Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 29

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 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 29

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children are-John; Adda; George, who is mar- ried and lives in Clarion county: Eva: and Rob- ert. (4) Joseph, a native of Jefferson county, was killed when about twenty-one years of age by the fall of a tree while working in the lumber woods. (5) Fannie, born on the home farm in Jefferson county, is the wife of John Brink. of that county, by whom she has four children- Jane, Annie, James and Myrtie. (6 Sophia. born in Jefferson county, is the wife of William Coffman. who is engaged in the undertaking busi- ness at Big Run. and they have two children- Ollie and Hattie. (7) Annie, born in Punxsu- tawney, is the wife of James Green, who resides on a farm near that place. Their children are- Lettie, a teacher in the public schools: Alpha, wife of Ezekiel McHenry. a professor in the schools of Punxsutawney: Alice: Frank: Maggie: and Walter. (8) Frank, who was born in Jef- ferson county, is now following carpentering and farming in Nebraska.

John W. Brooks came with his parents to Jefferson county, where he was reared to man- hood. In 1858 he married Catherine Holowell, of Indiana county, Penn., a daughter of Edward and Annie Holowell. He then located in Big Run, where he followed the carpenter's trade for a few years, after which he purchased 103 acres of timber land in Gaskill township. In 1860 he took up his residence on the farm, build- ing there a log barn and frame dwelling, and continued to improve the place until the fall of 1861. In September of that year he joined the boys in blue of Company F. 105th P. V. I., un- der Capt. Robert Kirk, and from Pittsburg went to Washington, and on to Alexandria. During the first winter the regiment was engaged in picket duty. In April. 1862. the troops were taken by boat to Fortress Monroe and marched to Yorktown, where they participated in the siege, and again met the Rebels at Williamsburg. At Fair Oaks they suffered a heavy loss, but drove the enemy back, and then participated in the Seven-days' battle. ending in the engagement at Malvern Hill. From there they marched to Harrison's Landing, and when McClellan was recalled marched back to Yorktown and Alex- andria. After the defeat at Bull Run they re- treated to Arlington Heights, where they re- rained until November. 1862. when they started to check Stuart's raid in Maryland. They par- ticipated in the hotly contested battle of Freder- icksburg, in which Mr. Brooks was severely wounded in the head by a shell. while supporting a battery. He was then taken to the Baptist Church Hospital in Alexandria, and later to Portsmouth Grove, R. I., where he remained

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for three months, when he was honorably dis- charged in March, 1863, being unfit for further service. He then remained upon the farin until 1866, when he removed to Schuyler county, Mo., but in the fall of that year went to La Fay- ette county, same State, where he remained un- til the spring of 1868, when he returned to his farm in Jefferson county, Penn., having made it his home continuously since. In 1879 he erected a large barn and other outbuildings, and in 1885 erected a commodious two-story frame residence. His land, under a high state of cultivation, con- stitutes one of the finest farms in Jefferson county.

To our subject and his wife have been born ten children, all yet living, namely: (1) Clark WV., born at Big Run, in 1859, and educated in its public schools, married Annie M., daughter of Daniel J. Smeyres. He is employed in the plan- ing-mill at Big Run. They have two children- Celia and Laone. (2) Anna A., born in March, 1861, is the wife of William Vancise, a native of New York, now residing in Bradford, Penn. He is a railroad conductor, and their children are- Roy, Blanche, Olon, Delma and Willie. (3) Miles M., born in Big Run, in March, 1864, is at home. (4) John C., born in Schuyler county, Mo., in 1866, is at home. (5) Lillie M., born in Jefferson county, in November, 1868, is the wife of J. H. Baun, of Foxburg, Jefferson county, and they have two children-James and Charlie. (6) Clarence B., born in 1871, (7) Ralph O., born in December, 1873, (8) Willie B., born in November, 1876, (9) George H., born in 1879, and (10) James B., born in November, 1884, are all at home. In politics the father of the family is a stalwart Democrat, and has held the offices of auditor. supervisor, assessor, school director, and overseer of the poor. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. His life has been well spent, his business dealings are honorable, and all who know him esteem him for the many excellencies of his character.

H ERMAN C. BEACH, one of the wide- awake young business men of Brookville, Penn., was born here June 7, 1860, the son of Adam and Catherine (Sachs) Beach.

sort to be contented in a subordinate position, and before long he leased a shingle mill, and conducted it on his own account until he had worked up all the timber accessible from the point at which his mill was located. He then built a new mill at Carman, Elk Co., Penn., and conducted it about eighteen months when he sold out to H. B. Craig. In March, 1885, he went to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and purchased a skating rink; but after spending about fifteen months there he sold out his business and returned to Brookville. Soon afterward he accepted a salaried position with Weis & Hall, of Williamsport. He bought and sold lumber for this firm for a period of five years, and after severing his connection with them he took a trip through the Southern States, prospecting for timber or suitable busi- ness openings. His next venture was in the or- ganization of the Brookville Lumber Co .. com- posed of L. B. Long, L. A. Brady, R. B. Ver- milyea and H. C. Beach. After one year Mr. Beach bought out Mr. Vermilyea, and the firm as then constituted is still conducting business. In June, 1895, he formed the Bennett's Branch Shingle & Lumber Co., at Williamsport, and owns one-third interest in the same. This firm buys and sells lumber, and manufactures 24-inch shingles. Mr. Beach has made the lumber busi- ness almost a life study. He is very progressive, and is in the strictest sense of the word a self- made man. Being very cautious in his dealings, he is always prepared to meet any demands promptly, never giving bis note. Mr. Beach has been instrumental in starting several enter- prises in and about Brookville, among them the Brookville Laundry, which is doing a paying business. He is also president of the Brookville branch of the Baltimore Building and Loan Asso- ciation. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has never sought office.

In 1884 Mr. Beach was united in marriage with Miss Josephine B. Moynihan, an estimable young lady and a devout Catholic. Her parents, Jeremiah D. and Nellie (Kelly) Moynihan, are prominent residents of Jamestown, N. Y. They are both natives of County Kerry, Ireland, and Mrs. Beach was born near Killarney. The fam- ily came to America in 1878.

Adam Beach, the father of our subject, was born April 15 1815, in the province of Hesse, Germany, and came to this country in 1849, lo- cating first in St. Marys, Elk Co., Penn. He afterward removed to Port Barnett, Jefferson county, to take charge of the gristmill there, he being by occupation a miller. In 1851 he moved to Brookville to spend the remainder of

The circumstances and conditions about him in youth were such that he had very meager edu- cational advantages, receiving but little more than twelve months' schooling. He was put to work when quite young. At the age of sixteen he began to work in a sawmill, and after spend- ing about four years at this employment he se- cured work in a shingle mill. He was not of the : his life. He was highly respected as an indus-

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trious and honorable gentleman, who by frugal- ity had accumulated a competence. He died suddenly from apoplexy, September 6, 1894. He was twice married. His second wife, whom he wedded in 1847, was Catherine Sachs, who survives him. Four sons were born of this union, three of whom are still living: John, wlio is at present proprietor of the Brookville Laundry; Herman C., our subject; and Charles H., a citi- zen of El Paso, Texas. One son by the first marriage yet survives-Frank Beach, a resident of Brookville.

BENJAMIN KLINE is an enterprising agricult- urist and stock raiser, and owns one of the finest farms in Jefferson county. It comprises 109 acres of land, all capable of cultivation, and the well-tilled fields plainly indicate his super- vision. There are also good buildings upon the place, and a fish-pond, covering three-quarters of an acre, which is supplied with clear spring water that comes from the same source which furnishes the water supply for the town of Reynoldsville. Mr. Kline is a very industrious and energetic man, and through his own efforts has achieved a success that numbers him among the substantial citizens of the community.

Born in Newcastle, Penn., April 12, 1836, he is a son of Reuben and Hannah (Miller) Kline, natives of Columbia county, Penn., where they remained for several years after their marriage, and then went to Schuylkill county. In 1857 they located in Warsaw township, Jefferson county, but after three years returned to New- castle, the mother having expressed a desire to spend her last days there. She died July I, 1860, at the age of fifty-four years, and was buried in Floweryfield cemetery, in Schuylkill county. The father died in Shamokin, Penn., in September, 1895, at the age of eighty-four. Both were members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he was a Republican. He was reared on a farm, but conducted a hotel in Newcastle, and afterward superintended the construction of the railroad, spending the last ten years of his life in retirement from labor.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Kline were: George, who died at the age of fifty; Anna, deceased wife of Joe Helner, of Pottsville, Penn .; Henry, a dairyman of Clinton county, Penn. ; Charles, a coal operator of Leechburg, Westmoreland Co., Penn. ; Benjamin: Hannah, deceased wife of George Ittell, of Forest county, Penn., who was killed by a falling tree; Catlı- erine, wife of Samuel Hilner, a dealer in feed in Minersville, Penn. ; Isaiah, deceased; Edward, of

Du Bois, Penn. ; Reuben, who was in the 1 39th P. V. I., and died in the hospital after the battle of Fredericksburg; Rachel, who died in Schuyl- kill county, Penn. : and Isaac and Ephraim, both of whom died in childhood.

Benjamin Kline at the age of fifteen years left his parents' home, and worked with a crew of engineers in central Pennsylvania until attaining his majority. He helped to make the survey of Strother, Kane & Co., through the wilderness. At the age of twenty-one he came to Jefferson county, where he engaged in rafting and lumber- ing. After a year he was married and removed to Elk county, Penn., where he took a contract to deliver ties for the Pennsylvania & Erie rail- road, being thus engaged for four years. In October, 1861, Mr. Kline enlisted in Company E, 172nd P. V. I., under Capt. J. H. Heasley. He weighed 195 pounds when he went into the army, but disease reduced him almost to a skeleton. and in July, 1862, on account of his physical condition, he was honorably discharged. For a year after his return he was unable to work. He then took charge of a crew of men, employed on the construction of the Pennsylvania & Erie rail- road, and after several months came to Jefferson county. He lived for a year in Skunk Hollow, Winslow township, on the Seeley farm for one year; the Felly farm for ten years; the Fannie Ray farm for seven years; the Samuel Ray farm for four years; and in 1885 he purchased his pres- ent fine farm for $25 per acre. It is now one of the most desirable properties in the county.

Mr. Kline was married January 1, 1859, in Corsica, Jefferson county, to Almira Clayton, who was born at Prospect Hill, Jefferson county, October 15, 1842, a daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Barto) Clayton, natives of England and France, respectively. The latter was a daughter of Henry Barto, who died in Berks county, Penn. The father of Mrs. Kline came to America with his parents when a child of two years, and was reared by a farmer near Philadel- phia until eighteen years of age. He afterward worked at anything he could get to do until he had attained his majority. In 1840, he came to Jefferson county, and followed farming in Wins- low township, until his death, which occurred July 2, 1872, when he was aged seventy-four years. His wife died December 25, 1892, at the age of ninety-one. Their children were John, who died in Clearfield, July 4. 1896; Mary, widow of Calvin B. Clark, of Butlertown, Penn. ; Samnel, of Du Bois, Penn. ; Ann, widow of Will- iam Stewart, who was killed in the army; Nancy, deceased wife of John McClane, of Titusville, Penn .; Ellen, wife of Samuel Foster, but both

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are now deceased; Elizabeth. deceased wife of William Drocker, of Iowa; Catherine, wife of Hezekiah Saxton, of Reynoldsville, Penn. ; Wash- ington, who accidentally shot and killed himself about three hundred yards from his home while out hunting; Mrs. Kline; and Thomas, a farmer of Winslow township.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Kline are Agnes, wife of L. C. Price, a coal driller of Du Bois. Penn., by whom she has two sons, Craig and Lee; Benjamin R., an attorney of New Kensing- ton, Penn., who married Ida Murdock, by whom he has three children, William, Clayton E. and Lucile; George W., of Reynoldsville, who mar- ried Lottie Butler, and had one son, Clifford (de- ceased); William G., an attorney of Golden, who married Alice Lowery; Edwin L., who died at the age of four years; Lora, at home; Reed, who is engaged in gold mining in Butte, Mont. ; Harry D., a railroad man of Butte, Mont .; H. Bruce, a motor-man on electric railway at Youngstown, Ohio; Frederick L .; James G .; Ella B. and Ralph W.

The Kline family is one of prominence in the community, and their pleasant home is noted for its hospitality. Mr. Kline is a member of the Odd Fellows Society of Reynoldsville, and his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as supervisor for two terms, while for three years he was school director. He takes a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the general welfare, and is a citizen of value in the community where he resides.

T HOMAS HUTCHISON is the owner of one of the finest farms in Jefferson county. It is pleasantly located near Falls Creek, in Win- slow township, and comprises a valuable tract of land on which are found all the improvements and conveniences known to the model farm of the nineteenth century. Substantial buildings stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise, well-tilled fields yield to him a good return, and in addition the place is underlaid with a rich vein of coal, and lie is now successfully operating a mine. In his undertakings he has been very successful, and has accumulated a handsome competence as the result of his industry and perseverance.

Mr. Hutchison was born January 3, 1829, in Brooklyn, N. Y., a son of John and Jane (Orr) Hutchison, natives of Ireland. The family is supposed to have descended from the Hutchisons who were in Cromwell's army. Thomas Hutch- ison, the grandfather. spent his entire life on the Emerald Isle, and was killed by being thrown

from a horse. Joseph and Jane (Wilson Orr, the maternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of County Derry, Ireland, where they lived and died. His mother came with her sister to America in 1822, and settled in Philadelphia.

John Hutchison, the father of our subject. came to America in 1819, but after living in Philadelphia for a time, returned to his native land, where he spent two years. He then again came to the New World, and in Philadelphia was married. Fifteen months later he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained for four and one-half years, then returned to Fairmont, Philadelphia, where he continued to reside for sixteen years. In May, 1847, he accompanied our subject to Jefferson county, and purchased 113 acres of wild land in Washington township, paying for it $3 per acre. Here he built a log- cabin. plastered with mud, making it his home for eight years, when he erected a new residence. He was a general farmer, and a public-spirited and progressive citizen, who manifested a deep interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the community in which he made his home. He was for many years a ruling elder in the Beech Woods Presbyterian Church, was a Whig in poli- tics in early life, and afterward became a stanch Republican. In 1879 he and his wife went to reside with our subject, at whose home his death occurred in 1883, when he was aged eighty-three years. His wife died in November, of the same year, at the age of eighty-nine.

The children of this worthy couple are Mary A., deceased wife of John McClure, who is also deceased; Thomas; Joseph, a farmer, who is living on the old homestead: William, who died at the age of two and one half years; and Eliza J., who died at the age of two years.

Thomas Hutchison was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, working on the home farm and in the lumber woods. His educational privileges were very meagre; he attended the sub- scription schools for about two years, and was in school four months in Philadelphia. When eight- een years of age he ran away from home in order to enlist in the Mexican war, but on reaching Governor's Island, N. Y., he was overtaken by his father, who persuaded him to return home, and secured his release. Young Hutchison con- sented to do this if his father would leave the city of Philadelphia, and move into the wilder- ness of Pennsylvania, which they did. When twenty-four years of age the son embarked in the lumber business which he followed for one year. and then came to his present farm, comprising seventy-five acres of the best land in Jefferson county. It was then entirely unimproved, but

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with characteristic energy he began its develop- ment, and has not only placed it under a high state of cultivation, but has added to his real es- tate until he now has 320 acres, constituting a very valuable property. In 1874 he opened his coal mine, which has since been successfully oper- ated. About 12 M., May 29, 1860, a cyclone swept over his place, which destroyed $500 worth of timber and all of the buildings, and he was forced to live with his neighbors until other build- ings could be erected. With characteristic en- ergy, however, he at once replaced these, and has carried forward his labors in a way that has brought to him a handsome return.

On November 1, 1855, at Beech Woods, Washington township, Jefferson county. Mr. . Hutchison was married to Miss Mary Waite, who was born in Philipsburg, Centre Co., Penn., July 8, 1832, a daughter of James and Martha (Mc. Intosh) Waite, natives of County Kildare and County Derry, Ireland, respectively. They be- . came acquainted and were married in Centre county, Penn., and, in 1835, located at Beech Woods, Jefferson county. The father followed the tanning business in Philipsburg, Centre coun- ty, for some time before moving to Washington township, where he carried on farming. He served as justice of the peace, and supervisor, and gave his political support to the Republican party. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He died in May, 1873, at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife passed away in February, 1846, at the age of forty-seven. They had four children: Mrs. Mary Hutchison: Robert, a farmer of Winslow township, Jefferson county; Martha, deceased wife of John Smith. a . miner and agriculturist of Winslow township: and John, who was killed by a falling tree.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hutchison were Robert and Martha (Mckinley) McIntosh. The latter died in Ireland, and the former after- ward wedded Mary Stevenson, with whom he emigrated to America, locating at Beech Woods, in Washington township, Jefferson Co., Penn., which place was principally settled by the differ- ent branches of the Smith and McIntosh fami- lies.

To Thomas Hutchison and wife have been born ten children: (1) Hannibal J., who oper- ates a sawmill in Winslow township, wedded Mary M. Waite, who died leaving a daughter, Barbara J. He has since married Maggie Mapes. (2) Martha J. is the wife of Amos Goss, a farmer of Winslow township, by whom she has nine children. (3) John C. is at home. (4) R. Norman (deceased) wedded Mary L. Goss, who is now living is East Pembroke, N. H.,

with her two children -- Archie and Eugene. (5) Mary M. is the wife of Tilton Reynolds, an agri- culturist of Winslow township. Jefferson county, by whom she has five children. (6) Joseph M. married Jemima Hawthorn, and has two children. (7) Mourice O. is at home. (8) Georgianna R. is the wife of John O'Hara. (9) Barbara died in infancy. (10) Mildred F. completes the family.

Our subject has been honored with all the township offices. He has been justice of the peace for ten years. For four years he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Reynolds- ville, but after the church was built at Falls Creek he placed his membership there, and has served as elder for five years. He is a promi- nent Republican, and has so frequently served as judge of elections that he is known as . Judge " Hutchison throughout this section of the county. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and is a man whose public and private life is above reproach.

J OHN B. NICHOLS, chief clerk of the Ma- honing Supply Co., at Eleanor, Jefferson county, has a high reputation in business cir- cles, won by the sole and energetic discharge of the duties of a responsible position.

He was born January 1, 1861, at Limestone, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., his family having been residents of the State of New York for sev- eral generations. His grandparents, John and Sallie Nichols, settled in Arcade. Wyoming county, N. Y., in 1812, and remained there many years, as prosperous and highly respected citizens. About 1837 financial reverses befell them, and they removed to Allegany county, N. Y. Their eldest son. James N., who was born at Arcade, July 23, 1825, was but a boy when the necessity for making his own living became apparent, and as his naturally keen intellect had already absorbed a fair education, he began to teach in the schools of the village of Farmers- ville. He continued the work successfully sev- eral terms, and having decided to enter the med -. ical profession he began his preliminary course of study with Dr. E. S. Stewart, then of Farm- ersville (now Ellicottville). Later he was grad- uated from Buffalo Medical College: but his health had become too much impaired for him to commence his professional work at once, so in 1856 he went to Carrollton. N. Y., and engaged in lumbering. The active outdoor life proved to be exactly what he needed. and in 1864 he be- gan to practice, remaining in the same locality . until 1882, when he located at Bradford, Penn.

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His death occurred on February 22, 1896, and his remains now rest in Oak Hill cemetery at Bradford. As a physician he was notably suc- cessful, enjoying a very large practice, and he was a leading member of the Cattaraugus County Medical Society, serving at times as president and as a delegate to the meetings of the State Society. For four years he was the senior mem- ber of the firm of Nichols & Patton, druggists at Limestone, N. Y., while practicing in that vicin- ity. Politically and socially his activity was no less marked, and he was twice elected a member ' of the Board of Supervisors from Farmersville, and nine times from the town of Carrollton. Though a stanch Democrat, he was heartily in favor of energetic measures for the suppression of the Rebellion, and was appointed by Governor Morgan on the Senatorial Committee for raising and organizing the 113th and 154th Regiments from New York. In all his public work he was actuated by the same high sense of duty which was so marked a characteristic in professional and private life, his duties being performed with unswerving fidelity to principle. He was a warm friend to education, and was almost con- stantly a member of the school board of Lime- stone, often serving as president, and he was largely instrumental in the organization of the Union Free schools there, and of the Limestone Academy. Dr. Nichols was an active member of the Masonic order for many years. In 1863 he helped to organize Union Lodge No. 334, F. and A. M., at Bradford, Penn .. and except for a time from 1878 he remained a member until his death. He also belonged to Olean Chapter No. 150, and Frimley Commandery, K. T., of Brad- ford.

On March 1, 1852, Dr. Nichols was married to Miss Mary Jane Wade, eldest daughter of Henry Wade, Esq. Our subject was the young- est of their four children. Henry J., born Au- gust 26, 1856, died September 19, 1857; Jennie M., born January 19, 1858, married Judge F. H. Robinson, of Hornellsville, N. Y., at one time judge of the Courts of Steuben county; H. James, born September 16, 1859, is a practicing physician at Hornellsville.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 29

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