Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 22

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1332

USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 22

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In Winslow township, Jefferson county. in 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sykes and Miss Florenna Philippi, a native of that township, and a daughter of Solomon Philippi. They have five children: Agnes, who married WV. R. Cole, part owner of the People's Planing Mill at Punxsutawney, Penn., and has two chil- dren-Alva L. and Annabell; Asa W., now serv- ing as bookkeeper for his father at Newtonburg, Clearfield county; and Thomas O., Effie and Ruth, all at home.

Our subject is an ardent Republican in poli- tics, and served as the first postmaster of Sykes- ville. He is an honored and prominent inember of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Patriotic Order Sons of America, at that place, and also belongs to the Royal Arcanum of Punx- sutawney. In all places and under all circum- stances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fanie and position. In those finer traits of character which combine to form that which we term friendship, which endear and attach man to man in bonds which nothing but the stain of dishonor can sever, which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity-in these qualities he is royally endowed.

W WILLIAM JOHN MORRISON is numbered among the distinguished citizens of Oli- ver township, Jefferson county, and has attained to a prominent place in its commercial circles entirely through his own efforts. His business policy has ever been honorable, commending him to the confidence and good will of all, and his interests have been prosecuted with vigor and energy, so that as the result of his untiring la- bors he has now a comfortable competence.

Mr. Morrison was born October 13. 1852, in Rose township. Jefferson county, and is a son of Robert C. and Esther (Hill) Morrison, prominent and highly-respected people. His childhood days were spent on his father's farm, unmarked by any event of special importance. He as- sisted in the labors of the field, and attended the public schools of the neighborhood, where he ac- quired a good education. At the age of twenty he began teaching school, and for sixteen winter terms he followed that profession, while in the summer months he studied in different institutes and summer schools, thereby perfecting himself in his work. He was at one time a student in the Edinboro Normal. He won a high reputa- tion as an educator, having the faculty of im- parting readily and clearly to others the knowl- edge that he acquired. He spent one year in the

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oil fields of Butler county. Penn., and passed three years in Colorado and Kansas engaged in teaching and mining, going to the West in 1878, and returning in 1881. Since that time he has engaged in the lumber business in Oliveburg, and in 1892 he purchased the general mercantile store of John B. Fink. He conducts a good business along that line, and also enjoys a fair trade as the owner and operator of a sawmill. In addition to these various commercial interests which occupy his attention, he has acceptably served as postmaster for several years. On No- vember 7, 1882, he was married to Miss Minerva Jordan, who was born on the old family home- stead in Oliver township, Jefferson county, April 6, 1855. They now have two children: Harry and Carrie, at home. They also lost two, Mary and J. Carrolton, who died in childhood.

His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and capability, have frequently elected Mr. Morrison to township office. He is a very active member in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, has served as elder for the past seven years, and has also been superintendent of the Sunday-school In politics he is a stanch Republican. His well- spent life is worthy of emulation, and in the best development of Jefferson county he is an im- portant factor.

J OHN K. BROWN, M. D., a prominent phy- sician and surgeon of Summerville, Penn., is a close and thorough student, a man of deep research, and his investigations into the science of inedicine, as well as his skillful application of the knowledge he has thereby obtained, has won him a place in the foremost ranks of the medical fraternity.

The Doctor was born in 1859 in Summerville, his parents being Dr. R. B. and Susan (Laveley) Brown. The father was a native of Butler county, Penn .. where he remained until 1848, and in 185t he came to Summerville, Jefferson county. For many years he was one of the leading physi- cians of this section, and was also quite promi- nent in public affairs, representing Jefferson county in the General Assembly in 1875 and 1876. He died in 1892, highly respected by all who knew him, but his wife is still living. In their family were two sons and two daughters, namely: John K., of this review: Harry L., now deceased; Lizzie, wife of Samuel J. Cochran, and Ella, de- ceased widow of Dr. Mckibbon, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

The primary education of our subject was ob- tained in the schools of Summerville, but this was supplemented by academic and normal courses. |

After leaving school he engaged in teaching for some four years, and at the age of twenty took up the study of medicine under the able guidance of his father. Later he entered the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and graduated from that institution with the class of 1884, since which time he has successfully engaged in prac- tice at his birth-place-Suminerville.

In 1885 Dr. Brown was married to Mattie J. Hamilton, a daughter of Robert Hamilton, of Jefferson county, and to them was born a daugh- ter-Bessie. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1887. The Doctor was again married, in 1890, the lady of his choice being Miss Minnie Hawthorne, a daughter of James Hawthorne, of Jefferson county. One son blesses this union-Reed B. Mrs. Brown, a cultured and refined lady, holds membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church,

Fraternally, Dr. Brown is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Blue Lodge and Chapter, Brookville, and Ridgway Commandery; his father at the time of his death was the oldest Mason in Jefferson county. Our subject also be- longs to the local and grand lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the former is past grand. In politics he is identified with the Republican party, but has never aspired to official honors, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his profession. As a physician he enjoys the honor of being the peer of any in Jefferson county, is a prominent member of the State and County Medical Societies, and for a period of twelve years has served as surgeon for the Allegheny Valley railroad. His life has been characterized by energy, perseverance and untiring labor, and to these principles his success is due. In 1896 Drs. Brown and Haven organ- ized the Summerville Telephone Co., which has since been developed until the gentlemen inter- ested now have a company chartered at $20,000 with extensive exchanges in the towns of Du- Bois, Reynoldsville, Punxsutawney, Brookville and Summerville; also lines that reach all minor points in the county. Dr. Brown has been presi- dent of the company ever since its organization, and has given much of his energy and time to its interests, which are shown in its great success,

J AMES A. HAVEN, M. D. Among those who devote their time and energies to the practice of medicine and surgery, and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession, is Dr. Haven, of Summerville, Pennsylvania.

Born in 1858, in Clover township, Jefferson county, the Doctor is a son of Clark B. and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Maria (Alexander) Haven. His father was reared near Emporium, Pennsylvania, but came to Jefferson county about 1847 or 1848, and here worked as a common laborer until the Civil war. For three years he faithfully served his country during that struggle, and received a gunshot wound, from the effects of which he died in March, 1893. His wife, who was a native of New York, passed away April 26, 1895.

In the common schools of Jefferson county, cur subject secured his literary education, and during his youth worked at any employment which he could obtain. At the age of eighteen he entered the telegraph office at Summerville, where he learned telegraphy, and was subse- quently operator at that place, which position he acceptably filled for twelve years. For a part of this time, during his leisure hours, he read medi- cine with Drs. R. B. & J. K. Brown, and in 1887 he entered the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, of Pittsburg, Penn., from which institution he was graduated March 27, 1890. He at once entered into partnership with Dr. J. K. Brown, and this firm continued business for one year, when Dr. Haven removed to Clarion, Penn. After engaging in practice at that place for a year, he returned to Summerville, where he has since successfully followed his chosen call- ing. He has that true love for his work without which there can be no success, and has always been a progressive physician, constantly improv- ing on his own and the methods of others, and gaining further encouragement and inspiration from the performance of each day's duties.

On December 1, 1897, the Summerville Tele- phone Company, a corporation capitalized at $20,000, with a charter covering Jefferson, Clear- field, Elk, Forest, Clarion, Armstrong and Indi- ana counties, recognizing Dr. Haven's ability and qualifications for discharging the duties incident to the office, resulting from his long experience with the railroad company as agent and operator, tendered him the position of General Superin- tendent of their business, which he accepted, and dissolving the partnership existing between him- self and Dr. Brown, he at once entered npon the duties of said office, which he continues to hold. The Doctor has had general supervision of the construction of the telephone company's plant and the arrangement of its business, and every indication is that he will prove the wisdom of the company in selecting him for this important trust ...

On June 17, 1882, Dr. Haven was united in marriage with Miss Lula B. Carrier, a daughter of Hiram Carrier, a worthy citizen of Summer- ville, and to them were born two children, but only one survives-Hila Sarah.

From humble surroundings the Doctor has risen to his present position of eminence. Though his medical education was obtained under many trying circumstances, he now ranks high among his professional brethren, and is a prominent mem- ber of the Jefferson County Medical Society. Socially, he is a Master Mason and an Odd Fel- low, and is past grand in the latter order. His political affiliations are with the Democracy.

G EORGE HORM. Jefferson county has many well-to-do and successful agriculturists who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods through individual effort. Among this class the subject of this notice is entitled to men- tion. He is now the owner of a fine farm in Washington township, where he is industriously engaged in the prosecution of his noble calling, and is meeting with far more than ordinary suc- cess.

Mr. Horm was born in Centre county, Penn .. September 25, 1832, a grandson of John Horm, a native of Germany, who for seven years served in the German army, part of the time under Na- poleon. After his discharge from the service he came to the United States, locating in Lancaster county, Penn., where he married a native of that county, a woman of German descent. Subse- quently he came to Jefferson county, where he transformed a tract of wild land into a fine farm, and spent his remaining days. He and his wife were Lutherans. They were the parents of four sons: John, George, William and Jacob.

John Horm, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, but in early life ac- companied his parents on their removal to Jef- ferson county, where he grew to manhood. Going to Bellefonte, he engaged in stage driving for some time, and in Centre county married Elizabeth Clinger. About 1835 he returned to Jefferson county, where he took up a tract of wild land and devoted his attention to agricult- ural pursuits until called from this life in 1860. His first wife had died many years previous, and he afterward wedded Mary A. Morrison, of Clearfield county, by whom he had seven chil- dren: Mrs. Sarah Ray, Mrs. Amanda Dean, Mrs. Mary E. Burket, Mrs. Matilda Millern, Mrs. Emma Johnson, Fanny, and Mrs. Lavina Slack. Our subject is the oldest and only survivor of the four children born of the first union. the others being John, Joseph, and Elizabeth (wife of John McKnut). The parents were devout members of the Lutheran Church, and highly respected by all who knew them.

Like most farmer boys, George Horm was

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educated in the country schools, and early be- came familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Leaving home at the age of twenty-two; he began the struggle of life for himself by making square timber and rafting on the river, which occupations he continued to fol-

low for many years. Soon after his marriage he bought a tract of heavily-timbered land, which he improved, but later sold and purchased 150 acres, which comprises his present valuable farm. He has placed eighty acres under excellent cult- ure, and has erected good and substantial build- ings upon the place, which to-day ranks among the best in Washington township. For many years he continued lumbering, was considered one of the best pilots on the river, but now gives his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. Po- litically he is one of the most reliable men in the Democratic party, and takes a lively interest in matters pertaining to the progress and develop- ment of his adopted county. In 1856 he was married to Miss Sarah Rea, and to them were born thirteen children, of whom two died in childhood. The others were as follows: Winfield, who died at the age of thirty-six, Elsworth at the age of nineteen, William at eleven, and Lu- zette at six, all dying of diphtheria within thirty- six hours; Elizabeth, now the wife of G. Milison; Mary A .; Mrs. Lucinda Crawford; Mrs. Ella Sample; Edith; Lewis and Leslie, at home.

Mrs. Horm is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Yemans) Rea, natives of Clarion county, Penn., and Connecticut, respectively. In 1864 they re- moved to Iowa, where he died in 1881, and his + wife in 1887. They had been among the first to settle in Washington township, Jefferson countys and underwent all the hardships and privation, incident to pioneer life, at one time having to go nearly three miles to borrow fire, as it was be- fore the time of matches. Upon their frontier farm they raised all the food for the family, and not only wove the cloth for their own clothing, but also for their neighbors at Beechwoods. Mr. Rea was of Irish, his wife of English, lineage, and both were consistent members of the Method- : ist Church. Their children were Jerry, Tabitha, George, Harry, Mary, Lucinda, John and Ma- tilda.

E LZA McANINCH, a veteran of the Civil war. is numbered among the substantial citizens of Henderson township, Jefferson county, where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits for some years.

Mr. McAninch is of pioneer stock, his father, John McAninch, who was born at Brady's Bend,

Penn., having settled at an early day in Jefferson county, married Miss Maria Reed, a native of the locality. After his marriage John McAninch bought a tract of land in Jefferson county, and remained there until after his wife's death in 1867. He then removed to Big Run, where he was employed by Henry Brown in cutting timber, and was accidentally killed by a falling tree. Our subject was one of nine children, of whoin five died at an early age. Of two sisters who lived to maturity, both are now deceased. Charlotte married Abram Milliron, of Big Run, and died at Reynoldsville in 1890, leaving three children: Seth, Dochie and. Ella. Isabella, the youngest sister of our subject, died some years ago, unmar- ried. His only surviving brother. Seth, who is engaged in mercantile business in Punxsutawney, married Miss Margaret Williams, of Jefferson county, and has three daughters: Myrtle, now Mrs. George Grofford, of Punxsutawney, and Miss Maud and Miss May, both at home.

Elza McAninch, our subject, was born in 1833, at the old home in Jefferson county, and was there reared. In 1858 he was mar- ried Miss Henrietta Cochran, a daughter of Matthew and Margaret Cochran, wealthy agri- culturists of the same county. After his mar- riage our subject located at Brookville and worked in a sawmill until 1863, when he enlisted in Com- pany G, 76th P. V. I. The new recruits were first taken to Braddock's Field, near Pittsburg, for equipment and drill, and then went to Phila- delphia, where they took boats for Hilton Head, S. C. From that point they were sent into Vir- ginia, and . their experience in actual warfare came when they were marched to the front at the fierce fight at the Weldon Railroad, where they drove back the enemy and tore up the rails for several miles. In their next engagement, which was at Drury's Bluff, they were less for- tunate, as after four days of incessant fighting the Rebels were reinforced and the Federal forces were obliged to retreat to White House Landing. In June, 1864, the command were at Cold Har- bor, and while there our subject was taken ill with typhoid fever. He was taken to a hospital at Hampton Roads, where lie remained for eleven months, and on his recovery he was discharged, as peace had been declared. " The following are the principal heavy engagements participated in. However this does not include the many smaller .skirmishes, of which no note is taken: Fort Pulaski, Ga., April 11, 1862; James Island, S. C., June 16, 1862; Pocotaligo, S. C., October 22, (862; Morris' Island, S. C., July 10, 1863: Fort Wagner, S. C., July 10, 1863; Fort Wagner, : S. C., July 16, 1863; Chesterfield Heights, Va.,

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May 7, 1864; Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14, 1864; Drury's Bluff, Va., May 16, 1864; Cold Harbor, Va .. June 1, 2 and 3, 1864; Richmond & Petersburg R. R., June 16, 1864; Petersburg, Va., June 30, 1864; Mine Explosion, Va., July 30, 1864; Deep Bottom, Va., August 14, 1864; Strawberry Plains, Va., August 16, 1864; Fort Harrison, Va., September 28, 1864; Fort Gilmore, Va., September 29, 1864; Darbytown Road, Va., October 27, 1864; Fort Fisher, N. C., June 15, 1865."

Our subject came home by way of Baltimore, Md., and Indiana, Penn., and soon after his ar- rival at Brookville was employed in Alexander Pain's sawmill. In 1867 he moved to Big Run and engaged in lumbering as a jobber for Henry Brown, and, in 1871, he went to Stanton to work for L. B. Carlisle in a sawmill there. After seven years at that place Mr. McAninch worked three years in the mill of Samuel Kuntz, and then he spent four years at Big Run in the employ of William Reed. In 1893 he moved to the Hind- man farm near Big Run, where he has since been engaged in agriculture.

In November, 1895, his beloved wife passed to the unseen world, her death causing sincere grief among a large circle of friends. Six chil- dren survive, namely: (1) John, now (1898) forty-one years of age, is a farmer in Henderson township, Jefferson county. He married Miss Lena Weaver, of the same county, and has two children-Henrietta and Glen, both at home. (2) Calvin, aged thirty-eight years, received a com- mon-school education, and is engaged in farming in Henderson township. He married Miss Flor- ence Gourley, daughter of James and Mary Gour- ley, wealthy residents of Henderson township, her father being a leading merchant and lumber- man of Big Run. After his marriage Calvin pur- chased a home at Big Soldier, where he was em- ployed for some years in the mills at filing, but in 1891 he sold his property, and, returning to Henderson township, bought his father-in-law's farm, which he has since operated. He has

three children: James Blair, Clyde C. and Mary Belle. (3) Alvin Minor, aged thirty-three years, is not married, and at present is working in the woods as a lumberman. (4) Clara Alice, aged thirty-one years, married Michael Painter, formerly of Armstrong county, Penn., and is now a resident of Sykesville, where he is engaged in mining. They have no family. (5) James, aged twenty-three years, is single, and works in the woods in the lumber business. (6) Rollie Baker is aged fifteen years. The parents of these six children united with tlie M. E. Church some years ago, and their daughter, Clara, is also a

member. While our subject has never been a .

politician, he takes much interest in the ques- tions of the day, and, as his father before him was, he is a stanch Republican, having left the Whig party to join in the great anti-secession movement which secured for all time the unity and indivisibility of our country.

L M. HURD, general superintendent of the Elk Tanning Company, of Falls Creek, Jefferson county, is a man of excellent business and executive ability, with the brain to devise and the hand to carry forward his plans. He has won success in industrial circles that has made him a substantial citizen, one possessed of superior business qualifications.

Henry Hurd, father of our subject, a native of Greene county, N. Y., for many years was a prominent dealer in live stock in New York City, where he died in 1882. He married Miss Harriet Morss, of the same nativity, who passed away in 1890. Gen. Jehiel Tuttle, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a son of Lieut. John Tuttle, who served in the war of the Revolution. Henry and Harriet Hurd had a family of five children, all living on Long Island, N. Y., except our sub- ject: Morris, L. M. (our subject), Jehiel T. (who is practicing law in New York City), Harriet and Minnie.

L. M. Hurd, whose name opens this sketch, was born January 23, 1852, in New York City, and was reared on Long Island, where he ob- tained his education. He afterward went to Sullivan county, N. Y., with Medad Morss, and later worked in Susquehanna county, Penn., whence he removed to Lewis county, N. Y. In IS91 he came to Falls Creek, where he entered the employ of Mr. Proctor. He is now general superintendent of the Elk Tanning Company at that place. The plant was built in 1891, and is located in both Jefferson and Clearfield counties, but the greater part is in the former county. In connection with the tannery there are seventy acres of land. upon which has been erected forty-nine residences, all owned and con- trolled by the company. Employment is fur- nished to 120 men, and the average annual out- put is four million pounds of sole leather. In 1893 the business was incorporated under the name of the Elk Tanning Company, and the suc- cess of the enterprise is due in a large measure to Mr. Hurd, who has successfully controlled its af- fairs, and so conducted its interests as to win a liberal patronage and secure a comfortable com- petence.

In 1888 Mr. Hurd was united in marriage in

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Potter county, Penn., with Miss Alice M. Hen- dryx, and they have many friends in the commu- nity, while their pleasant home is noted for its hospitality. In his political views Mr. Hurd is a Republican; in religious faith he is a member and vestryman of the Episcopal Church at Du- Bois, Mrs. Hurd adhering to the tenets of the Presbyterian faith. He is a citizen whose inter- est in the welfare of his town and county is shown by his earnest support of all measures calculated to promote the general welfare.

G EORGE R. BELL, D. D. S., of Punxsutaw ney, is one of the leading dentists of Jefferson county, where his ability, professional knowledge and skill are widely recognized.

For several generations the Bell family bave been residents of Jefferson county. Squire John Bell, his great-grandfather, was born in North- umberland county, Penn. He was a great hunt- er, being very fond of the sport, and in an early day in his locality he killed many bears, wolves, and deer. Joseph Bell, a son of Squire John Bell and the grandfather of Dr. Bell, was born in 1797, in Jefferson county. He married Sarah McKee, of Pennsylvania, and had two sons: Hugh M., and Franklin W., of Missouri. The mother of these died, and the father married Rachel Campfield, and to this union were born three daughters, namely: Betsy (deceased); Mary Ellen (widow of William Morris), of Jeffer- son county; and Jane (Mrs. Miller Means), of Lindsey, Jefferson county. Hugh M. Bell mar- ried Ellen Martin, and they became the parents of our subject. Both were born in 1825. Hugh M. Bell is now one the leading agriculturists of Jefferson county, a resident of Perry township. His wife still survives, and both, though well ad- vanced in years, enjoy good health. They are kind neighbors, and hold the esteem of a large acquaintance throughout their township and the county.

George R. Bell received a good academic education, and remained upon the home farm un- til he attained the age of nineteen, when he started out in life for himself. He first engaged in teach- ing, and successfully followed that honorable call- ing for eleven years, but at the end of that period resigned his school and took up the study of dentistry. Entering the Philadelphia Dental College, he was graduated in 1889, and at once opened an office in Brockwayville, Jefferson county, where he remained for two years. In 1891 he located in Punxsutawney, and now en- joys a large and lucrative practice. On June 19, 1890, he was married to Miss Hattie I., daugh-

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 22

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1332

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1332