Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 39

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 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 39

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(VI) Anna Linn (4), daughter of Rev. James Linn, who died March 25, 1847, married Judge John Irvin, Jr., a son of John Irvin and Mary, daughter of William Fisher, who was born on the 21st of January, 1754. in Chester county. Thomas Fisher, the grandfather of William Fisher, was among the original pur- chasers of land in Chester county from the Penns, and at whose death it was inherited by his nephew, and in the fall of 1800 he moved to Centre county (then Upper Bald Eagle, now Union township), where he purchased land, built a dwelling, sawmill, and in IS12 erected the stone mansion now known as the old stone house at Snow Shoe Intersection. John Irvin, the grandfather of Judge John Irvin, Jr., was a Chester County Friend, came to the Bald Eagle Valley in 1801, and settled on the place known as the Loughry farm, containing 400 acres of land, where he died in 1829, aged eighty years, leaving two sons, William and John. The for- mer, well known as one of the early school teachers in the Valley, died in Unionville when over eighty years of age. The latter, John, Jr .. father of Judge John Irvin, Jr., died in his pew

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in the Bellefonte Friends Meeting House one Sunday in 1859. His other sons were Ellis and William, of Clearfield county, and Dr. James, of Colorado, and two daughters-Melissa, married to Lewis Hagerman (two children surviving, John Irvin and Sarah), and Mary Jane, married to Augus- tus Whiteman. Judge John Irvin, Jr., early in life engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in 1841 en- tered into partnership in Bellefonte with Henry Brockerhoff, conducting perhaps the most ex- tensive business of the time in this part of the State, their business extending over many of the adjoining counties. On the 26th of December, 1846, he retired from the business to engage in the manufacture of iron at "Howard Iron Works," under the firm name of Irvin, Thomas & Co., which in 1854 was changed to John Ir- vin, Jr., & Co., and continuing until 1865, when. he sold the property to Grescom Bright & Co., and moved to Bellefonte, expecting to retire from business, but the great change from an, act- ive life induced him to engage with Col. P. B, Wilson in the hardware business, under the name of Irvin & Wilson, and they erected a fine brick block for that purpose, conducting a prosperous business for sveral years, when he retired to as -. sume the management of somne large trust estates, in which he continued to the time of his death, August 14, 1889. He was elected an asso- ciate judge of the county, serving out his full term. He was an enterprising citizen, trusted adviser and warm friend. He had two children, viz .: (VII) Mary T. Irvin (1) was married to Edmund Blanchard, a prominent attorney at law, and partner of Ex-Gov. Curtin. He was a son of the Hon. John Blanchard (hereinbe- fore mentioned), and was, until the day of his death, on the 27th day of Dec., 1886, the senior law partner of the firm of E. & E. Blanchard. He was well known through- out the State, and was largely engaged in other business interests. He was an enter- prising citizen, and perhaps no one in Bellefonte ever had the material interest of the place at heart, or contributed more in time or means to promote its welfare. Every enterprise and im- provement had his assistance, and the personal ambitions or preferment of any of its citizens had his unselfish and cordial support. They had the following children: (VIII) Rebecca, Fred. Anna and Christine. (VII) Jennie Irvin (2) was married to Joseph R. Bright, of Pottsville, who is extensively engaged in the iron and coal inter- ests of that region. They have the following chil- dren: (VIII) Anna, John, Howard, Edmund, Harris Linn and Stanley.

(VI) Jane Eliza (5), daughter of Rev. James

Linn, was married to Daniel Welch, of Belle- fonte, who was early engaged with his brother- in-law, Jas. H. Linn, and cousin, Dr. J. H. Dobbins, in the iron business in Tennessee; afterward a railroad contractor and business man, now deceased. They had no children. The Rev. James Linn, D. D., was married (a second time) to Miss Isabella Henderson, whose ancestor, Daniel Henderson, lived and died in Chester county before the Revolution. He had a number of children, one of whom removed to Carlisle and married Margaret, daughter of Dr. Jonathan Kearsley, who came from Dublin and then removed to Shippensburg; he was a deputy surveyor of Cumberland and Franklin counties, and died on the 8th of April, 1796. He had seven sons and four daughters, one of whom, Isabella, was married to the Rev. James Linn, D. D., on the - day of -- , 18 -. His sons all occupied positions of trust or prominence in the professions, as was also the case in the preceding generations. Rev. James and Isabella (Henderson) Linn had one daughter, Margaret +H., who was married to Wm. P. Wilson, a prominent attorney of Bellefonte, for many years the law partner of his brother-in-law, Judge Sam- uel Linn. He was well known throughout the State, and interested in many large business en- terprises; died August 3, 1878.

(V) Eliza G. Harris (3) was married to Dr. Daniel Dobbins, whose father was a clergyman of the Covenanter Church, and emigrated from Ireland to this country, locating in the Cumber- land Valley near Gettysburg. Dr. Dobbins was an eminent physician and practitioner in Belle- fonte for more than thirty-seven years, he re- ceived a classical education under the care and tuition of his father, who for a number of years was engaged in teaching, and by whom were educated many men who in after life became eminent in the different learned professions. The Doctor was a student of Dr. Church, of Phila- delphia, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1807, when he came to Belle- fonte and commenced the practice of medicine. which he continued with unremitting industry until the day of his death. February 27, 1814. He was a man of strong mind, sound judgment, an accurate and profound scholar, as skillful and eminent in his profession as any man in Pennsyl- vania, and a great excellence was that he never turned from his door, night or day, any one who needed medical aid. The humble child of pov- erty, the rich and the powerful, were all alike to him, all commanded his services and in any severity of weather. He died a martyr to his profession, universally regretted, esteemed and

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respected, and the citizens of Bellefonte claimed the privilege of being permitted to erect a monument to his memory. His wife died about three years previous. They left two children: Eliza, who has since died, and Dr. James H. Dobbins, for many years and at present (1898) a leading physician of Bellefonte, who inherits many of the sterling qualities of his father.

(V) James Dunlop Harris (4) was born in 1797, and married in 1824 to Mary Ann Miller. He was one of the ablest civil engineers this State ever produced. Linn's History records very briefly some of the important undertakings in which he was engaged, viz .: ' In the incipient operations preparatory to the legislation which authorized the commencement of the Pennsyl- vania canal, he, in 1825, explored one of the pro- posed routes for the canal to connect the eastern and western waters, and the Act having passed February 25, 1826, he was immediately appointed principal assistant to N. S. Roberts, Esq., who was charged with the location and construction of the section adjoining Pittsburgh and extending " thirty-one miles to the mouth of the Kiskiminet- as. On Mr. Roberts' resignation, in May, 1827, Mr. Harris was appointed to take charge of that line, which was so far advanced by the first of June, 1828, that the Board of Canal Commis- sioners appointed him to the additional duty of locating and constructing that part of the canal extending from Blairsville to Johnstown, twenty- eight miles. He had this line, including four dams, thirty locks and two large stone aqueducts, so near completed in July, 1829, in substantial manner, that they could have been finished dur- ing the season, when he was suddenly removed by adverse influence of James S. Stevenson, act- ing canal commissioner on the Western Division. Mr. Harris' memorial on the subject to the Leg- islature in 1830 caused the defeat of Stevenson for U. S. Senator. In 1831 John Mitchell and James Clark, overruling Stevenson, appointed Mr. Harris, in connection with Robert Faries, engineer to locate the whole West Branch line of the Muncy Dam to the mouth of the Bald Eagle. Mr. Faries and Mr. Harris were associated in the location of the canal, and the line was then divided for construction, Mr. Harris taking the western portion. In June, 1834, he was princi- pal engineer of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal, and was shortly after offered charge of the Bald Eagle canal, which he declined as he had pledged himself to stay with his friend, Gen. Abner La- cock, in the former enterprise. On March 25, 1836, he was appointed principal engineer upon the extension of the North Branch Division, and to have general supervision of that and the Sus-

quehanna Division. In the fall of 1838, he was- designated, at the request of the citizens of Schuyl- kill county and other counties interested in the trade of the Union canal, as an able and disin- terested engineer, to make examinations relative to its enlargement. His exceedingly able report will be found among the records of the House of Representatives at Harrisburg for the year 1839". In speaking of his death and funeral ceremonies attended by an immense concord of friends and neighbors, to testify their regard for his mem- ory, the Centre Democrat, published by S. T. Shugert, in its issue of the 28th of February, 1842, among other things, says: "He acted his part in many important places, in all of which he sustained the character of an able, honest and conscientious man. He was the patron of all public improvements, and also of more limited "and local pertaining to our town. He was the efficient advocate of everything that was good and useful in civil and religious society. The temperance cause, the Sabbath-school, the Pres- byterian Church, of which he was a ruling elder and a very cheerful supporter, have experienced a severe stroke, and all deeply lament his loss." He died on the 26th day of February, 1842. His wife, who survived him, died February 1, 1851, She was the daughter of Miller, who married a Miss Valentine, sister of Bond, Abram and George, the well-known iron-masters of Cen- tre county. The children of James D. and Mary A. Miller Harris were as follows:

(VI) James (1) died in 1846. Thomazine (2) Was married to Dr. George L. Potter, grandson of Gen. Potter, of the Revolution. Dr. Potter was a leading physician of Bellefonte for many years, and a skillful surgeon of the 148th Penn- sylvania during the Rebellion. Their children are: (VII) Mary Potter (1), who married John C. Miller and resides in Bellefonte; have a son, Charles. James H. Potter (2) (of the hardware firm of Jas. Harris & Co.), married Mary Som- merville, and have children: Donald, Thomazine and Janet. Lucy Maria (3), unmarried. George Potter (4), residing at Fort Wayne, is married and has two children. Thomazine Potter (5). unmarried. (VI) Nancy Dunlop Harris (3) was married to Rev. James Orbison. They devoted the early years of their life to missionary work in India, in which country their four children were born. Mr. Orbison's health being impaired they returned to Bellefonte, where he died and was buried. Their children: (VII) Rev. James Harris Orbison (1), who is married and now also engaged in missionary work in India. Nellie Orbison (2), married to Rev. Beach, now the Presbyterian pastor at Bridgeton, N. J. Miss Agnes Orbison

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(3), unmarried, and residing with her mother in this county, returned to India, but her health did not admit of her remaining. Thomas J. Or- bison (4), now a student at the University of Pennsylvania. (VI) Jane Harris (4) married James S. Sommerville, a civil engineer and extensive coal operator of this county; (VII) their children: Elizabeth (1); Bond (2), married Nina Ramsey, and they have two children-Ellen D. and Jane H .; Mary (3): John S. (4); James H. (5); Allen O. (6) ; Robert H. (7); Donald Lang (8); Claudius L. (9) died in infancy. (VI) Eliza Dob- bins Harris (5) was married to William .P. Humes, a banker of Bellefonte, and a grand- nephew of Hon. W. W. Potter and Hon. Charles Huston, of the Supreme Court, and son of E. C. Humes, for many years and until his death, re- cently, president of the First National Bank of Bellefonte. They had one child that died when quite young.

(VI) Louisa Harris (6) was married to Hon. Adam Hoy, a prominent attorney of Bellefonte. He died in the prime of life, the exacting duties of an extensive practice contributing to the result. He was appointed by the Governor to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Orvis as President Judge of the District composed of Centre and Hunting- don counties. Their children: (VII) Nancy H. (1), Mary (2), Albert (3), Louise (4), married to Col. W. Fred Reynolds, a banker and capitalist of Bellefonte, James Harris (5), Edward L. (6), Randolph (7).

(V) William Harris (5), son of James and Ann (Dunlop) Harris, born in Bellefonte on the 12th of July, 1799, adopted the profession of a civil engineer, and early in life look part with his father, James Harris, in the location and construc- tion of the various public works of that day, and the later public improvements in connection with his brother, James D., from which time until his death October 25, 1865, his services as civil engineer, or in connection with the land titles of the county, were constantly in demand as a re- sult of his skill, efficiency and painstaking accuracy. He was for several years largely engaged in the foundry and machine business, which in those days embraced the manufacture of all the more important articles of farm and home use, as plows, harrows, and all kinds of stoves, etc. He located and had charge of the construction of the Bald Eagle canal, of which he had also direction and control of the business management, as well as the engineering department, directing its main- tenance, improvement, repairs and contracting for the same until 1865 when it was so damaged by flood as to be abandoned. He located and constructed the Bellefonte and Snow Shoe R. R ..

and when built he had the supervision of all the engineering work as well as the exclusive charge of the lands and coal mines of the Snow Shoe Land Association, a corporation connected with the Railroad Company, establishing the lines of tracts, locating of the mines, and the improve- ments thereon, and to whose careful and prudent management was mainly due the largely appre- ciated value of the stock of the company. He had fine social qualities, was fond of the society of his friends and acquaintances, kind hearted and liberal even to his injury, beloved by young and old. He was the most popular man in the county, and although the Whig party, of which he was an adherent, was largely in the minority in the county and district, he could be elected to any office for which he would permit his name to be used as a candidate, and without effort upon his part, as he was naturally averse to political preferment. In the councils of the different po- litical parties the common remarks heard were "I wish we could persuade William Harris to accept," or "I fear they will persuade William Harris to run." He was elected treasurer of the county for two terms, and was State Senator from 1847 to 1850. He was married

1820, to Margaret McLanahan, daughter of Rob- ert McLanahan, of Franklin county, and Re- becca Dunlop, and their children were: Rebecca, and Ann and William, all of whom died early in life unmarried; (VI) Jane, who resides in Bellefonte: James, who was born on the 24th of September. 1832, was married September 24, 1878, to Miss Lavinia Catharine Slaymaker, of Lancaster coun- ty. After completing his education, James Har- ris early in life engaged in the tanning business in Snow Shoe township (from 1851 to 1856). In 1857 he engaged in business at Milesburg Iron Works, operated by his cousins, J. H. Linn and J. M. McCoy, with whom he remained until the beginning of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the service of the United States, attaining to the rank of Major, and upon his return at the close of the war organized, in connection with his cousin. John Harris (son of Joseph), the hardware house of J. & J. Harris. In 1884 and '85 he erected the large brick block, northwest corner of High and Water streets, with a special reference to the future home of the now extensive wholesale and retail hardware business of James Harris & Co., John Harris having in the meantime dis- posed of his interests to their cousin. James H: Potter. James Harris is an elder in the Presby- terian Church. - He is one of the best known men in Bellefonte, and always abreast in any enter- prise for the improvement of the town or the alle- viation of suffering or want wherever found. Will-

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iam Harris (V) married (again) October 12, 1837, Miss Mary Fairlamb, of West Chester (sister of Dr. George A. Fairlamb, of Bellefonte). She died July 13, 1845, leaving one child: George F., now Dr. George F. Harris, a prominent physician of Bellefonte, who is married to Mary W. Curtin. eldest daughter of ex-Gov. Curtin. Their chil- dren are Kate C. and Adaline F. William Har- ris' (V) last wife was Miss Adaline Miles, daughter of Evan Miles, whom he married December 21, 1847.

(V) Joseph Harris, son of James and Ann Dunlop Harris, was born in the year 1801, and died July 14, 1845; was married to Miss Jane Miller, a sister of his brother James' wife. Like all his brothers, Joseph Harris had a thorough education and training. He early in- clined to a general business life. He was a man of great energy, and perseverance, and particular in business details, prompt and honorable in all his engagements. He was a warm and devoted friend, fond of society, and his hospitable home, . the resort of all the connection, always had room for one more. He was an iron-master, and in 1829 erected and carried on the furnace and works at Howard; some years later William A. Thomas and Jacob Lex, of Philadelphia, became interested with him in the firm name of Harris, Lex & Thomas. In 1837 Joseph Harris built the dam for the Canal Co., finished the canal from Marsh Creek and cut a passage from the creek near the dam to the works. The company then built another furnace stack in 1840, and built an expensive rolling-mill, putting it in. op- eration that fall. Joseph Harris died July 14, 1845. His children are: William A. (1) and Joseph D. (3), first and third sons of Joseph and Jane Miller Harris; both died when they were young men and unmarried. John (2), the sec- ond son, was in the drug business in Bellefonte, and afterward, in connection with his cousin, James Harris, founded the large hardware estab- lishment under the firm name of J J. Harris, now the largest hardware house in the county. He was married to Miss Rachel Wagner. Their children: Joseph (1), Guy (2), Charles (3), Jane M. (4), Anna (5), George (6), Mary (7). John Harris died in Bellefonte, Dec. 19, 1894.

(VI) Mary (4), daughter of Joseph and Jane Miller Harris, was married to Wistar Morris, a very wealthy gentleman of Overbrook, near Phila- delphia. Mr. Morris was the leading director of the Pennsylvania railroad for many years, and in whose judgment the officials of that corporation had the utmost confidence and chief reliance. They had one child, Holly Morris (1), who was married to Dr. Wood a celebrated Philadelphia

divine. They had children: Morris (1), Mar- guerite (2). It was at their elegant country home President and Mrs. Cleveland were enter- tained when they visited in Philadelphia.

(VI) Eliza T. (5), daughter of Joseph and Jane Miller Harris, was married to Evan M. Blanchard, a practicing attorney of Bellefonte. He was a son of the HON. JOHN BLANCHARD, of Bellefonte, of whom Linn's History says: " Hon. John Blanchard was born at Peacham, Vt .. Sept. 30, 1787. When fifteen years of age his father died, and he assisted in carrying on the farm, at- tending the public schools in the winter. Sup- porting himself by school teaching, he prepared himself for college, and graduated at Dartmouth, in 1812. He then removed to York, Pa., where he taught school and studied law, and was ad- mitted to the Bar of York County March 31st. 1815. . He first settled at Lewistown, and in the fall of 1815 removed to Bellefonte, which contin- ued to be his residence up to the time of his death. He at once became largely engaged in the practice of law, and took a high position at the Bar. He was married in 1820 to Mary, daughter of Evan Miles. He was a Whig in pol- itics, but not an active politician, and after much persuasion became the candidate of the party for Congress in the fall of 1844. His speeches in Congress, particularly on the tariff question, are characterized by great logical ability, and abound in evidence of great research of statistics. He took sick about the close of his second term, and died at Columbia, Penn., on his way home, March 8, 1849. His widow survived him until January 9, 1857. She was born at Milesburg March 23, 1799. Their sons, Edmund and Evan M. Blanchard, Esq., are members of the Bellefonte Bar." The following brief estimate of Mr. Blanchard's character is from the pen of Ex- Gov. Curtin, at one time Mr. Blanchard's law partner: " Mr. Blanchard was a thoroughly educated man, and it is not an exaggerated eulogy to say a ripe scholar. He retained his fondness for the classics, and read Latin and Greek habitually in his hours of relax- ation from professional labor. He was act- ive and zealous in the cause of education and participated in all means intended to im- prove and enlighten the people who surrounded him. In his professional reading, except in the preparation of his cases for trial, he preferred books and writers in which elementary principles are discussed, and had the fondness of the thor- oughly educated and accomplished lawyer for the common law. There were other phases of Mr. Blanchard's nature which were scarcely known except to his intimate friends. He had a keen

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sense of the ludicrous, and enjoyed wit and hu- mor with rare zest. Those who knew him well only realized the extent and variety of his liter- ary acquirements. Remarkable for his agreeable conversation, he was always the leader in the so- cial circle when not too ill, and then he gave real enjoyment by his knowledge of modern classic literature, and amused by apt and quaint illustration drawn from his well-filled memory. A man of positive convictions on all questions that engaged his attention. Mr. Blanchard was bred and educated a Federalist in his political opinions, and never abandoned the principles of that party, which he had closely studied and well understood. It was a high compliment to him and a just appreciation of his character, as well as to the generosity and good sense of the people of the district in which he lived, to elect him twice to Congress when it was well known he was an avowed Federalist, when the name was odious and the party was defeated, disbandoned and its leaders in retirement. As an advocate, Mr. Blanchard was persuasive, clear in his logic, and always truthful in his statements. In his forensic efforts, he was remarkable for the sim- plicity of his language. His speeches were never long enough to weary the court or jury, or to lose him the interest of the Court room. That he was learned and truthful to his clients was the foundation of his professional success is true to his memory; and the purity of his social life and his integrity gave him the sobriquet of 'Honest John Blanchard,' and more than all other quali- fications gave him power in the forum and influ- ence in the community."

The law firm composed of Hon. A. G. Cur- tin and Edmund Blanchard, being dissolved when Mr. Curtin was elected Governor of Pennsylva- nia, E. M. Blanchard and his brother Edmund became partners under the firm nanie of E. & E. Blanchard. They enjoyed a very large practice, and were also solicitors for a number of large corporations: Pennsylvania R. R. Co. ; Bellefonte & Snow Shoe R. R. Co. ; Beaver Mills & Lumber Co. ; Moshannon Land & Lumber Co. ; Snow Shoe Land Association; Valentine Iron Co., and oth- ers requiring much of his brother Edmund's time from home. The confining office and detail work. for many years devolving entirely upon him, grad- ually impaired his health, yet no one ever heard a complaint or met him without a pleasant sinile aid cordial greeting that reflected the best of health and spirits free of the really many troubles ind exacting duties that he bore so well. He had not an enemy on earth, on the contrary all who knew him were more than is implied in the word "friend," if occasion had required it. He had

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 39

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