Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 28

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 28
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 28
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 28
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 28

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company held on a lease. This expired in 1895, but Mr. Craig's record was such that the new firin retained his services. The mine is one of the largest in the country, and is fitted out with the latest improvements. In March, 1897, Mr. Craig realized that accidents will happen in the best regulated mines, as he had his right arm broken by a cable which snapped at an inoppor- tune moment, and, flying up, struck him. He is prominent in local affairs, and is a Repub- lican in his political affiliations. In 1895 he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as school director, and in 1896 was elected to succeed him- self. He is an active worker in the Masonic order, belonging to John W. Reed Lodge, No. 536, F. and A. M., of Reynoldsville, and Jeffer- son Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M., at Brookville. In his religious views, he adheres to the faith of his Iorefathers, and is one of the leading mem- bers of the Presbyterian Charch at Eleanor.

On October 17, 1878, Mr. Craig was married in Scotland by Rev. Mr. Fordyce, to Miss Mar- garet Patterson, and seven children have blessed their union, viz .: William; Agnes, who died at three years of age; Jane; Maggie M., who died when five years old; Minnie, who lived only two years; Anna and Robert J. Mrs. Craig was born October 16, 1860, at Colston, Scotland, and her ancestry in both paternal and maternal lines is identified with that country, where her great- great-grandfather, William Patterson, was a fish- erman by occupation. Her great-grandparents, Robert and Mary (McAlpine) Patterson, spent their entire lives in Scotland, but her grandfa- ther, William Patterson, a mine manager, came to America in 1830 and spent two years, return- ing afterward to his native land. He married Sasan Harvey, of Scotland, and had a son, Rob- ert, Mrs. Craig's father, who was born December 25, 1829, and in 1882 came to this country. His wife, Agnes Irvin, was born in Scotland Decem- ber 25. 1830, the daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Beveridge) Irvin, life-long residents of Scotland. where Mr. Irvin followed the trade of engineer. Mr. Patterson was engaged in mining for some time, but is now living in retirement at Centre- ville, Penn. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he and his wife both be- long to the Presbyterian Church. They had the following children: Agnes, Mrs. William Rox- borough, a widow, residing in Scotland: Susan. wife of Thomas Wright, a miner, at Crenshaw. Penn. ; William (deceased); Joseph, superintend- ent of a coal mine at Ben's Creek, Penn. : Mar- garet, Mrs. Craig; Elizabeth, wife of John Shaw. assistant mine foreman at Crested Butte, Colo .: Mary, wife of George Waldsworth, a miner at

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Crenshaw, Penn. ; Jennetta, who married Thomas Harvey, a miner at Centreville, Penn. ; Anna, who was drowned at the age of four years; Rob- ert, a machinist, now with our subject; and Will- iam, a druggist at Centreville.

R ICHARD FITZSIMONS, a well-known resi- dent of Clover township, has for many years been prominently identified with the agri- cultural interests of Jefferson county, where he was born August 12, 1836.

John Fitzsimons, his father, was a native of Ireland, and when a young man emigrated to the New World. In Jefferson county, Penn., be married Mrs. Twedy, nce Cox, who by her first husband had two sons: William, now a farmer of Kansas; and Robert, an agriculturist of the same State. The following children blessed her second union, namely: John, deceased; Richard, of this sketch; Eliza J., who died in childhood; Mrs. Lyda Kennedy, deceased; Thomas, who served in the Union army during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Illinois; James, who was killed in the service of his country; Mrs. Lucinda J. Kennedy; Marion, living in Texas; and Clar- ence, who operates the old home farm. On coming to the county, John Fitzsimons purchased a tract of land, which he converted into a good farm. making it his home until after the death of his wife, when he gave the place to a son and purchased a smaller farm, where he lived for five years. He spent the last five years of his life with his children, dying in 1896, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. By trade he was a stone-mason, and throughout his active business life followed that pursuit to some extent, and also owned and operated a sawmill for a time. His Church relations were with the United Presbyterians, to which his wife also belonged, and in politics he was originally a Democrat, but later a Republican.

Richard Fitzsimons pursued his studies in the common schools, and was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys. In 1858 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret Simpson, a daughter of William Simpson, who was born, reared and married on the Emerald Isle. not coming to America until after the birth of three of his children. He located in Clover township, Jefferson county, where he improved a farm and spent his remaining days, dying in 1882. His wife had preceded him to the world beyond, her death occurring in 1875. They were Presby- terians in religions belief, and the parents of and his estimable wife, whose maiden name was nine children, namely: John, deceased; Jane, wife of F. Hull; Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas; Mrs. :

Mary Sinith; Mrs. Martha White; Mrs. Sara Kelso; Margaret, wife of our subject; Mrs. Ann McGiven; and Mrs. Lavina Moore.

For a short time after his marriage Mr. Fitz- simons operated a sawmill, and on selling that property he purchased a farin, on which he was living when, in 1864, he entered the Union army, as a member of Stewart's Battalion, Army of the Potomac. His service was principally in south- eastern Pennsylvania, and on the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was honorably dis- charged at Pittsburg. For two years after his return home he remained upon his first farm, which he then sold and purchased a place in Clover township. He erected all of the build- ings thereon, and placed the land under a high state of cultivation. He also owns another farm, purchased in 1892.

Seven children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimons, namely: William J., a farmer; Sabina C., now the wife of E. Hunter; Laura E., wife of S. Osborn; Ida M .. wife of John McGill; Thomas and Anna, who are at home, and David, who is attending the State Normal. The parents are both faithful members of the United Presbyterian Church, and their lives have ever been in harmony with its teachings. Politically, Mr. Fitzsimons is identified with the Republican party, and was called upon to serve as supervisor of his township for two years. In the discharge of every trust reposed in him he has been true and faithful. never neglects any duties of citizenship, and is certainly drserving of honorable mention among Jefferson county's rep- resentative and prominent citizens.

W ILLIAM P. BLACK, the junior member of the well-known Arm of J. P. Black & Son, general merchants, of Brookville, Jefferson county, is a worthy representative of a family which has been prominently identified with Jeff- erson county since pioneer times.

J. P. BLACK, his father, was born in 1824. in Jefferson county, and has here thus far passed his life. For many years he was interested in the lumber business, and in 1860 he engaged in butchering, continuing until isso when he took a vacation of two years. In resuming business in 1882 he engaged in mercantile business with our subject, and the firm has gained and kept the entire confidence of the community by the sterling character of its members and their upright dealing in all cases. Mr. J. P. Black Nancy Postlewaite, are still enjoying excellent health at the ages of seventy-two and seventy

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years respectively, and September 22, 1896, marked the fiftieth aniversary of their marriage ._ Of their five children, L. A. Black is a carpenter at Brookville; Caroline is the wife of Benjamin McClellan; Martha married William C. Stretton, an oil contractor at Lancaster, Ohio; and Emma married G. W. Cochran, of Brookville.

William P. Black was born in Jefferson county in 1859, and receiving his education in the Brookville schools. At an early age he be- came associated in business with his father, and when the meat market was disposed of in 1880, he spent two years in similar employment for others, before embarking in his present enter- prise. In March, 1884, he married Miss Nannie E. Sowers, daughter of Jackson Sowers, a well- known resident of Clover township, Jefferson county. Mrs. Black is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, but our subject is not a communicant of any religious society, although he inclines toward the Methodist faith, in which he was reared. He is an active worker in the I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member for sixteen years.

In politics both members of the firm are Republicans, but the prospect of public office has never had for either of them sufficient charm to woo them from business.

T RUMAN B. LONDON, JR. In reducing the native forests of a region, and prepar- ing the way for civilized life, in founding and developing the institutions which bring comfort and peace to future generations, a race of men are needed superior in energy and will to the average endowments of mankind. An indomita- ble will that is turned from it's course by no menacing obstacles, a superior intelligence, able to grapple with perplexing conditions as they from time to time arise, a devotion to the praise- worthy objects of well-directed labor are among the qualities requisite to the pioneer. It is of a family of this kind that Truman B. London, Jr., the subject of this sketch, is a prominent and successful member.

His father. Truman B. London, Sr., for whom he was named, was one of the most prominent men of his time in Luzerne and Jefferson counties, fitted by nature to successfully conduct large enterprises and making a notable impress in the material de- velopment of this region. The father was born October 11, 1808, in Luzerne county, Penn., the son of Isaac and Sarah Calender London, and the grandson of Edward London, of New Jersey, and Samuel Calender, of Virginia. Both the latter were of English descent, and both had

settled in Luzerne county, and both had proved their devotion to country and their right to the soil of the Republic for themselves and their posterity, during the long and trying years of the Revolutionary war. Samuel Calender was born in 1756, in Virginia, and died in Green Grove, Penn., March 12, 1836. Truman B. London, Sr., in his younger days engaged extensively in lumbering, following that occupation for seven years on the North branch of the Susquehanna river in his native county. In 1838 he came to Brookville, Penn., and there conducted large lumbering operations, besides doing a general farming business. He settled in Winslow town- ship in 1848, and purchased, cleared and im- proved the valuable farm upon which he died, April 11, 1891, a wealthy and retired citizen. For eight years he had been associated in mer- cantile business at Reynoldsville, with Dr. J. C. King. He was largely interested in the develop- ment of that village and of Rathmel, and con- structed many of the residences at both places. He was not unmindful of the duties of citizenship, and his popularity was attested by his election as auditor of Jefferson county. Something of the high character of the man may be judged from the fact that throughout his active and extended business career he never was party to a law suit. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Sally M. Slosson, a native of Luzerne county. Six children were born to them: Martha J., deceased; Eliza M., wife of Andrew Johnson, of Du Bois, Penn. ; Truman B., Jr., subject of this sketch; Isaac H., a fariner of Winslow township; Moses L., who died in infancy, and Mary A .. who died young. Mrs. London died January 23. 1842, and the second wife of Mr. London was Mrs. Sarah (Rea) Wilkins, by whom he had no children.

The subject of this sketch, now a general and prominent farmer of Winslow township, was born in Blakely township, Luzerne county, March 10, 1836. He came with his parents to Jefferson county, in the fall of 1838, living for a short time at Brookville, and then in various parts of the county, coming to Winslow township in 1848. He remained on the home farmn, assisting his father, until he was thirty years of age. He was married January 1, 1868, at Sligo Town, Clarion county, to Miss Mary A. Fulton, who was born at Reedsburg, Clarion county, daughter of Wash- ington and Rachel Pollard Fulton. Washington Fulton was a wealthy, intelligent and highly re- spected business man, who was born in Monroe township, Clarion county, and for many years conducted a gristinill at Reedsburg, where he died. In his younger days he had assisted his

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. .

father, Cochran Fulton, Sr., in operating Wash- ington furnace, which the latter, a prominent iron manufacturer, owned. The latter's father was a liberty-loving emigrant from Ireland. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Truman B. Lon- don, Jr., were Nicholas and Elizabeth (Harigar) . Pollard, and the former had been a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. London's father, Washington Fulton, died in 1879, aged sixty-two years. Her mother is now living at Knoxdale, Penn., with her daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Truman B. London, Jr., have been born six children, namely : Myra B., who was born November 5, 1868, mar- ried N. F. Dean, and has four children: Olive B., Alfred A., Cladus L. and Medith E. ; Maggie B., who was born September 27, 1872, married Lorand L. Henry, a coal operator at Rathmel. and has two children, Elvassa M. and Vern F .; Sallie M., who was born July 10, 1878, married George Johnson, Jr., and has two children, R. Devere and Arveda; Truman B., born June 26, 1880, died April 23, 1881; Thomas B., born April 15, 1882, and Monroe C., born October I, 1885.

Mr. London has lived on his present farm ever since he left his father's home, and from boyhood he has led an active life. Beginning at the age of fourteen years to raft lumber, he followed that pursuit for twenty-five years, con- tinuing lumbering five years after his marriage, but he has since devoted his attention more ex- clusively to general farming. In politics Mr. London is an earnest Democrat, and in his polit- ical affiliations he follows the traditions of his . family, for since the time of Jefferson the family has been loyal in its fidelity to the principles of that party. His father cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and our subject's initial ballot helped to elect President Buchanan. Mr. London is a member of the P. O. S. of A., of Rathmel. Penn., and he and his wife are consistent mem- bers of Soldier Run Baptist Church at Rey- noldsville. Himself and his estimable wife are leaders in the social life of the community in which they live. Their tastes are toward the better and more refining influences, and in both the mental gifts and attainments which have : been inherited from an honored ancestry are supplemented and brightened by extensive study and reading.

C HARLES E. CARRIER, of Summerville, Jefferson county, was born in that place. in 18Go, a son of Hiram K. and Susan (Mauk) Car- rier, also natives of Jefferson county, where they have always lived. The father was engaged in

merchandising until recently, and he and his wife are now living retired on their farm near Suni- merville, spending the evening of their lives in that peace and happiness that generally follows long and useful careers.

In the common schools of that county, Charles E. Carrier received a good practical edu- cation, and upon the home farm spent a part of his early life. For fifteen years he was success- fully engaged in general mercantile business in Summerville, where he carried a full and com- plete line of merchandise suitable to his trade, and by straightforward business methods, and courteous treatment of customers, he succeeded in building up an excellent trade. In 1896 he disposed of his mercantile business, and in com- pany with his brothers, began operating in coal at Summerville. In addition to the coal trade they have an extensive mine near the town, and supply the A. V. R. R. with fuel. .

In 1879 Mr. Carrier was married to Miss Emma Carrier, of Jefferson county, and they have six children, namely: Guy, Roscoe, Rhea, Lena, Charles and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Carrier are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and they are most estimable, kind and charitable people. In politics, Mr. Carrier votes with the Republican party, whose principles he stanchly advocates.

J OLIN CAMPBELL, a leading hardware dealer of Big Run, Jefferson county, is one of the energetic, clear-sighted men of affairs who make their way to the front in every line of effort. He was born in Clearfield county, where his father, the late J. W. Campbell, a native of Columbia county, Penn., passed the greater part of his life in farming and lumbering, dying in 1895. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Harriet Lee, was a native of Clearfield county, and her death occurred there in 1871.

The common schools of his native township afforded Mr. Campbell his greater opportunities for education, and his instruction there was ac- companied by practical work under his father's direction in agriculture and lumbering, which he naturally engaged in on his own account later. By the time he was twenty-four he had been for some tin.e a successful dealer in lumber. He then went to Big Run to engage in the livery business, which he followed five years, when he became interested in his present store. He keeps a complete and well-arranged stock of hardware and implements, and has a remunerative trade which is constantly on the increase.

In 1892 Mr. Campbell was married to Miss

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lyra May Lewis, daughter of W. G. Lewis, a well-known resident of Indiana county, Penn .~ and their union has been blessed with three chil- dren: Gurvin Thistle, Lee Dorothy, and an infant baby boy who lived only four months. Mrs. Campbell is identified with the Presbyterian Church, and is an active sympathizer with all phases of its work. Our subject belongs to sev- eral fraternal societies: the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., and Knights of the Maccabees, and is de- servedly popular in the community. Politics claim no attention from him, beyond that given by every intelligent man to the problems of the time.

C HARLES WELLINGTON HUGHES, M. D., a successful physician of McCalmont town- ship, Jefferson county, residing at Eleanor, has won recognition in his chosen profession without as much difficulty and delay as is experienced by the average practitioner.

Our subject was born June 24, 1860, at Nash- ville, Holmes Co., Ohio, where his paternal grandfather, Ezrom Hughes, was a pioneer set- tler, having gone there from Havre de Grace, Md .; in 1817, on horseback across the mountains. He carried with him $19 in gold, which after his arrival he hid in a leather poke under a large rock, and it remained undisturbed for several years. He made one, visit to his native State, but his life was mainly spent at his new home, where, by dint of much hard work and close economy, he managed to acquire 2,200 acres of land. Many times he hauled his wheat fifty miles to market, receiving from twenty-five to thirty-five cents per bushel, and he often worked for fifty cents a day in Wayne county, Ohio, cut- ting prairie grass, with his limbs heavily bandaged as a defense against rattlesnakes. He and his wife, Susannah ( Shreve), died at Nashville, and their remains now repose in a cemetery near their homestead. Susannah Shreve was a de- scendant of an old Holland family, of which many members have attained distinction. In the sixteenth century William Shreve made a most romantic marriage with the daughter of a nobleinan of Amsterdam, and we find others of the name prominent among the Quaker settlers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as far back as 1640. Col. Israel Shreve made a journey from Jersey to the Monongahela in 1788, of which he gave an account in a jour- nal. Lieut. John Shreve gained his title in the Revolutionary war, and Capt. Henry M. Shreve. another member of the family, played a conspicu- ous part in the development of steam navigation

on western waters. The ancient coat-of-arms has been preserved, and the old Shreve home in Holland, built in 1742, has never passed out of the possession of the family.

John S. Hughes, the Doctor's father, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 30, 1833, and still resides at Nashville, where he conducts an extensive business as a farmer and fruit grower, berries being a specialty. He is a Republican, and is regarded as one of the leading men of his community. He married Miss Lavenia E. Quick, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born August 10, 1835, and they have reared a family of four children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Carrie E. is the wife of Dr. E. J. March, of Canton, Ohio; Bert resides with his parents; and Denver C. is an attorney at Canton.

The first fifteen years of the Doctor's life were spent at the old home, after which he en- tered the university at Wooster, Ohio, and spent two terms in study. He then took a three-years' preparatory course in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and later spent two years in the Mt. Union (Ohio) College. On leaving the latter institution he took charge of the acarre Times, of Navarre, Ohio, but after a year he sold out and began the study of medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. E. J. March. He gave two years and a half to preliminary reading, and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., where he was graduated in 1887. A brief visit home followed, and on June 14, 1887, he came to Beechtree, Jefferson Co., Penn., to remain for two weeks during the ab- sence of Dr. T. R. Williams, and look after his practice. Later he conducted Dr. Williams' practice at the Adrian mines for a short time. and on October I, of the same year. he became an assistant to Dr. Hubbard at the Walston ! mines. On April 18, 1888, he returned to the Adrain mines, and was in charge of the work there until October, when he went to Philadel- phia as resident physician in the Medico-Chirur- gical hospital. He remained nine months, enjoy- : ing excellent opportunities for advanced work in his chosen profession, and, coming up with the class of 1889, graduated from the Medico-Chi- rurgical College. On the completion of the course in 1889, he returned to the Adrian mines to take the post of resident physician in the Ad- rian hospital. On October 25. 1889, he left this position to begin an independent practice at El- eanor, where he has since remained. For four months of each year he serves as attending sur- geon at Adrian hospital.

Dr. Hughes has always been a Republican in politics. He is not a Church member, but in-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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clines toward the Methodist faith, in which he was reared, both his parents being identified with that denomination. He is prominent so- cially, belonging to the I. O. O. F., at Eleanor. the A. T. Omega fraternity, of Mt. Union, Ohio, the Blue Lodge No. 115. F. & A. M., of Ohio; the Pittsburg Consistory. the Mystic Shrine, and Wooster (Ohio) Chapter. He is a member of the State Medical Society, Jefferson Medical So- ciety, and American Medical Association.

TOHN W. BROOKS, one of the honored vet- erans of the Civil war who followed the starry banner on many a Southern battlefield, is now numbered among the leading lumbermen and agriculturists of Gaskill township, Jefferson county. He is a representative of one of the prominent old families of this locality.

A son of W. B. and Alpha (Works) Brooks, our subject was born in 1836, in Steuben county, N. Y. His father was born in Delaware county, of the same State, in 1811, and after his mar- riage removed to Steuben county. Some years later he located near Lumber City, in Clearfield county, Penn., where he followed the cabinet maker's trade until about 1839, when he pur- chased and located upon a tract of woodland in Gaskill township, Jefferson county. This he de- veloped into a good farm, making many improve- ments thereon. He also erected a sawmill and for some time manufactured sawed lumber. In 1849 he sold his farm and removed to Punxsu- tawney, where he purchased property and fol- lowed his trade for six years. He then again sold out, and in 1855 removed to Big Run, Jef- ferson county. His wife died in 1888, leaving a family of seven children, and his death occurred at Big Run in March, 1894.

Their children are as follows: (1) Matilda, born in New York, came to Jefferson county with her parents and married the Rev. John Trampton, :

of that county. They now reside near Punxsu- tawney, and he is still engaged in the ministry. Their children are-Cyrus H., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Edgar L., who is married, and is also in the ministry: Martha, wife of George Winwright, who owns and resides on a farm in Gaskill township: Herbert, who is ed- ucating himself for the ministry: Ettie, John; and James, who is engaged in teaching school. (2) James, a native of Clearfield county, enlisted in 1861, in Company A, to5th P. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville. (3) Jane, born in Jefferson county, is the wife of J. C. Miles, who served in Company A, 105th P. V. I .. and is now living in Clarion county, Penn. Their

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 28

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