Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 38

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 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 38

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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both are now deceased, Mrs. Depp dying in 1884, and her husband a little later. Their children were-May, who died when young; Iona, who became the wife of Mr. Gahagen, and died in July, 1894; Odah, who was killed by a limb fall- ing from a tree; Belle, wife of John Shariah, of Elk county, Penn. ; Wade, who is married and resides in Porter township, Jefferson county; Mary, now Mrs. Nell Hines, of Elk county; Mrs. Stella Hines, of the same county; Maggie, who resides in Brockwayville, Jefferson county; and Clyde.

Thomas T. Adams remained on the old home- stead until after his father's death, when his mother became the wife of John Martin in 1865, and he then lived at the home of his step-father in Perry township, Jefferson county, until reaching manhood, acquiring his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1861, at the age of eighteen years, he joined Company A, 105th P. V. I., was sworn into the United States service at Washington, D. C., and spent the winter at Fort Lyons, near Alexandria. In April, 1862, he went by boat to Fortress Monroe, thence marched to Yorktown and participated in the siege at that place. He served under Capt. John Hastings, of Punxsutawney, and Col. McKnight, of Jefferson county, with the Army of the Poto- mac. After the siege of Yorktown Mr. Adams' regiment took part in the battle of Williams- burg, in May, 1862, driving the Rebels from the place, and in the next engagement, at Fair Oaks, lost about three hundred men in killed and wounded. Mr. Adams was among the latter, a ininie ball having pierced his hand, and from June until September he was confined in hos- pital at New Haven. He was then sent to the convalescent camp near Fort Ellsworth, where he remained until January, 1863, when he was honorably discharged, and was later exenipt from service on account of physical disability. In 1865 Mr. Adams married Miss Minerva J. Means, of Jefferson county, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Means, the former also a soldier of the Civil war. After his marriage our subject lo- cated on a farm in Perry township, but later bought his father's old homestead, to which he removed in 1867, and that place has since been his home. His present fine residence was built in 1870, and in 1887 his substantial barn was also erected. He has cleared and placed under cultivation twenty acres, and has made many other useful improvements, so that it is now one of the best farms in the locality. He also has other real-estate holdings in Porter township. Mrs. Adams died in 1869, leaving two children: (1) E. L., born in Perry township, in May, 1866,

was educated in the public schools, and is now a farmer of Pike township, Jefferson county. He married Rosie Miller, of the same township. and has five children -- William, Roy, May, Gould and Norma A. (2) Ada P. married B. F. Ledig, of Porter township, who is now engaged in black- smithing in the village of Porter, where they re- side. Their children are Harry, Earl, Lillie and Maud.

In May, 1869, Mr. Adams was again married, hissecond union being with Miss Rebecca Travis, of Porter township, and seven children have been born to them. Minnie W., the eldest, died at the age of seven years. Martha M. began her education in the common schools, later attended a select school at Dayton, Armstrong Co., Penn .. and afterward pursued her studies at Smicks- burg, Indiana county, at Perrysville one term, at Mt. Union College, Ohio, for the same length of time, and is at present a student at the Clarion State Normal. For seven years she has success- fully engaged in teaching, a part of the time as assistant teacher of the high school of Punxsu- tawney. Virginia B. is at home. Mary has also been provided with a fine education, having attended the Clarion Normal for two terms, and has also engaged in teaching for that length of time. Robert R., who attended the same insti- tution in 1897, is now assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. Homer H., George B. and Bessie E. are all at home.

Mr. Adams has not only provided his own children with excellent educational advantages. but as school director has materially promoted the educational interests of his township. He has reared a family of which he may be justly proud. His political support is given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has creditably filled the offices of school director. supervisor, overseer of the poor and justice of the peace, being the present incumbent in the last position, to which he was elected in 1893. The family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

F B. HARVEY, a representative and leading farmer and lumberman of Washington town- ship, is a fair specimen of the progressive agri- culturists who have so largely assisted in the development and growth of Jefferson county, and who are drawing from the soil the important elements of their fortune.

On his present homestead Mr. Harvey was born in 1843, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Braden) Harvey, natives of Delaware county. . Penn., whence they came to this region in 1842.

.....

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The father purchased one hundred acres of tim- ber land, which he at once commenced to clear and cultivate, and erected thereon a log house and stable. There his wife, who had patiently shared with him all the hardships and trials of frontier life, passed away in 1861, and he was called to his final rest in 1887. The ten children born to this worthy couple are as follows: Mar- garet still resides on the old homestead with our subject. Phœbe A., born in Delaware county, married Abram Boyer, of Jefferson county. and they removed to the State of Washington, where they still reside. F. B., our subject, is next in order of birth. Charles W. married Miss Smouse, of Minnesota, and they now live in Findon, Mon - tana. Mary J. wedded Francis Smith, of Clarion county, Penn., and they now make their home in Washington. Joseph is a resident of Wash- ington township, Jefferson county. James H. died at the age of fourteen years. Leonard nrar- ried Sarah Preston, of Washington townsphip, and now lives in the State of Washington. John G. also resides in Washington. Susan E. became the wife of Hugh A. Morrow, of Jefferson county, and they lived near Brockwayville, Penn., where she died in 1890, leaving a husband and eight children-Clarence, Harvey, Rosy, Maggie, Ed- na, James, Max A. and Raymond.

In much the usual manner of farmers' sons, F. B. Harvey spent the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving a good common-school edu- cation, which has well-fitted him for the practical duties of life. In 1863 he laid aside all personal interests, and enlisted in Company B, 135th P. V. I., under Capt. Richard J. Espy, of Brook- ville, Penn., and was with the Army of the Po- tomac under General Meade, being sworn into the United States service at Camp Curtin, Har- risburg. For six months he did provost duty in Washington, D. C., and later took part in the battle of Fredericksburg. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he was mustered out at Harrisburg and returned home, but in 1864 re- enlisted for ninety days in defense of the State while the notorious Morgan was on his raid. After being discharged at Pittsburg in the fall of the same year, he again re-enlisted for one year, and faithfully served until the close of the war, taking part in the battle in front of Petersburg and at Bermuda Hundred. The Union troops then followed Lee to Appomattox Court House, where he surrendered to General Grant. Mr. Harvey was also in the battle of Fort Stead- man, participated in the grand review in Wash- ington, D. C., and at Alexandria was finally discharged with a war record of which he may be justly proud.

Mr. Harvey has never left the old homestead in Washington township, which he now has un- der a high state of cultivation, the well-tilled fields plainly indicating the industrious habits and progressive spirit of the owner, who is justly regarded as one of the most enterprising and wide-awake farmers of his community. In 1882 he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Hun- ter, of Jefferson county, who is a daughter of John and Sarah Hunter, prosperous farming people of Washington township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harvey are consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, are widely and favorably known throughout the county, where they have always made their home, and are the center of a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate their sterling worth. Mr. Harvey uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Prohibition party, and faith- fully performs every duty of citizenship.

D ANIEL McGEE, one of the busiest, most en- ergetic, and most enterprising business men of Bell township, Jefferson county, carries on general farming, and is also successfully engaged in lumbering and butchering. He was born in that township, in 1843, a son of Robert and Catherine (Graffius) McGee. The birth of the father occurred near Bellefonte, Centre Co., Penn., whence during his early manhood he was brought to Jefferson county by his parents. James and Elizabeth McGee, who located near Punxsutawney, in Bell township, where they spent their remaining days, dying some years ago. There were only two sons in their family, the other being Isaac McGee, who spent his life in Young township, Jefferson county.

In Bell township, our subject's father pur- chased a tract of wild land, which he transformed into a good farm, and thereon reared his family. and died in 1882, aged sixty-seven years. Three of his eleven children died when young; those still living are: William, now a resident of Gas- kill township, Jefferson county; Samuel, who was a soldier of the Civil war, and now resides in Bell township, Clearfield county; Daniel, of this sketch; George, who was born in Bell township. and now lives in Gaskill township; James, who is married and makes his home in Du Bois, Penn .. where he is foreman on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh railroad: Robert C., who is married and resides in Clayville. Jefferson county; and Mary A., wife of Urias Peace, a farmer of Bell township.

Daniel McGee grew to manhood on the old

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homestead, acquiring his education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and in 1866 married. Miss Mary A. Williams, of Perrysville, Jefferson county, a daughter of Reuben and Lucinda Williams, substantial citizens of Perry township. The ten children born to this union are still living, namely: (1) Ida C., born in Gaskill township, in 1867, was educated in the common schools. and is now the wife of C. A. Leasure, of Indiana county, Penn., who resides on the old home- stead purchased by her father. Their children are-John E., Daniel P., and Carl. (2) John, born in Gaskill township, in 1869, follows the carpenter's trade, and resides at home. (3) James, born at the present home of the family, married Caddie Grinder, of Bell township, by whom he has one child, Coreless, and they re- side in Cloe, Bell township. (4) Lucy is, the wife of Elmer McElwain, of Bell township, and has two daughters, Ella and Dorah. The other members of the family, Harry, Harland V., Ralph, Elma, Pearl and Ethel, are still single and with their parents.

For a few years after his marriage, Daniel McGee resided near Winslow, in Gaskill town- ship, where he followed lumbering and rafting square timber down Mahoning creek to the Pitts- burg markets, but in 1871 he purchased a part of the I. C. London property on Mahoning creek, about two and one-half miles east of Punxsutaw ney. Here he built a commodious house, good barns and other outbuildings, removed the stumps from his land, and made many other valuable improvements, so that it is now one of the finest homes in the locality. In 1891 he purchased a part of the old homestead. and other farming and coal lands in Banks township, Indiana county. Building a slaughter house upon his farm in 1888, he has since engaged in the butchering business, having a market in Punxsutawney.

In politics, Mr. McGee is a Jacksonian-Dem- ocrat, has held the office of supervisor of Bell township, auditor nine years, school director, and in 1881 he was elected justice of the peace, and, being re-elected, served two consecutive terms of five years each, one by appointment of the governor for one year, all to the entire satis- faction of his constituents. He is now serving his third term by election in the same office, and his rulings have ever been marked by fairness and impartiality. He and his family are connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and for the past thirty years he has been an elder in the same, being the youngest man to hold that position in the county. He is modest and unas- suming in disposition, courteous and pleasant in manner, thoughtful of the feclings and respectful

toward the opinions of others, and has aided his fellowmen with a generous devotion that has won him the highest regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

N EWELL E. HOLDEN, M. D., is a prom- inent physician and druggist of Corsica. Jefferson county. One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend his energies is that of a physician. A most scrupulous' preliminary training is de- manded, and a nicety of judgment but little understood by the laity. Our subject is well- fitted for the profession which he has chosen as a life work, and his skill and ability have won for him a lucrative practice.

Dr. Holden was born in 1855, near Summer- ville, Jefferson county, a son of Hartley and Alretta (Anderson) Holden, the former a native of Jefferson county, and the latter of Westmore- land county, Penn. For a number of years Hartley Holden was a resident of Wisconsin, but after the death of his first wife he returned to Pennsylvania. Throughout his active business life he was engaged in lumbering and farming, but he is now living retired in Clarion county, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.

The common schools of Clarion county fur- nished Dr. Holden his early educational advan- tages, and subsequently he pursued a course in Corsica Academy. In 1879 he took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Hindman, and two years later entered the Jeffer- son Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1883. He at once cstab- lished an office in Corsica, where he has since successfully engaged in practice. Wishing to further perfect himself in his chosen calling, he, in 1894, took a post-graduate course at the Phil- adelphia Polyclinics. He has ever been a close student of his profession, keeping well posted on the advancement and discoveries made in the science.

In 1893 Dr. Holden was married to Miss Laura E. Orcutt, who was born in Pennsylvania. a daughter of Edward B. and Rachel (McCol- lough) Orcutt, natives of Maine and Jefferson county respectively. One daughter blessed this union, Anna Laura. Both the Doctor and his wife are earnest members of the Presbyterian Church; fraternally he is identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Order of American Mechanics. In politics, while not an active politician, he never fails to cast his ballot with the Democratic party, and was elected coroner of Jefferson county for one term.

...

H. e Holden nf20.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He occupies an enviable position in social circles, and his pleasant, affable manner has gained "him a host of warm friends.

J JOHN MILLIRON, one of the brave " boys in blue " during the Rebellion, and at present a representative farmer of Warsaw township, Jefferson county, was born October 21, 1844, in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania.

Our subject is a son of David and Rebecca (Wadding) Milliron, the former a native of Black Lick, Penn., and the latter of Armstrong county, where they were married. For some time the father followed the gunsmith's trade near Put- neyville, Penn., was later a resident of Ringgold, Jefferson county, for several years, and then re- turned to Armstrong county, where he passed away in 1890, at the age of eighty-five years. He was a devout member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, to which his wife belongs. She still resides at the old homestead in Armstrong county at the ripe old age of eighty-three years. Their children were Dorcas, William (he was a patriot, and gave up his life in defense of his country in the Civil war. He was a member of Company E, 148th P. V. I. In June, 1864, he was taken prisoner by the enemy at Weldon Railroad, and died in Andersonville prison), John, Nancy J., Emaline and George W.

The education of our subject was such as the country schools of his day afforded, and his training at farm work was received mainly upon his father's place. On leaving the parental roof he began working on a farm in Indiana county. Penn., but in 1862 he laid aside civil pursuits to enter the military service as a member of Com- pany E, 148th P. V. I., a part of the Army of the Potomac. For three years he faithfully fought for the old flag and the cause it represented, receiving only one furlough of ten days when he visited his home. He participated in many hot- ly contested engagements, his first battle being at Chancellorsville, and he was wounded, while in front of Petersburg, where a bullet passed through his left leg. For some time he was un- fit for active service, and on being released from the hospital was sent to Trenton, N. J., where he did patrol duty until honorably discharged, July 16, 1865. His arduous service broke down his health entirely, and he still suffers from a number of diseases contracted at that time. Al- though he receives a pension, it is but a slight compensation for the hardships, sufferings and privations he was forced to endure, and which have left their effects ,upon him.

For some time after his return home, Mr. 1

Milliron was unable to engage in hard work, his health being greatly impaired for about two years. He has devoted his time and attention mainly to lumbering and farming, and after his marriage in 1867 he purchased a tract of land and improved a farm, but later sold out and bought his present place in 1873. In connection with its operations he has also conducted a shingle mill. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never aspired to office, although he acceptably served as constable for three years. In early life he took quite an active and prominent part in Church and Sunday-school work, and is still serving as steward of the Meth- odist Church, to which he belongs, and of which his wife is also a consistent member.

In 1867 Mr. Milliron was wedded to Miss Mary J., a daughter of Forgus and Nancy (Moore- head) Craven, natives of Indiana and Armstrong counties, respectively. Her mother died July 2, 1893, but her father is still living in Warsaw, Jefferson county, at the age of seventy-three years. They were married in that county, where Mr. Craven located at a very early day, there be- ing only one or two families residing in Warsaw township at that time. Settling in the forest, he for many years engaged in both lumbering and farming. In his family were six children, namely: Mary J., wife of our subject; James (deceased); Clementine; Ella (deceased); Milton J., and William E. The parents both held membership in the Presbyterian Church. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Milliron: Harvey J. ; William R., who died at the age of ten years; James E. ; May C .; Charles R .; Maud A .; and Reuben M., born June 3, 1885.

D ANIEL O. COUCH, EsQ., a representative farmer and prominent citizen of Gaskill township. Jefferson county, was born on a farm near where he now lives, September 30, 1846, a son of John and Elizabeth (Ross) Couch, also na- tives of Pennsylvania. The mother, who was born in Jefferson county, passed away in 1846, when our subject was but an infant, and, later, the father married Elizabeth Kaufman, who still survives. Ot the three children born to the first union, two are now living: David W. and Daniel O. Throughout his active business life the father followed lumbering and farming, and took quite an active and prominent part in local affairs. He died in 1893, at the age of seventy-four years.

Daniel O. Couch had the advantages of the common schools of his day, which were much in- ferior to those of the present time, but he made the most of his opportunities and has become a

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well-informed man. He also early became fa- miliar with agricultural pursuits, and his life has been spent in that honored calling, now owning and operating thirty-five acres, which he has im- proved with good and substantial buildings. In connection with general farming, he makes the culture of fine fruit growing a specialty. He is also interested in stock raising. On February 7, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy, daughter of Robert Miller, a leading citi- zen of Gaskill township, and to them were born twelve children, of whom seven are still living, namely: Jesse B., Vina, James K., Guy, Minnie A., Paul D. and Wade Hampton. The father has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who passed away in September, 1895, but he has kept his family together at their pleasant home in Gaskill township.

Politically, Mr. Couch has always been an ardent Democrat, and while not an official as- pirant, he has held many local positions of honor and trust to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1884 he was first elected justice of the peace, and since that time has served constantly in that of- fice. Socially, he has affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty-eight years, and, religiously, he holds membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was chosen a ruling elder of the Church some thirty years ago when that body was known as Mount Pleasant Church. In 1891 this Church organiza- tion erected a fine new edifice. The Couch fam- ily are also identified with this Church. As a citizen he stands high'morally, socially and other- wise, and justly deserves an honored place among the leading men of Jefferson county.

J JOSEPH DAVENPORT, one of the substan- tial agriculturists and stock dealers of Jeffer- son county, a resident of the homestead, is descended from an honored pioneer family. He was born March 24, 1846, at the homestead in Washington township. William and Jane (Mil- ler) Davenport, his parents, were both natives of County Donegal, Ireland, where they were mar- ried, and whence, in 1828, they set out for the United States, landing in Philadelphia. In 1839 they moved to Jefferson county, Penn., locating on land in Washington township, which they im- proved and converted into a fine farm. This was before any lumbering was done in that locality, and the logs, instead of being utilized, were rolled into great heaps and burned. Here Will- iam Davenport died in April, 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, for years a widower, his wife having departed this life in April, 1855. In

religious faith they were both devout Presby- -terians, Six children were born to this pioneer couple, as follows: William resides in Iowa; Jane A. (deceased); Margaret; Samuel was killed in Charleston (S. C.) harbor while serving in the U. S. navy on board the "Patapsco;" Martha; and Joseph.

Joseph Davenport attended the common schools of the neighborhood of his home, and was reared to farming pursuits. At the death of his father he bought the interest of the other heirs in the homestead, which consisted of 160 acres, 145 having been cleared and under good cultivation, equipped with a commodious dwell- ing, large barn and other outhouses. Here, in addition to general agriculture, he rears some live stock, which he is improving and grading. On February 20, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary Dougherty, who was born in Jefferson county, Penn., a daughter of William and Jane (Smith) Dougherty, the former of whom was a native of Ireland, coming to America with his parents when a small boy. The mother was born in September, 1820, in County Donegal, Ireland, and when a young girl immigrated to this country, landing in Philadelphia when twelve years old, but after a short sojourn there she moved to Chester county, Penn. When she was sixteen years old she came to Beechwoods, and joined the rest of the family, consisting of two sisters and six brothers. William Dougherty died October 8, 1892; the mother, who was a daughter of William Smith, had preceded him to the grave.

Joseph Davenport, in politics, has always been a strong Republican, caring nothing for personal aggrandizement but ever active in the interests of the party. In his family he has not wavered from the rigid discipline characterizing the Scotch-Irish race. " Spare the rod and spoil the child " had no place in the economy of his household. Any of his four boys could give convincing, though perhaps not at all times cheerful, testimony of this fact. All his children have in later life appreciated the rigid discipline that in earlier years was not understood. A more loving, generous father never lived, nor one more willing to sacrifice personal comfort for the welfare of his children, than the subject of this sketch. To see each fitted to take up the burden of life and bear it befitting men and women, has been the one great aim in his teach- ing and example.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 38

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