Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 119

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 119
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 119
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 119
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 119

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C CHRISTIAN SMITH, a venerable resident of Brady township, Clearfield county, settled in that locality when it was much more difficult than now to secure the comforts of life, yet he. and his estimable wife, sustained by their mutual affection, worked with dauntless perseverance

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and energy until they secured a good home, rear- ing meantime a large family to take honorable and useful positions in.the world. Fortunately both are spared to partake of the rewards of their past labor, and that they may continue to enjoy them is the wish of all their acquaintances.

Our subject was born in January, 1827, near Howard, Centre county, where his father, Abra- hamn Smith, owned a large farm. The family had been identified from an early day with Clin- ton county, and Christian Smith, our subject's grandfather, resided for many years near Lock Haven. He had one daughter, Mary Baker, and four sons. Of the latter: (I) Christian married and moved to the State of Indiana, where he died in 1859, leaving a large family. (II) John married Barbara Dunkle, and settled about two miles from Howard, where he and his wife died some years ago, leaving no children. (III) Jacob, who was born in Centre county, and re- sided upon a farm there, married and had the fol- lowing children: (1) John K. married Miss Mag- dalen Helman, of Centre county, Penn., and moved to Illinois, where they both died some years ago; (2) Calvin J. married a native of Huntingdon county, and moved to that section, where he and his wife died some years ago, leav- ing a family; (3) Daniel M., who was born near Howard, married Miss Gardner, of Centre çoun- ty, and moved to Kendall county, Ill., where they reside on a farm (they had a family of eleven children, all of whom reside in Illinois); (4) Joseph B. was born in Centre county, Penn., and in the " fifties" started for California, but he probably died on the way, perhaps through foul means, as he was never heard from; (5) Jacob Linn, who was born in Centre county, married a Miss Lewis, of Punxsutawney, who died, leaving no children (he passed away some years later in Harrisburg); (6) Gideon D. married a Miss Boy- er, of Centre county, and moved to Illinois, where he made large purchases of land and be- came very wealthy (he still resides there, and he has five children living); (7) Ebenezer A. is a minister in the M. E. Church now stationed in Hudson, Mass., and was for twenty years in the ministry in Concord (he married a Miss Britton, daughter of Rev. Britton, formerly of Curwens- ville; they have no family); (8) Abraham A. was born in Centre county, Penn., and died in Punx- sutawney, unmarried; (9) Lizzie A. married John Copinhafer, of Huntingdon county, who became a farmer near Tyrone, Penn. (he died a few years ago, and his widow and four children still occupy the farm).

(IV) Abraham Smith, our subject's father, was born in Clinton county, near Lock Haven,

and after going to Centre county married Miss Barbara Rossman, of Lancaster county, Penn. He died at his farm near Howard, and his widow afterward married Samuel Watkins, of Balti- more. Our subject was one of nine children, the others being as follows: (1) Jacob A., a farmer in Centre county, married a Miss Gard- ner, and had four living children. (2) Mary R. married Reuben Reupert, who resided near Punxsutawney; both died some years ago, and of their eleven children, John K. was killed while serving as a soldier in the Civil war; El- len is now Mrs. Hummel, of Punxsutawney; Henry R. and James E. (who is married), live near that town; Barbara is the wife of Henry Wise, of the same place, and Reuben, a resident of Pittsburg, is married but has no family. (3) Katharine married Thomas Dougherty, of Clar- ion county, and died a few years ago leaving eleven children. (4) John, who was born in Centre county, was killed by one of his horses some years ago; he married Miss Lucy Dunkle, of Centre county, and had several children. (5) Abram, who was born in Centre county, resided on a farm there; he was killed by a falling limb while cutting timber; his wife, formerly Miss Eliza Shirk, of Centre county, survives him with three children-Joseph, Alfred, and Elizabeth, of whom the latter has since died in Clearfield county. (6) Lydia was born in Centre county, and died on the old homestead unmarried. (7) Henry, born in Centre county, married Miss Mary Moyer, and resided in Pine Grove; he was a soldier in the Mexican war, and also in the Civil war, where he served until the close of the struggle; he died in July, 1896, leaving a widow and nine. children-Emanuel, Michael. Ellen, John, Lu- ther, William, Lowell, Sarah and Catharine. (8) Barbara married Jacob Strouse, a farmer of Jefferson county; she died while on a visit to her sister in Clarion county, and her only son, Jacob Strouse, was killed some years later by a fall of coal.

Christian Smith, the subject of this sketch, spent his youth at the old homestead near How- ard, and in 1850 went to Luthersburg, where he was not long afterward married to Miss Catha- rine Draucker, daughter of Isaac and Mary Draucker, who at an early date came from Lan- caster county, Penn., and purchased a farm in Brady township, Clearfield county. He died there some years ago, and his devoted wife, the sharer in the toil and hardships of pioneer life. survived him thirty-five years. Mr. Smith's first care was to make a home, and purchasing fifty- seven acres of woodland from Josiah Smith, of Clearfield, he began to clear it, building a hewed-

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log house and barn. As time passed he pros- pered, and in 1866 he built a large two-story frame house, while in the following year a large bank barn was constucted. To-day this farm is one of the best of its size in Brady township. In 1885 he bought the George M. Thomson farm of one hundred acres, about two miles east of Lu- thersburg, and this is now occupied by his son-in- law, Mahlon S. Kirk.

Mr. Smith has always affiliated with the Dem- ocratic party, and his high character has given him much influence in local affairs. He is active in religious work as a member of the M. E. Church of Luthersburg, to which his wife and daughters also belong. Twelve children have brightened the home of this worthy couple: (1) Adda M. born July 9, 1854, was educated in the common schools, and is now the wife of Mahlon S. Kirk, mentioned above; they have four chil- dren living-Muriel J., Christian, Jerusha, Emer- son, all at home. (2) Fanny, born in April, 1856, married Henry Radicar, a lumberman, re- siding near Stanley, Brady township; they have the following children-Francis E., Charles C., Grace, Forest. (3) James F., born November, 1857, was killed by a colt, at the age of twelve years. (4) John H., born February 6, 1860, died in infancy. (5) Joseph B., born May 27, 1861, grew to manhood on the farm, and com- pleted his education in Ebensburg, Penn .; in 1883 he moved to California, where he has since been engaged as a lumber accountant in mills; in 1891 he married Miss Luella McCartney, of San Francisco, and they now reside in South San Francisco; they have three children -- Gladys L., Harold N. and Leonard. (6) Mary, born July 5, 1863, died at the age of one year. (7) Delia, born August 6, 1865, married Conrad Merlimine, and they now reside on his farm two miles from Luthersburg; they have three children-Joseph I., Clare and Bessie, at home with parents. (8) Miss Amy, born November 11, 1869, lately went with her mother and Mrs. Daniel Goodlander to San Francisco to visit her brother, and has re- mained there. (9) Isaac N., born October 10. 1869, is single and resides in San Francisco, Cal. (10) Miss Kate, born October 19, 1871, is at present with her brother Joseph in California. (11) Miss Julia, born November 27, 1873, is at present in Buffalo, N. Y. (12) Miss Bell, born February 19, 1879, is at home with her parents.

M ON. ASH D. BENNETT, M. D., a practic- ing physician of Mahaffey, has been a lead- ing representative of his profession in this local- ity for more than thirty years. He ranks among

the successful practitioners, a reputation that he has merited by conscientious fidelity to the in- terests of his patrons.

The Doctor was born December 14, 1836, in Lycoming county, Penn., a son of William and Ann (Smith) Bennett. The paternal grandfa- ther, John Bennett, of Scotch descent, was reared in the Keystone State, and located in Ly- coming county, where for many years he fol- lowed farming. He was one of the first to run keel-bottom boats down the river, and before the canal was constructed owned a fleet of boats used for transportation purposes between Williams- port and Columbia. He pushed one of these boats up the river to Sinnamahoning-and up one branch of that stream which gave it the name of Bennett's branch.

William Bennett was born and reared in Ly- coming county, and, after arriving at man's es- tate, he purchased a farm adjoining his father's homestead, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a contractor for building a section of the west branch of the Susquehanna canal, but with this exception always gave his tinie and attention to agricultural pursuits. He was the second of five children, the others being John, who was twice sheriff of Lycoming county, Nancy, Margaret, and Elizabeth. William Bennett mar- ried Ann Smith, daughter of Robert and Cather- ine Smith, of Smith's Eddy,, Lycoming Co .. Penn. The former was of Scotch-Irish lineage and died in Lycoming county. His children were John, Thomas, Isaac, Robert, William, Mrs. Ann Bennett, Elizabeth and Catherine. The parents of our subject spent their entire mar- ried life on the home farm in Lycoming county, where the father died in 1870, the mother pass- ing away in 1875. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and in politics Mr. Bennett was a Demo- crat. They had seven children: Margaret, wife of Derrick Updegraff; Catherine, wife of Daniel Updegraff; John, a farmer of Lycoming county; Robert, who died in 1871; Elizabeth; who died in 1891; William, who died in July, 1896; and Ash D.

Dr. Bennett during his boyhood made his home under the parental roof. He attended school at Newberry, and was also a student for a number of years at the West Branch High School. Jersey Shore, Penn. Seeking a broader field of usefulness than was afforded in the quiet routine of farm life, he chose the medical profes- sion as the scene of his manhood's labors, and pursued his reading un ler the preceptorship of Dr. Asher Davidson, of Jersey Shore, Pean., for three years. He afterward attended the Penn-

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sylvania Medical College of Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1860. He entered upon his professional career in his native county, but in 1862 came to Clearfield county, locating in New Washington, where he practiced medicine un- til 1863. He felt that his duty then called him to his country's service, and entered the army as assistant surgeon of the 93rd P. V. I., which was assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac. At the close of the war he resumed his professional work in Clearfield county. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Sue Showers. She is the daughter of David and Rebecca (Smith) Showers, of German descent. Her father was a merchant tailor, and followed that pursuit through the greater part of his life. After the war he served as revenue collector, and was steward and treasurer of Dickinson Seminary for a num- ber of years. He and his wife were meinbers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and faithfully followed its teachings. Mr. Showers died in 1867, and his wife died in Clearfield county, in 1882. Their children were Joseph, who resides in Clearfield; Alexander, deceased; Mrs. Bennett; Rebecca, wife of J. W. Mufford, of New Jersey; Emma, wife of Ai F. Boyington, of Clearfield; Frances, wife of John E. Harnd, of Clearfield.

On his return from the war Dr. Bennett re- sumed the practice of his profession in New Washington, where he remained until 1892, since which time he has practiced in Mahaffey. Dr. and Mrs. Bennett have a family of three children: Francis Gurney, who is now practicing with his father; William I., who is cashier in the employ of a street car company in Chicago, Ill. ; and Ash D., Jr., who is located in California. In 1878 Dr. Bennett was elected to represent Clear- field county in the State Legislature, on the Democratic ticket, serving two years. He was a member of the committee of Ways and Means, and other important committees. He is chief burgess of the borongh of Mahaffy, and surgeon for the Beech Creek and the P. & N. W. rail- roads.

Francis Gurney, son of our subject, was graduated in 1884 from the National Normal University, of Lebanon, Ohio, as a civil engi- neer, which profession he followed nutil 1887. He then entered Jefferson Medical College. Phil- adelphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D .. in 1889, and has been associ- ated with his father at Mahaffey since 1892.

S CLARK PATCHEN, one of the few octoge- marians, of Clearfield county, ripe in honors as well as years, is now retired from the labors

of a long and active life, and spending his de- clining days in the midst of ease and plenty. His position, socially and financially, is the re- sult of his own unaided industry, coupled with the sound sense and excellent business capacity with which nature endowed him.

Mr. . Patchen was born March 18, 1816, in Ti- conderoga, N. Y., a son of John and Bessie (Wright) Patchen, natives of Lake George, N. Y., and Massachusetts, respectively. Samuel Patch- en, the paternal grandfather, who was of Eng- lish origin, spent his entire life upon a farm at Lake George, and married a Miss Holister, also a native of the Empire State. In 1832 the par- ents of our subject came to Clearfied county, spending the first four years in Burnside town- ship, but at the end of that time they removed to the village of Patchinsville. Throughout his active business career the father followed lum- bering. £ His death occurred at his home in Burnside township, December 21, 1863, and his wife passed away a few years previous.

Our subject is the eldest in the family of eight children-six sons and two daughters- the others being as follows: (2) Horace, born in New York State, came with his father to Clearfield county, and was married, in 1845, to Sarah Weaver, of Centre county, Penn. For some time they resided in Burnside township, where he owned a fine home and much real es- tate. He died at Snow Shoe some years ago while on his way home from Philadelphia, where he had gone for medical treatment. He left a widow and four children-Alice, wife of George Moore: Fanny, wife of William McGee; Mrs. Mary Tompkins; and Sallie, who is with her mother. (3) John Henry was also born in New York State, and came to Clearfield county with his parents. He married Annie Bennet, of Burnside, where they resided for a number of years, and then sold his property and removed to Monroe county, lowa. There he purchased a farm and other property, and is now one of the retired wealthy men of that locality .. He has seven children-John, George, Aaron, Clark, Belle, Emily and Cornie, all living in Iowa. (4) Aaron W. was born at Lake George, N. Y .. came to Burnside township, Clearfield county, in 1845, and lived with his father on the old homestead until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Barrett, of Indiana county, Penn. She was born in England, and came to America with her parents, who located in that county. Aaron W never left the oldl homestead, taking charge of the extensive lumber interests of his father. He reared a family of seven children, namely: Fran- ces F. is the wife of William T. Dufton, a hard-

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ware merchant of Ebensburg, Penn., by whom she has three children; Olive O. is the wife of John Ake, of Burnside; Emeline E. is at home; John H., who completed his education in Buck- ner University, at Lewisburg, Penn., was elected to the legislature, and for two years faithfully served his district in that body; Winifred J. is the wife of Joseph O. Clark, a merchant and lumberman of Glen Campbell; Raymond C. is a student in a university; and Carl E. is still at home. Aaron W. Patchen died very suddenly June 11, 1897. (5) Mary E. became the wife of William Walters, of Patchinsville, who died leaving a widow and one daughter -- Ellen, now the wife of Thoinas Fee, who is working in the interests of the Wilson Lumber Company in West Virginia. (6) Emeline married Rev. Jus- tin Melick, of Philadelphia, and died in Martins- burg, Penn., where her husband was located. She left three children -- Mary, now the wife of Dr. Dunmire, of Philadelphia; John P., who married Miss Black, and is engaged in the prac- tice of law in Harrisburg, Penn .; and Emeline, at home. (7) Jackson G., born in New York State, was reared in Burnside, where he still lives. He wedded Mary Mahaffey, of Cherry Tree, Penn., who died in 1891, leaving two sons -Elmer, who married Miss Emma, daughter of John Conner, of Burnside, and has two sons; and Frank, at home. (8) George E. married Miss Bates, of Burnside township, where he fol- lows lumbering, and is extensively interested in coal mining, being one of the largest operators in the locality. His children are as follows --- Edwin, who married Miss Matelwain, of Burn- side; and Horace, Laura, Mary, Frank, besides two or three others whose names have not been ascertained.

In the county of his nativity, S. Clark Patchen, the subject proper of this review, was reared and educated, but since 1844 he has made his home in Clearfield county, Pen., where for many years he was extensively engaged in farm- ing and lumbering. He first purchased, of Mr. Laconte, a large tract of timber land on Deer creek, and for six years was engaged there in Inmbering. At the end of that time he sold that and bought 1. 500 acres on Whitmer run, Becaria township, where for ten years he continued to raft and run square timber down the Susquehanna river, Marietta being his prin- cipal market. Afterward, for a number of years, he engaged in the manufacture of sawed lumber in Burnside, and purchased of W. A. Wallace 225 acres of timber land near Glen Hope, from which he ent the timber, but later soll the tract to Adam Herdman. In 1865 he purchased of

Thomas Groom 200 acres of improved farming land near Glen Hope, on which he made his home for many years. He is now living retired in Osceola.

In 1848 Mr. Patchen was united in marriage with Miss Hettie Graham, a daughter of Francis and Jane (Boggs) Graham, of Grahamton, who were pioneer settlers of Clearfield county. Our subject and his wife began their domestic life at Deer Creek, where they remained for about three years, and then removed to Glen Hope. There she departed this life in May, 1892, mourned by all who knew her. In the family were the follow- ing children: (1) Orrie died at the age of thir- teen years. (2) Julia married William Mahaffey, of Cherry Tree, Penn., a machinist by trade, who now owns a machine shop and foundry, and is engaged in lumbering on the Green Briar, in West Virginia. She died in 1895, leaving five children-John (who is in a railroad office), Roy, Boyd, Hettie and Crissie. (3) Francis Graham, a railroad engineer, has been in Mexico for the past sixteen years. (4) John W., a resident of East Clearfield, married Orilla Wright, of Mary- land, and has seven children-Clark, Paul, Clyde, Voes, Sue, Hettie and Goldie, all at home. (5) Susie, who resides in Philadelphia, received a good common-school education, and followed teaching for two or three terms. Her musical education was acquired in the Boston Conserva- tory, and for a number of years before going to Philadelphia she engaged in teaching that art; she is now in the employ of the music firin of Fisher & Co., of Philadelphia. (6) Maggie is the wife of Charles W. Hims, ticket agent and man- ager of the railroad office at Osceola.

In early life, Mr. Patchen became connected with the State militia, and in 1851 Wes sworn in as lieutenant colonel under William Johnson. Under Governor William Bigler he was made in- spector of the State militia at Harrisburg, in 1854, and again in 1859 under Governor William Packer. In 1861 he was appointed chief mar- shal to enroll and organize companies for service in the Civil war, and in Clearfield county or- ganized twelve companies. Dming the entire war he was active in recruiting men for service, thus devoting much of his time to the interests of his country. As a Republican he has ever taken an active prominent part in political affairs; for ten years he served as justice of the peice in Glen Hope, Becaria township, and has filled a number of other local offices to the satisfaction of all concerned. In religions faith he is a corsistent member of the Presbyterian Church. to which his wife also belonged. His private interests have ever given way to the public good, and he

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has thus become honored and esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance or who have met him in a business way.

R OBERT MAHAFFEY. There are men who seem to live unto themselves alone, and whose every interest is for their own benefit, while others in the routine of business life im- prove not only their own financial condition but by their enterprise and energy promote the gen- eral welfare, and add to the prosperity of the community with which they are connected. Of this latter class Mr. Mahaffey is a representative. He belongs to one of the honored pioneer faini- lies of the county, and has himself been an im- portant factor in its development and progress.

Mr. Mahaffey was born near Williamsport, in Lycoming county, Penn., May 4, 1815, a son of William and Nancy (Bennett) Mahaffey. His grandfather came from Ireland to America in Colonial days, making his home upon a farm in Lycoming county, where he reared his family, consisting of the following named: John, Rob- ert, Moses, William, James and Mrs. Elizabeth Tallman. James and William came to Clearfield county about 1827, and spent their remaining days here. The latter located on the river at the present site of Burnside, there developing a good farm. He died at the home of his son John in Cherry Tree, August 8, 1859, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years. Soon after locating in Clearfield county he began cutting timber from his land, and made and ran the first raft of square timber that was sent down the river. He built the first dam on the upper river, and erected and operated a sawmill, giving his time to lumbering and to farming. He was an expert pilot, and when he left the home place his sons continued the work which he had in- augurated.

Mrs. William Mahaffey was a daughter of John Bennett, of Scotch descent, who was reared in Pennsylvania and located in Lycoming coun- ty, where he owned and improved what is known as the level corner farin. He was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, also raised large quantities of fruit, and manufactured cider in large quantities. He shipped this down the river to market, and before the canal was built he owned a fleet of keel-bottom boats, wherewith he transported his produce to market, and brought back goods to his home. He was very prominent and favorably known. He was twice married, but none of his children came to Clear- field county. He also had a grandson, Dr. Ben- nett, residing in Mahaffey.

When William Mahaffey first settled in Clear- field county, his house was a log cabin. In the following spring his wife died, and in the fall of 1828 he removed his five sons to the little house on the Susquehanna, and continued the improve- ment of the farm. His first home was replaced with a better residence, and in 1830 he married again, Miss Elizabeth Torbett, of Lycoming county, becoming his wife. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Hannah, and in 1833 they removed with their daughter to Lycoming county, leaving the sons to operate the farm. After the death of his second wife, in 1849, William Mahaffey returned to Clearfield county, where he spent his remaining days. The par- ents of our subject were members of the Presby- terian Church. Their children: John, who died in Cherry Tree; Thomas, who died in New Wash- ington; William, who died in Columbus, Ga .: James, who died in Howard, Centre Co., Penn .: Robert, of this review; and Moses, who died at Salt Spring Island, in British America. The two half sisters were: Jane, who became the wife of George Johnson, and after his death married D. Hoyt; and Hannah, who for many years was a teacher, and died in Louisiana.

Robert Mahaffey was a lad of fourteen when he came with his father and brothers to Clear- field county. He was active in the work of farming and lumbering, and his industry and close application soon demonstrated the pos- session of those qualities which are found in the successful business man. After his father's re- turn to Lycoming county, he operated a rented sawmill, and in this way got a start in life. For six years he followed lumbering, and then went to the West, locating at a point on the Illinois river below Peoria, Ill. He took a contract to build bridges in Fulton county, doing all the work from the time the trees were cut until the bridge was completed.

After about a year, Mr. Mahaffey returned to Clearfield county and purchased a tract of land on the river, a short distance below liis present home, and another tract not far away, the two aggregating 417 acres. He at once began clear- ing and lumbering, and improved a good farm, whereon he made his home for a quarter of a century. He built a sawmill, and shipped square timber down the river. His home was a stopping place for all river men, and at times was thronged with raftmen. Frequently they prepared supper and breakfast for one hundred persons, and all the floor space was occupied by sleepers. In later years, Mr. Mahaffey and Mr. John Cummins opened a store at New Washington, continning the partnership for ten years, when our subject

Rober Mahaffey

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 119

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