Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 32

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 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 32

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JOHN MCMURRAY, proprietor and editor of the Jeffersonian Democrat, of Brookville, Jefferson county, is a man whose influence in the community is recognized as a powerful friend to progress. As a citizen he is identified with the best interests of the locality, while his paper is a forceful exponent of the principles of a large class of people.

Mr. McMurray was born in 1838, in West- moreland county, Penn., where also was born Archibald McMurray, his father, who made his home there until 1840, when he moved with his

family to Pine Creek township, Jefferson county, and settled upon a farm. His estimable wife, Sarah Elizabeth Pryor, a native of Huntingdon county, died in 1848, he surviving her until 1870. As will be seen, our subject was two years of age when he was taken to Jefferson county by his parents. His early educational opportunities were limited, as previous to his sixteenth year he attended the country school fifteen inonths only. Before reaching the age of sixteen he was appren- ticed to the carpenter's trade, and spent three years learning the same; but his inclinations pointing strongly to other work, he resumed his studies and attended Brookville Academy some two months. This was followed by three terms of successful work as a teacher; but the nation's call for soldiers to defend her then appealed to him too strongly for resistance, and he enlisted in the 135th P. V. I. for nine months' service, with the rank of first lieutenant. At the expira- tion of his term he re-enlisted, and served until the close of the war. He was commissioned captain of the 6th U. S. Colored Troops, and. later, for gallant conduct on the field, was ap- pointed brevet major of U. S. Volunteers, receiv- ing finally the rank of major. During the last six months of his service he was inspector on the staff of Maj .- Gen. Charles J. Paine.

In civil life, also, Maj. McMurray has been conspicuous for his ability and public spirit. In 1873 he was elected a delegate to the convention which formed the present constitution of Pennsyl- vania, representing the district composed of Armstrong, Clarion, Forest and Jefferson coun- ties. In 1874 he was appointed to a clerkship in the Auditor-General's office at Harrisburg, Penn., and held the position four years. His duties in this as in other lines of work, public and private, being ably and creditably performed. In 1885 he was appointed chief of the Division of Lands and Railroads in the office of the Sec- retary of the Interior at Washington, D. C., and served four years. In 1879 he purchased the Jeffersonian Democrat from A. A. Carlisle, and has since been connected with it.

In 1857 Mr. McMurray married Miss Harriet A. Heckendorn, who died in 1868. Three chil- dren of this union survive: Mrs. Harriet E. Griffith, of Brookville; and Henry and Archie, who are associated with their father in business. In 1870 Mr. McMurray, for his second wife, mar- ried Miss Jennie M. Hail, of Brookville; of their two children, both are deceased. Major and Mrs. McMurray are members of the M. E. Church, with which he united at the age of twenty-one. He is an active worker in several fraternal orders-the 1. O. O. F. ; and the F. &

John WirMurray

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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A. M., which he joined over thirty years ago, be- ing now a Knight Templar. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat.

E ANOCH McGAREY is a representative of a family that has been connected with this coun- try since 1730. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors were Scotch and crossed the Atlantic in pioneer days. Representatives of the families have been leaders in those events which formed the early history of the Republic, and they were also instrumental in framing the Constitution of the United States.

Enoch McGarey, like his ancestors were, has always been a loyal and devoted citizen, faithful to his duties of both public and private life. He was born near his present home in Rose town- ship, Jefferson county, in 1838, a son of William and Mary Ann (Hall) McGarey. His father was born in Westmoreland county, where he resided until twenty years of age, when, in 1832, he came to Jefferson county with his parents and located on the farm which is now the home of our sub- ject. There he engaged in agricultural pursuits and in lumbering until his death, which occurred in 1891. His estimable wife, a native of New Jersey, came to Jefferson county in 1834, and died in 1875.

Enoch McGarey obtained his education under adverse circumstances. He could attend school only at rare intervals, for he was the eldest of the family and his services were needed on the home farm. He 'had six brothers and four sis- ters, namely: C. P. was drowned in 1862; Joseph E. was killed in 1864 in the Civil war while de- fending his country; J. M. was drowned in 1867; and W. M., H. T., Mrs. Mary Campbell, Mrs. Martha Cochran and Mrs. Margaret Covert, all living in Jefferson county and with their families holding membership in the United Presbyterian Church. Enoch McGarey remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and then started out to make his own way in the world, since ' which time his attention has been largely given to agricultural pursuits, although he has dealt to some extent in lumber and coal. A good vein of coal underlies his farm. He owns 225 acres of land, and the place is improved with neat and substantial buildings, while all the accessories of a model farmi are there to be found.

In 1861, Mr. McGarey was married to Miss Martha J. Campbell, daughter of Hugh Camp- bell, who came from Westmoreland to Jefferson county in 1844, bringing with him his daughter. who was born in the former county. Eight chil- dren bless this union, all'of whom are yet living,

namely: Lavina Jane, wife of Rev. G. W. Mor- rison, who for the past eight years with his wife has been engaged in missionary work in India; E. V., wife of Rev. James M. Coleman, of Beaver Falls College, of Pennsylvania; Mary Ann, wife of Elder W. H. Shields, of Spokane, Washington; W. P., who is now a student in Allegheny Theological Seminary and expects to enter the missionary field of India; T. T. ; Alfred C .; Enoch R .; and Everett A. The children have been given good educational privileges, and five of them held teachers' certificates at one time. Mrs. Coleman completed her education in Geneva College, and W: P., who competed in the Meadville Inter-State Collegiate contest in 1886, carried off the first honors in oratory.

Our subject and his family are consistent and prominent members of the United Presbyterian Church, and he is serving as elder therein. In politics he is a stanch Prohibitionist, as are all the family, and they hope to see the time when the evil of intemperance shall exist no inore. His life has been well spent, and all who know him entertain for him the highest regard.

EDGAR S. SWARTZ, a leading merchant tailor of Punxsutawney, was born in 1863. in Centre county, Penn., of which his father, George M. Swartz, was also a native. In early life the latter learned dentistry, which he fol- lowed for some time, and then engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, but subsequently again turned his attention to his profession. His last years, however, were spent in the insurance business. Almost his entire life was passed in the county of his nativity, however his death occurred in July, 1893, at the home of his son Edgar S. at Punx- sutawney. Our subject was only four years old when he lost his mother, who was born in Penn- sylvania, and passed away in 1867. In her maidenhood she was Miss Mary Keen.

During his boyhood and youth, Edgar S. Swartz attended the public schools of Centre county, completing his literary education at Belle- fonte. On laying aside his text books he was apprenticed to Montgomery & Co., merchant tailors of Bellefonte, with whom he learned the trade, remaining with them for three and a half years. The following year was spent with W. I. Fleming. in the same line, and in 1886 he came to Punxsutawney, where he established his present business. An enterprising, progress- ive man, he stands deservedly high in both busi- ness and social circles, and is recognized as one of the leading merchant tailors of Jefferson county.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Swartz was married in 1892 to Miss Sarah Maud Zietler, a daughter of George W. Zietler, of Punxsutawney, and to them have been born a son, Edgar Zietler (now deceased), and twin daughters-Ellen and Sarah. Our subject and his wife are both connected with the Presby- terian Church, and, socially, the husband is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand, and has also filled many offices in the Encampment. He belongs to the Senior Order United American Mechanics, and, politically, is an ardent Repub- lican.

W ILLIAM E. SIMPSON. Among the na- tive sons of Jefferson county, none are more worthy of representation in this volume than Mr. Simpson, whose identification with its interests has been of great benefit to the commu- nity along all the lines that tend to its best de- velopment. He now resides in Perry township, but was born in Young township in 1839, a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Lewis) Simpson. His father was born in Virginia, and in early manhood came to Pennsylvania, locating in Som- erset county, whence he subsequently removed to Jefferson county. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some years and then turned his attention to farming and lumbering, being connected with those busi- ness interests up to the time of his death in 1881. He held a number of township offices, and was a quiet, but valued member of the community. His estimable wife, who was of Welsh descent, passed away in 1887.

William E. Simpson, of this review, acquired his elementary education in the district schools near his home, and afterward spent a few terms in study in the County Academy. He was reared to farming, but early in life began school teach- ing. and followed that pursuit for eighteen or twenty terms, being recognized as one of the successful educators of the county. During the summer months he worked at farming, and is now successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits. He owns two hundred acres of good land, which is under a high state of cultivation, yielding to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. His residence is neat and commodious, and upon the place are found all the improvements of the model farm.

In 1861 Mr. Simpson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Means, a daughter of Ed- ward Means, of Jefferson county. They had four children: James, a successful lumber mer- chant of Galesburg, Ill .; Etta, wife of George

Farrand, of Peoria, Ill .; Wade, who is engaged in the lumber business in Galesburg; and Frank, at home with his father. The mother died De- cember 25, 1873, and Mr. Simpson was again married, in August, 1875, his second union being with Anna M. North, daughter of John North, one of the pioneer citizens of Jefferson county. They have six children: Blanche, Burtt. Blaine, Katharine, Vere and Ray. This is an inter- esting family, and the pleasant home of the Simpsons is noted for its hospitality. The par- ents are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Simpson is a stanch Repub- lican, but has never been an aspirant for political honors, although he has held some local offices, to which he was called by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and ability. He has been school director twenty years, and lias held . all of the township offices. He is a man of hon- erable purpose and sterling worth, and all who know him entertain for him the highest regard.

W ILLIAM MOORE, one of the most enter- prising and energetic farmers and business men of Union township, Jefferson county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Clarion county, January 22, 1839, a son of John C. and Nancy (Dunn) Moore, from the Green Isle of Erin.

At an early day William Moore, the paternal grandfather, emigrated to the New World, bring- ing with him his family, and located in Lime- stone township, Clarion county, where he de- veloped a farm from a heavily timbered tract. After losing his wife he sold the place and re- moved to Indiana, where he was again married, but later returned to Pennsylvania, spending the last five years of his life in Clarion county. By occupation he was always a farmer. His six children were all born in Ireland, and, with the exception of the father of our subject, are all now deceased. They are as follows: Nathan: Jane. wife of W. McMillen: John C .; Elizabeth, wife of J. Simpson; James; and Nancy, wife of R. McMillen. John C. Moore accompanied his parents to America, where he grew to manhood and married. He became one of the successful farmers of Clarion county, was prominently iden- tified with the moral and physical development of this section of the country, and was always found on the right side of any question that arose in the community. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and reared their family in that faith, the children all becoming honored and useful members of so- ciety. Now at the ripe old age of eighty-six years, he finds a pleasant honte with our subject,

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and is enjoying the fruits of an honorable and well-spent life. The following children blessed his marriage: Mrs. Mary J. Summerville; Mrs. Martha Simpson; William; John T., a lumber- man and farmer by occupation; Mrs. Elizabeth Carmical; Harvey, a farmer; Mrs. Margaret Myers; Mrs. Sadie Spear; and Rebecca, who died when young.

William Moore, of this review, acquired his education in the local schools, and until twenty- five years of age remained under the parental roof, following the occupations of lumbering and farming In 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Simpson, who was born in Clover township, Jefferson county, in 1842, and belongs to an honored pioneer family. Her parents, William and Lilla A. (Scott) Simpson, were born, reared and married on the Emerald Isle, but at an early day came to Jefferson county, Penn., where they reared their family, and where the father improved a large farm in the midst of the forest. Subsequently he sold the place to Isaac and William Lucas, but reserved the right to remain there as long as he lived. His wife died some time previous to his death. They were members of the Presbyterian Church of Corsica, and the parents of nine children: Jane, wife of F. Hull; Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas; Mary, wife of W. Smith; Mrs. Sarah Kelso; Mrs. Mar- garet Fitzsimmons; Mrs. Ann McGiven; Martha, wife of D. White; Lavina, wife of our subject; and John, who died at the age of thirty years.

for many years. His political support is given the inen and measures of the Republican party, and as a public-spirited citizen he has done inuch to promote the interests of his community and advance the general welfare.

J CURTIN NORTH. On the top of one of the spurs of the Alleghany Mountains, nine-

teen hundred feet above the level of the sea, there stands one of the pleasantest homes in Jef- ferson county, the old North homestead in Mc- Calmont township. The handsome two-story brick house and the wide-spreading fields under perfect cultivation, bespeak thrift, and comfort, and give also an indication of the refined tastes of the progressive and intelligent owners of the estate. .

The North family traces its descent froin John and Elizabeth (Pogue) North, natives of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1810, and, after residing for some years in Philadelphia, re- moved in 1818 to Indiana, county, where they made their permanent home upon a farm now occupied by their son, William P. North. They reared a large family, and their descendants in this section are now very numerous. Deborah, the eldest child, married Joseph Pogue, and died in Philadelphia; Margaret married John H. Henderson, and died in Johnstown, Penn. : Joseph P. died in McCalmont township; Elizabeth mar- ried James Means, and both died at Whitesville. Penn .; Daniel is mentioned more fully farther on; Thomas P. is a retired agriculturist of Young township, Jefferson county, and William P. re- sides at the old farm in Indiana county.

After his marriage Mr. Moore located upon a tract of land in Union township, Jefferson coun- ty, which he owned, making it his home for two years, but in 1866 he and his brother bought his present fine farm, of which he became sole owner The late Daniel North, who was born July 11, 1827, in North Mahoning township, Indiana county, becaine wealthy through extensive opera- tions in farming and lumbering, owning about 600 acres of land at the time of his death. He purchased the present homestead, and, in 1861. built the elegant residence now occupied by the family. Generosity is a characteristic trait in the North family, and he possessed it in the highest degree, helping in every worthy cause. He assisted in building all of the churches in his community, and was a generous supporter of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he served for many years as trustee and elder. He died July 22, 1891, aged seventy years. eleven months and eleven days, and was buried in the cemetery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church about a hundred yards from his home. The churchyard, which comprises one acre, was sold by him to the society for the nominal considera- two years later. Few improvements had been made on locating there, but now 100 acres have been cleared and placed under the plow, and neat and substantial building add to its at- tractive appearance. In addition to this prop- erty he is also a stockholder in the Brookville Milling Company, and is recognized as one of the most progressive and reliable business men of his community. Seven children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Moore, namely: John J. S., at home; William H., a merchant of Reynolds- ville, Penn., married Miss A. Maude Moore, daughter of H. R. Moore, of Clarion county, and they have one son, Charles Byron, born May 14, 1897; James W., a farmer; Eva, who died in youth; Ella and Elmer B., at home; and Sara, who is still attending school. The family is one of prominence in social circles, and the parents are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Moore has served as elder i tion of one dollar. A host of friends mourned

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the loss of this honorable, kindly citizen, whose good naine is a priceless heritage to his descend- ants. On October 5, 1847, he was married in McCalmont township, by Rev. C. C. Moore, a minister of the Cuniberland Presbyterian Church, to Miss Catherine Bell, who survives him, and resides at the homestead with their son, J. Curtin. A large family of children blessed this union, namely: James B., born August 11, 1849, is a farmer and lumberman in McCalmont township; Mary E., February 7, 1851, married the late W. C. Smith, and now resides in Punxsutawney; John S., September 1, 1852, is a farmer in Mc- Calmont township; Anna R., born July 12, 1854, died August 28, 1858; Emina H., born March 27, 1856, married W. R. Johnson, a farmer in Armstrong county; William H., born October 23, 1857, died October 20, 1861; Martha J., born October 19, 1859, married A. J. McCreight, of Punxsutawney; joanna R., born March 26, 1861, is the wife of Dr. James B. Neale, of Rey- noldsville, Penn .; J. Curtin, the subject proper of this sketch, is mentioned at more length farther on; Maggie L., born July 12, 1865, married John B. Nichols, of Eleanor, chief clerk of the Mahon- ing Supply Co., Penn .; Minnie C., born Sep- tember 14, 1869, married W. S. Calderwood, assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Kane, Penn .; Daniel O., born March 8. 1872, is the bookkeeper for the Mahoning Supply Co., at Eleanor.

Mrs. Catherine' North is a lady of more than ordinary ability, and her kindness of heart is well-known throughout a wide circle of acquaint- ances. She was born November 7, 1828, and is therefore nearing three-score years and ten, but so amply is she endowed with physical and mental vigor that her family and friends can hope for many years more of her helpful and in- spiring companionship. Her husband left the homestead to her for her lifetime, and she has the satisfaction of seeing all her children well-settled and prosperous. Her ancestors on the paternal side were early settlers in this State. Robert Bell, her great-grandfather, of Ireland, having located in the wilderness in Rain township, Indiana coun- ty. John and Elizabeth Bell, her grandparents, natives of Ireland, settled upon a farm in Perry township, Jefferson county, where they spent their remaining years. James W. Bell, her father, who was born in Jefferson county, mar- ried Miss Hannah Gordon, daughter of Alexan- der and Catherine (Pounds) Gordon. who came from Ireland and were pioneer settlers in the vicinity of Smicksburg, Indiana county. For some years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bell remained in Indiana' county, but in the

spring of 1833 they removed to McCalmont town- ship, Jefferson county, and cleared a farm in the the woods, living meantime in primitive style. Their nearest neighbors, Alexander Gordon and Reuben Hitchcock, lived two miles from them. Mr. Bell, in later years, was a Republican in politics, and he and his wife were consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She died in August, 1871, aged seventy-four years, and he did not long survive her, passing away January 7, 1872, at the age of seventy- seven, their reinains being laid to their final rest in Olive Cemetery, Oliver township, Jefferson county. Their children were: Robert, now a retired lumberman at Du Bois; Eliza, wife of S. L. Swisher, a carpenter at Boot Jack, Jefferson county; Catherine, Mrs. North; James W., who occupies the Bell homestead; Mary, wife of Alex- ander Hughes, a retired carpenter at Punxsu- tawney; Margaret, wife of Job Brown, a retired farmer living at Covode, Penn .; Joseph F., a carpenter at Chester City, Penn .; John, a farmer in Indiana county; and William J., who died at the age of twenty-four.

With this review of the ancestry of J. Cur- tin North, we may now point out the main facts in his own life. He was born April 11, 1863, on the North homestead, and has always lived there with the exception of three months spent in Nebraska, where he was employed in a nur- sery. The estate contains 1992 acres of excel- lent land, and his inanagement has won him a high reputation as an able agriculturist. The coal deposits underlying the farm were sold in 1884 for $62.50 per acre. Few men of his age are as prominent and influential in local affairs as Mr. North, who is constantly in office, and at . present discharges the duties of three positions, being in his seventh year as overseer of the poor, in the ninth as township treasurer, and the fifth as township collector. He is a stanch Re- publican, as was his father before him. Socially his popularity is no less marked than in political life. and he is a member of the 1. O. O. F., the Junior Mechanics, and the Benevolent Order of Elks, all of Punxsutawney.

H ON. W. O. SMITH. In the stirring times before the Revolution, Patrick Henry, in an address before the Colonial Congress, said "The battle is not to the strong alone, it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." Thus it is in life's battle. The man who wins-who comes off conqueror in the strife-is he who is " vigil- ant "-watchful of opportunities and advantages -" active "-quick to grasp such opportunities.

W.O. Junithe -

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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and, energetically, use them-and " brave " in daring to carry out his honest convictions in his business methods, adhering to a straightforward, honorable course. At the end victory is emblaz- oned on his banner, and he commands the respect and admiration of all. To this honorable class of citizens belongs Mr. Smith, of Punxsutawney, who from an humble position in life has bravely worked his way upward until he has become one of the most influential and distinguished men of Jefferson county.

He was born June 13, 1859. in Reynoldsville, tine Smith, his paternal grandfather, was one of the earliest settlers of Jefferson county. From Ver- mont he had removed to New York, where John S. Smith was born, but soon afterward came to Pennsylvania. In Jefferson county, the father of our subject was reared to manhood, and in early life learned the shoemaker's trade, but has principally engaged in surveying, though he also taught school for a time. He is still living, as is also his wife, who was born in Indiana county, Penn. They enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.

Our subject attended the district schools of Jefferson county, but when quite young he left the school room to enter a printing office, where he learned the printer's trade. While thus em- ployed he purchased a lot of books, among which were Greek and Latin text books, and made it a rule to study evenings from seven until twelve. This he continued for three years, and consequently, by his own efforts, he has obtained an excellent education. In 1879, he went to Washington, D. C., where for about six years he was employed in the government printing office. During this time the printers established the Craftsman, the organ of the Typographical National Union, and our subject was elected as- sociate editor, which position he acceptably filled for two years.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 32

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