USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 38
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Samuel P. Shoff, the fourth child of Chris- topher and Lydia (Packer) Shoff, and the father of our subject, was born at the old home in Woodward township, and in early manhood pur- chased 135 acres of woodland there, which he cleared for a homestead of his own, building a log cabin and living in primitive style for many years. In 1851 he married Miss Ruth Ames, by whom he had nine children: (1) William P. com- pleted the course of study offered in the local schools, and then attended the normal school at Curwensville, where he prepared for teaching. with the view of entering the ministry later. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching, and after several years of successful work he was
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taken ill and his death followed, cutting short a promising life; he was not married. (2) Oliver, who now resides in Madera, was educated in the Curwensville Normal School, and taught for one lerin. He married Miss Mary Hill, of Bigler township, Clearfield county, and had four chil- dren: Vida, who died at the age of five years; and Charley, Linn and Bessie, who are living. (3) Joseph A., our subject, comes next. (4) Malissa (deceased) married C. D. McMurray, formerly of Madera, and is now. engaged in mer- cantile business at Ansonville; they had one daughter, Myrtie, who is now attending the Bir- mingham Seminary. (5) Tillie (deceased) comes next. (6) Mary died at the age of eighteen. (7) Adie, who is nct married, is now clerking in our subject's store in Madera. He was educated in the common schools near his home and in Dick- inson Seminary at Williamsport, with one term in the high school at Huntingdon. Penn. (8) Samuel P. (unmarried) is also clerking for our subject. He supplemented his common-school course with one term of study in Dickinson Sem- inary, and a full course in a business college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. (9) Harry M., now a law student in the office of Murray & Smith, of Clear- field, was graduated at Dickinson Seminary in 1894 with high honors. In the same year he was employed in the store of the Morrisdale Coal Mining Co., and remained with them eighteen months, when he resigned to take up his legal studies.
Joseph A. Shoff, the subject proper of our sketch, was born June 27, 1857, and remained with his father until the age of twenty-six, work- ing upon the farm, his education being obtained . in the neighboring schools. In June, 1881, he married Miss Kittie Adams, daughter of John O. . and Sarah Adams, of Plainfield, N. J. He built a house on the old homestead and resided there | two years, continuing to farm the land, but in 1884 he moved to Ansonville and engaged in mercantile business with C. D. McMurray, under the firm name of McMurray & Co. After eighteen months he sold his interest to his partner. and moved to Madera, where he purchased a lot and built a residence. In the fall of 1885 he bought a store from B. & S. Whiteside, and conducted the business until December 3, 1893. when he was burned out. He held insurance upon the property, however, and at once resumed business in the James Kirk building, where he still re- mains. He has a pleasant home, and his family, socially, is prominent. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have had seven children-Eva, . who lived only one year: Lloyd, living at home:
Gracie, who died in infancy; Alton. now at home; Foster, who died when a year and a half old; and Ruth and Haven, both at home.
Mr. Shoff was formerly a Democrat in politics, but at present he supports the Prohibition party. He has never aspired to office, and his influence is exerted in a quiet but effective way for any movement which he believes to be for the good of the community.
F ARANK N. IRWIN, M. D., although young in years, is one of the leading and most suc- cessful practicing physicians of Clearfield county. He is at present serving as physician and sur- geon to the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Corpora- tion, and is also surgeon of the Beech Creek rail- road, with office at Peale.
Dr. Irwin was born in Reading, Penn., Au- gust 8, 1865, a son of La Fayette and Einma (Newton) Irwin. The family is of Scotch-Irish origin, and was founded in America at an early day in its history. The Doctor's grandfather, Samuel Irwin, was a noted contractor, promi- nently connected with the construction of the Reading railroad, and many other public enter- prises. For many years La Fayette Irwin has been a well-known insurance agent of Reading, is an influential member of the Republican party in his locality; and has taken a prominent part in public affairs, filling many offices of honor and trust. The maternal grandfather of our subject. John Newton, a native of England, was also a highly respected citizen of Reading. Our sub- ject is the second in order of birth of three chil- dren, the others being Clara, and Elizabeth, wife of A. Brooks Celiax, a civil engineer by pro- fession.
After completing the cominon-school course, Dr. Irwin attended the high school of Reading. and later accepted a position with a large insur- ance company of Philadelphia. in order to obtain the money with which to further pursue his stud- ies. While thus employed, he spent his evenings in preparing for college, and in 1890 entered the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated three years later. In the Presbyterian and Episcopal hospitals of Philadelphia he obtained a good practical knowledge of the science of medicine. and thus was well fitted to enter upon his pro- fessional career.
In 1894 Dr. Irwin married Miss Emma M. Zimmerman, an intelligent and cultured lady. a native of Lebanon, Penn., and a daughter of Henry W. Zimmerman, one of the proprietors of the Reading Times, the oldest daily Republic-
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an paper of Berks county, Penn. The mother of Mrs. Irwin, who bore the maiden name of Emma Weidman, belongs to a prominent pioneer family of this State. Her great-grandfather | was a general in the Revolutionary war and a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, while ; her uncles were commissioned officers in both the army and the navy in the war of the Rebellion. The Weidman family is of German origin, but the grandmother of Mrs. Irwin, Emma Grant, was of Scotch descent, and a member of the Society of Friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer- man were born four children: Emma M., S. Elizabeth, Ella N. and Robert W.
Fraternally, Dr. Irwin affiliates with the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Clearfield County Medical So- ciety, and also with the Phi Alpha Sigma, while his political support is ever given the men and measures of the Republican party. Taking a deep interest in the cause of education, he has served as an efficient member of the school board.
R ICHARD HUGHES. It is quite interesting to observe, in noting. the various members of a community, how they are gathered together from different countries and localities. and how well, usually, they combine to form an intelli- gent and prosperous community. The subject of this sketch, a representative pioneer and prominent citizen of Decatur township, Clear- field county, is a native of England, born in Herefordshire, November 23, 1819. a son of William and Mary (Morgan) Hughes, whose births occurred in the same county, he born in 1787; they were married May 23, ISTI.
namely: John, who died in Decatur township; William, who died in the same township, De- cember 14, 1849; James, a resident of Morris township, Clearfield county; and Richard.
Mr. Hughes, the subject proper of this re- view, was about thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to America, and in the schools of Decatur township he completed his education. He has always followed the occupa- tions of farming and lumbering throughout his business career, and at the present time is also successfully engaged in the operation of a coal mine. At different times he has also worked three other mines, which have proved quite profitable. A man of sound judgment and good executive ability, he has succeeded in accumu- lating a handsome competence, being now the .owner of over two hunnred acres of valuable land, besides other real estate. He has erected thirteen houses, which he has either sold or rents, and this has also proved a profitable in- vestment.
On June 30, 1844, in Decatur township, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Nancy Kephart, a native of the township, and a daughter of Henry and Catharine (Smith) Kephart, who were born, reared and married in Penn's Valley, Centre Co., Penn. At an early day they came to De- catur township, Clearfield county, where the father followed farming throughout life. About 1857 he was lost in the mountains near Sandy Ridge, while returning to his home from Centre county. His wife had died a few months pre- viously.
Mrs. Hughes is one of a family of twelve chil- dren, the others being David, who died in De- catur township; Mrs. Margaret Hamer, also de- ceased, departing this life in Huntingdon county, Penn .; Henry, who died in Iowa; Mrs. Mary Nearhoof, who died in Centre county; Andrew and Mrs. Ellen Kephart, who both died in De- catur township; George, who was accidentally killed in that township; Mrs. Barbara Crane, who died in Blair county, Penn. ; William, who died in Kansas; Mrs. Charlotte Crane; and Ste- phen, who died in Decatur township.
By trade, the father of our subject was a stone mason. In 1832, with his family, he set sail from Bristol, England, and after a long and tedious voyage of seven weeks landed at Perth Amboy, N. J., where he remained one week and then proceeded to Philadelphia, but soon after- ward went to Huntingdon county, Penn. In 1833, however, he took up his residence in De- catur township, Clearfield county, where he pur- To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have been born the following children: (1) William H. is a farmer of Decatur township. (2) Edward L., who makes his home in the same township, married Anna Dunlap, and they had twelve children, nine of whom are still living-Charles (who mar- ried Margaret Crane), Richard (who married Anna Starline), May. Lloyd, Carrie, Grace, Anna, Benjamin, and Olive. (3) Alice is the wife of David Burkett, of Bradford township, chased one hundred acres of timber land, which he at once began to clear and cultivate. In connection with his farming operations he also worked at his trade, and became a prosperous and well-to-do citizen of the township, where he was widely and favorably known. There his wife died March 1. 1847; he passed away May 7, 1869. In politics he was a Democrat, and faith- fully served in various township offices. Of his five children, four grew to years of maturity, i Clearfield county. (4) John, of Decatur town-
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R. Hughes
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ship, married Rebecca Ashcraft, and has two children-Della and Thomas. (5) David mar- ried Elizabeth Ashcraft, by whom he had four children-Howard, Gertrude, Lena, and Will- iam, deceased, David died in Decatur town- ship, in March, 1888. (6) Benjamin, of Decatur township, married Alice Shomo, and had seven children, five of whom are still living-Frank, Harry, Jesse, Edna and Leah. (7) Sarah be- came the wife of John W. Ashcraft, and died in 1895; they had seven children-Bertha, Alice, Frank, Lloyd, Maude, Carrie (deceased), and Harry. (8) Harry, a merchant of Decatur town- ship, married Anna Johnson, and has two chil- dren-Eva and Zola.
Mr. Hughes has always given his political support to the Democratic party, and for many years acceptably served as justice of the peace. His sterling integrity and honorable, upright manhood, fully entitle him to the position which he holds in the estimation of the people of the community.
J JAMES McKEEHEN, a farmer and merchant of Jordan township, is numbered among the leading and representative citizens of Clear- field county, where his entire life has been passed, his birth occurring November 16, 1837.
James McKeehen, grandfather of our subject, was of Irish descent, and was born near Carlisle, Penn., which was also the birthplace of his son David, the father of our subject. They removed to Huntingdon county, Penn., where the latter In 1863 Mr. McKeehen was married to Miss Mary J. Glasgow, a lady of culture belonging to an honored pioneer family that founded the Glasgow settlernent in Cambria county, 'Penn., in 1816. John Glasgow, Sr., the first of the family to locate there, developed a farm from the unbroken wilderness, where he followed ag- ricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. His son, John Glasgow, Jr., the father of Mrs. McKeehen, never left the old homestead ! in Cambria county, and was widely and favorably grew to manhood' and learned the blacksmith's trade after his father's death, which occupation he followed for a number of years. Subsequently he was emoloyed on the construction of the State canal until its completion, working as a stone mason on the locks, and then again followed blacksmithing. Coming to Clearfield county, in 1837. he purchased a tract of land from the Shoemaker survey, where he developed a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1869. Upon the old home- : known throughout that locality. Politically he stead (which is still owned by his sons), he built a shop and worked at his trade, and also en- gaged in merchandising for twenty-eight years. In his business ventures he met with excellent success, became the owner of large and valuable tracts of timber and coal lands, and was an ex- : tensive dealer in live stock of all kinds. Al- though he took a deep interest in public affairs as a stauch supporter of the Democratic party, he never aspired to office, only accepting a few local positions.
About the time the canal was finished, David 49
McKeehen was married in Cambria county, Penn., to Miss Mary A. McCoy, whose ancestors were of Irish origin and early settlers of that county. She passed away in 1886, at the age of seventy-four years, in the faith of the Presby- terian Church, of which she was a consistent member. By her marriage she became the mother of the following children: Margaret, the wife of L. Bloom; James, of this sketch; David P., who died in childhood; Mrs. Isabella Gilligan, deceased; and Samuel and J. O., who still reside on the old homestead.
James McKechen, our subject, was reared to habits of industry upon the home farm, and ob- tained his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. He has always resided in Jordan township, living with his parents until twenty- six years of age, and aiding his father in the operation of the farm. In 1864 he took up his residence upon the farm where he still lives, buying 300 acres of A. D. Knapp, seventy-five of which had been cleared. At the present time one hundred acres are under cultivation, and the well-tilled fields, comfortable two-story resi- dence, good out-buildings and fine bearing or- chard testify to the thrift and industry of the owner, who is numbered among the most ener- getic and progressive citizens of Jordan town- ship. In 1873 he embarked in general merchan- dising, carrying on business for about two years, . when he sold out; but since 1885 he has again followed that pursuit with good success. In ad- dition, he still looks after his farming interests.
was a Republican, and religiously was a member of the Lutheran Church, to which his wife also belonged. He was of Scotch descent, while she, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Leamer, was of German extraction. Eight children constituted their family, namely: Mary J., wife of our subject: George L .. a merchant of Glasgow: Mrs. Annie E. Schoff: Catherine. wife of J. A. Gates; Sarah, wife of J. M. Troxell; Laura E., wife of J. McCartney; Luther, who resides on the old homestead; and Hudson. a merchant at Fallen Timber.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. and Mrs. McKeehen have four children: Lavinia (Mrs. C. D. McMurray); Harry D. ; John B .; and Joel, who is employed in a bank in Cur- wensville. Of these, John B. was married De- cember 18, 1896, to Isabella Straw, daughter of Enoch Straw, of Ferguson township, Clearfield county. The mother is a consistent inember of the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. McKeehen is a liberal supporter, but he holds membership with no religious denomination. The Demo- cratic party finds in him an earnest advocate, and he takes an active and prominent part in promoting enterprises calculated to advance the general welfare of the community.
F RANK ORCUTT is successfully engaged in the hotel business in Grampian, conducting one of the inost popular hostelries in Clearfield county. For almost a third of a century he has been connected with the lumber and other busi- ness interests of this section, and is recognized as one of the most valued citizens of the community.
Mr. Orcutt was born in September, 1843, in Penobscot county, Maine, of which State his parents-Ezra (born July 1, 1817.) and Sarah (Sawyer) (born July 14, 1820, ) Orcutt-were na- tives, and they still reside upon a farm. The paternal grandfather was a native of Vermont, ; but the maternal grandfather was a native of Maine, where he worked at the carpenter's trade throughout life. He was a conscientious, earnest Christian, taking an active part in all Church work. Of the eleven children born to the par- ents of our subject. all are still living, with the exception of one: (1) Angelina, the eldest, be- came the wife of Cedate Bickmore, and died in Maine, May 7, 1862, three years after her mar- riage, leaving two children-Adda and Angelina, who are both married and have families. (2) Harriet is the wife of George Pearl, a farmer of Penobscot county, Maine, and they have eight children. (3) Flora married Henry Blackstone, a lumberman of Piscataquis county, Maine, by whom she has two daughters. (4) Marshy wed- ded Elonzo Bacheto, a farmer of Maine, and they have a family. (5) Ella married George Turner, who is engaged in the sawmill business in Maine, and they have a family. (6) Annie is the wife of Mark Skellens, a farmer of Maine, and they have children. (7) Tena married Leslie Burrell, of Maine, and has one child. (S) Edgar, who is engaged in lumbering and resides near Corsica, l'enn., married Miss Howe, of Jefferson county, this State, and has a family. (9) Eugene, a farmer of Mckean county, Penn., married Miss Stofle, and has a family. ( 10) Roscoe married
Etta Martin, who died in about 1885. some four years after her marriage, leaving no children. He afterward married again, and resided in Mc- Kean county, Penn., but has now returned to Maine: by his second marriage he has three chil- dren. (11) Frank completes the family.
In 1865, Frank Orcutt left his native State, coming to Bloom township, Clearfield Co., Penn .. . where he worked in the woods on Anderson creek for George and Paul Merrill, and in the spring drove logs down that stream. After one year he obtained employment with Samuel Kirk in Cameron county, Penn., driving a team for six months, after which he returned to Clearfield county and worked on the farm of A. S. Holden. On June 23, 1867, he married his employer's daughter, Miss Mary E. Holden, of Bloom town- ship, the wedding ceremony being performed by Rev. James Clary. After his marriage our sub- ject worked in the woods for. Samuel Kirk of Cameron county until the spring of 1868, when he purchased a team and operated his father-in- law's farm during the summer. He then pur- chased 135 acres of timber land, on which he engaged in lumbering and farming for thirteen years, but in 1873, in connection with A. S. Holden and Hugh Leech, he bought the mill property of Mr. Stronich, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for three years, when the property was destroyed by fire, and as it was without insurance the loss was very heavy. Our subject then returned to his farin. which he sold in the spring of 1881 to Mr. Hartfelt. and the same spring commenced logging for Eliot Arnold, of Curwensville, on Anderson creek, and with his family removed to Camp, where they re- mained three years. He then bought a hotel property in Grampian, which his wife took charge of, running a temperance house, while he fol- lowed logging. In 1890 he contracted with Norris & Irwin to cut three million feet of lumber on Poplar run, and in this business formed a partnership with William Russell under the name of Russell & Orcutt. Later he cut the timber from a large tract for Leavy & Mitchell, and drove the logs down the river, and in 1892 con- tracted with the Curwensville Lumber Co. to put in several million feet of hard-wood lumber. completing that work in the following year. In 1893 he sold his hotel to Fred . Smith, and erected a fine residence in Grampian, which he occupied until the spring of 1895. when he re- purchased the hotel, where he now resides. while his son lives in the private dwelling.
Mr. and Mrs. Orcutt have three sons: Stan- ley, born January 14, 1868, was educated in the common schools of Grampian and grew to man-
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to in the home. In 1889 he became con- township, where his wife died December 26, 1 880. "ated with the Pennsylvania engineer corps, with which he remained for one year, and has Mrs. Orcutt is the eldest of fourteen children, the others being as follows: (2) William married Miss Faust, by whom he has one child. and he resides in Curwensville. (3) Julia A. was the wife of Stephen Fletcher, of Maine, and died December 19, 1880, leaving one son and one daughter. (4) James. a farmer of Minnesota. married Maggie Bundy, of that State. (5) Emily S. married Henry Weaver, of Bloom township; with their three sons they now reside in Clearfield. (6) Robert, a resident of Bellwood. Blair county, is an engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad, run- ning to Punxsutawney; he married Lizzie Mulho- land, and has two children. (;) Harriet L. is the wife of William Shaffer, a farmer of Du Bois, "nice engaged in clerking in the store of E. F. Spencer, of Grampian. (2) E. E., born July 14, Is;1. was also educated in Grampian, and re- mained with his parents until he had attained In- majority, when he married Frances E. Fare- well, a daughter of Noah and Harriet Farewell, of Lumber City. They were married October :3. 1893. and removed to the homestead in Grampian in 1895, in which village E. E. en- Laged in the livery business until March, 1896, when he went to Clearfield. There he carries on the same business at the " Windsor Hotel," and is one of the most wide-awake and active young men of the place. His wife, who has for some time been in ill health, is at present an inmate . Clearfield county, and has four children. (S) of the Presbyterian Hospital at Philadelphia. 3) Melvin, born August 7. 1873, was reared like . the other sons, and is still with his parents. After his brother Ernest moved to Clearfield, lie started in the livery business in Grampian, and has met with excellent success in the undertaking, having a first-class stable, equipped with a fine line of vehicles and a good grade of horses. Courteous and genial in disposition, he has be- : conie a popular business man. On November 3. 1895, he married Sarah A. Whitaker, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Malinda (Wood) Whitaker, of Curwensville, Clearfield county, and they have one child, Roxa, born February 12, 1897.
In politics, Mr. Orcutt is an ardent Democrat. and for a number of years held the office of street commissioner, has also been tax collector, and is still serving as school director. He stands to-day among the solid business men of Grampian, and although quiet and unassuming in manner he makes friends of all with whom he comes in con- tact, and has the high regard of the many rail- road men who stop with him, as well as his other patrons. His estimable wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
A. S. and Susanna Holden, of Bloom town- ship, the parents of Mrs. Orcutt, are numbered among the honored early settlers of Clearfield county. Her grandfather, William Holden, a native of England, married an English lady after coming to Clearfield county, and located on a farm between Lumber City and Curwensville, where the father was born. He married Susanna Bloom, daughter of Judge Bloom, of Pike town- ship, same county, and in that township he cleared a farm, which he afterward sold, buying a farın in Morgans Land, where he resided some ten years. On disposing of the latter place. he purchased a farm on the old Erie pike in Bloom
Andrew Curtin, a farmer. married Mary Graham, of Indiana county, Penn. (9) Grant is clerking in a hotel in Du Bois. (10) Edward made a trip to Alaska, but is now a member of the fire department in Chicago. (1r) Frank, who is en- gaged in the sawmill business near Curwensville, married Ollie Addleman, and has two children. . (12) Abraham Lincoln is employed in Curwens- ville. (13) Harry resides on the old homestead in Bloom township. (14) Frances, an accom- plished young lady of nineteen years, now resides with Mrs. Orcutt. She is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and takes an active part in the work of the Sunday-school and Epworth League.
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