county, where they died. He followed the stone mason's trade all of his active life, and assisted in the construction of many of the public buildings in the counties in which he lived. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, an inheritance from their Scotch- English ancestry. He was an ardent Whig in his political convictions. Children: 1. Joseph II., of whom further. 2. John, died in Ohio. 3. Benjamin, died in Ohio. 4. Caspar, died in Blair county, Pennsylvania. 5. Rebecca, only survivor of the family, living in York county, Penn- sylvania, over ninety-four years old, widow of James Fisher. 6. Mary, died unmarried, aged forty. 7. Abraham, died in Ohio. 8. Catherine, married Andrew McKee; died in Clarion county, Pennsylvania. With the exception of Mary, all of them lived to be over eighty-five.
(II) Joseph H., son of Joseph and Mary Waite, was born in Tyrone township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, in 1820; died at Warrior's Mark township, Huntingdon county, in January, 1908. He passed his younger years in Blair county. In 1869 he moved to Warrior's Mark township and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he resided until his death. Besides farming he was an auctioneer, and the sale of thousands of dollars of property was made by him. He gave his fran- chise to the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party. when he gave the latter his allegiance. He was a member of the Pres-
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byterian church; his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. He mar- ried Elizabeth Keith, born in Spruce Creek township, in 1821, died at Warrior's Mark township in 1893, daughter of Andrew and Mary (MacPherson) Keith, of Scotch-Irish descent, and early settlers in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, and later in Spruce Creek township, Hunt- ingdon county, where they both died. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were prominent in every place in which they lived. Children: Elizabeth, married Joseph H. Waite; John, died in Blair county; Samuel E., died in Iowa; Mary, married Dr. Wishart, died in Martinsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania ; Andrew, died in Spruce Creek township, a teacher; Adam, died in Huntingdon county. Children of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Keith) Waite: I. Theo- dore C., of whom further. 2. Alvin, accidentally killed at age of twelve. 3. Andrew, a clerk at Warrior's Mark. 4. Mary, married J. H. Mat- tern, resides in Warrior's Mark. 5. Hayes H., attorney in Hunting- don county. 6. George, an auctioneer in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 7. S. Blair, a farmer in Tyrone township, Pennsylvania. 8. Joseph L., superintendent of mines in Georgia. 9. Lilly, married I. S. Buck, of Warrior's Mark.
(III) Theodore C., son of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Keith) WVaite, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and died in the county of his nativity, August 27, 1907. He was educated in the public schools, and on reaching his majority he settled at Yellow Springs, where he engaged in the mercantile business for two years. In the early seventies he moved to Water Street, Huntingdon county, and purchased the store of the Mytinger estate. He at once improved the building, greatly enlarged the stock and built up a large and lucrative business, and remained there for thirty-five years. He grew to be one of the most prominent and influential citizens in that part of the state. He was active in his support of the Republican party, though he never held office under it. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, giving it a generous allegiance; and Mr. Waite was deacon for years, besides holding other offices. He married Frances Walters, the. descendant of old settlers in Juniata Valley, and who were large land holders. Mrs. Waite makes her home with her son, Albert K. Waite. Children: 1. Walter B., a railway mail clerk, resides at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. 2. Mary, resides at home. 3. Edith, married A. L.
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Hileman, of Canoe Valley. 4. Winifred, married W. L. Goodman, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. 5. Clara, married L. B. Goodman, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. 6. Albert K., of whom further. 7. Anna May, died in infancy. 8. Bertha, died in infancy.
(IV) Albert K. Waite, son of Theodore C. and Frances ( Walters) Waite, was born July 14, 1886, at Water Street, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He received an excellent preparatory education in the public schools, afterward finishing at Juniata College. On leaving col- lege he entered his father's store as clerk and as the latter advanced in years the management of the business devolved upon Albert. After the death of his father he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the stock of goods, by which he became sole proprietor and manager. He runs a general merchandise business, has improved both stock and building and continues as successful as his parent before him. He is one of the progressive merchants of Water Street, as well as a popular citizen. He is an Independent Republican, and has served as township auditor. He is a member of the Lutheran church; Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 300, Free and Accepted Masons ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Alexandria; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Huntingdon. He is unmarried.
The Behrer family of Pennsylvania is of comparatively
BEHRER recent German origin ; but by the thrift of the various members, as well as their energy and honesty, they have won an enviable place in the state as well as their locality.
(I) George Behrer was born in Germany about 1818, and while yet a youth he emigrated to the United States. He settled in Patton township, Center county, Pennsylvania, and there died in 1887, after a long and useful life. He selected farming as his occupation, as he had followed it in Germany. He purchased a few acres of wild land. which he cleared, improved and tilled, erecting thereon comfortable buildings of a substantial character. Later he added more acreage, and still more until, at the time of his death, he owned a large farm under a high state of cultivation. He brought with him from the Fatherland progressive ideas of intensive farming and the best methods of securing the greatest yield from smallest acreage, which he proceeded to put into practice, the results therefrom being wonderful. His methods came
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to be widely copied throughout the county. He took an active interest in the political questions of his adopted country, and after his naturali- zation he became affiliated with the Democratic party, voting the straight ticket and working for its success. He served as school director, and proved an able one on account of his superior education. With his wife he was a member of the Lutheran church, aiding the same in every man- ner possible. He early impressed his children with the idea of the bless- ings of political liberty, and preached it to his young friends. He was an able, honorable and influential citizen of the county, and his influence for good will long be felt. He married Susan Weller, born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and died July, 1887, about four months before him. Children: I. Isaac, a farmer; died in Center county, Pennsyl- vania. 2. Elizabeth Ellen, married James Faust ; lives in Tyrone, Penn- sylvania. 3. George, a farmer ; resides in Center county. 4. William, died, aged twenty-two. 5. Charles Edwin, of whom further. 6. Phillip, a farmer; died in Center county. 7. Amelia Rebecca, married John Shuey ; died October, 1912, in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 8. Moses Aaron, a farmer in Center county. 9. Emma Jane, married William Wyker; lives in Ohio. 10. Mary, died in infancy. II. James, died in infancy.
(II) Charles Edwin Behrer, son of George and Susan (Weller) Behrer, was born September 9, 1862, in Center county, Pennsylvania, and died, May 15, 1908, in Franklin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on the farm and received an excellent education in the public schools of the township. On reaching man- hood he selected farming as his life's vocation, and engaged in that occupation with his father. On March 4, 1892, he moved from Center county to Huntingdon county to a place that he had purchased the previous year, consisting of one hundred and eighty acres. He at once engaged in general farming most successfully, and amassed a hand- some competence before his death. He was careful in every respect, and his buildings were kept in thorough repair, the same rule applying to every part of his farm. Than Mr. Behrer there was no more respected citizen of Franklin township, and in dying he bequeathed to his children an unstained name and clean record. He gave his support to the Demo- cratic party ; working actively for the same. He served acceptably as school director several times. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, supporting it generously. He married,
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
January 15, 1889, Lavina Jane Harpster, born November 13, 1865, in Center county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Gates) Harpster. Children: 1. Reuben Edward, born January 6, 1890. 2. Elizabeth Laura, born November 28, 1892. 3. Chester War- ren, born December 20, 1895.
(The Harpster Line).
The Harpster family of Pennsylvania is of English origin. David Harpster and his wife Susan were residents of Center county during the latter part of the eighteenth century. They were the parents of a large family and their descendants are to be found throughout the state. Their son Alexander was born in Center county, and there lived and died, January 31, 1903. He was one of the prosperous citizens of his township, was a prominent man whose influence was felt in his com- miunity. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He married Elizabeth Gates, born in Center county, and died January 31, 1889, at the homestead in Ferguson township, Center county. She was a daughter of Henry and Lavina Gates, early settlers and long time residents of the county. He was a carpenter by trade, combining it with farming. Children of Alexander and Elizabeth (Gates) Harpster: I. Lavina Jane, (see Behrer II). 2. Mary Clara. 3. Edward S. 4. Anna Belle, dead. 5. Bertha. 6. Laura.
When the good ship "Mary Ann" sailed from Lon- PETERSON don in 1689 for Massachusetts Bay in America, among her passengers was one Angus Paterson, a hardy Scotchman who had tried his fortunes in England and had failed to accumulate much of this world's goods. He had heard marvelous accounts of the wealth and opportunities of the New World, as well as of its hardships and dangers. He decided to put his fortunes to the test by emigrating to America. With him came several boon com- panions, like himself of Scotch descent; and they landed near Boston, Massachusetts. Paterson looked over the field in that colony and did not find it an inviting one, as at that time Puritanism was rampant ; and though of the kirk he did not fancy the methods employed for making proselytes to the religion so vigorously espoused by the Puri- tans. He accordingly moved to Vermont, where, if the people were
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not so religiously enthusiastic were much easier to live among, as they in a measure pursued their religion in their own way and permitted others to do the same. He was encouraged by the pioneers to take up wild land, which he did, and succeeded in time in making it a self-sus- taining farm. He was a brave man, and it is recorded in the early annals of Vermont that he fought the Indians and wild beasts single handed on many occasions. On one occasion he rescued a party of three women and two children from a band of roving savages who had raided an outlying settlement and had taken them captive after massacreing and scalping the men and boys. Among his children was Angus, Jr., of whom further.
(I) Angus Paterson, son of Angus Paterson, the Scotch immigrant, was born in Vermont in his father's log cabin. His mother was also of Scotch origin, and his parents bequeathed to him the indomitable en- ergy and fearlessness of the Scotch, the two chief characteristics of that people. He, like his father, became a farmer; combining with it the trade of trapping in the winter months and hunting in the summer ; and when occasion demanded it, he was an Indian scout and fighter. His farm yielded him but a meager living and his wily red foes were ever on the alert to harrass him and endanger the lives of the mem- bers of his young family, so he moved from Vermont to Delaware, and there died at an advanced age. He married Mary -, and among his children was Theodore, of whom further.
(II) Theodore Peterson, as the name had come to be called, son of Angus and Mary Paterson, was born in Vermont, and moved, while yet a lad, to Delaware with his parents. Here he grew to man's estate, receiving a meager education at the subscription school, which was held during the three winter months of each year. He took up wild land, cleared and fenced, and later, after his marriage, erected on it a comfortable and secure house of hewn logs, which protected his family from Indian incursions. He became famous in his community as a progressive farmer. At the breaking out of hostilities between the Col- onies and England he enlisted in the Continental army from Delaware, and was with Mad Anthony Wayne in several of his daring skirmishes with the British. He married Emily Haws, daughter of a neighboring farmer. Among their children was James, of whom further.
(III) James Peterson, son of Theodore and Emily (Haws) Peter-
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son, was born in Delaware, and there married. He was a farmer by occupation. Prior to 1794 he moved from Delaware to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he bought land and continued the tilling of the soil. Among his children was Robert, of whom further.
(IV) Robert Peterson, son of James Peterson, was born in 1794, in Dublin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and there died, in 1878. He was reared on his father's farm, educated in the district schools, and on reaching his majority he became an expert woodsman and a successful farmer. He took up wild land, which he cleared and transformed into a valuable farm. Later he took up more wild land, which he also converted into a productive place. He was gifted with mechanical skill and put it to an advantage on his farms. Hle was a pioneer physician, but had no professional training, his excellent judg- ment standing him in good stead and in the place of medical works. On this account he was much in demand in his community and section, and had a large acquaintance throughout the county. He became one of the most prominent men in the township and accumulated a handsome property of three or four hundred acres of fertile land; and the build- ings on his various properties were spoken of as the most convenient and commodious in that part of the county. He was a Whig during the existence of that party and after its dissolution became an ardent Re- publican, voting with and working for the party. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, which they supported gen- erously. He married Elizabeth Hollingsworth, born in 1796, in Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1849, in Dublin township, Huntingdon county. He married ( second) Susanna Morrow. Children by first marriage: 1. James, of whom further. 2. Robert. 3. Ellen, married Mr. Cree. 4. Susanna, married Mr. Jeffries. 5. Malinda, married Mr. Devor. 6. Belle, married Mr. Jacobs. 7. John. 8. Da- vid S. 9. Jesse Il. 10. Johnson. 11. Bathsheba, married Mr. Mat- thews. 12. Son, died in infancy. Child by second marriage: 13. Daughter, died in infancy. Mrs. Matthews is the only child now living, and resides in Mountaindale, Cambria county, Pennsylvania.
(V) James Peterson, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Hollingsworth) Peterson, was born October 16, 1820, in Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, and was reared on the home farm and educated in the district school. After marriage he purchased a part of the homestead on which
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were buildings. These he renovated and greatly improved, making a model farm. Later he bought other land and erected other buildings, and there lived until 1896, when he gave up farming and lived with his children ; dying in 1899 at the home of his son, Alfred S. Peterson, in Spruce Creek Valley, and is buried at Pine Grove church. He was a member of the Presbyterian church since his boyhood, and was an elder in it for forty-five years. He supported the Republican party with his franchise, and held many local offices. He was one of the most highly esteemed citizens in his township, and was known far and wide for the liberality of his opinions, his generosity and fairmindedness. He married Mary Thompson Devor, born January 21, 1818, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and died in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1879. She was a daughter of John R. and Mary ( Thompson) Devor, of Franklin county. Children of James and Mary Thompson (Devor) Peterson: I. Almira Jane, married J. A. McClain; died at Sharon, Pennsylvania. 2. Annie Elizabeth, married William Appleby; died at Shade Gap, Pennsylvania. 3. Mary Agnes, married Robert Harper ; died at Shade Gap, Pennsylvania. 4. Theodore Calvin, of whom further. 5. Alfred S., of whom further. 6. Amanda Belle, married Walter Clark; lives in Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania.
(VI) Theodore Calvin Peterson, M.D., of Shade Gap, Pennsyl- vania, son of James and Mary Thompson (Devor) Peterson, was born in Dublin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, November 8, 1851. He received his education at Milnwood Academy at Shade Gap, and at the Shippensburg Normal, from which he graduated in 1875. He taught school before and after graduation and in the meantime read medicine. He entered the medical department of the University of Michigan and graduated therefrom, with distinction, in 1880. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Dublin Mills, remaining there for three and one-half years, during which time he established a reputation as a careful practitioner. He moved to Warrior's Mark, Huntingdon county, and remained in active practice for twelve years. His next move was to Wilmerding, remaining for five years. In 1900 he moved to Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania, staying two years. He prac- ticed in Sharon, Pennsylvania, seven and a half years. In 1900 he returned to Spruce Creek, again established himself, and has remained there until the present time ( 1913), and has succeeded in building up a
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large and lucrative business. He is the physician to the outdoor poor, and his efforts in that direction are highly appreciated by his clients. Both as a citizen and a physician he ranks high in his section, and is regarded as one of its most substantial and progressive men. lle is a Republican in politics, and a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, as is his wife. He married. in 1881, Annie E. Davis, of Frank- linville, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas Davis. One son, Calvin, Jr., deceased.
(VI) Alfred S. Peterson, of Franklinville, Pennsylvania, son of James and Mary Thompson ( Devor ) Peterson, was born in Dublin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1853. He was educated in the public schools of the township and towns in the vicinity of his home. He remained on the homestead with his father, and managed the place for him for eleven years with exceptional success. In 1896 he moved to Franklin township, Huntingdon county, and bought one hundred and forty acres, and has remained on it to the present time (1913). He improved his land, bringing it up to a high state of productiveness, doing general farming on it. He combines with farm- ing the breeding of fine hogs and registered Hereford cattle, for which his place has become famous. He uses the most approved and latest methods on his farm, and has one of the model ones in the township. He is progressive, thorough and up-to-date, and is known for his up- rightness, honesty and generosity. In 1911 he erected a handsome brick residence, which is both commodious and comfortable. Besides the dwelling house, which attracts universal attention, he has well planned out-buildings, especially for the housing of his stock. He votes the Re- publican ticket, and has served as school director. Both he and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian church, which they support generously ; and Mr. Peterson has been an elder of the church since 1897. He married, in 1879, Emma Swan, born in Huntingdon county, a daugh- ter of John J. Swan. Children: I. Denton S., a farmer in Center county, Pennsylvania. 2. Mary E., at home. 3. Harry, a steel tester at Duquesne, Pennsylvania. 4. Mabel, at home. 5. Owen V. 6. Roy E.
(The Devor Line).
When Louis XIV. of France persecuted his Protestant subjects with such relentless vigor, a great number of them sought refuge in foreign
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Protestant countries. One of the families who suffered greatly, through loss of life and property, was that of de Vaux, since corrupted into Devor. Jean (Jolin) de Vaux fled with his family to the Palatinate, and later sailed for America. He reached Manhattan Island about 1688- 1690, and remained in New York for several years. Later he joined the Rochellese colony in Westchester county, at the new village of Rochelle, or as it has come to be known, New Rochelle. With him were five sons, all of whom married, reared families, and from them descend the vari- ous Devor families in the United States. Jacques (James) Devor moved to the colony of Pennsylvania, and there settled, and is doubtless the progenitor of the Devor families of that state.
(I) James Devor, a descendant of Jean de Vaux, the Huguenot refugee from France, was born in Pennsylvania, whither his grand- father went from New York state. He was a farmer and was hunting fertile land. He settled in Franklin county, there farmed, reared his family, became a prominent and influential citizen and there died. Among his children was John R., of whom further.
(II) John R. Devor, son of James Devor, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He moved to Cumberland county, where he farmed until his removal to Ohio, where he lived in Ashland county until he was a very old man, then he returned to Pennsylvania and died in the home of his daughter, Mary Thompson (Devor) Peterson. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and firm in his belief of the Protestant religion. He married Mary Thompson, a native of Cum- berland county, Pennsylvania, who died in Ashland county, Ohio. Chil- dren: I. Mary Thompson, married James Peterson (see Peterson V). 2. Porter, died in Ashland county, Ohio. 3. David, a civil war veteran; died in Illinois. 4. Agnes, died in girlhood. 5. Thompson, enlisted in the civil war, and was killed in the battle of Missionary Ridge. 6. Elizabeth (Rose), who was living in Wisconsin when last heard from.
BANKS William Banks, of Mifflintown, Juniata county, Pennsyl-
vania, is a member of a family which has achieved prom- inence in many and varied directions. The name is en- graved on the pages of history in connection with legal and political affairs, and the efforts of the various members have been most effective in advancing and developing the communities in which they have resided.
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