USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 13
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Thomas H. Edgar, our subject, was edu- cated in the district school and at New Co- lumbia Academy and remained under the pa- rental roof until he attained the age of eigh- teen years, assisting his father in his labors about the farm. He then went to Cambria where he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. which trade he followed in that village until 1867; he then spent two years at Rohrsburg.
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Pa., and one year at Centralia, engaged in the mercantile business. He also kept a store at Mount Carmel, Pa., which was destroyed by fire. Moving to Benton township he worked in a planing-mill, and later oper- ated a mill at North Mountain; in 1877 he returned to Stillwater, where he erected a planing-mill 51 by 72 feet and has since car- ried on that business to the present time; he also built a chopping-mill 30 by 36 feet. He manufactures all kinds of building material, including sashes, doors, windows, staircases, and mantel pieces. Our subject is also en- gaged in general building and contracting and has erected eighteen houses in Bloomsburg, and many of the finest residences in Stillwater.
Mr. Edgar is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. of Stillwater, and in religious views he is a Christian. On December 26, 1867, he was united in marriage to Cecilia Alice McHenry, who was born July 26, 1848, a daughter of James D. McHenry. Three children have blessed the home of our subject and wife, namely: Harry O., born April 16, 1869, died February 18, 1888; Lelia I., born June 11, 1871, who is the wife of W. L. McHenry, a farmer of Fishing Creek town- ship; and Orvis Roy, born February 8, 1883, who is attending school.
ARTIN L. BROBST, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Columbia County, Pa., who resides on a fine farm of 240 acres in Hemlock township, is one of the highly respected farmers of his com- munity. He was born in Columbia County. Pa., August 1, 1861, and is a son of Daniel and Rebecca (Johnson) Brobst, and a grand- son of Jacob Brobst.
Jacob Brobst, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, and his brother immigrated to America about one hundred years ago and located in the state of New York, and in some way they became separated and never heard of each other afterwards. Our subject's grandfather located in Valley township, Montour County, Pa., and was classed among the pioneer set- tlers of that county. He was a man of great force of character, sturdy and independent in views, and possessed all the characteristics re- quired by a man in order to make his way suc- cessfully in those rugged days. At that time the country was covered by a dense forest, and Mr. Brobst's neighbors were the Indians and wild animals that roved through the woods. He purchased a large tract of land and in due time cleared a farm from the wilder- ness and established a comfortable homestead, upon which he remained until he passed to the silent land. His home was used as a trad- ing-post between the Indians and the white settlers, who would journey there from many miles distant; our subject's grandfather had many skirmishes with the Indians, who would burn his hay-stacks and commit other depre- dations. He was a member of the Lutheran Church; his wife was a Miss Mowery, a de- scendant of one of the early families of Mon- tour County. The following children were the result of this union: Jonathan, formerly a blacksmith of Valley township, Montour County; Elizabeth, widow of a Mr. Miller, who now resides in Frosty Valley, Montour County; Daniel M., our subject's father; David, a retired wagonmaker of Bloomsburg, Pa .; Jacob, a farmer of Valley township; John, a shoemaker of Bloomsburg, Pa .; Adam, a farmer of Valley township; Kate, the wife of Nicholas Fish of Danville, Pa .; Lydia, the wife of John Stoffer of Hemlock town- ship, Columbia County; and Michael, a farm- er of Valley township. Montour County.
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Daniel Brobst, father of our subject, was born in Valley township, Montour County, Pa., July 8, 1833, and was a shoemaker by trade, which occupation he followed all his life; he also conducted a store many years in connection with his shoe business. In 1886 he moved to Columbia County, where he has since lived in retirement, enjoying . a well- earned competency. In religious views our subject's father is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Rebecca Johnson, and they are the parents of the following children : Stinson L., one of the well-to-do farmers of Hemlock township, Columbia County; Edward D., who spent fourteen years in the Colorado gold fields, where he was employed as an engineer, and, returning to Bloomsburg, operated the pumps at the Bloomsburg Water Company .- he and our subject own a large farm in Hem- lock township; Benjamin F., also a prosper- ous farmer of Hemlock township, Columbia County; Martin L., the subject of this sketch; Mary E., the wife of John Guliver, a success- ful farmer residing in Valley township, Mon- tour County; and three children who died in their infancy.
Martin L. Brobst acquired a limited educa- tion in the public schools of his native town and in 1884 went to Blackhawk, Colo., and for six years worked in the gold fields of that section. He operated the machinery in the mills for a short time and later operated the mine pumps at a depth of 1, 100 feet below the surface. In 1891 our subject and his brother, Edward D., returned home and pur- chased a farm in the central part of Hemlock township, Columbia County. The farm con- sists of 240 acres of highly cultivated land. and they have made many improvements upon_ the same, built new outhouses and a fine resi- dence, and the farm now ranks second to none
in the county. In connection with farming, the brothers conduct a dairy and have a large milk route in Bloomsburg.
Martin L. Brobst was united in marriage in 1891 to Olive Flint of Blackhawk, Colo., and their home has been blessed by two children, Edith C. and Nettie May. Mr. Brobst has been very successful in his undertakings, and as a man of wise judgment, of great industry. and honorable dealings he is held in high es- teem in the community of which he is a prominent and worthy member.
ANIEL L. MILLER, the efficient postmaster and merchant of Eldreds- ville, Sullivan County, Pa., was born in Point township, Northumberland County, Pa., April 4, 1848, and is the youngest son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Cline) Miller and a grandson of Jacob Miller of New Jersey.
Our subject's grandfather, Jacob Miller, served as a private soldier in the Revolution- ary War under the illustrious Washington and had an honorable military record of which his descendants speak with just pride. He fought bravely in the struggle for liberty and after the successful termination of the conflict he purchased a farm near Riverside, Pa., and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. On this ex- cellent property he lived a peaceful and happy life to an advanced age. Only one shadow was cast upon his happiness; his wife never enjoyed vigorous health, but suffered much in her declining years till called to lay down life's burden and enter into her deserved rest. Three children were born to them: Sarah, who was twice married, her first husband being Suel Gibbs, who served in the Mexican War, and her second husband, John Schwarts: Peter: and Leonard.
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Leonard Miller, father of our subject, was, practically, a farmer all his life. He enjoyed the enviable reputation of being a just, fair- minded and honorable man. By conducting his business with ability and success he pro- vided very comfortably for his family and thus opened splendid opportunities for them. He died at the age of sixty-seven years, and his life was considered well and nobly spent, and he was mourned by all who knew him. Elizabeth Cline, daughter of Godfrey Cline, became his wife and lived peacefully by his side until she attained the age of sixty years, having borne him eight children: William; Clarkson; Jacob, who now resides at Dan- ville; Thomas; Mary; Charles, who is lo- cated at Turbutville, Pa .; a daughter, who died in infancy; and Daniel L., our subject.
Daniel L. Miller obtained a good education in the public schools of Point township, Northumberland County, Pa. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and being handy with all kinds of tools, he soon became an ex- pert workman, and for some time worked suc- cessfully at his trade in his native county. Looking about for a location he settled in Elkland township, Sullivan County, where he purchased fifty acres of land in 1876 from Jo- seph Pardoe, whose daughter, Jane Pardoe, became his wife and was a willing helper in making the many improvements needed on his farm, which is now well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Miller is as- sisted on the farm by his two sons, Charles and Howard, who are learning all the rural arts and successful schemes of the shrewd granger. About two and a half years ago Mr. Miller leased the G. A. McIlwain house and store, directly adjoining his farm. There he resides and carries on a general country store, also the postoffice, which has been in his charge since 1896.
Some time ago Mr. Miller was called upon to bear the loss of his wife; this loss was a severe blow to him, also to her bereaved children and to her many devoted friends. She died leaving three children : Rena, a lov- able young lady, who has learned to wield the birch and who is "teaching young ideas how to shoot" in a way to command success; Charles; and Howard.
Mr. Miller is a man of very decided political views, favoring Democracy, but is gentleman- ly in his expression of them. He is intensely interested in local matters pertaining to the welfare of his community. He has been jus- tice of the peace fourteen consecutive years; school director for three years; town clerk one year; assessor for three years; and a member of the election board for nine years.
Quite recently Mr. Miller sought and won the heart and hand of Lydia Norton, daugh- ter of Thomas Norton. She is well and favor- ably known in the social and religious circles of Elkland township, being a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
AMES C. BROWN, a gentleman prom- inent in public affairs in and about Bloomsburg, is the proprietor and edi- tor of the Columbia County Republican, a well-edited and influential paper of the coun- ty. He is a civil engineer by profession and for the past six years or more has been acting in that capacity for the borough of Blooms- burg. He is a son of William N. and Loretta (Yonker) Brown, and was born in Mifflin township, Columbia County, Pa., April 29, 1848. He comes of a prominent old English family and is descended from John Brown, who emigrated from England prior to our
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struggle for independence and located on Long Island.
John Brown subsequently moved to War- ren County, N. J., and later located with his family in Mifflin township, in what was then Northumberland County, now Columbia County, in the year 1794. He followed his trade, that of a blacksmith, there during the remainder of his life; he served in that capac- ity for the American Army during the Revo- lutionary War. For many years he served as justice of the peace. His son, Samuel Brown, grandfather of our subject, was born in War- ren County, N. J., and moved to Mifflin town- ship, with the rest of the family, making that his home throughout life. His father having purchased 600 acres of land there, upon his death divided it among four of his children, Samuel receiving the old homestead. This he cultivated until his death in 1823, at the age of forty-five years. He married Dorothy Nice, by whom he had a family of nine children, as follows: John, deceased; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Samuel Creasy, now deceased; Sarah, wife of George A. Bowman; William N .; Mathew; James; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Alexander Thompson; George B .; and Elisha B., all of whom are deceased.
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William N. Brown was born in Mifflin township, Columbia County, on the old home- stead, February 15, 1807, and took up the vocation of a farmer. He continued in that line of work with good results until 1870, when he moved to the village of Mifflinville, renting his farm. He built a house and lived in peaceful retirement until his demise, Sep- tember 16, 1876. For many years he also con- ducted a grist and flouring mill. Religiously he was an active member in the Methodist Episcopal Church, holding various offices, among them steward and trustee. He mar- ried Nancy Freas, a daughter of John Freas
of Center township, Columbia County, and they had five children: George A., deceased; Albert, a farmer of Ottawa County, Kans .; John F., who lived on the old homestead in Mifflin township until 1898, when he, because of ill health, retired from farming and moved to Mifflinville; Almira, of Mifflinville; and Dorcas, deceased. Mrs. Brown died in 1845 and he formed a second alliance in 1847 with Loretta Yonker, a daughter of Henry Yonk- er, a native of Germany, who, upon coming to this country, located in Mifflinville, Pa. This marriage resulted in the following off- spring: James C., the subject of this personal history; Martha, deceased; Samuel C., em- ployed in the Railway Postal Service between New York and Pittsburg; Malissa J., de- ceased; and Victoria, the wife of George W. Hess of Bloomsburg, Pa.
James C. Brown received his preparatory education in the public and select schools of Mifflinville, after which he entered the Dick- inson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., gradua- ting therefrom in 1868. He then began teach- ing, accepting a position as professor in the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, which he held for three and one-half years, the last half year of which he was principal. In the spring of 1872 he engaged as civil engineer in locating the N. & W. Branch Railroad and was associated with the enterprise until its completion in 1882 as a member of the board of directors, as well as engineer. He also did work in that line for other railroad companies during that time and since has followed that as his profession. He has been engineer of the borough of Bloomsburg for six or eight years and has frequently rendered service to other boroughs in the vicinity. Being a man of much experience, he is frequently called into court to give expert testimony on civil engineering in damage suits. In September,
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1875, he purchased the plant of the Columbia County Republican, a four-page, eight-col- umn publication, which makes its appearance weekly, and has since edited it. It is Repub- lican in politics and has a large following, having a good circulation throughout the county, and also in adjoining counties.
Mr. Brown is one of the Republican leaders in his section and is indefatigable in his ef- forts to bring success to the party. He is frequently a delegate to state conventions, and was a delegate from what was then the Elev- enth Congressional District of Pennsylvania to the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1884. He also speaks for the state committee during the campaigns. He made a tour of the state as a member of Gen. Has- tings' staff during the gubernatorial contest in which Gen. Hastings was a candidate. He is a fluent and convincing speaker and is well versed on all subjects of interest to the people. He is now president of the board of school directors and has been a member of that body for almost twenty years. He is also a director of the Bloomsburg School Furnishing Com- pany and of the Bloomsburg Steam Heating Company, and a trustee of the State Normal School, being vice-president of the board. He is a member and treasurer of the Columbia County Agricultural Society. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is very active in church work. For some fifteen or twenty years he has been secretary of the board of trustees. Mr. Brown is a man of high character, and no oth- er in the county is held in higher esteem.
OWELL NORTON, who is located at Campbellville, Sullivan County, is one of the most enterprising busi- ness men of Forks township. He was born
January 31, 1841, in Forks township, being a son of Thomas and Mary (Bird) Norton.
Thomas Norton, the father of our subject. was born in England, May 6, 1808, and in 1830 immigrated to America with his brother Charles. Both bought tracts of wild and un- cultivated land of Dr. Priestly, Thomas buy- ing one hundred acres on what is now known as Norton's Ridge in the northwest part of Forks township. After clearing a small part of the land which was heavily covered with timber, Mr. Norton built a small log cabin and began life there with small resources, but a most resolute determination to succeed. Mr. Norton married Mary Bird, born No- vember 8. 1816, and a daughter of Powell Bird. As the years passed they cleared the farm and made many new improvements thereon. Mr. Norton was a blacksmith by trade. In his younger days he worked some at Eagles Mere: later in life he did all of his own blacksmithing and most of that of his neighbors. He was a stanch member of the Democratic party, and served the township as supervisor, collector, etc. Mr. Norton died February 2, 1884, at the age of seventy-six years, and was buried in the Bird cemetery. He and his good wife were the parents of eight children, as follows: Esther, wife of George Schill of Elkland township; William, a farmer in Forks township; Powell, our sub- ject; Emeline, who died at the age of fifteen ; Ira, who died at the age of one year; Lydia. wife of Daniel Miller; Maria, who married W. S. Pieffenbauch; Washington, who died at the age of twenty-five; George B., who mar- ried Jennie Campbell of Estella, Pa .; and James, who died at the age of fourteen.
Powell Norton married Mary B. Bedford. daughter of Rev. Richard and Arvilla (Wheat) Bedford. Rev. Richard Bedford was a son of Richard Bedford, and was born in England.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
His father immigrated to this country when he was about twelve years of age and two years later his mother died. His father then mar- ried Laurena Waller. He moved to Forks township, Sullivan County, Pa., where he set- tled on the estate now owned and lived upon by Mrs. Watson Fawcett. His children by his first wife were named Richard, Hannah and Franklin. By his second union he had two children : Varley and Alice, both deceased. Rev. Richard Bedford studied theology and was ordained a Methodist minister, which profession he followed many years, settling in his later life on the old Bedford homestead in Forks township, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was one of the most active and prominent men in his district. He was a man of superior education and fine intellect and, although books in his day were high- priced, he gathered the largest and most up- to-date library in Sullivan County. A portion of the library is now in the possession of Mr. Norton and he has added many valuable vol- umes. Mr. Bedford was the first superintend- ent of schools in Sullivan County and served as one of the first associate judges of the coun- ty, filling the judgeship for two terms. He also represented Sullivan County two terms in the State Legislature. Rev. Mr. Bedford's useful life was closed at the age of seventy-one years, his wife departing this life at the age of sixty. Their children were: Mary B., wife of our subject; Ada, who married Watson Faw- cett; and three who died in infancy.
Powell Norton, the subject of this biog- raphy, attended the public schools of his na- tive place where he received a good funda- mental education. When a young man he started as a farmer for himself, buying the Rogers farm in Forks township which con- sisted of 140 acres. Besides making many improvements on the land he built a new
house and barns. Together with John W. Norton he bought the Campbell flour and feed mill. John W. Norton was succeeded as our subject's partner by S. M. Hotteinstein, the firm now being Norton & Hotteinstein. They do a large custom trade, dealing exten- sively in flour, feed, meal and grain, and also handle all kinds of agricultural implements necessary in that section. They own a trac- tion engine and do threshing, silo-work and the like.
Mr. Norton erected at Campbellville a house and store which he rented for a period of years to Mr. Merithew, but now he con- ducts a country store in the place. He is a'so postmaster, having served in that capacity for fifteen years. This post office was established in 1843 by the father of our subject's wife and John Campbell was the first postmaster. Mr. Norton owns his father's homestead which is conducted by his only son now living, Richard W., who married Lizzie Hotteinstein. George I., a second son, died at the age of seven years.
EORGE K. FAGELY, ex-sheriff of Northumberland County, is one of the enterprising and energetic business men of Shamokin and a prominent and prosperous citizen. He was born in Shamokin township. Northumberland County, November 24, 1845, and is a son of Solomon and Mary E. (Klase) Fagely, and grandson of Christian Fagely.
The Fagelys are of German descent, and have been residents of this state for the past two centuries. Christian Fagely, the grand- father of our subject, who was a native of Maiden Creek township, Berks County, Pa .. in 1808 with his family moved to Shamokin township, Northumberland County, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in the culti-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
vation of the soil. He purchased a large tract of uncultivated land which he cleared and greatly improved, and was one of the fore- most agriculturists of his community, who not only thoroughly understood the occupation in which he was engaged, but was one of those who attained success in following the same. He was the progenitor of seven children all of whom are now deceased. Religiously, Mr. Fagely was an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran Church. He passed from this earth December 31, 1845, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, three months and twenty- eight days; his wife died June 19, 1843, aged seventy years, two months and one day.
Solomon Fagely, the father of our subject. was born in Maiden Creek township, Berks County, in 1802. He was but six years of age when his parents moved to Northumber- land County and settled in Shamokin town- ship. He received a liberal education in the common schools and was reared to agricul- ture which was his chief occupation through- out his entire life. He also conducted a hotel at Mount Carmel for two years, and later oper- ated a mill at Paxinos for several years. He then returned to the old homestead and con- tinued farming until his death. He was one of the prominent men of his township and by the exercise of his natural energy, industry. and all those qualities which constitute a good citizen and business man, he became a useful and valued member of his community. Mr. Fagely was originally a Douglas Democrat. but after the Civil War broke out he affiliated with the Republican party. He formed a mat- rimonial alliance with Mary E. Klase and a family of eleven children was born to them, namely: Valentine, a retired citizen residing in Shamokin township. Northumberland County: William, who died August 5, 1856. aged twenty-two years, eight months, and fif-
teen days; Henry K., a resident of Sunbury, is the proprietor of the Standard Wire Nail Works and a general merchandise store; George K., the subject of this personal history; Elizabeth, now deceased, who married Solo- mon Weaver of Sunbury, Pa .; Caroline, who married W. Haas of Shamokin township: Catherine, deceased, who married Scott Mc- Williams of Shamokin, Pa .; Rosanna, de- ceased, who married Henry Tricellis of Sun- bury, Pa .; Harriet, who died in infancy; Ella, who married Scott McWilliams, who is now deceased; and Mary, who died unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Fagely and family were mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fagely entered the world of rest September 6, 1883. aged eighty-one years, two months and seven- teen days. The mother of our subject joined her husband February 13, 1887, at the age of eighty-three years, two months and ten days.
Our subject received what education he possesses in the common schools. His early life was passed on the old homestead in as- sisting his father in the labors on the farm until he was sixteen years of age: he then engaged as a clerk in his brother's store and remained there two years, and then clerked in a store at Ashland, Pa., for a short time. During the Rebellion, when President Lin- coln issued a call for troops, our subject laid aside all plans for the future, and enlisted June 16, 1863. in Company A, 28th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged July 27, 1863. March 13, 1865. our subject re- enlisted for three years or during the war, in Company E, 103d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out at Newbern. N. C., June 25, 1865. Returning home to his native state he settled in Snyder County where he con- ducted a mercantile store for four years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Shamokin, Northumberland County, and en-
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