USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 28
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BREWSTER The Brewster family of Pennsylvania descends from Scotch-Irish ancestry. The founder of the American branch of the family came to the New World about 1670, settled first in Connecticut and later went to Delaware. His de- scendants are numerous, some of whom located in Pennsylvania.
(I) Henry Brewster, the first of this branch of the family of whom there is definite knowledge, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He was a wealthy merchant in Concord, and in 1839 moved to Indiana. After a year's stay in the west he returned to Pennsylvania, and estab- lished himself in Shirleysburg, and re-entered the mercantile business. He was a popular man, and in 1846 was nominated for the state legisla- ture on the Whig ticket, being elected over his opponent by a large ma- jority. He was an uncommonly good surveyor, and surveyed much land in Franklin county. He was also a justice of peace for many years, and was not only a pioneer of Shirleysburg, but was a highly educated and able man. He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in Shirleysburg. He married Nancy Campbell, born in Perry county, Penn- sylvania, the daughter of A. Campbell, who descended from the Clan Campbell, of Scotland. Children: I. William H., of whom further. 2. James C., was a soldier in the civil war. 3. John, resides in Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania ; a civil war veteran. 4. Alexander, resides in Chicago; a civil war veteran. 5. Martha, now Mrs. Douglas, of Harris- burg, Pennsylvania.
(II) William H., son of Henry and Nancy (Campbell) Brewster, was born in Concord, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He was educated at the Milnwood Academy, at Shade Gap, Pennsylvania, under Pro-
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fessor James Y. McGinness, the founder of the school. Leaving school he entered the mercantile business at Shirleysburg as a general merchant, and continued in that line of endeavor until his death, which occurred in 1905. Like his father he was also a surveyor, and was a farmer in a small way. He was an ardent Republican, voting with and working for the party. He and his family were members of the Presbyterian church, and he was once a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Mary Stewart, born in Palmyra, Missouri. She was the daughter of Robert Stewart, born in 1832, in Alexandria, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and his wife, Lucy (Leonard) Stewart, born in Palmyra, Missouri. Robert Stewart was descended from the ancient Stewart family, of Scotland, which settled in New York, and was con- nected with many of the most aristocratic and oldest families in that city. The Stewarts are, and have long been, among the prominent fami- lies of the metropolis. Rev. James Anderson, on the maternal side, was the pastor of one of the first Presbyterian churches in that city, and was a pioneer pastor of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, church. Children of Robert and Lucy (Leonard) Stewart: Thomas; Sarah; Mary, married William H. Brewster; William Brown; Lucy. Children of William H. and Mary (Stewart) Brewster : 1. Robert Henry. 2. Frank S., of whom further. 3. Charles C., district attorney. 4. William, died in in- fancy. 5. Laura, died in infancy. 6. John, died in infancy.
(III) Frank S., son of William H. and Mary (Stewart) Brewster, was born November 1, 1862, at Shirleysburg, in Pennsylvania. He re- ceived his education first in the public school, and then for two years attended the high school at Beaver, Pennsylvania. He next was under the tutelage of Professor J. B. Kidder, at Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania, who came from New York City, where he had taught for many years. and took the building in which Frank S. Brewster now lives. He was accompanied by twenty-five young ladies of New York, and he estab- lished and conducted a female seminary. At the same time, in Shirleys- burg, Hugh McGinness was principal of a boys' school. Professor Kid- der remained at the head of his seminary for many years, and later had a select school. Among his pupils were boys and girls who later be- came prominent men and women: among thein was, notably, William Sims, now of the United States navy. Professor Kidder died in Huntingdon, at the age of ninety, retaining the love and respect of his
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former pupils until his death. Frank S. Brewster made an effort to re-establish the seminary of Professor Kidder, and graduated one class. He then entered the mercantile world with his father, remaining with the latter until his death. He is a public surveyor by vocation, and follows it. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and holds the dignified position of elder in that church.
WESTON Among the old English families of Pennsylvania must be ranked the Westons. The immigrant progenitor
landed in New York in 1680, having sailed six weeks previous from London in the "Hope." Jonathan Smith, master. He remained in New York for several years, and then went with a party of friends into Delaware, where they suffered untold hardships, and were taken and held captive by the Indians for months. They were finally rescued by a hunting party and taken to Concord. Here John Weston located, married and died. Later his descendants scattered to the four corners of the colonies, and there is not today a state in the Union which has not within its borders one or more of that name. They have filled every walk of life, and always with dignity, doing whatsoever their hands found to do, and doing it cheerfully and con- scientiously. Many of them were soldiers in the revolution, the war of 1812, the civil war and the Spanish war. John and Simon Weston, brothers, and cousins of Arthur C. Weston, of whom further, were members of one of the volunteer companies from Pennsylvania during the civil war; and John was wounded and died at Richmond, Virginia.
Arthur C. Weston was born in 1850, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and died January 13, 1913, at Orbisonia, Pennsylvania. He received his education in the common schools of Cassville. At an early age he left school and began to learn the blacksmith's trade from his step- father, John Moyer. He pursued his vocation at Cassville, and in 1897 moved to Orbisonia, where he was employed for four years in the car shops, in the blacksmiths' department. Later he moved to Huntingdon and engaged in blacksmithing for the Blain Brothers. Then he de- cided that he would try a more southern climate, and he departed for Florida for the same firm, and remained in that state eleven months, at the end of which time he was compelled to return to Pennsylvania, as the climate of Florida did not agree with him. Returning to Orbi-
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sonia he was again employed as blacksmith at the East Broad Top rail- way car shops until his death. Mr. Weston was an honest and up- right man, highly esteemed for his probity by those who knew him. He was of an old Presbyterian family and lived and died in that faith. He was also a member of the Red Men, standing high in the order.
Mr. Weston married, November 16, 1876, Maggie Benney, of McVeytown, Pennsylvania, daughter of William Benney, a carpenter, who lived and died in McVeytown, and who came to the United States from England when a youth of nineteen. Children of Arthur C. and Maggie (Benney) Weston: I. Esco, married Bessie Pierce ; children : Wilma, Mary and Robert. 2. Mary, married L. P. Garver; no issue. 3. Walter, a blacksmith in Orbisonia; married Minnie Cree ; one child, Cree. 4. Louise, married J. C. Barree; two children, Margaret and Greta. 5. Greta, at home. 6. John Moyer. 7. Arthur Paul.
The Brewsters herein recorded are of famous Pil-
BREWSTER grim ancestry, tracing their descent from "Elder" William Brewster, who came in the "Mayflower," landing at Plymouth Rock, December 16, 1620. He there bore an im- portant part in establishing the Pilgrim republic; was one of the sign- ers of the "Compact," and is believed to have been its author. He was the moral, religious and spiritual head of the colony during its first years ; its chief civil adviser and trusted guide until his death.
William Brewster, of Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, father of Elder William Brewster, was assessed in that town in 1570 on goods valued at three pounds. In 1575 he was appointed by Arch- bishop Sandys, receiver of Scrooby and bailiff of the Manor house, having life tenure of both offices. Some time in the year 1588 or pos- sibly before he was appointed to the additional office of postmaster under the crown. Ile was known as the "Post" of Scrooby, and was master of the court mails, which were accessible only to those con- nected with the court.
"Elder" William, son of William and Prudence Brewster, was born during the last half of the year 1566, the date being fixed by an affi- davit made by him at Leyden, Holland, June 25, 1609, when he de- clared his age to be forty-two years, but no date of his birth or mar- riage has yet been discovered, Scrooby parish records not beginning
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until 1695. He entered the University of Cambridge ( Peterhouse Col- lege), but does not appear to have taken his degree. He is next found as a "discrete and faithful" assistant of William Davidson, secretary of state to Queen Elizabeth, accompanied that gentleman on his em- bassy to the Netherlands in 1585, and served him at court after his return until his downfall in 1587. He then returned to Scrooby, where he was held in high esteem and was useful in "promoting and further- ing religion." In 1590 he was appointed administrator of the estate of his father, who died in the summer of that year, and succeeded him as postmaster, holding that position until September 30, 1607. While in Scrooby he lived in the old Manor house, where the members of the Pilgrim church were accustomed to meet on Sunday. When the Pil- grims attempted to move to Holland, William Brewster was among those detained and imprisoned, also suffering great loss of property. After finally reaching Holland he endured many hardships, not being as well fitted for hard labor as the other Pilgrims who succeeded in reaching that land of refuge. He spent twelve years in Leyden, in- creasing his earnings during the latter years by teaching and by the profits of a printing press he set up there. When it was decided that the church at Leyden should emigrate to Virginia, William Brewster, who had already been chosen elder, was desired to go with the first company, which he did, and with his wife Mary and two young sons sailed in the "Mayflower." But Virginia was never reached, Plymouth Rock being the historic spot where the first landing was made, Decem- ber 16, 1620. His useful life ended there April 10, 1644, in peace and honor. His wife died April 17, 1627. At the time of his death but two of his children were living, Jonathan and Love, both being men of prominence in church and state. For several generations the Brew- sters remained in New England, then found their way to other states, where they also have attained prominence. In the sixth American generation the name appears in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where the grandfather of John Brewster, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was an early resident.
(VI) William Brewster was among the early settlers of Fannetts- burg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he was proprietor of a general store. Both he and his wife were members of the Presby- terian church. He married Margaret Robinson, of Scotch ancestry,
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and had issue: John, a soldier of the war of 1812, engaged at the battle of Chippewa, proprietor of a large tannery in Hill Valley, died at Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania; Mary, married Nathaniel Kelley ; Mar- garet, married S. O. Brown; Henry, of whom further; Maria, married John Skinner : Dr. William, for several years editor of the Huntingdon Journal, died at Newville, Pennsylvania; Alexander, died in early man- hood ; James R., a merchant tailor and real estate agent, died at New- ville, Pennsylvania.
(VII) Henry, son of William and Margaret ( Robinson) Brewster. was born at Fannettsburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1798. He was educated in the public subscription schools, and while yet a boy was attacked by rheumatism which lamed him for life. He began business in his father's store, succeeded him in business, and continued in Fannetts- burg, until about 1826, when he opened a general store in Concord. Pennsylvania, and there married. He continued in business there until 1838, then with his family moved to the state of Indiana, settling on the banks of the Wabash river. Here he opened a store, but they all suffered from fever and ague to such an extent that after one year he returned to Pennsylvania, and in 1839 established a general store at Shirleysburg, continuing in successful business until 1853, when he re- tired, but continued his residence there until his death in 1880. In 1840 his store was destroyed by fire, his son Henry Robert and his mother-in- law both losing their lives in the fire. He was an old-time Whig: took an active part in politics, and in 1845 represented his district in the Pennsylvania legislature. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. He married (first) Nancy Campbell, born in Fannettsburg, her parents both born in Ireland. Martha, her mother, was burned to death in 1840, when the store of her son-in-law was destroyed. She died in 1855, the mother of all his children. He married (second) a widow. Mrs. Withington, who did not long survive her marriage. He married (third) Miss Eliza N. Elliott, who survived him a few years. Chil- dren: I. William, deceased, a merchant of Shirleysburg. 2. James Campbell, born September 24, 1834; a veteran of the civil war, in Com- pany G, 5th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, wounded at the battle of Mechanicsburg, held a prisoner in Libby three weeks, fought at Fred- ericksburg and Gettysburg, and was honorably discharged June 13, 1864: was a merchant and postmaster at Meadow Gap, Huntingdon
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county, many years, and is now living there retired; married, in 1869, Elizabeth Weaver. 3. Henry Robert, lost his life in his father's burn- ing store building in Shirleysburg in 1840. 4. John, of whom further. 5. Margaret, died in Indiana. 6. Alexander McGinley, moved to the state of Illinois; was a successful farmer, now living in Chicago, re- tired. 7. Martha, married David R. Douglass, whom she yet survives, a resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
(VIII) John, son of Henry Brewster and his first wife, Nancy Campbell, was born in Concord, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 4, 1838. He was educated in the public schools and at Juniata Academy, and in his youth gained a good knowledge of merchandising in his father's store. He began business life for himself in 1859, he and his brother James C. forming a partnership and opened a general store at Saltillo, Pennsylvania, their combined capital being $1,500. Two years later James C. sold his interest in the business to his brother and enlisted. John Brewster continued at Saltillo until 1862. then sold out, and in 1863 located in McConnellstown, where he re- mained until 1864. He then assisted in the raising of Company K, 78th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, went to the front, serving in Tennessee until the close of the war. On his return to Penn- sylvania he located in Huntingdon, where he served six years as clerk of court. At the expiration of that term of years he organized, with others, the Standing Stone National Bank of Huntingdon, and was chosen its first president. This position he has honorably and capably filled until the present time (1913). The institution he organized and has guided all these years is one of the solid banking houses of Juniata Valley, and its president is held in honor and esteem as a wise, cau- tious financier. He holds the respect of his associates and of the com- munity in which the greater part of his business life has been spent. He is a Republican in politics; has served on the school board, and always has been a friend of progress in all lines. He is a member of the Reformed church, the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs.
Mr. Brewster married Phoebe Hudson, born in Saltillo, Pennsyl- vania, March 26, 1838, daughter of George and Rebecca (Hubbell) Hudson, granddaughter of John and Eleanor (Moreland) Hudson, and great-granddaughter of George Hudson, one of the pioneers of
John Brewster
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Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. George Hudson (1), a soklier of the revolution, was a farmer of Shade Gap, coming there from Cum- berland county. His second wife was Isabella Buchanan. John, sec- ond son of George (1) Hudson, was born September 13, 1768, died October 29, 1814. After his marriage to Eleanor Moreland, he settled on a farm in Clay township. George (2), eldest son of John Hudson, was born January 16, 1796, died in 1855. He was a farmer, a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, a Whig in politics, and in 1835 repre- sented his district in the Pennsylvania legislature. He married, in 1824, Rebecca Hubbell, born June 8, 1799, died September 13, 1880. Their seventh child, Phoebe, born March 26, 1838, married John Brew- ster, of Huntingdon. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster: Nancy, died in girlhood; Grace, a graduate of Millersville Normal School, now a teacher ; Anna Rebecca. a graduate nurse, died April 19, 1913: Mary, married Charles C. Brewster, district attorney of Huntingdon county ; Maude, married Parker Heikes, and resides near Great Falls, Montana ; a son, died in infancy.
William H. Banks. M. D., of Mifflintown, Juniata county, BANKS Pennsylvania, was born in Fermanagh township, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1862, a son of Wil- liam and Jane ( Hamlin) Banks. Dr. Banks was educated at Airy View Academy and at the Lewistown Academy, and with Dr. Lucian Banks as his preceptor. he began the study of medicine, and in 1889 received his diploma from the University of Pennsylvania. He has since en- gaged in the practice of his profession in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. Under Mr. Cleveland's second administration he held the office of examining surgeon for United States pensions. Dr. Banks is a mem- ber of the Juniata County Medical Society. He is also a member of Union Lodge, No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a director in the Mifflintown and Patterson Electric Light Company, of which he was one of the organizers, also a director in the Fermanagh Building and Loan Association, of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, and a stockholder in the Mifflintown and Patterson Water Company.
In October, 1892, Dr. Banks was married to Bess Jacobs Parker, daughter of Robert Parker, of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. Their chil- dren are: Robert Parker, Jane Hamlin, William Hamlin Jr., Kathryn
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Jacobs, and Hugh McAlister. The family are members of the Pres- byterian church.
John Wigton left England for America, in 1725, aboard WIGTON the sailing vessel "The Cow," Davy Smith, master. After a tempestuous voyage the ship reached Philadel- phia, October 31, 1725. Here John Wigton located, married and re- mained six years. At the expiration of that time he moved into the interior, and taking up wild land, cleared it and became a farmer. Af- ter the death of his wife he married a second time, and among the younger children of the last marriage was Christopher, of whom further.
(II) Christopher, son of John Wigton, was born about 1772, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he received his education in the township schools. On reaching his majority he moved to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased land and became a farmer on an extensive scale; later he entered into the iron business, becom- ing one of the largest iron masters of that section and a prominent citi- zen. He was exceedingly patriotic. At the outbreak of hostilities be- tween the United States and Great Britain in 1812, he was among the first to enlist, was elected an officer of his company and served two years. He returned to Pennsylvania at the close of the war and again resumed business. Before his death he amassed a fortune, and was a large land owner. He was a Whig in politics, and was always active in support of the principles of the party. In religion both he and his wife were members of the Presbysterian church, in which he was an elder, and took a great and practical interest. Finally he settled in Franklinville, where he died. He married Margaret Hines, the daugh- ter of a neighbor. Children: I. Mary, married Joseph Dysart; died in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 2. Ellen, married William T. Wallace; died in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 3. Richard Benson, a coal dealer in Philadelphia, where he died. 4. Andrew Jackson, died in Franklin- ville. 5. Samuel, of whom further.
(III) Samuel, son of Christopher and Margaret (Hines) Wigton, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1888, in Al- toona, Pennsylvania. He received his education in the common schools of the township, and there grew up. He moved with his father to
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Huntingdon county, and entered with him and his brother, Richard Benson, in the iron business at Franklinville, and later at Rock Hill. He accumulated a large property, most of which consisted of three farms containing about five hundred rich acres. His next removal was to Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he passed the two last years of his life. He was a director in the Altoona bank ; a member of the Presby- terian church and served as an elder for many years, supporting the church generously in every way. In politics he gave his franchise to the Republican party, and served once as county commissioner ; and he also assisted in surveying and laying out the Franklin township turn- pike. He was one of the influential men in any place in which he lived, and was esteemed and respected by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Wigton married Eliza D. Ingram, born in Huntingdon county, where she died in 1883, a daughter of William Ingram by a second wife, his other child being William, who died without issue. Like her husband, Mrs. Wigton was an active member of the Presbyterian church, and was known far and wide for her unostentatious charities. Children: I. Theodore, a retired business man of Philadelphia. 2. Wade H., an employee of the Pennsylvania railroad at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 3. Jolın M., of whom further. 4. Annie, unmarried. 5. Christopher H., died in Philadelphia. 6. William, twin of Christopher H., died in Denver, Colorado.
(IV) John M., son of Samuel and Eliza D. (Ingram) Wigton, was born February 18, 1851, in Spruce Creek Valley, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He early entered the public school of the township, and his education was finished at Academia, Pennsylvania. Immediately thereafter he became manager of his father's farms, continuing farm- ing until this day. After the death of his father he purchased three hundred acres in Franklin township, which he has converted into models of agricultural success. He erected new barns and remodelled the dwelling, making it more modern and commodious. Mr. Wigton votes the Republican ticket, and has done so since attaining his majority. He has served only in the township offices, as he finds his time and energies amply engrossed by his business interests. However, he is always active in his support of his friends seeking political office. In religion, with his wife, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for the past twenty-five years. Mr. Wigton
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ranks with the substantial men of his township and is greatly esteemed and respected by those who know him.
Mr. Wigton married, in 1879, Jennie Jackson, born in Huntingdon county, a daughter of Dr. Robert J. Jackson, who at the time of his death was medical director of Eastern Tennessee. Children: I. Mary Eliza, married Alexander Newland, and lives in Kewanee, Illinois. 2. Lois Russel, married John Everhart; lives in Bellwood, Pennsylvania. 3. Anna Wade, married Dr. Henry Wilson, lives in Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania. 4. Robert J., a farmer, who purchased the home place in 1913. 5. Elizabeth, married John Keller, of Canoe Valley, Novem- ber 2, 1913.
The earliest available record of this family begins
BRODBECK with Michael Brodbeck, born in York county and settled near Three Springs, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He obtained a public school education, and all his life was a farmer. He enlisted in the Union army at the outbreak of the civil war and served through the entire conflict. Both he and his wife were members of the Reformed church. He married Sarah Amig, and had issue as follows: Jacob, of whom further; Alexander, Lucy, Wil- liam, John, Alice, Frank, Sarah, Wesley and Van.
(II) Jacob, son of Michael and Sarah (Amig) Brodbeck, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1848, died in 1901. He obtained an education in the public schools of Huntingdon county, and later engaged in farming on his father's farm during the time his father was in the army. He likewise conducted a mercantile business in Orbi- sonia until his death. Both he and his wife were members of the Re- formed church; she still attends. He is survived by a widow and five children. His death was deeply regretted by Orbisonia's fraternity of business men, who lost one of their most enterprising and energetic members, while his loss was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends, who had been bound to him by the charms of his good-fellow- ship and the love of his sterling qualities. He married Marion Salome, daughter of John and Susan (Isenburg) Hicks. Children: I. Allie, born 1872, married Samuel Carothers, a carpenter ; they have one child, John. 2. Jessie, born 1875, married Augustus Wingert, of Philadel- phia ; children : Paul and Clarence. 3. Edward Clarence, born 1879, a
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