Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 98

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 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 98

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(2) Thomas H. Means, second son of Judge Means, was born March 1. 1855, in Brookville, Penn., and was educated at the schools of that city and in the academy at Lewisburg. About the year 1879 he formed a partnership with Judge Mills in a mercantile business that continued for about two years when Mr. Means purchased Mr. Mills' interest, and continued the business alone until 1889. In that year he sold out to his brothers, John and Harry Means. On April 1, 1895, he re-opened a mercantile house in Brook- ville, where he has since successfully engaged in business. On October 16, 1878, he was married to Mollie E. Mills, of Brookville, a daughter of John Mills; they have no children.

(3) John Barton Means, the third son of Judge Means, was born March 30, 1857, and re- ceived his education in Brookville. After several years spent in hustling, and in various enterprises in different parts of the country, he formed a partnership, in 1889, with his brother, Harry G., in mercantile business in Brookville. On No- vember 13, 1890, he married Ada M. Dickey, daughter of William Dickey, of Brookville; they have no children.

(4) Sallie A., fourth child of Judge Means, was married to George T. Rodgers, of Brookville. In 1889 Mr. Rodgers and others from Brookville established a bank at Lamar, Mo., of which he was cashier. On September 18, 1890, he died in Brookville. Mrs. Rodgers now resides in that city with her three children-Mary McClure, Ruth and George T.

15, Harry G. Means, the youngest of the family, was born July 7. 1864, and received his education in Brookville, and in the Lewisburg academy. In 1889 he entered into partnership with his brother, John B., and for eight years has been successfully engaged in mercantile busi- ness in Brookville. Mr. Means was married September 7. 1887, to Emma Smith, of Brook-

ville, and they have had three children-Robert Reed, who died May 30, 1890; Sara, born June 12. 1893, and William Means, born February 4, 1895, are still living.

R OBERT HAMILTON is undoubtedly the oldest native-born citizen of Jefferson county, who yet makes his home within its bor- ders. For eighty-five years he has resided here, bearing his part of the material development, sharing in the labors' that have transformed its forests into marketable products and its lands into highly-cultivated farms, and exerting his aid and influence for the welfare of churches, schools and all moral interests.

Mr. Hamilton was born in Perry township, in January, 1813, a son of David and Margaret (McFarland) Hamilton. His father was born in County Derry, Ireland, and in that country was married, one son, James, being born to them before their emigration to America. On coming to the United States they located near Greens- burg, Penn., where Mr. Hamilton spent two years in the employ of Judge Young, a prominent man of that day. In 1805 he purchased ISo acres of land in Perry township, Jefferson county. and in the midst of the forest located his family, their home being a round-log cabin. He after- ward built a hewed-log house, in which he lived until his death in 1850. His wife passed away in 1821. David and Margaret Hamilton had six

children: (1) James, born in Ireland, remained with his father until his death at the age of forty- two years, largely operating his land, which covered 1,000 acres in Indiana and Jefferson counties. (2) Joseph died in childhood. 3) Young was killed by a falling tree in his boyhood. (4) John, born in Perry township, in ISo;, mar- ried Mattie Hopkins, of Indiana county, and lo- cated in East Mahoning township, that county, on a farmi given him by his father. There he spent his remaining days, dying in March, 1894. at the age of eighty-eight years. His widow and four children survive him. Margrett, the eldest, is the widow of William Nichols, who died in 1894, but she is still living on a farm given her by her father adjoining the old home- stead. Nancy became the wife of Nathaniel North, of Indiana county, and resided on a farm in North Mahoning until her death a few years since: Anna (Mrs. Haslet) resides on a part of her father's farm; and Elizabeth Mrs. Wine- coop) resided on a farm near her father's until her death, which occurred in 1892. (0) David, who was born and reared on the old homestead. married a Miss North, and died on the home

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place in May, 1895, leaving a widow and four children, who still reside there. -

Robert Hamilton was reared under the parent- al roof, and received but limited educational privileges, for there were no free schools in the neighborhood. He and his brother Jolin assisted their father in clearing the farm, and were connected with him in the purchase of land until his father's death. In 1837 the entire manage- ment and settlement of the estate devolved upon cur subject. His father gave him 300 acres of partially improved land adjoining Perrysville, and at the time of his marriage he located on that property, building there a good residence. For many years he successfully conducted a mercan- tile establishment there, carrying a large and well selected stock of goods, and receiving from the public a liberal patronage. He also superin- (3) D. A. Hamilton, the third of the family. was born in February, 1851. attended the public schools of Perrysville, and pursued a commercial course in Mt. Union, Ohio. He clerked in his father's store. and was manager of the business for a number of years. Later he engaged in merchandising on his own account. In 1884 he married Annie Edmonds, of Bethlehem, Penn., and then located in Perrysville, where he erected a very fine residence, his time being now devoted to the management of his farming interests. He has a daughter, Garnett, and a son, Robert E .. both at home. tended his farming interests. He purchased the Hadden and Bell farins adjoining the old home- stead, and has dealt extensively in real estate. He is now one of the largest land owners of Perry township, having 1,000 acres in the neighborhood of his home. In 1845 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Johnston, of Armstrong county, and for almost fifty years they traveled life's journey together. but on the end of Jan- uary, 1894, they were separated by the hand of death. They had eight children: (1) James J . born in November. 1846, and educated in the select schools of Perrysville and the common (4) Mary E. Hamilton, born on the old home- stead in 1852, married Dr. A. D. McComb. of profession in Hawthorn, Penn. They have one child, Myrtle, who is still under the parental roof. schools of Perry township, married Maggie Gourley, of Jefferson county. They now reside | Clarion county, Penn., who is now practicing his on his farm a mile north of Perrysville, and in connection with agricultural pursuits he deals in live stock and follows lumbering. Their chil- dren are -- David B., who is married. is a grad- uate of the Columbus (Ohio) Medical School, and is now practicing in Mason, Ohio; Ella, who be- came the wife of Alexander Mitchell, of Jefferson county, and died in 1895, leaving a daughter, Ella: and Blanche, yet at home with her parents.

(2) WILLIAM S. 'HAMILTON, born in Perrys- ville, in 1848, was educated in the public and . select schools, and in his early life engaged in farming. stock dealing and merchandising. In 1876 he went to the town of Indiana, where he followed merchandising for ten years, a part of the time as a partner of William R. Longhrey. He married Emma Rowe, of Indiana, danghter of Adam and Susan Rowe, a lumberman and real estate dealer of Indiana county, Penn. A daugh- ter was born to them March 21. 1885, and died in August of the same year, and the mother passed away January 23. 1886. In May. 1885. William S. Hamilton became associated with J. R. Johnston in the brokerage business, having an

office at the corner of Fifth avenue and Wood street, Pittsburg. His experience in business as a speculator and broker were quite extensive, from 1886 to ISS8, and the firmn were members of the Board of Trade in Chicago. They leased 12,000 acres of land in Greene county, Penn., for oil purposes, and were pioneers in what was known as the Nineveh oil fields, but owing to the ill health of Mr. Hamilton the partnership was dissolved in 1889. Since that time he has resided on the old family homestead, engaged in farining and kindred pursuits. In 1895 he built one of the finest residences of the county, sup- plying it with all modern improvements. He is a very energetic and capable business man. a scholarly gentleman and a trusted friend who in all life's relations is true and faithful to his duties.

(5) Laura A., born in November, 1854, and educated in the select schools of Perry township. is the wife of Dr. J. A. Miller, of Jefferson county, who for thirty years has successfully practiced medicine in Perrysville. They have two children-Robert H., a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, is now associated with his father in business; and Mary N., a cultured young lady. is a graduate of Hollidaysburg Sem- inary.

(6) Martha J., born on the old homestead. in August, 1856, married Dr. John K. Brown. of Somerville, Jefferson county, where for many years he has practiced medicine. His wife died on March 19, 1887, leaving a daughter, Bessie, who is still with her father: a son. Robert Mc- Farland, died at the age of two months: and another son, John B., died at the age of two years.

In his political views, our subject was erig- inally a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. He has held

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the office of postmaster of the Hamilton office for a number of years, and for an extended period has been school director and treasurer. He is a member of the Perry Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged, and in that faith they reared their family. He is a ven- erable old man, whose well-spent life has won him the unqualified respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact. The family is one of prominence in the community, and father and sons have long been known as leading business men.

H ON. ALEXANDER COLWELL WHITE, of Brookville, Jefferson county. ] = is natural that men should look upon one who has made his way to distinction in defiance of adverse circumstances with more considera- tion than is given those to whom a kind fortune gave an advantageous start in life. That many have done so in this land of wide opportunities in business, political and professional lines, does not in the least detract from the credit due to each one who has bravely faced and measured the odds against him, and bravely determined to win.

The early struggles of the subject of this ! sketch before he acquired an education, com- | gress with distinguished ability, and has since pleted his legal studies as law student, and ; been actively engaged in the practice of law.

gained a foothold in the legal profession are well known to many of our readers who have watched his career from early manhood with sympathetic interest, and it is fitting that the story should be recorded here that all may learn its inspiring lessons. Mr. White was born near Kittanning. Armstrong Co., Penn., December 12, 1833, and was reared upon a farin, attend- ing the common schools in winter until the age of twenty. He then began teaching in the pub- lic schools, and in the following summer pur- sned his studies in Jacksonville Institute, and from that time he attended school in summer and taught in winter, putting in his spare time in harvesting. or, as a hand, rafting and running lumber. He was graduated at Dayton Univer- sity in the fall of 1859, and in the summer of 1860 he went to Jefferson county to take charge of the public schools at Punxsutawney. During that fall he commenced studying law under the Hon. Phineas W. Jenks; in the spring of 1861. he enlisted with the first three-months' men, in Company I, 8th P. V. I., under Col. A. A. Mcknight. On his return he completed his le- gal studies, and was admitted to practice at the December term, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he commenced the practice of law with Capt. John

Hastings, of Punxsutawney, under the firm name of Hastings & White, and speedily gained an en- viable place in the profession.

On May 25, 1864, Mr. White was married to Ellen M. Murray, and this union was blessed with two children: John M., born August IS, 1871, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere; and Nellie March, who was born March 26, 1876. and died July 26, 1879. In 1867 Mr. White was elected District Attorney of Jefferson coun- ty, and in the spring of 1868 he moved to the county seat. His able discharge of his duties pleased the people, and in 1870 he was re- elected to the same office. From 1860 to the present time he has taken an active part in pol- itics as a stanch Republican, having no sympathy with third parties or half-way measures. While he respects an honest opponent, he has little con- sideration for men without politics, religion or principle. The Twenty-fifth Congressional Dis- trict composed of the counties of Armstrong, In- diana. Jefferson, Clarion and Forest was formed in 1874, and, as it was carried by the Democrats in 1880 and 1882, it was considered hopeless for a Republican. In 1884 Mr. White received the nomination, and after a hotly contested cam- paign was elected by over I, Soo majority. He served two years in the United States Con-

W T ILLIAM LONG. As a representative of the intelligent and hardy pioneers who opened up Jefferson county for settlement, and have since taken a conspicuous part in develop- ing it, we are pleased to place in this volume a brief sketch of the life of the gentleman whose name introduces this notice. For many years he was actively identified with the farming and lum- her interests of Young township, but has now practically laid aside business cares.

William Long was born in Haines township. Centre county. Penn., near Cooks Mills, Septet- ber 14. 1816, a son of Joseph Andrew and Mar- garet (Kuntz, Long. natives of Germany and Danphin connty respectively. The father, Jo- seph Long, was about nineteen or twenty years of age when he emigrated to America, locating in Centre county, Penn., where he worked at the tailor's trade for many years. During the war of 1812 he aided his adopted country, and when hostilities had ceased returned to Centre county. In 1824, he left Centre county, and arrived in Punxsutawney February 24. of the same year, but being an invalid at that time was unable to do much work; his death occurred in the latter

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part of November, 1832. He built one of the first houses in Punxsutawney, which is still stand- ing, and is yet known as the Long building-a landmark of pioneer days. His wife passed away in 1884, at the advanced age of ninety- three years.

Although his school privileges were meagre, William Long made the most of his advantages, . and obtained a fair knowledge of the common branches of learning. He was reared on the frontier farm, and early became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and lumberman, which occupation he followed through- out his active business life. In 1824 he had ac- companied his parents to Jefferson county, and was only sixteen years of age at the time of his fa- ther's death. During his early days he raised a company in Jefferson and Indiana counties called the " Jefferson Rangers," for the Third Battalion. Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, and was com- missioned as captain by Gov. Porter. This regiment proffered its services to the government during the Mexican war, but was a couple of days too late.

In 1842 William Long was married to Miss Susannah Miller, who was born in Tyrone town- ship, Huntingdon Co., Penn., September 18, 1819, a daughter of John M. Miller, who after- ward moved to near Trade City, Indiana Co., Penn. Eight children graced their union, and seven of the number are still living: Anna E., now the widow of John Cary; James K., a prom- inent contractor and builder, of Clayville, Penn .; Mary M., wife of Harry L. Armstrong, of Clay- ville, Penn .; Samuel H., a resident of Lincoln, Kans .; Kate M., wife of John B. Johnston, of near Horatio, Jefferson county; David B., of South Young township, Jefferson county; and Martha, wife of J. A. Snyder, of Covode, Indiana Co., Penn. The one deceased is William C., who passed away August 19. 1887. The wife and mother departed this life April 19, 1895. at the age of seventy-six years and eight months. Although William Long never aspired to office, he is a stanch Republican in politics, and in his religious views he holds membership in the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church. He is one of the honored and valued citizens of the community, and well deserves the high regard in which he is universally held.

Johnston Harvester Company, of Batavia, N. Y. In ISS3 he was married at Lincoln, Kans., to Miss Olive B. Askey, a native of Bellefonte, Centre Co., Penn., and they now have six chil- dren, namely: Max W., Paul N., Harry A .. Zola I., Ethel D. and Morris Dean.

Mrs. Long is a consistent member of the Baptist Church: fraternally Mr. Long is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias: in politics he is a stalwart supporter of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, but is no politician in the sense of office seeking.

AMES L. BROWN. The interesting history of the Brown family, and of the worthy gentleman whose name opens this sketch, would lose much by being given in the third per- son, and we therefore present the simple narra- tive as, at our request, it was prepared by Mi. Brown:

" It may not be interesting to a majority of the masses to read the genealogy of any partic- ular person, but at the same time it should be a subject that all of us ought to be interested in. As a general thing, in the make-up of our human family, we regard but little the blood that flows in our veins, from whence it came, and what will be the condition of generations that follow after. It's an old Scotch saying that blood is thicker than water. I have often seen charts giving the pedi- gree of horses and dogs, and at the same time, those that seem to take such an interest in them when asked regarding their own genealogy could hardly tell who their grandfathers were and could seldom trace their genealogy any farther. Now, why is this so? Is not our blood equal to that of a brute?

"As a descendant of the pilgrims who landed at Plymouth in 1626, I find satisfaction in trac- ing back the line through intervening generations. Peter Brown came over in the . Mayflower, and landed at Plymouth, with wife and one or more children, leaving in England a brother. John. who followed soon after, landing at Plymouth in 1626. John brought with him his wife, Dorothy, and two sons -- James and John-and became greatly distinguished. He died in 1662, April 10, and was buried at the head of Bullock's Cove. Bris- tol Co., Mass. Shipwright by trade, Assistant to the Governor, Commissioner of the United Col- onies, etc. Was married in England, December 22, 1611, to Dorothy Beauchamp, who was born in 1584, and died at Rehoboth, Mass .. January 27. 1674. They had three children-John. James, and Mary, who married Thomas Willett,

DAVID B. LONG, the youngest son of our sub- ject, now operates the old farm, making his home with his father. He was reared upon the place, and for some years successfully followed school teaching, but later devoted his time and attention to farmning. In connection with the latter he is a contractor and collector for The , the first English mayor of the city of New York ._

١- ١كمــ فك ● الغز يجب

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and from who descended the famous Col. Marinus Willett, who fought in the battle of New York City, in the army of the Revolution.

"The subject of this sketch is a descendant from John, the line being traced as follows: John, the first, who landed at Plymouth, John 2-John 3-John 4-James 5-James 6-Amasa 7-James 8-Orlando 9-and James L. Brownto. ** John (2) married Lydia Buckland, daughter of William Buckland, and had five children- John, born September 2, 1650; Lydia, born Au- gust 6, 1656; Anna, born January 29, 1657, Joseph, born April 8, 1658; Nathaniel, born June 9, 1661. John (2) died November 24, 1709.

" John (3), Captain in King Phillips war, married Anna Mason, daughter of Maj. John Mason, and had six children: John (4) born April 28, 1675, and died April 23. 1752: and the rest of the children were Samuel 2-Daniel 3-Ste- phen 4-Joseph 5-and Anne 6.

" John (4) married Abigail Cole, July 2, 1696, and had a son, James (5), born January 2. 1706, and died May 4, 1777. John (4). was also a captain in the colonial army and served with great distinction ..

" James (5) married Ruth Pierce, daughter of Ephraim Pierce. She was born 1707, and died May 6, 1777. Four children were born: James (6), September 14, 1732; Aaron, April 6, 1734; David, November 11, 1741 : Abigail, June 30, 1729.

** James (6) married at Providence, R. I., Mary Anthony, born December 22, 1737, died February 24. ISIo, and had seven children as follows: Amasa (7), born 1754: Alice, 1756; Anthony. 1758: Stephen, 1761: Ruth, 1763; Jonathan, 1765; David, 1769. Amasa above was a noted preacher at Hartford, New York: died January 22, 1830. and by his second wife, Deborah Carr. had eight children: James (S); Abigail: Benjamin: John: Amasa (II); Stephen; Anthony; and David. The Rev. Amasa Brown was my great-grandfather, and James (S) my grandfather. I have in my possession a cane having a silver head upon it bearing this inscrip- tion, . Jacob Cole. 1694.' given to me by him, with the request that I hand it down. Jacob Cole was the father of Abigail, who was the wife of Capt. John Brown, and the mother of James (5. Isaac Cole, the father of Jacob, resided in Charleston, Mass ; he and his wife, Joana, hav- ing come from Sandwich, County of Kent, Eng- land, about 1638. James was born July 16, 1641, and married Sarah Lain, and by her had one daughter-Abigail, above named. Jacob was a soldier in Capt. Moseley's command in the great Narragausett fight on December 19, 1675.

The cane mentioned, being over 200 years old. is highly prized as a relic of by-gone days. and when I look upon it it refreshes the recollec- tion of my grandfather. as I saw him when he handed me the cane at ten years of age. He was over six feet in height, and of lofty and soldier- like bearing, at the age of eighty. I can never forget. We now come to those endearing words our father ': Orlanda Brown (9) was born at Swanton. \'t., October 27, 1800, and died at Brookville, Penn., December 12, 1881. He was married in Rushville, N. Y., in 1823, to Meriba Loomis, and five children were born. of their union: Amanda Sophia; Louise Marie; Orlando Howell; James Loomis (myself): and Carrie Adelphia. My mother died January 3, IS73, at Moravia. N. Y. Father became very lonely after mother's death (as all his children had married and left him), and was married a second time. his second wife being Edatha Loomis, widow of Hiram Loomis, of Chicago, Ill. She is now liv- ing at Brookville in the enjoyment of good health. "I was born at Avon, New York, August 27. 1838, and my parents moved to Belfast, Allegany Co., N. Y., when I was a babe. It was in the dead of winter. The house we moved into was made of single boards set up on end, and not even battened. Mother has often told me how the snow would blow in at the numberless cracks. and what a hard time she had to keep me from freezing. From Belfast we moved to Caneadea. and.in IS42 we moved to Angelica, the county seat. There my boyhood days were spent: the only education I ever received being at the dis- trict schools. 'The tallow candle was the only light we had to brighten our evenings. The only paper that came to the house, outside of the town paper, was a weekly published in Phila- delphia, and in the evenings when we would sit around the table to listen to father reading the stories to us. it was always my business to snuff the two and sometimes three candles we had burning. Camphene was the next great improve- ment in light for our stores, and for our home reading burning fluid took the place of candles. but on account of its supposed danger it was a long time before it was fairly introduced. The Drake oil well in 1860, and the discovery of oil in Oil creek, Penn., opened the way for its gen- eral use, capital poured in, and the establish- ment of refineries gave us our present cheap and abundant light. Inventive minds came into the field to utilize the waste products of our weils. and to-day we enjoy the blessing of natural gas for heating as well as for light.

" At the age of sixteen I went into a store at $8.00 per month. which kept me in clothes, my

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board being provided at home. My sister Amanda having married Mr. Charles H. Sturtevant, who was doing a general mercantile business at Dele- van, Wis., I went there at nineteen to clerk for him. While I was in the West in 1857, political matters were consuming the attention of the whole country, and the great debate between Lincoln and Douglas was going on in Illinois. All banking was done by state and private banks, and when the panic came, you could not tell at night if the various bills you held would be worth anything in the morning. During my stay at Delevan, my father bought out Patrick McTaff in the foundry and machine business at Brook- ville, Penn., and moved the family to that place during the winter of 1857-58. I left Wisconsin in the fall of 1858 for our new home, and had to stage it from Kittanning, as that was as far as the cars extended up the Allegheny Valley. Coming from the western prairie, staging over the frozen stubbles and over our long hills, I thought it a terrible ride. Soon after my arrival I entered the employ of Brown & Wann as bookkeeper, at $20 per month. The spring of 1861 next comes vividly to my memory, when news came of the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Business of all kinds was suspended, and it was a year of great anxiety: I remember Hon. K. L. Blood (then a State Senator), James E. Long and my- self having a personal interview with Presi- dent Buchanan in February, 1861, at the White House. In talking over the situation, the President cried over the fact that some of his cabinet had proved traitors to him. cannot remember all that he said. but to see great tears running down the cheeks of that kind-hearted man, showing the interest he felt in the whole country, while powerless in a measure to stay the impending conflict of brother against brother. and father against son. left an impression on my mind never to be forgotten. They were the tears of an honest, noble man, who was trying to do his whole duty. During that year almost every able-bodied man was enrolled in the three- months' service to crush the Rebellion.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 98

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