Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 10

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1358

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 10

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Of all the eulogies uttered this week in his praise, he would undoubtedly value most highly that spoken by his friend, Rev. Dr. Monroe, at the simple funeral services Tuesday morning: "He was a good man." Judge Rhoads was a good man-good without the narrowness of an over- zealous fanatic; but good in the fullest sense of the term- in his love for God and his fellow-men, in his devotion to truth, in his sense of honor, in the purity and nobility of his life, in the fine courtesy of his manner, and ;the unfailing kindness of his heart. Although towering away above the average man mentally and physically, and of an independ- ent temperament, he was so gentle, so kind, and so unassum- ing, that the inspiration of his example will live and his name remain honored as one of our best and noblest citizens long after the records of the many more ambitious and con- spicuous have faded from the memory of men.

Another of the home papers referred to him:

Judge Rhoads 'as an employer of labor, while superin- tendent of the Snow Shoe railroad, became well acquainted with the laboring men in that section of the country, and of him they always spoke in the highest terms. Kind, generous to his men, be was always held in the highest esteem by his fellowmen. Among the poor he will be greatly missed, his missions of charity were more numerous and of larger extent than the public ever knew; more than one humble home has been warmed and cheered, and the hungry mouths of little ones made to rejoice by his timely gifts of fuel and food, from purely charitable motives. Tender-hearted as a child, he was still as firm as a rock when grave situations arose and principles of right were involved. Judge Rhoads was an ideal man in many respects, and while the vital spark has flown, we can still study with instruction the record of that noble life just closed.

The Public Ledger of Philadelphia said:

Judge Rhoads was held in high esteem not only on ac- count of his well-known character for integrity and trust- worthiness, but also by reason of the sweetness and gentle- ness of his disposition, combined with great firmness and strength.

On April 25, 1861, Mr. Rhoads was married to Miss Maria Dick Smith, and from that time until his death he was a resident of Bellefonte. Their children are: Edward Keasbey, Joseph James, Francis Sinnickson and Rebecca Naomi. The eldest child, Samuel Jeanes, died in infancy.

Mrs. Rhoads is of an historic family, of Revolu- tionary stock, and of an ancestry that formed a part of the Colonies upward of 200 years ago. Her paternal ancestor Smith acquired from King Charles II, of England, a grant of land at Salem, N. J., in 1662, and about that year came over from England and located thereon. The original parchment on which this grant was written is now in the possession of Mrs. Rhoads. Her grandfather, John Smith, was a captain in com- mand of a New Jersey troop in the war of the Revolution, and her grandfather on her mother's side, Andrew Sinnickson, served as colonel of a New Jersey regiment in that war. The Sinnick- sons were of Swedish descent, being among the first settlers of New Jersey. Many of Mrs. Rhoads' ancestors held positions of responsibility and trust during the Colonial period. Her father, Edward Smith, was a native of Salem, N. J., born in 1797: he was liberally educated, and by profession was a civil engineer. In early man-

hood he represented the people of his locality in the General Assembly of New Jersey.

In 1833 he removed to the West, locating at Mt. Carmel, Ill. Such were his attainments and popularity that his services were sought by the citizens of his adopted State, and he was elected a member of the Legislature, and had the honor of serving in that body with the afterward Presi- dent Lincoln. He soon rose in the ranks of his profession, and at his death in 1839 was chief engineer in charge of all internal public improve- ments of the State of Illinois. He was a man of great force of character and ability, but died be- fore attaining the prominence his ability would have commanded had his life been spared. Mrs. Rhoads was born at Mt. Carmel, Ill., in 1839.

The Rhoads homestead at Bellefonte is just such a one as the reader of the family history would picture. - The house and -surroundings suggest the poetical; sitting on an eminent point well studded with trees and bowers, it reaches out to a commanding view of the picturesque country of the beautiful " mountain town."

C NOL. JAMES GILLILAND, whose death oc- curred at Linden, near Washington, D. C., on April 1, 1889, when he was at the advanced age of eighty-five years, belonged to one of the pioneer families of Centre county, in which he was an official and well-known business man up- ward of fifty years ago.

Joseph Gilliland, his father, in 1796 removed from near Downingtown, Chester Co., Penn., to White Deer township. in what is now Union county, and in 1805 moved to Spring Mills, Cen- tre county. In 1814 he moved up to the end of Egg Hill in George's Valley, where his death oc- curred in 1840. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and was elected an elder of Sinking Creek Church in 1815. He ad- hered to the Scotch-Irish Presbyterian training, and the Colonel often remarked that he did not think that as long as he remained at home, a Sabbath ever passed without the Shorter Cate- chism being repeated by himself and his broth- ers and sisters. The wife of Mr. Gilliland was Catharine Cowden, and their children were: Ann, Allen, Joseph A., Jennet and Julia (twins), Rob- ert, Jennet. James, John, David, William, Speer and Samuel. The death of the wife and mother occurred July 18, 1830.

Col. James Gilliland was born in Buffalo Val- ley, Penn., January 27, 1804, and his early days were spent at Spring Mills, where his father kept a hotel. Young Gilliland wasa keen observer of events, had a retentive memory, and his father's

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

associations being with Judge Potter, Andrew Gregg and the prominent residents of Penn's Valley, the early incidents of the settlements of Penn's Valley were derived from listening to the conversation of his father's friends, and to Col. Gilliland, the local historian at Bellefonte is in- debted for many important occurrences and in- teresting tales that otherwise would have passed into oblivion. While yet a young man, Mr. Gilliland was engaged by Hon. Isaac Mckinney as a clerk in his store near Jacksonville, where he received good business training. In 1825 Judge Mckinney built Hecla Furnace, and while with the Judge he assisted in taking "arks " down Bald Eagle and then West Branch to Port Deposit and Baltimore, and on one of these oc- casions the Judge insisted on his visiting Wash- ington city. His business connections with Judge Mckinney made him well acquainted through Centre county, and he soon became influential in politics, and when William L. Smith, the prothonotary, died in office, March 11, 1831, Mr. Gilliland was appointed his successor. He served as such until January 12, 1836.

After retiring from this office he erected the fine stone residence on Alleghany street, in Bellefonte, later owned by Mrs. Pifer, and en- gaged in the mercantile business therein. In 1837 he was one of a committee, with John Irvin and John Hall, which erected the Presbyterian church edifice that preceded the present build- ing. He was engaged several years in settling the estate of Gen. Philip Benner. In the spring of 1847 he purchased from the Gratzes three tracts of land in Snow Shoe township, and in partnership with Henry Van Dyke and John Mc- Cormick immediately built a first-class sawmill, established a blacksmith shop, and completed an elegant flouring-mill on the purchase. In 1849 Messrs. Gilliland and Van Dyke laid out the town of Moshannon, and in 1851 the Presbyterian church there was built on ground donated by them. Mr. Gilliland was chosen one of the elders and became clerk of the Session. On the break- ing out of the war, he was made captain of a company raised at Snow Shoe, but on going to Harrisburg, owing to bis advanced age, he was assigned to duty in the quartermaster-general's office under Gen. Hale, where he served some tirne, when Gov. Curtin appointed him commis- sary and quartermaster of the ist Regiment of Pennsylvania Veterans, from which position he was transferred to Washington city as assistant agent of the State of Pennsylvania, to look after the interests of the soldiers of that State; this office he filled during the war, according to the testimony of Gov. Curtin, " admirably and with

great fidelity." This is also the unanimous testi- mony of the soldiers from Pennsylvania. On the close of the war he moved somne seven or eight miles out of Washington, where he resided the rest of his life.

Col. Gilliland was twice married, the first time to Eliza, daughter of John Rankin, of Bellefonte, .who died in 1854. While on their wedding trip they stopped at Washington city and called on President Jackson. They were received in the east room, and the President honored the bride by taking a seat on the sofa, between her and the bridesmaid. He entertained the party for an hour. His second wife was Mary Hampshire, to whom he was married December 30, 1857.

Col. Gilliland was a genial, pleasant man, had great conversational powers, was a ready writer, and was all his life a great advocate of temperance and religion. He went down to his grave with the respect of all who knew him inti- mately, for his promptness and diligence in performing his official duties, and deeply re- gretted by his friends and kindred for the kind- ness, gentleness and affection he always showed them. Two sons, Capt. John R., late of the 51st Pennsylvania Regiment, and James C., and three daughters, Mrs. Isabella Wright (wife of Rev. W. O. Wright, of Milesburg), Henrietta and Catherine, survived him.

C EORGE TOMB BUSH. Beginning his ca- reer with the prestige of a well-known name, with health, and seemingly all the good gifts that a reasonable mind could ask at Fortune's hand. the subject of this sketch has made such use of his advantages as to have already attained dis- tinction in his chosen lines of effort. A son of the late Daniel G. Bush, of Bellefonte, Centre coun- ty, he was born in that city September 24, 1867. At six years of age he was sent to school in Bucks county, Penn., and prepared for a course at col- lege. He went to Swarthmore College, near Philadelphia, where he spent four years. He then entered the Pennsylvania State College, and remained until 1887, taking a complete course in chemistry. At his father's death he was called home, and has since remained there, assisting his mother in the settlement and handling of the estate, and later engaging in business.

Real estate and insurance (principally life) occupied his attention for a time, and in 1890 he purchased his present store where he carries a large and well-selected stock of stationery and sporting goods, but still keeping up his work in life insurance, of which he has made a thorough study, and is considered a well-posted man on

Geo Bush

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. .

that subject. He is an active member of the Board of Trade of Bellefonte, and often partici- pates earnestly in the various discussions that arise.

An enthusiastic Democrat, Mr. Bush takes an active share in political work, and enjoys a large acquaintance among the party leaders. For several years he was a member of the city coun- cil of Bellefonte, and in 1894 he was made a delegate to the Democratic County Convention, serving as. secretary of that body; was also chosen as delegate to the State Convention of that year, and has served in like capacities several times since.

Mr. Bush possesses a remarkable physique, and is noted for his achievements as an athlete. His interest in cycling dates back to 1890 when he became prominent in the League of America. He was first elected to the State Board of Rep- resentatives of that organization, and soon after elected a member of the National Assembly of that body, and his legislative abilities have been so well recognized that he has been continued a member of those bodies ever since, and he is now one of the most active workers in the League and its work for good roads. As a referee in bicycle races he has a reputation for accuracy and impartiality, and is called to attend many of the noted contests in this and other States in that capacity. Early in life, while at college, he took great interest in football, and in this line he has also been active for many years, managing a team at Detroit, Mich., in 1892. Of late his energies in that line have gone from the player to officiating as referee at games, his accustomed impartiality and good judgment standing him in good stead.

With all his other gifts Mr. Bush wields the pen of a ready writer, and for many years he has been a general correspondent for leading dailies. His pet hobby is philately, and his collection of stamps, comprising about eight thousand varieties, is the envy of most other devotees in that line. He is also a charter member of the American Philatelic Association, the leading society of philatelists in the world. Fraternally, he is a member of the Bellefonte Lodge of Free Masons, the Royal Arch Chapter. and Constans Com- mandery No. 33, Knights Templar, all of Belle- fonte, and takes great interest in these organiza- tons, holding many minor offices, and is at present captain-general of the Commandery.

Mr. Bush inherits much of his father's fore- sight and quickness of decision and thought, as well as administrative ability, and his word is his bond, as his father's was before hin. His good pidement and impartiality in all matters is well

known, he many times being called in as arbi- trator in business affairs. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution, and also of the Nittany Rod and Gun Club, a hunting and fishing organization which has for its home the old Gregg mansion at Hecla Furnace, Centre county, Pennsylvania.

D ANIEL GRIFFEN BUSH, the father of George T. Bush, was a man of remarkable foresight, ability, and energy, and played a lead- ing part in the development of Bellefonte and vicinity. He was a self-made man, and his his- tory shows a marvelous degree of pluck and am- bition. He was born in Granville township, Bradford Co., Penn., March 28, 1826, and is a descendant of an ancestry which was distin- guished in the early history of this country. On the paternal side his great-grandfather, John Bush, was a captain in the French and Indian war, and was with Gen. Braddock, at Fort Du- Quesne, July 9, 1755, at the memorable defeat. Daniel Bush, the son of Capt. John Bush, and the grandfather of Daniel G. Bush, was an able man of much more than ordinary education, and although crippled through the improper setting of a broken leg, he was one of the leading sur- veyors of his time. He surveyed the site of the present city of Auburn, and was employed by the Spanish Government in 1798 to make sur- veys in Louisiana. In 1807 he established his home in Litchfield, Bradford Co., Penn. His son, Joseph Bush, the father of D. G. Bush, was a millwright by trade, and married Lucretia Putnam, a relative of Gen. Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, and a daughter of John Putnam, who came from Great Barrington. Mass., in 1818, and made his home in Granville. Penn. John Putnam served three years as a soldier in Washington's forces, having entered the service at the early age of thirteen years. and throughout his life gave evidence of the pos- session of the honesty, firmness, and persistence that characterized his illustrious kinsman. Jo- seph Bush was unfortunate in his financial affairs. unprofitable investments and losses through giv- ing security for neighbors exhausting his estate. He died when his son Daniel was a lad of six- teen, and, the family being separated, the boy was sent to work upon a farm at six dollars per month for nine months of the year with the privilege of attending school in the winter. These meagre advantages did not satisfy his eager longing for knowledge, and many an even- ing he spent in study by the light of the fire. Reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic were the only studies included in the curriculum of the

. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1 district schools of that day, and one who had reached the "rule of three" was looked upon as a prodigy. Grammar and geography were al- most an unknown field to the pupils, and proba- bly to the teachers. Under these circumstances Mr. Bush made his way until he was himself qualified to assume the duties of a teacher, his first school being at New Albany, Bradford Co., Penn., where in 1846 he received $10.00 per month and " boarded round." In the same year he began the study of law, and was enrolled as a student in the office of Ulysses Mercur, of To- wanda, Penn., afterward a judge of the supreme court of this State. The close of his first term as a teacher found Mr. Bush more desirous than ever of securing a thorough education, and he determined to enter Whitestown Academy, near Utica, N. Y. The pay for his first term of school was not forthcoming, however, as the treasury was empty, and he was told that he would have to wait until the money was collected at some time in the future, perhaps three months, per- haps a year. Six dollars represented his entire available funds, but in spite of this fact and of the opposition of his friends, Mr. Bush packed his effects in an old valise, and swinging it over his shoulder he started, staff in hand, to walk to Whitestown, a distance of 200 miles. On his arrival, about the Ist of April, 1847, he found that the rooms of the school were only partially furnished, and that he would be obliged to buy a bed. As he had but three dollars and fifty cents left, this news had a discouraging effect, and for a time he felt inclined to join a regiment which Major Schofield, one of the proprietors of the hotel where he was stopping, was recruiting for the Mexican war. On hearing his story the Ma- jor, who was delighted with the young man's pluck, told him by all means to continue his studies, and settled the difficulty about the bed by advising him to buy a bedtick and fill it with straw, and promised to lend him a pillow and other necessaries. To this good friend Mr. Bush owed much, not only for this kindly turn but for practical advice on various points. The payment of his bill at the hotel left Mr. Bush only fifty cents. The mornings were cold, and half this amount was paid for five large sticks of wood, with which he managed to get through the term. Candles were an unattainable luxury. and he was obliged to visit the rooms of other students in order to study at night, making the excuse of lonesomeness.

He had heard nothing from home for some time, but finally the postmaster informed him that there were three letters for him on which fifteen cents postage must be paid. In after days

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Mr. Bush must have often thought of the time when the lack of this trifling sum meant so much to him. Telling the postmaster that he had no money, he said he would come for the letters the next day; - but credit was offered and accepted, and with many bright hopes Mr. Bush took the missives and rushed to his room to open them. But alas! instead of the expected remittance he found only excuses and censure for his folly in pursuing such an unprofitable course. The disappointment was keen, and soon Mr. Bush realized that he had the new difficulty on hand of raising, before the next day should end, the immense sum of fifteen cents. He knew no one from whom he could borrow; but fortune favored him, and learning that Mr. Williams needed help in his garden near the school, he went to him and offered to work during the four hours which were allowed for ex- ercise. Six and one-fourth cents per hour was the compensation, and, by working two hours that night and two next morning, the debt was paid. This employment continued until the gar- den was planted, and Mr. Bush also found work for his Saturdays, at fifty cents a day, with some farmers in the neighborhood; but notwithstand- ing these efforts he found himself in debt for board and tuition at the close of the first term. The vacation was spent in work at twenty dollars a month, to which his employer voluntarily added five dollars, saying that he richly deserved it for his unusual efficiency. Two weeks in the harvest field followed, and then came the open- ing of the second term. Board was furnished at the rate of one dollar per week; but he decided that he could not afford this, and purchasing some corn, meat and molasses he began boarding himself, and finding that he could accomplish this for about thirty-one cents per week he con- tinued the plan as long as he remained in school.

The following winter he spent in teaching near Owego, N. Y., and in the spring of 1849 he went to White Deer Valley. Lycoming Co .. Penn., and taught one year. Here he became acquainted with Pelton's outline maps for teach- ing geography, and he decided to go to Philadel- phia and, if possible, secure the agency, which he accordingly did, Mr. Pelton being so impressed with his abilities that he made him general agent for this State. He held this position until 1856, when he settled at Bellefonte to complete his preparation for the Bar. His first practical knowl- edge of legal procedure was connected with an unfortunate experience. He had saved about $3.000, which he had placed in the hands of a cousin, D. B. Colton, of Athens, Penn., with whom he formed a partnership in certain real-es- tate investments in that city. The firm failed

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

under Colton's management, and Mr. Bush's earnings of eight years were irretrievably lost, and a debt of $200 against the firm took the place of the expected profits. Thus Mr. Bush found him- self again at the foot of the ladder. His un- daunted energy did not fail him, however, at this crisis, and after his admission to the Bar April 29, 1857, he devoted himself to the practice of his profession with a zeal and ability which com- manded success. He had taken an active part in the local work of the Democratic party in 1856, and his abilities being noted by the county lead- ers he received an appointment as mercantile ap- praiser, in 1857. As time progressed, he became interested in real-estate business, and turned his legal practice into the hands of a partner, the late George M. Yocum, with whom he became associated in 1862. The present Gov. D. H. Hastings was taken in as student-at-law by Mr. Bush, and was afterward taken into partnership with him, and Gov. Hastings owes to his pre- ceptor much of his later energy and push that he has since exhibited.

. Naturally Mr. Bush became a power in the political affairs, being an eloquent and fluent stump speaker,' but although he was an ardent and tireless worker in emergencies, he seemed indifferent to reward. In 1868 his county pre- sented his name as a candidate for Congress, but at Mr. Bush's own request it was withdrawn in favor of the Clinton county candidate, Hon. L. A. Mackey, and when in 1876 the Democracy of Centre county again urged his candidacy, Mr. Bush again declined to oppose Mr. Mackey's no- mination. In later years ill health prevented his active participation in political affairs.

As may be inferred from the incidents of his life, Mr. Bush has been altogether the artificer of his own fortune and reputation. He has been an intensely busy man all his life, and has de- monstrated in the improvements he has made in Bellefonte his capacity for business upon a large scale. He may be characterized as a man of great administrative ability, quick to think and to decide, pushing with energy to completion whatever he undertakes. In 1867 he erected his own magnificient residence on Spring street, in Bellefonte, and the large business block known as the "Bush Arcade," which was burned in 1887, but was rebuilt by the estate. In 1868 he erected the .. Bush House " and several dwellings, and in 1869 he erected a block of three brick dwellings on Spring street above the Centre County Bank, and the brick block opposite the " Bush House" known as the " McClain Block," besides erecting at many different times upward of sixty frame houses.

Mr. Bush's activity in the development of Bellefonte was not confined to Bellefonte alone, as he was prominently identified with railroad in- terests, being the chief promoter and the first president of the road from Norfolk, Va., to Eliza- beth City, N. C. (now known as the Norfolk Southern), where he owned large tracts of land and made many improvements.

In addition to all the building enterprises in Bellefonte to which Mr. Bush did not confine himself, he was also the leader in every industry that was founded in that time. In 1868 he went to Pittsburg and obtained the best method of building a glass furnace, with minute details as to cost of building and running the same, came home, raised a company, and built the works, subscribing considerable stock himself.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 10

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1358

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1358