USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
John G. Waite, son of John and Esther (Wagner) Waite, was born June 20, 1824, near Union Furnace, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. His father having died when he was six years of age, his mother pur- chased a farm one mile from Spruce Creek, where he lived until he attained his majority. He then worked by the month for his brother-
I260
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
in-law, Jacob Stover, for two years at ten dollars a month, on a farm near Spruce Creek, owned by the Huntingdon Furnace Company. He and his brother Henry then leased the same farm and farmed together for several years. In March, 1850, he married Isabella Henderson, daughter of David and Margaret (Conrad) Henderson, who was born April 2, 1826. After his marriage he bought out his brother's interests, in the personal property, where he continued to farm for nine years, during which time he and his wife both worked very hard, accomplish- ing the building of the large barn which still stands on the farm, now owned by John Stover. He cleared about sixty acres of land, from which he received two crops for his labor. His extensive farming often made it necessary to have as many as twenty-five and thirty men at work at one time. In 1859 he purchased the John Henderson estate, three hundred and thirty-five acres of land, in Warriors Mark township, the place now owned and farmed by Frank Leon Peck, known as the Waite homestead, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. This he continued until 1865, when he retired from active farming and gave his attention to real estate. In 1882 he moved to Tyrone, where he died November 2, 1891. He was a Republican ; he and his family were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he being a prominent financial supporter and serving a number of years as trus- tee. His affliction with rheumatism confined him to his bed and chair for a number of years. During these years he was a living example of Christian fortitude and patience, being ably ministered to by his loving wife, and his support was his faith in God. At the time of his death he was identified as a prominent real estate owner of Tyrone. Mr. and Mrs. Waite's social and charitable qualities made them friends wherever they went, and their home was noted for miles around for its hospitality. Isabella (Henderson) Waite died August 31, 1900, at her home in Ty- rone. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Waite were: I. Robert H., born December 14, 1851, died January 2, 1864. 2. Anna Mary, born Sep- tember 21, 1855; married Frank L. Peck. 3. Margaret E., born July 31, 1866; married, June 12, 1895, H. E. Gardner, who is mentioned further below. 4. Drucilla B., born September 5, 1871, wife of John B. Campbell.
Harry E. Gardner was raised on his father's farm at Rock Springs, Center county, Pennsylvania, and received his education in the common
1261
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
schools. He began his business life by clerking in a country store at Spruce Creek, and then in a general store at Tyrone, after which he moved to Pittsburgh, where he received a thorough initiation into busi- ness management. The appreciation of his business ability demanded his services in New York City, where he is now a director, secretary, and treasurer of the Clinton Point Stone Company. Through his affa- ble disposition, the cheery nature of his wife, and the hospitality of their home, they enjoy a wide circle of friends in both eities. As men- tioned above, he married Margaret E. Waite; they reside in East Orange, New Jersey, and have two children: Wilson E. and John W.
Children of Frank Leon and Anna Mary (Waite) Peck: I. Grace Isabel, educated in Tyrone high school, now at home. 2. John Walter, attended Tyrone high school; graduated from agricultural department of State College; superintends a large poultry and stock farm. 3. Rob- ert Lee, educated at Juniata College, died in 1909. 4. Florence Kate, educated in Tyrone high school, now at home. 5. Ralph Emerson, graduated from Snyder township high school and Juniata College, now at home. 6. Margaret Mildred, educated in Tyrone high school. 7. Anna Mary, died in infancy.
At this juncture in a volume devoted to the careers of
DUNAHAY representative citizens of Juniata Valley, Pennsyl- vania, it is a pleasure to insert a brief history of Thomas Dunahay, who has ever been on the alert to forward all meas- ures projected for the good of the general welfare and who has served his community in various official capacities of trust and responsibility. For four years he was constable of Bedford county, and he is now de- voting the major portion of his time and attention to diversified agri- culture and stock-raising, his finely improved estate of one hundred and eighty-one acres being eligibly located in West township, Hunting- don county, three miles distant from Petersburg.
Thomas Dunahay was born in Claysburg, Blair county, Pennsyl- vania, March 1, 1859. He is a son of David and Eliza A. (Dodson) Dunahay, the former of whom was born at Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1830, and the latter of whom was born at East Freedom, Blair county, this state, Septeniber 29, 1827. The father died Septem- ber 12, 1892, aged sixty-two years, and the mother died October 24,
I262
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
19II, aged eighty-four years. David Dunahay was a son of John and Mary (Davis) Dunahay, the former a native of county Tipperary, Ire- land, and the latter of Wales. John Dunahay came to America as a small boy and he grew up near Cherry Tree, at the corner of Blair and Cambria counties, Pennsylvania. He early entered upon an ap- prenticeship to learn the trade of shoemaker and was identified with that line of work during the entire period of his active business career. He was a very energetic old man and a very brave-spirited one. He was seventy-one years of age at the time of the inception of the civil war. All four of his sons enlisted for service in the Union army and so high was his personal feeling in connection with the preservation of the Union that in spite of his age he too enlisted. He was living in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, at the time, with his daughter Elizabeth and her husband. One morning he expressed his determination to go to war and gathered his things together much to the consternation of his daughter, who asked him: "Are you going crazy, father?" "No," he said, "I'm going to join the army. All my sons are serving for the cause and they are no better men than I am to-day, so I can fight for my country, too." He joined and saw considerable service, but while in camp in Kentucky he was murdered by a camp follower to get five hundred dollars which he had in his wallet. Thus was brutally quenched the spirit of one of the noblest men who served in the cause of freedom and justice. John and Mary (Davis) Dunahay became the parents of eight children, concerning whom the following facts are here incor- porated : 1. David, of whom further. 2. Catherine, twin of David, married Alex Brown and they removed west to the state of Indiana in 1861. 3. John, removed to North Dakota, where he gained prestige as a prominent and prosperous farmer and where his demise occurred in 1910. 4. James, was a coal miner and was killed in a mine in Clay county, Indiana. 5. George W., was a farmer in the state of Washing- ton at the time of his death. 6. Sarah, married Anthony Wire, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; now deceased. 7. Elizabeth, married Daniel DeArmy and they removed west to North Dakota. 8. Maria, married William McCullough and lived at Brazil, Indiana, for many years. All four of the above sons saw hard service in the civil war and although wounded all survived that sanguinary struggle. The maternal grand- parents of the above children were Thomas and Barbara (Lingenfelter)
1203
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Dodson, the former of whom was born April 25, 1796, died November II, 1878, and the latter of whom was born in September, 1798, died September 17, 1892. The birthplace of both was in the vicinity of East Freedom, Blair county, this state. The Dodsons were of Irish and the Lingenfelters of German descent, both families having been among the early settlers in Blair county. Thomas Dodson was a school teacher in winter and a farmer in summer. He was born, lived and died on a farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres, known as the Dod- son homestead. He and his wife were lifelong Methodists and for many years he was a deacon and trustee in the church. Their mar- riage was solemnized April 24, 1823, the ceremony having been per- formed by Richard Silver, Esq. He was a staunch Republican and was incumbent of numerous local offices, all of which he filled with credit. Following are the children of Thomas and Barbara Dodson: 1. Mary Ann, born March 6, 1824, died October 9, 1908; married Jacob Zeth and they lived at Claysburg, Pennsylvania. 2. Margaret, born May 8, 1825; is single and living at East Freedom, Pennsylvania. 3. Delilah, born June 19, 1826; wife of Jacob Myers, of Woodbury, Pennsylvania. 4. Eliza A., wife of David Dunahay. 5. Rachel, born January 11, 1831 ; widow of James Pressel and resides near Claysburg. 6. Thomas, born March 4, 1832, lives at Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. 7. Elizabeth, born January 31, 1834; wife of J. E. Nofsker, of East Freedom. 8. Cather- ine, born April 1, 1836; wife of Martin Nofsker, of Claysburg. 9. Jacob L., born August 4, 1839, deceased. 10. James, born August 20, 1841 ; lives at Duncansville, Pennsylvania.
David Dunahay passed his boyhood and youth in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he attended the public schools. After reaching his legal majority he settled in Blair county, where he farmed on rented property for several years, eventually removing to Somerset county, where he purchased a finely improved estate. His death occurred in Blair county. He served in Company H. Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, during most of the war, although he was previously enlisted for ninety days in the Pennsylvania infantry. He was a Republican in his political allegiance, and in middle life became a devout member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. He married Eliza A. Dodson and their union was blessed with four children: 1. Margaret, born March 25, 1855, died December 12, 1870. 2. John, born January 14, 1857; married
1264
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Emma Myers and they now live on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near New Leipsic, North Dakota. 3. Thomas, of whom further. 4. Jacob, born June 8, 1863, died May 22, 1864.
To the public schools of Blair county, Pennsylvania, Thomas Duna- hay is indebted for his preliminary educational training which has since been effectively supplemented with extensive reading. He remained at home with his father until his marriage, when he removed to Somerset county, where he farmed for the ensuing eleven years, when he removed to Bedford county, remaining in that section for six years. In 1887 he engaged in the lumber business at McKee, Blair county, in partnership with his brother John, under the name of Dunahay Brothers. In 1894 he withdrew from the lumber concern and began farming near Sinking Valley. In 1905 he purchased one hundred and eighty-one acres of land, known as the James A. Davis farm, and since April, 1908, he has been living on that estate, which is located in West township, Huntingdon county, near Petersburg. In addition to general farming he keeps Ches- ter White hogs and breeds Bench Beagle hounds. Formerly he was a Republican in his political views and for four years he was constable of Bedford county. He is now a supporter of the principles and poli- cies for which the Progressive party stands sponsor. He is one of the genial, well liked citizens of West township, being held in high esteem by all with whom he has come in contact.
Mr. Dunahay married, November 6, 1881, Jeanetta Schaff, born in Milford township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1861, died July 8, 1910. She was a daughter of David and Louisa Schaff, of Con- fluence, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Dunahay was a woman of most gracious personality and was beloved by all who came within the sphere of her gentle influence. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunahay : I. Elizabeth, born January 4, 1883; wife of Ross Smith, of Derry, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. 2. David Sherman, born July 15, 1885, died September 12, 1886. 3. Harry M., born August 20, 1887; a farmer in Winnebago county, Illinois. 4. Herbert R., born December 7, 1889 ; lives with his brother, Harry M., in Illinois. 5. Thomas Blair, born April 8, 1892; resides at home. 6. Raymond Edgar, born March 24, 1894; resides at home. 7. Mary Louise, born January 27, 1897; resides at home. 8. Calvin S., born July 5, 1899, died September 14, 1900.
John Cromwell
1265
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- CROMWELL vania, is so named in memory of Colonel Thomas Cromwell, who was an early settler, a "distinguished and hospitable citizen," from whom descended a later day Thomas Cromwell, grand father of John C. Cromwell, of Maddensville. He was a farmer all his life, following part of the time the mason's trade. ITis home was in Springfield township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He married Matilda Everheart and had issue: George, John C., Henry Irvin, Thomas, Hannah, Juniata, Maggie, Elizabeth, Ida, Sylvester, men- tioned below.
(II) Sylvester, son of Thomas and Matilda (Everheart) Cromwell. was born in Springfield township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1842, died in 1911. He obtained a public school education and after a little further instruction accepted a position as school teacher, abandon- ing this profession to engage in farming; later doing contract work in the coal mines of Bedford county. He then returned to his earlier occu- pation, cultivating a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Springfield township, also, in partnership with his son, John C., doing a large lum- ber contracting business. He was a Democrat in politics and held many local offices. He was a member of the Church of God.
He married Diana, daughter of Jacob Booth, a farmer of Springfield township, formerly of York county, of German descent. Children : I. Jolın C., of whom further. 2. William, a farmer ; married Jennie Mad- den; three children. 3. Ettie. married Grant Lane, a farmer, teacher and justice of the peace : four children. 4. Annie, married Walter Lytle ; four children.
(III) John C., eldest child of Sylvester and Diana (Booth) Crom- well, was born in Springfield township, Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, February 17, 1870. He obtained his education in the public schools and for sixteen years followed the profession of a teacher in the vicinity of Maddensville, also farming and dealing in lumber, as well as working in the mines for a short time. In 1907 he purchased the Mad- densville Flour Mill, and three hundred acres of land with a dwelling thereon. The mill is forty by forty feet, four stories high and is sup- plied with power by an overshot water wheel. He is a Democrat in politics and has held numerous local offices. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, belonging to Grange No. 329, and is a member
I266
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
of the Church of God. In political belief he is a Republican. He mar- ried, December 25, 1896, Elizabeth May Ashton, a daughter of David and Eliza (Madden) Ashton, and a granddaughter of Robert Madden, one of the early settlers of Springfield township. He was one of the noted bridge builders of Huntingdon county and built the bridge that crosses the Juniata river at Huntingdon (standing at this time, 1913). Children of Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell: Frederick, born September 5, 1899; Helen, born February 20, 1905; Carl, died in infancy, and Horace W.
MAHON Dr. James T. Mahon, whose death was deeply and sin- cerely deplored by his associates in the medical profession as well as by a large circle of friends and patients, had attained a high rank in his profession many years prior to his death. He had been a resident of Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, for many years. His father, Dr. David D. Mahon, was born August 28, 1815, and was also a successful physician. He had located at Newton Hamilton, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the active practice of his profession a long time. He married Martha S. Cochran, and they both died in Newton Hamilton.
Dr. James T. Mahon was born in Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1841, and removed with his parents to Mif- flin county. His preparatory education was acquired in the public schools of his native town, and he was later graduated with honor from the Baltimore Medical College (University of Maryland), in 1864. Imme- diately after his graduation he established himself in practice at Newton Hamilton, and had already achieved a very reasonable amount of suc- cess when he succeeded to the practice of his father in 1865 at Newton Hamilton. Twenty years later, 1885, he removed to Lewistown, Mif- flin county, where his reputation as a physician had preceded him, and where he had a large and lucrative practice until the time of his death, February 1, 1895. He held a number of public and semi-public offices. He served as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers during the civil war, and was the surgeon for Colonel Huling Post, of Lewistown, for several years. For the period of twenty-seven years he was the physician for the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, and he was a member of the United States pension board
1267
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
of examining surgeons in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. His fraternal affiliations were with Lewistown Lodge, No. 203, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was past master; and he was a member of Chapter No. 186, Royal Arch Masons.
Dr. Mahon married, March 6, 1873, Eliza Ellen Thompson, born in Mexico, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1843, and her line of descent will be found below.
(The Thompson Line).
(I) John Thompson Sr. was born in Scotland from whence he mi- grated to Ireland, county Antrim, about 1735. Subsequently he emi- grated to America, came up the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, and landed at the mouth of the run three miles east of Thompsontown. He married (first) a Miss Greenleaf, (second) a Miss Slocum, (third) a Miss Patterson.
(II) William, son of John Thompson and his first wife, was born in 1754. He was an active participant in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. He married Jane Mitchell, of Chestnut Level, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who died January 3, 1813, at the age of fifty- nine years. Of this marriage there were nine children, James being the next in line of descent.
(III) James, son of William and Jane ( Mitchell) Thompson, was born February 2, 1782, died December 14. 1847. His entire life was spent in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. He married, April 2, 1810, Martha Porter Allen, born September 19, 1788, died at Mexico. Juniata county, November 22, 1855. She was a daughter of David Allen, and a lineal descendant of Admiral Nelson. They became the parents of six children.
(IV) Charles Allen, eldest child of James and Martha Porter (Al- len) Thompson, was born in Mexico, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, January II, 1811, died October 19, 1854. He was a man of many- sided ability ; he was a merchant, had milling and grain interests, and also largely interested in the coal industry. His political affiliations were with the Republican party, and he was a member of the United Presbyterian church. He married Mary Ann Cochran, born in Millers- town, Perry county, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1815, died in Mexico, Juni- ata county, June 14, 1887. They had children: Martha Jane; James
I268
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Horace; William Porter; Emma Sophia; Eliza Ellen, who married Dr. Mahon; Ada Marion; Anna Mary ; Charles Allen.
In I911 the first Thompson reunion was held at Thompsontown, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and a monument was erected at Thomp- son's Lock, one and one-half miles east of Thompsontown, to the mem- ory of John Thompson, the emigrant ancestor, the following inscription being placed upon it: "John Thompson, Pioneer and Patriot, Founder of the Thompson Family in Juniata County, Died 1769. Advocate of the Open Bible, Civil and Religious Liberty. Erected by a Grateful Posterity. 19II."
Harry E. Knepp, of Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pennsyl- KNEPP vania, is one of the most enterprising and successful busi- ness men and farmers in that section of the country. His methods are progressive to the utmost limit and every new idea is adopted as soon as it has been proved that it has a practical value.
(I) John Knepp, the first of the line herein followed, was of German descent, as is indicated by the name, and was one of the early settlers in the Juniata Valley.
(II) Henry David, son of John Knepp, was born in West Beaver township, Snyder county, Pennsylvania. January 20, 1849. He was educated in the public schools, and devoted his time and attention to agriculture, in which he was eminently successful. He came to Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1875, and resided in Decatur township for a period of seven years. He returned to Snyder county, lived there nine years, and removed to Derry township in 1891, and resided there up to 1903, when he removed to Lewistown, and there built a fine brick residence in which he now lives. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. Mr. Knepp married Margaret Ellen Peter, born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1852, daughter of John H. and Leah (Dean) Peter, the former born in Snyder county, September 22, 1818, the latter born in the same county, September 22, 1821. Mrs. Knepp was the granddaughter of Anthony and Catherine (Houser) Peter, and the great-granddaughter of Lemuel Peter, who died in Pennsylvania. She was also the granddaughter of Valentine and Sophia Dean, the former one of the early settlers of Mifflin county. Grandfather Anthony Peter had by his first wife the following children:
1269
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Isaac, Henry, John H., Rebecca, Susannah, and Elizabeth; he married (second) Catherine Stulb, and had children: Jonathan, David, Annie, Leah, Sophia, Rachel, Mary, Sarah and Amanda. John H. and Leah (Dean) Peter had children: Henry Jackson, Margaret Ellen and John William. Mr. and Mrs. Knepp had children: 1. Alice May, born April 20, 1871 ; married William Ruble, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and has had children : Myrtle Viola, born January 25, 1895; Esther May, De- cember 28, 1896: Charles Henry, March 1, 1899: Anna Grace, March 25, 1901 ; George, April 4, 1904; Margaret Caroline, January 25, 1908; David Franklin, July 19, 1911. 2. Anna Jane, born August 30, 1872; married Albert Montgomery, of Lewistown, and has one child: Walter Henry, born in 1893. 3. Carrie Minerva, born April 6, 1873, died in infancy. 4. Harry E., see forward. 5. Clarence Andrew, born April 3, 1880; married Florence Kreps, of Decatur township, and has children : Margaret Elizabeth, born September 20, 1904; Albert Henry, June 29, 1906; Stella Catherine, October 24, 1907; Ethel Marie, September 24, 1912.
(III) Harry E., son of Henry David and Margaret Ellen (Peter) Knepp, was born in Decatur township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 15, 1877. His youth was spent on a farm and he attended the public schools until he had attained the age of fourteen years, at first those of Snyder county, then those of Lewistown, Mifflin county, known as the tollgate schools. He is one of the foremost farmers and dairy- men of the district and operates two farms at the present time, and is the owner of a farm of two hundred and fifty acres. This is known as the Charley Sayler farm, and the farm of one hundred and fifty acres near Burnham is known as the R. N. Jacobs farm. He is also largely interested in the lumber business, attending to this industry in association with John H. Mels, the firm being Mels & Knepp, and they own and operate two saw mills. For a period of four years Mr. Knepp. in addition to his farming and other interests, was engaged in general contract work for the Logan Iron Company, the Standard Steel Works, and other concerns. He has lived on the R. N. Jacobs farm for almost twenty years, and before that his father had lived upon it for eight years. The dairy farming of Mr. Knepp is carried on on an extensive scale, and he is largely engaged in stock raising, having some very fine breeds of cattle. His political affiliations are with the Republican party
1270
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
and he is a member of the Lutheran church. He is also a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Mr. Knepp married, February 5, 1902, Carrie, born in Snyder county, August 29, 1877, daughter of Levi Kline, an early settler of Snyder county, now deceased. They have had children: Anna Mar- garet ; Sarah Elizabeth, born July 29, 1909.
APPLEBY An able and representative agriculturist, who has done much to advance progress and conserve prosperity in Dublin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he has served as township supervisor and school director, is Thomas Bruce Appleby, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres, eligibly located near the village of De- corum. Mr. Appleby is a native of Dublin township, born March 7, 1870, son of John Scott and Ann Catherine (Fleming) Appleby, both of whom were likewise born and reared in Dublin township, Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania. In the paternal line Mr. Appleby traces his ancestry to John Appleby, who married Percilla Mantage and who was an early settler in this section of the old Keystone commonwealth.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.