Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 103

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1266

USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 103
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 103
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 103
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 103

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It was in April, 1848, that Robert Cathers became a resident of what is now Winslow town- ship; he had purchased 100 acres of land, paying $1.25 for it per acre, and in 1844 had come out with his two sons, James A., subject of this sketch, and William, and cleared the farm and put in a crop of wheat. He thus looked after the farm until he moved his family to the place in 1848. Later he purchased 300 acres at $3.00 per acre, which has good coal under it. Robert Cathers, in addition to other enterprises, also had a farm in Clarion county and operated an old " up-and-down " water sawmill at the mouth of Cathers run on the Clarion river. He also built a saw and grist mill in Winslow township, which was destroyed by fire August 25. 1877. It was rebuilt, and is now known as the McCreight mill. Robert Cathers and his son, James Alexander, in their operations, bought considerable land. The father purchased the timber on 1, 000 acres, paid stumpage for it. manufactured the lumber and took it to the Pittsburg market; he also

cleared up two farms, giving employment to many men. The son bought and paid for 1, 100 acres of coal and timber land in Clearfield and Jefferson counties. In religious faith Mr. Cathers was a Seceder, and in politics a Whig. He died in February, 1878, aged eighty-six years. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in the spring of 1865, aged seventy-six years, and they are both buried on the Fuller farm in Winslow township. To Robert and Nancy Cathers were born the following children: Rachel, who mar- ried William McGhee, and died in 1875, surviv- ing her husband fourteen years: Joseph (de- ceased); William T., a retired farmer of Rath- mel; James A., subject of this sketch: Robert S., a liveryman, living in Kansas, and Rosanna, of Jefferson county.

James Alexander Cathers was twenty years of age when he came with his father's family to the new home in Jefferson county. For a year he worked on his father's farm and at the sawmill, then for a year engaged in clearing some land near Prescottville, which his father had given him. He was married, June 6, 1850. at Beach Woods settlement, Jefferson county, to Miss Eliza Ann McGhee, who was born at Beachwood. June 16, 1830, daughter of John and Nancy (Smith) McGhee, natives respectively of New York, and County Tyrone, Ireland. John Mc- Ghee was the son of William and Lena i John- son) McGhee, natives of Scotland and England respectively, and Nancy Smith was the daughter of James and Margaret (Hamilton) Smith, life- long residents of Ireland. John McGhee was a millwright by trade, and followed farming later in life. He settled in Washington township, Jefferson county, and died at the old homestead in May, 1865, aged sixty-nine years. In relig- ious faith he was a Quaker, while his wife was a Baptist. She died in 1835 aged thirty-seven years. The children of John and Nancy McGhee

were: Margaret, who married John McMinn. and both are now deceased: William deceased : Sarah, living at the old homestead: Charlotte. widow of David McGeary, also living at the homestead; James, a luinberman of Sandy Valley, Winslow township, and Eliza A., wife of our subject. In I851, soon after his marriage, Mr. Cathers came to his present farin, moving into a small house which he had erected. In 1889 he erected a cozy brick dwelling, and took possession the following year. He has been a prominent farmer and lumberman, engaging in extensive operations up to about 1887, since which time he has lived a more retired life.

His children are as follows: John T., born July 20, 1851, an attorney at Omaha, Neb., who

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married Louie McDaniels, and has two children; Robert S., born September 17, 1853, a prom- inent lead miner in Missouri; James A, Jr., born February 5, 1856, a farmer of Winslow township, who married Alice H. Morgan; Anna E., born June 20, 1858. died in 1860; Charlotte J., born March 23. 1861, wife of A. L. Long, a farmer living on subject's place: Cassa Adanna, born August 23, 1863, died November 22. 1863; Rachel, born January 4, 1865, wife of Joseph Patton, a miner of Winslow township; Willian C., born October 22, 1867, died March 4, 1882; Harry W., born October 12, 1874, living at home; Ab- igail E., born December 13, 1877, died March 4, 1882.

In politics Mr. Cathers is a prominent Re- publican. He has been honored by elections to numerous offices, and, in 1877, he was elected commissioner of Jefferson county, for a term of three years. He is a man of sterling character, and is highly esteemed by the people among whom he has lived for many years. Mrs. Cathers is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and their pleasant home is cheered not alone by the material comforts which it possesses, but by the graces of hospitality, culture and rectitude.

T AHOMAS C. LAWSON, M. D., a prominent physician of Brookville, Jefferson county, is one of the leading citizens of that place. ranking high in social and political life, as well as in that of his chosen calling. He is a member of a well- known family of this State. His father, the late Hon. James B. Lawson, a prosperous agricult- urist and iron manufacturer of Clarion county, Penn., was prominently identified with public af- fairs, representing his district in the State Legis- lature in 1871-72, and serving as associate judge of Clarion county. Among the other offices of trust to which he was chosen was that of county commissioner. His death occurred in 1896, that of his wife, Lavina (Orr), in 1887.

Dr. Lawson was born at the old home near Lawsonham, Clarion county, July 26, 1843, and had the advantage of farm life during boyhood. At the breaking out of hostilities between the : North and the South he was but eighteen years old, yet young as he was, he enlisted, and went to the front as a member of the 155th P. V. 1. He remained in active service three years, taking part in all the many engagements in which his company participated. and, as color bearer for his regiment, was often where the bullets flew thickest. Fortunately he was neither wounded tor captured, and on receiving an honorable dis- charge he returned to his studies, attending school

at Bells Mills, near Altoona. Later he pursued va course of study in medicine, graduating in 1871 from Jefferson College, Philadelphia. For some time he was engaged in his profession at Green- ville, Clarion county; but after taking one year in post-graduate study at Philadelphia and New York City he opened an office, in 1880, at Brook- ville, where he soon established a large and lu- crative practice.

In 1874 Dr. Lawson was united in marriage with Miss Alice Patton, daughter of Thomas Pat- ton, a native of Philadelphia, who went to Clar- ion county when a young man and became a prominent merchant. He was quiet and unas- suming, highly respected by all who knew him. He died in 1860; his wife, Elizabeth (Parsons), a native of Centre county, Penn., passing away in 1883. The Doctor's home has been bright- ened by eight children, but the first two did not long remain on earth; the others are Margaret. Charles T., Bessie L., Mary E., James B., and Alice P., an interesting family, all of whom are residing with their parents.

The Doctor's non-professional interests are varied, and show the esteem in which his abilities are held by his associates. In the Presbyterian Church, of which he and his wife are members. he holds the office of ruling elder, and that he is well-known in business circles is shown by his election to the presidency of the Brookville Fur- niture Co. Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the G. A. R., and the Veteran Legion, and to the County and State Medical Societies. In politics he is a Democrat at all times and un- der all circumstances, and he has served as chair- i. man of the county committee and been otherwise active in his party's welfare.

C HARLES M. MATSON, M. D., of Brook- ville, Jefferson county, is recognized as a leader in his profession in this section, not only among the people at large, but by the medical fraternity. He was one of the founders of the Jefferson County Medical Society, organized in 1877. and was its first president. As one of three delegates, he represented the society in the State Medical Society for the first time, and in 1878 he was chosen as the first delegate to the American Medical Association.

Dr. Matson was born July 22. 1833, at Brook- ville. Jefferson Co., Penn .. the son of James C. and Harriet ( Potter) Matson, and in early lite he began to prepare for the medical profession, read- ing under the preceptorship of Drs. Dowling and Heichhold, of Brookville. Later he attended lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, and, ou completing

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his course, located at Corsica, Penn .. April I, 1858, as a partner of Dr. Mark Rogers. From April 1, 1859, to December, 1862, he was en- gaged in other business, but then resumed his practice as an assistant to Dr. John Mechling, of Brookville. In February, 1863, he formed a partnership with Dr. Mechling, and in March of the same year he bought the practice, Dr. Mech- ling to remain as a partner, however, until he should find a satisfactory location. Having been appointed army surgeon-in-charge of the enroll- ment for the Nineteenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, on April 21, 1863, Dr. Mech- ling was ordered to report on May I, to Col. H. S. Campbell, at his headquarters in Waterford, Erie county, and Dr. Matson was thus left to continue alone the large practice established by Dr. Mechling. He was fully equal to the occa- sion, and not only retained the old friends, but made new. Dr. Mechling resigned his position April 21, 1864, and Dr. Matson was appointed to succeed him, being ordered to report for duty May 1, 1864. At this time the duties of medical examiners for the army were very arduous, the number of volunteers, substitutes and drafted men being very great, while a constant stream of men liable to draft, seeking to be stricken from the enrollment list on account of real or physical disability for military service, still further in- creased the labors. Dr. Matson served until June 15, 1865, when he was honorably discharged by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. Dur- ing his term the Doctor examined nearly fifteen thousand men, of whom about three thousand were twice examined. At the close of the war he returned to Brookville, where he has ever since continued his professional work.

On September 3, 1857. Dr. Matson was mar- ried to Miss Alice Johnson, only child of David S. and Naamah Johnson, and three children were born to the union, two of whom are deceased. Eugene G., the survivor. is now professor of His- tology and Bacteriology in the Western Penn- . sylvania Medical College at Pittsburg, and bac- teriologist for the board of health in that city. He is an Alumnus of Syracuse University, also of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, after leaving which institution he proceeded to Europe, and at Berlin, Germany, followed special study under Dr. Von Berginan, Dr. Schroeder and Dr. Henoch.

Mrs. Alice (Johnson) Matson died May 2, 1863, and October 27, 1864, our subject wedded Miss Amanda Truby, three children being born to the union: (1) W. W., a graduate of the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, and now practicing with his father in Brookville;

(2) Claude \V., a civil engineer, educated at the Western Pennsylvania University, Pittsburg; and (3) Caroline, who is at Miss Thurston's School for Young Ladies, Pittsburg, Pennsylvaina.

John Matson, paternal grandfather of Dr. Charles M. Matson, was born on the shore of Loch Swilly, near Fannet, Donegal county, Ire- land, in 1774, emigrating to America with his father, Uriah Matson, his mother Belle, and brothers and sisters, in September, 1786. The family settled . first in Chester county, Penn., afterward removing to Indiana county, where, in 1803 or 1804, John Matson married Mary Thompson, and shortly after the birth of his first child removed to Jefferson county, which had been erected, by an Act of Legislature, passed March 26, 1804, from the western portion of Lycoming county. He purchased a large tract of land northwest of, and adjoining that, on which the borough of Brookville was afterward located. Out of a portion of this tract, one mile north of the town, now on the Clarington road, he cleared a farm, now owned by his son, Robert L. Matson, on which he spent the balance of his life, dying in 1866. His oldest daughter, Isabella, was born in Indiana county before his removal to Jefferson county; the balance of his family, viz .: Jane, James, Clark, Uriah, John W., Re- becca, Lydia, Robert L., William F., Harrison A. and Mary Ann, were all born on this farm, and here, Mary, his wife, died in 1876.

Little is known of Uriah Matson (father of John) outside of the Church certificate, which he brought to this country with him, as follows:

" That the bearer hereof, Uriah Matson, and Belle, his wife, have been members of this con- gregation from their infancy, and always main- tained an honest, sober and industrious char- acter, free from public scandal of any kind; and now intending to settle in some of the United States of North America. are there- fore recommended as regular members of any Christian Society where God in His Providence may appoint their lot. By

" JAMES DELAY, V. D. M.

" Dated at Fannet 11th June, 1786, County of Donegall, Kingdom of Ireland."

Joseph Potter, maternal grandfather of Dr. Charles M. Matson, married Rachel Jackson. August 15, 1777, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Johnston, pastor of the Harts Log and Shaver's Creek and Huntingdon Presbyterian Congregations. Rachel Jackson was a daughter of George Jackson, who came from Wilmington, Del., and settled on the Swoop farm, on the Raystown branch in that part of Huntingdon

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county which was afterward. in 1766, erected into Jackson township. In the course of some six years he settled on the Little Juniata, in the present township of Logan, below Jack's Nar- rows, on what was known in 1883 as the G. P. Wakefield farm, and here lived during the Revo- lution, forting at Anderson's, where he served as a member of a scouting party. He died in 1806, and was buried in Shaver cemetery. His chil- dren were as follows: Joseph, William, Thomas, Jane (who married Col. John Free), Mary (Mrs. John Beatty), Rachel (MIrs. Joseph Potter), Eliza- beth (Mrs. William Spencer), and Prudence (Mrs. Samuel Keller). Joseph was one of the first white children born in the county. In 1791 he married Margaret Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, and in 1776 they settled at Herod's Run, on what is known as the Jackson home- stead. Joseph Jackson settled there in 1792, and died in 1838.

E B. ORCUTT, of Corsica, was for many years prominently identified with the busi- ness interests and development of Union town- ship, Jefferson county, but has now retired from active labor, enjoying a rest which he so richly deserves.

A native of Maine, he was born in Charleston, Penobscot county. October 3, 1827, a son of David and Asenath. (Engles) Orcutt, the former also a native of Charleston, and the latter of Blue Hill, Me. The paternal grandfather was an Eng- lishman by birth, and emigrated to America dur- ing Colonial days, locating in Maine, where throughout the remainder of his life he engaged in farming. Religiously he was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church. In his family were Mr. Orcutt did not contine his attention solely to mercantile pursuits, but has been interested in real-estate dealings, lumbering and stock-raising. With his brother James he purchased a 200-acre tract of timber land and a sawmill, and until 1875, when the property was destroyed by fire, they successfully engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which they marketed at Pittsburg. As the mill was only insured for a small amount the the following children: David, John. Samuel, Otis, Ezra, Sally A., Eliza. Rosilla and Cordelia. Of these, David Orcutt was reared to agricultural pursuits, but later engaged in lumbering. In his native State he married Asenath Engles, who died about 1830, leaving two sons: E. B., and James, now a farmer of Iowa. The mother was a most estimable lady and exemplary Christian. a faithful member of the Baptist Church. Dur- . loss was very heavy. Rebuilding, they continued ing the '30s David Orcutt came to Jefferson coun- . operations for three years when the firmi was ty, Penn., and located at Brockwayville, where changed to Orcutt & Jackson, but four years later they discontinued business. Selling his store, Mr. Orcutt purchased the " Corsica Hotel" and other property in the city, which was mostly destroyed in the big fire of 1873, but he built a more commodious hotel, which is still the lead- ing hostelry of the place. For nearly forty years he was interested in the hotel business in Cor- sica, but in 1892 retired to his private residence, with a partner he erected the first sawmill on Toby creek. After operating it for about ten years, he sold out and removed to Roseville, Union township, where he followed farming and lumbering until 1842, and later engaged in the same pursuits on Clarion river, in Limestone township, Clarion Co., Penn., where his death : occurred in 1863. He was also an active and

prominent member of the Baptist Church, and contributed liberally to the erection of Mount Pleasant church edifice. Some years after com- ing to Pennsylvania, he was married at Roseville to a Mrs. Mills, by whom he had three children: David, Isaac and Nannie. Mrs. Orcutt, who was a Presbyterian, died after their removal to Clarion county, and he later wedded a Miss Means.

After the death of his mother, E. B. Orcutt and his brother were left with his grandfather in Maine, while his father came to this State. Al- though his early education was greatly neglected- by his own energy and perseverance since attain, ing manhood he has acquired a good practical knowledge of affairs, learning the multiplication table after embarking in merchandising at Cor- sica. He is not only a self-educated but also a self-made man, starting out in life for himself at the early age of fourteen as a farm hand, at the meagre salary of $30 per year. The following year, in the employ of another farmer, he received $50, and then began working in the lumber woods on Penobscot river at $15 per month. Six months later he obtained employment in a hotel, where he also remained six months. His father. returning to Maine in the fall of 1844, brought his sons to Pennsylvania, and our subject re- mained with him until twenty years of age, when he began merchandising in Corsica, as a partner of John J. Y. Thompson and Samuel Barr. Two years later Mr. Thompson sold his interest to the others, the firm becoming Barr & Orcutt, but at the end of three years Mr. Orcutt purchased his partner's interest. Subsequently for two years John Reed was a member of the firin, but with that exception was alone in merchandising.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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and is now enjoying the fruits of his foriner toil. For some time he was an extensive dealer in horses, which he marketed in the East, and in promoting his own interests has materially ad- vanced the welfare of the community by furnish- ing employment to many, building up important industries, and in developing and improving the land. He was ever a progressive, enterprising business man of the strictest integrity, and his straightforward course won for him the esteem and friendship of a host of acquaintances far and near. In politics, formerly he was a Republican, but now supports the Prohibition party, while in religious belief both he and his estimable wife are Presbyterians.

In 1854 Mr. Orcutt was married to Miss Rachel McCulloch, a lady of intelligence and worth, and they have become the parents of seven children: Laura, Rose Albo (Mrs. Dr. Holden), Cad, john, Pearl, Winnie and Read. Sheridan McCulloch, the father of Mrs. Orcutt, was a native of Baltimore, and of Irish descent. At an early day he came to Jefferson county, Penn., where in the inidst of the wilderness he improved a farm and spent his remaining days, . dying in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. His children were: Jane, the eldest, died at the age of sixteen; William; Linn; Rachel; Elizabeth; David died August 10, 1897, at Yorktown; Re- becca; Anna and John.

J ACOB WAGNER. Success worthily won and well deserved has crowned the efforts of this gentleman, and to-day he is living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. His life has been a busy and useful one, and he is numbered among the worthy citizens of Worth- ville.

Born in Northumberland county, Penn., Au- gust 28, 1827, Mr. Wagner is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Geist) Wagner, natives of the same county. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Wagner, was a farmer and veterinary surgeon who died in Schuylkill county, Penn., at an ad- vanced age. The maternal grandparents were Andrew and Christina (Snyder) Geist, natives of Lancaster and Northumberland counties, respect- ively. The parents of our subject were married in Northumberland county, whence they removed to Schuylkill county, where the father engaged in farming. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and gave his political support to the De- inocracy. He died in 1827, just six months be- fore the birth of our subject. His widow after- ward married Solomon Shunkwiller, and returned to Northumberland coimty, where she died in

!887, at the age of sixty-nine years. Her children by her first marriage are: Catherine, widow of Jacob Kaufinan, of Northumberland county; Daniel and George, who died in Union county; Lydia, wife of Daniel Foster, a retired farmer of Macomb, Ill .; Reuben, who died in Union county, Penn. ; and Jacob. By her second mar- riage, Mrs. Shunkwiller had four children: Car- oline, deceased wife of Washington Shonberger. of Northumberland county; Mary, deceased wife of Andrew Brocion, of Northumberland county; Andrew, who died in that county; and Christina, who married Jacob Horst, and now the widow of Conrad Raybuck, is a resident of Northumber- land.

Jacob Wagner, the subject of this review, was reared by his maternal grandparents until sixteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He served an apprenticeship at the harness-maker's trade under Eli Orand, of Adams- burg, Penn., with whom he remained three years, and then returned to the home of his Grandfather Geist, where he followed harness-making on his own account for a year. He then spent one year in Schuylkill county, and in 1848 came to Jeffer- son county, locating on the present site of Worth- ville, where he resided with Eli Geist for two years. He then purchased 200 acres of land on which the town is now situated, and operated a saw and grist mill, and carried on a mercantile store, also farmed and luinbered. During this time he was associated in business with Eli Geist, but after three years the partnership was dis- solved, Mr. Wagner taking as his share of the property his present homestead, comprising 111 acres of rich and arable land. He continued to engage in lumbering and farming for a number of years, and his son-in-law, Samuel W. Shick, was his partner in carrying on these industries. He . also engaged in merchandising for four years. He is a man of resourceful business ability, sound discrimination and untiring energy. and by the exercise of these qualifications he carried for- ward to successful completion whatever he under- took, and thus won a handsome competence.

In January, 1851. in Coolspring, Penn., Mr. Wagner was married to Dorisa Mauk, the wed- ding ceremony being performed by Squire Mc- Kinstry. Their children are: Catherine, wife of John Haines, a farmer of St. Louis, Mich. : Sarah, who died it the age of three years, and Daniel, who died at the age of one year. The mother was called to the home beyond in 1855, at the age of twenty-five, and her remains were interred at St. John's Church, in Jefferson county. Mr. Wagner was again married, in January. 1856, his second union being with Rebecca Haines, an

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estimable lady, whose many excellences of char- acter have won her a large circle of friends. She was born in Northumberland county June 11, 1835, and is a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Hoff) Haines, who were born and married in Northumberland county. In 1838 they removed to Clearfield county, and after two years came to Jefferson county, locating at the present site of Freedom. The father died in 1840, at the age of sixty years, and was buried in the cemetery there. His wife died in January, 1895, at the age of eighty-seven, and was buried in Hawthorn churchyard, in Clarion county, Penn. Both were active members of the Reformed Church. The mother was blind six years prior to her death.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wagner are: Malinda, wife of Samuel WV. Shick, a mer- chant of Reynoldsville, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of George W .. Graham, a farmer and merchant of Ringgold township; Alice, wife of Albert M. Smith, a carpenter of Johnsonburg, Penn .: Jacob E., who married Anna Shaffer, and operates the home farm; Flora, wife of Seth Shaffer, a black- . smith of Marionsville, Penn .; John, who is at- tending the normal school in Lock Haven. Penn., and Minnie. at home. The father of this family holds membership in the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a leading citizen of Worthville, whose deep interest in the welfare of the town has led him to give an active support to all measures calculated to prove of public ben- efit. He is a man of progressive views, who keeps abreast with the times in all particulars, and his well-spent. life is indeed worthy of emu- lation.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 103

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1266

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1266