Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 104

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 104
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 104
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 104
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 104

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W ILLIAM M. ALLISON. The Scotch- Irish race, with its mixture of the practi- cal common sense of the "canny Scott" and the warm impulses of the impressionable Celt, has produced a large proportion of the men who have led and are leading in the varied lines of effort upon which our modern civilization is based.

The Allison family, which is so prominently identified with the development of Penn's Valley, furnishes many notable examples of this class, and a brief review of their history will enhance the interest in the sketch of our subject, who is, himself, a worthy representative. The first American ancestor, Archibald Allison, Sr., the great-grandfather of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, was a native of Ireland, and was married there to Mary Kennedy, who was born November 1, 1730, in Scotland, Shire of Galloway. Parish of Kirkmaiden, the third daughter of John Kennedy. They came to America with their family in 1773, landing on the 18th of June, and settled in this State. Archibald Allison, Sr., died in Paxton township, in what is now Dauphin county, October 6, 1783, and his widow passed away June 6, 1808, in Potter township, Centre county.

Of their children, Matthew, who was born in 1750, was a young man at the time of the ar- rival of the family in this country, and the Revo- lutionary war breaking out soon afterward he served as a soldier on the side of freedom. Later he settled in the Nittany Valley, and be- came an influential pioneer citizen of Centre county, being one of its first commissioners. He died in Lamar township, February 9, 1828, at the age of seventy-eight, leaving a numerous

family. By his first wife, Sarah Mahaffey, there were four children: Margaret (who married Jo- seph Johnston), William, Mary and Sarah. His second wife, Catherine Lamb, had six children: Jane, Catherine, Samuel L., Eleanor. Archibald, Jr., and John. His third wife survived him with five children, all young: Jackson, Mary. Robert C., Fred'rick E. and- an infant in arms. The youngest son of Archibald Allison, Sr., was John Allison, the father of Senator William B. Allison, of Iowa.

Archibald Allison, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland April 15, 1761, and young as he was at the time of tlie Revolution he took an active part in the defense of the front- ier during the troublous times which accompanied the struggle for independence. He was stout and heavily built, with a round, ruddy face and flaxen hair, and possessed great muscular power together with a bold and courageous spirit. In politics he was a Federalist, and in religious faith he was a Presbyterian. After the close of the Revolutionary war he sought a home for himself in Penn's Valley, purchasing from the Penns the eastern third of what was then known as the Manor of Succoth, north of the Great Spring Tract: The homestead which he founded is still in the possession of his de- scendants. On May 7, 1789, he married Eleanor McCormick, third daughter of George and Mar- garet McCormick. Her father was the first set- tler at Spring Mills, having bought land of Reuben Haines, and he built the first mill there. In 1787 he took up a tract of land south of the creek, but owing to financial reverses this passed into the hands of James Cook, who sold it to James Duncan. Archibald Allison, Jr., died May 3, 1845, and his widow passed away January 27. 1848, at the age of eighty-four. They had nine children of whom eight are deceased, their names with dates of birth and death being as follows: George, August 18, 1792-September 28, 1866; William, April 5, 1794-February 11, 18 ;;; James, February 26, 1796-September 18, 1863. died at North Liberty, Adams county, Ohio; Margaret, May 26, 1797-May 12, 1846, mar- ried William Kelly, son of Col. John Kelley, and died in Union county; David, May 22, 1799- December 22, 1877, married Lucetta Mckibben. and his death occurred in Clinton county; Mary. May 11. 1801 -September 27, 1856, died in Adams county, Ohio; John November 22, 1803- January 23, 1844: Jane, September 22, 1805, mar- ried Thomas Riley, and died in Kansas. The youngest child, Eleanor, was born February 8. ISHI, married Dr. John Grossman, and died in Adams county, Ohio, April 10, 1895.

M.M. allierny

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

William Allison, Esq., the father of our sub- ject, inherited the sterling traits of his ancestors, and at an early age entered upon his business ca- reer as clerk in a store at Harrisburg, where he remained six or seven years. In July, 1827, in company with James and John Potter, he opened a store at Browns Mills, now Reedville, Mifflin county. In 1829 the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Allison carried on the business alone for a few years, when he moved to his old home near Spring Mills. The death of his father in 1845 left him and his brother James and David and James Potter executors of a large estate, with many powers and trusts to be executed, and these duties, together with the work of improving the farms, buildings, barns and sawmills brought a large amount of business upon his shoulders which he managed with great success. On June 25, 1847, he married Miss Sarah McNitt, daugh- ter of William R. and Esther (McCoy) McNitt. Her father was son a of Robert McNitt, one of the first settlers in Kishacoquillas Valley. In 1847 occurred the failure of James and John Pot- ter, of whom Mr. Allison was a creditor to a con- siderable extent. He was preferred by them on account of old intimacy and business relations, and the judgment they gave him resulted in pro- tracted litigation, Mr. Allison sustaining his claim ultimately. Meanwhile having purchased the factory, hotel, and real estate at Potters Mills, he removed thither, occupying the old residence of James Potter. Here he managed his large inter- ests with his accustomed business skill, and, backed by large experience, as a result uninter- rupted prosperity marked his declining years. He was a man of great executive ability, laying his plans with much discretion, and following them up with vigor and determination. While always well-informed on current events, he was especially noted as a chronicler of the past. His wonderful memory coupled with opportunities de- rived from his father's great age and nnusual fund of reminiscence, made him a veritable en- cyclopedia-a walking digest of the history of Penn's Valley.

Mr. Allison was a stanch Republican in later years, and previously a Whig, but while he man- ifested great interest in the success of the prin- ciples which he espoused, he was not a politician. He was a loyal supporter of the government dur- ing the Rebellion, and his devotion was shown in many ways. Many regiments from the north- ern tier of counties passed over the pike on their way to the railroad at Lewistown, and in a sin- gle year he donated. nearly a thousand dollars worth of provision and meals. Although he was confined to his home for a number of years pre-

vious to his death by a paralytic stroke, yet he was always cheerful, and glad to see his friends. His remains now rest in the private cemetery of the Allisons near Spring Mills. His widow, who was a highly respected resident of Potters Mills, died December 18, 1896. Five children also survive: William M., the subject of this sketch; Esther E., born January 15, 1852, now the wife of Frank McCoy, of the firm of Linn & McCoy, iron-masters; Edward, born August 2, 1855, a farmer in Potter township; Lillie E .. born Sep- tember 28, 1860; and Archibald, born June 27, 1863, now a plumber of Bellefonte.

With this introduction we may now turn to the personal history of Hon. William M. Allison. who now holds an enviable position in this sec- tion as a substantial business man, and an honored and influential citizen. Illingworth, in his work, " A Passing Glance at Penn's Valley," says of him: "Associating himself with busi- ness enterprises, he developed the talent neces- sary to manage successfully a large estate, and to-day, besides his many interests, he is interested in a large tract of the finest farming land in the Valley." In disposition and manner he bears a marked resemblance to his father, and his career has added new luster to the family name. He was born November 4, 1850, in Gregg township. Centre county, about half a inile west of Spring Mills. His education was carefully provided for. his elementary instruction being obtained at Penn Hall, where unusually good opportunities for that time were to be found. Later he pursued his studies at Perrysville, Penn., and at State College. His first business venture was the management of the woolen factory at Potters Mills in partnership with his brothers, Edward and Archibald, and his ability and tact were dem- onstrated in its success. In 1887 he moved to Spring Mills, and, in connection with the firm of Allison Bros., purchased the gristmill prop- erty then belonging to the Barcroft estate. In the following year the mill was thoroughly re- paired and remodeled at an expense of $9.000. The John I. Noye rolls were introduced, and the Smith system inaugurated, the establishment being " up-to-date " in every respect. In addition to this enterprise Mr. Allison is interested in the coal business and in the marketing of farm prod- uce, his purchases in this line disbursing annu- ally many thousand of dollars in his locality. His own extensive farming interests require and receive his supervision, but despite his cares and his high position in the community he is easy of approach and friendly to every comer, even the smallest boy being certain of kindly and prompt attention to any errand.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Allison is fond of good horses, and his stables have held some fine specimens. He be- lieves in making proper use of all the good things of life, and his elegant home near Spring Mills, one of the finest in Penn's Valley, is supplied with every possible convenience. Socially he is very popular, his intelligence and geniality making him a most pleasing companion. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall; also belongs to the State Millers' Association, and in 1896 accompanied that body on an excursion to Duluth and other points on Lake Superior.

On June 2, 1880, Mr. Allison was married to Miss Lurana B. Higman, daughter of John Hig- man, of Corning, Steuben Co., N. Y. She is a member of one of the well-known families of that section, and is highly accomplished, her educa- tion having been completed at the Elmira Col- lege, Elmira, N. Y. Four children-Charles E., Mabel, William H. and Frank-brighten their home. Mrs. Allison was formerly a Baptist, but there being no church of that denomination at Spring Mills she united with the Presbyterian Church.

Possessing in a high degree the public spirit which has always characterized his family, Mr. Allison has great influence in local affairs, and is one of the leading Republicans of Centre county. He has served creditably in several official posi- tions, and when a candidate he receives the sup- port of many political opponents, his popularity not being limited by party lines. His first office was as judge of elections at Potters Mills, a strongly Democratic locality. In 1887 and 1888 he represented Centre county in the State Legis- lature, being elected in the face of a normal Dem- ocratic majority of 1000, which speaks volumes for the confidence which his character and career had inspired among all classes. His defeat in the previous campaign for the same office was caused by members of his own party, who under- estimating his strength, sought to "trade him off" in the interests of another candidate. Not- withstanding this defection, he canie within thir- teen votes of winning the place, which, taking all the circumstances into consideration, was a remarkable test of strength. He is a generous supporter of all local movements which tend to promote progress, being especially interested in educational affairs, and is now serving a third term as member of the school board at Spring Mills.

A DAM MAYER. The histories of some of the self-made business men of this land show such marvelous changes from poverty to

wealth, and such pluck and endurance in the face of misfortune, that the reader is constrained to believe that prosperity can be attained by any one who patiently and diligently makes the best of his opportunities. Luck, some say, is a factor, but the subject of this sketch, now a prosperous business man of Philipsburg, did not trust to luck when he left his early home in Ger- many at the age of twenty and landed at New York, and it was by determined and well-directed effort that he established a foothold in the busi- ness world, as the following biography will show.

Mr. Mayer was born near the "storied Rhine," September 26, 1834, in the village of Geiselberg, county of Waldfischbach, Rhine- Bavaria, the son of Adam Mayer, and grandson of Peter Mayer, who died before our subject was. born. Adam Mayer, who was a native of the same locality, was born in 1812, and died in 1893. By occupation he was a farmer and stone mason. He married Eva Edinger, who was born in 1816, and departed this life in 1872. In 1854 he .and his eldest son, the subject of this sketch. came to America, spending thirty days on the ocean. They had not money enough to pay their way from New York City to their destina- tion at Philipsburg, -and consequently they walked the entire distance amid the bleak and. wintry scenes of the month of February. They found employment about eight miles from Philips- burg, with Capt. Grove, a lumberman, and worked for him in the woods at cutting logs, for three years. A small farm was purchased in Clearfield county, and in 1856 the mother and other members of the family came over, and the interrupted home life was again enjoyed by all. There were nine children besides our sub- ject: (2) Elizabeth, the widow of Jacob May. resides in Kylertown, Clearfield county; (3) Catherine married Jacob Mesenbagh, and lives in LaSalle, Ill .; (4) Peter is a farmer at Kyler- town; (5) Michael is a resident of Centre county; (6) Henry died a soldier's death as a member of the famous Fortv-ninth Regiment. P. V. I .: (7) Jacob lives in Helena, Mont. : (8) Philip is a farmer in this State: (0) Gottlieb went to the West, and now resides in Wyoming: (10) John died at Kylertown, Pennsylvania.

Before coming to this country Adam Mayer had attended the schools of his native land, mak- ing good use of the opportunities they afforded, and he had also learned the details of carpenter- ing and stonemasonry. He did not understand English at all, however, and as he had but five cents in his pocket when he arrived at Philips- burg he took the first work that could be ob- tained. After working in the woods for some

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tine he secured more congenial and profitable employment as a carpenter and a stonemason, and for twenty-five years he followed those occu- pations, and at the same time conducted his farm of 125 acres in Clearfield county. He still owns this estate, but about fourteen years ago he moved to Philipsburg, where he bought a two-story building for business purposes, 155 x 25 feet with an "L" 25x40. For several years he was engaged in the flour and feed business, but after disposing of that he was not especially engaged in any line until 1891, when he took charge of his present furniture store. In this enterprise he has succeeded, as might be supposed from his past triumphs, and he carries a large and well- selected stock. Some years ago, after learning the methods employed in the lumber business, he made some profitable ventures in that line himself, buying and clearing land and rafting on the river. Land was cheap, and at one time he owned about eight hundred acres. He in- tended to give a farm to each of his children, but during the coal excitement it was found that his lands were very valuable for mining, and he sold them at a good price.

In 1857, Mr. Mayer went to De Pere, Wis., and spent four years in a sawmill. While there he met Miss Christina Switzer, who was born in the town of Nurtingen, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, November 28, 1833. They were mar- ried in Milwaukee, Wis., November 17, 1859, and have had eleven children, of whom nine are living. The first was born in Wisconsin, and died in infancy at De Pére, five miles above Green Bay; at that time there were no railroads in that vicinity, and boats furnished the only convenient means of travel. (2) Mary married Andy Neubauer, a farmer of Clearfield county, and has six children-Jennie, Charlie, Effie, Harry, Perry, and Henry; of these, the eldest, Jennie, is married to August Johnson, who was born in Sweden, and is now a merchant at All- port, Clearfield Co., Penn. (3) Henry, who conducts his father's farm, married Miss Tillie Hoover, and has three children -- Grover, and May and Duff (twins). (4) Ellen, the wife of John Stewart, of Clearfield, has two children - Statie and Christie. (5) Elizabeth, the wife of Herbert Caldwell, has two children-Gordon and Samuel. (6) Clara married John Williams, of Punxsutawney, Penn., and has two living chil- dren-Clara and Ruth, three others having died at an early age. (7) Adam, who resides in Punx- sutawney, married Ruth Neal, and had two chil- dren, neither of whom is now living. ($) Beckie married Louis Ernst, of Pittsburg, and has no children. (9) Barbara and (10) Herman are at

home: and (11) Perry died at the age of eleven years, and seven months.

Mr. Mayer and his family are prominent mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and he has always been interested in local progress. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but of late he has voted the Democratic ticket, and in 1896 he was an advocate of free silver at " sixteen to one." He is a director and stockholder in the New Mo- shannon National Bank (belonging to the Free- masons), which was organized in May, 1896.

Mrs. Mayer is a daughter of Jacob and Mag- dalena (Aberly) Switzer, both natives of Ger- many, where they died, the father when Mrs. Mayer was but a child, the mother about 1862. They had six children who reached ma- turity: George, Jacob, Wilhelm, Rebecca, Henry and Christena, none of whom came to America except the last named, who was twenty years old at the time of his emigration.

R OBERT HUDSON. No country has af- forded greater opportunities to the poor man than America: it is indeed the poor man's land. Here an industrious, frugal man has a chance to accumulate wealth. Many fail to do so, but the best lay by some of their earnings, and soon find themselves in the possession of a handsome property. Among them is the gentle- man whose name introduces this article, a lead- ing harness maker and saddler of Philipsburg.

Mr. Hudson was born November 13. 1830. in the city which is still his home, a son of John and Hannah (Gattice) Hudson, natives of Stock- port, Lancashire, England, and Glasgow, Scot- land, respectively. They met and were married in Philipsburg, whither the father had come with Hardin Philips in 179 . He was a butcher by trade, and a consistent member of the Episco- pal Church. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Dale, by whom he had three children: Hannah, widow of Serines Howe, who served as sheriff of Clearfield county, Penn. ; Mary A., deceased wife of William Henfield. who is now living at the Soldiers' Home in Erie. Penn. ; and Lloyd, who died when young. By his marriage with the mother of our subject he had three sons and one daughter, namely: John, who is living retired in Philipsburg: Robert: Witham, ex-street commissioner of Philipsburg; and Emma, who married Thomas Freeman, and after his death wedded a Mr. Clark, of Madison, Maine.

Since the tender age of ten years, Robert Hudson has been dependent upon his own re- sources for a livelihood, first being employed by

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Rev. Lord, an Episcopal clergyman, with whom he remained for one year. During the following two years he was engaged in farming, and then spent nine months in teaming. Subsequently he made his home with Dr. Hill for three years, during which time he was allowed to attend school. On leaving the Doctor, he served an ap- prenticeship of three years to the saddlery busi- ness with James Alexander, but later was in the employ of Dr. Foster, of Philipsburg, for one year. After a short time spent in Pittsburg, Penn .. he returned to his native city, where he worked five years for Jesse L. Test, a saddler and harness maker, when he purchased the business, becom- ing proprietor in 1859. After successfully con- ducting the establishment for two years, the Civil war broke out, and prompted by a spirit of patriotism he laid aside personal interests and enlisted in Company H, 148th P. V. I., under Capt. Furland, a physician of Bellefonte. He was never wounded, and when the war was over was honorably discharged, June 1, 1865.

Returning to his home in Philipsburg, Mr. Hudson resumed business, and soon built up a large and profitable trade. Owing to ill health he was obliged to lay aside active labor on June 9, 1896, but after six weeks spent in Anson, Maine, he had so far regained his usual health as to be able to again open his store in Philipsburg. He is widely known in business circles as a man of undoubted integrity, conducting his interests with ability and a strict regard to details. He is a stalwart Republican in politics, and fraternally is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 206, of Philipsburg, of the G. A. R., and of the R. O. V. L. As a citizen he deserves the high regard in which he is universally held, and in social circles he and his estimable wife hold an enviable position.

On the 24th of December, 1868, at Philips- burg, Mr. Hudson was married by Rev. Foster, to Miss Susan Harpster, and seven children came to bless their union: Margaret M. (wife of N. N. Davis, a jeweler of Philipsburg), Laura, Charles R., Thornly B. and Stanley J., all at home; Lewis, deceased; and Jesse I. T., at home.

would have done credit to a much older head. Besides the store in Philipsburg, which is equal. in magnitude and business, to any large city establishment, he has another at Du Bois, in Clearfield county, of equal proportions, and six salesmen are kept constantly on the road. The business is exclusively wholesale, and stands second to none of the kind in the State.

Mr. Platt was born May 7, 1863, at Ypsil- anti, Mich., and is a descendant of a family whose various members have held honorable positions in life wherever they might be placed. His line of descent is traced to one of two brothers who came from France at an early day to make their homes in America, one locating in New York City. and the other at the site of the present city of Plattsburg. N. Y. From the latter was de- scended James Platt, our subject's great-grand- father, who lived and died in Rensselaer county. New York. Edwin A. Platt, the grandfather of our subject, was born at Stephentown, Rens- selaer county, N. Y., whence in 1833 he removed to Michigan, where he passed his remaining years in agricultural pursuits. His wife, Caroline Par- dee, also died in Michigan. Of their five chil- dren, Alfonso Platt, our subject's father, was the eldest: (2) Pardee, now a resident of Detroit. married Miss Fannie Alger, sister of Gen. R. A. Alger, formerly governor of Michigan, and for many years past a prominent figure in national politics. (3) Henry D. is a farmer at the old homestead (bought in 1833), near Ypsilanti, Mich. (4) Susan married John Roreson. (5) Lenota, who has not married, resides at Luding- ton, Mich. The Michigan branch of the family is highly connected, and Mrs. Don M. Dickenson. of Detroit, was a Miss Platt, and full cousin to our subject's father. Mrs. Caroline (Pardee) Platt, grandmother of our subject, was of Scotch descent, and related to an old family of Rensse- laer county. N. Y. She was a sister of Ario Pardee, of Hazelton, Penn .. a millionaire lumber and coal .. king." The Pardee family, in com- pany with the Platts, moved to Michigan in 1833. settling near Ypsilanti.

Alfonso Platt was born November 19. 1825. at the old home in Rensselaer county, N. Y., but accompanied his parents to the West when a child, and was reared there. Mercantile life at- tracted him, and after clerking in a store for , some time, he engaged in business for himself at Ypsilanti, remaining until he was forty-five years old, when he moved to Hazelton, Penn .. to take charge of a store for A. Pardee & Co. Later he spent six years in Virginia, but return- ing to Hazelton he resided there eight years be-

J OHN G. PLATT. of Philipsburg. Centre county, is one of the most energetic and en- terprising citizens of that thriving city, his extensive wholesale grocery business being con- ducted after metropolitan methods, and reflect- ing unusual judgment and skill. Although the business is owned by a stock company, he was its chief promoter, and has been its manager and chief from the start, achieving a success which . fore finally locating in Philipsburg, where he is

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 104

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