Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 52

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 52
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 52
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 52
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1356

exception of a few years spent in Vermont.

dren: Mary, who graduated from several semi- Jonathan Wilson, her grandfather, a native of + naries, and taught school for some time, is now Vermont, attended college with the intention of the wife of M. P. Smathers, a farmer of Ringgold township, Jefferson county; Ella M. married Rev. Gilbert D. Walker, a Methodist minister now stationed at North Washington, Penn. ; Eva C. is the wife of our subject, and her twin sister. Miss Clara C., resides with her mother at" Clay- ville. preparing for the ministry, but failing health pre- vented him from carrying out this desire. He accordingly sought the wholesome and invigorat- ing surroundings of a farmer's life. For twenty seasons he taught school, winning a high reputa- tion in his locality as an educator. He died at Northampton, Ohio. His wife in her maiden- hood was Clara Searle. Their children were: Philander, a farmer, now deceased; Joel W. (de- ceased), in his day a prominent lawyer of Tiffin, Ohio; Sullivan S., a retired farmer, now living at Grand Rapids, Mich .; Rosanna, who married Thompson Clark, both now . deceased; Cyril, Mrs. Jordan's father; and George M. (deceased). a veteran of the Civil war, who after practicing law for a few years became an Episcopal clergy- man.

Rev. Cyril Wilson was a native of Shalers- ville, Ohio, born December 29, 1826, and after graduating from the Western Reserve Semi- nary, at Farmington, Ohio, took a four-years' course of study preparatory to becoming a minister in the Presbyterian Church, with which he united when nineteen years old. After his marriage he entered the ministry of the M. E. Church, and his talents and character, combined with untiring zeal, gave him a high standing. He died May 19, 1881. at New Bethlehem, Penn., where he was serving at the time as pastor of the M. E. Church. On October 18, 1848, he was married at Chardon, Ohio, to Miss Mary M. Waldo, who survives him and lives at Clayville, Penn. She was born at Bennington, N. Y., December 5, 1826, a daughter of Alvin Waldo, and grand- daughter of Ezra and Prudence (Emerson) Wal- do, of Connecticut. Her ancestors in this line were agriculturists mainly, and her father settled upon a farm, where he died. He was a Repub- lican in politics, and he and his wife, Nancy E. (Butler), were devout members of the M. E. Church. The Butler family was also of Con- necticut stock, and Mrs. Waldo's parents, Josiah and Hannah (Hall) Waldo, resided in that State throughout their lives, the father following the butcher's trade. To Alvin and Nancy E. (Butler) Waldo seven children were born, of whom Mary M. (Mrs. Jordan's mother) was the eldest; Luther H. is a retired farmer; Permella married Jacob Hart, and both are now deceased; William B. is a farmer in Iowa; Jane E. is the wife of E. E. Cook; Elizabeth is the wife of Stephen Frent, and Richard A. is a farmer.

Mrs. Jordan is one of a family of four chil-

S OLOMON ANDERSON, a substantial and reliable business man of Brookville, Jefferson county, the senior member of the well-known firm of Anderson & Leech, owners of a planing- mill, is a native of Sweden, born in 1849, and is a son of Anderspierson and Stena (Johnson Ander- son, who are still residing in that country. There he attended school until fourteen years of age, when he accepted a clerkship in a mercantile store, where he was employed for seven years. during which time he conceived the idea of com- ing to America to seek his fortune, believing that he would have better chances of success.

On July 5, 1870, Mr. Anderson landed at Wilcox, Penn., where he remained until the fol- lowing November, when he located at Brook- ville and accepted work on the railroad as a com- mon laborer. As he could not speak the English language he labored under many disadvantages; but by determined effort he soon mastered the tongue. To some extent he also followed black- smithing, and though he had never had any training in this trade he commanded good wages. and his work gave the utmost satisfaction. In

1873 he obtained a position with Hall & McCain in a planing-mill, and was thus employed for more than eleven years, when in July, 1884, in partnership with W. A. Leech, he purchased the business, and to-day they conduct one of the leading industries of Brookville. Mr. Anderson is a thrifty, enterprising citizen, who began life in the New World empty-handed, in fact bor- rowed the money with which to pay his passage; but by strict economy and industry he has forged his way to the front, so that at the present time he is one of the solid business men of Jefferson county. When here but two years he sent back money enough to purchase a home in Sweden for his aged parents. He has visited them once, and is contemplating another trip to his native land in the near future.

In October, 1878, Mr. Anderson married Miss Rebecca J. Plyer, a daughter of Charles Plyer, of Jefferson county, and they now have one son, Charles Andrew. At the age of fourteen our subject associated himself with the Lutheran

1357

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Church, and for more than fifteen years he has been a leading member of that denomina .~ tion in Brookville, to which congregation his wife also belongs. They are earnest, consistent Christians, and receive the respect and esteem of all who know them. Socially, Mr. Anderson holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his political support is ever given the Republican party, but he never aspires to official honors.

J AMES MALONE, one of the substantial cit- izens of Henderson township, Jefferson coun- ty, is the owner of a fine farm near the town of Eleanor. Especial interest attaches to the history of this gentleman, as he was one of the many ardent and patriotic youths who risked their lives in the defense of the Union during the Civil war, his service beginning when he was but seventeen years old.

Mr. Malone's grandparents on the paternal side were early settlers at Wellsville, Ohio, and his father, David Malone, was born and reared in that locality, but on arriving at manliood's estate moved to Armstrong county, Penn., where he met and married Miss Peggy J. Jack. There he remained for three or four years, following the cooper's trade, but afterward returned to Ohio, where his wife died in 1851; his own death oc- curred two years later at Wheeling, W. Va. Five children were thus left orphans, namely: (1) Mary E., born in Armstrong county, Penn .. was married in Ohio to John Griffith, now a res- ident of Salineville, Ohio, and a conductor on a railroad; they have had a large family of chil- dren. (2) Rodney, also a native of Armstrong county, was taken to Ohio in childhood, whence after his mother's death he returned to his native county, and was reared by an uncle, Samuel Bruner. He married Miss Maggie Bonny, of Armstrong county, and moved to Illinois, where he followed farming for ten years. Later he came back to Pennsylvania, and spent three years in Armstrong county, in mercantile busi- ness, during a part of the time serving as a justice of the peace, but at present he is a merchant in Missouri; he has no children. (3) Ellis was born in Armstrong county, and at the time of his mother's death was taken by his uncle, Thomas Jack, of that county, and grew to manhood there. He married Miss Amelia Grape, of Clearfield county, and after a few years of residence in Jef- ferson county moved to Whiting, Kans., where he follows the carpenter's trade; they have five children. (4) Byron, born in Wellsville, Ohio, was reared in Ohio by his uncle, James Jack, and

still resides in that State. He married, and has several children. (5) James, our subject, com- pletes the family.

Mr. Malone, whose name opens this sketch, was born, in 1845, in Armstrong county, but his early boyhood was spent in Ohio. After the death of his mother, his uncle, Samuel South- worth, of Armstrong county, took him into his home, giving him the usual common-school ad- vantages until he reached the age of twelve years, when the lad began to earn his own liveli- hood by driving 'or towing barges loaded with coal oil, from the oil fields to Pittsburg, which occupation he continued until he was seventeen years old. In February, 1864, he enlisted at Kittanning, Penn., in Company L, 14th Penn- sylvania Cavalry, a veteran regiment attached to the 19th Army Corps under Gen. Sheridan, with Gen. Custer as brigade commander. Mr. Malone joined his regiment at Parkersburg, Va., and saw his first fighting in the Lynchburg raid, the Rebels driving his regiment down the valley to Charleston, Va., where two weeks were spent in camp. The next experience was the march. from Charleston to Gettysburg, in pursuit of Lee's army, which they overtook at Harper's. Ferry, and after continuous skirmishing from that point to Stanton, the regiment struck camp and. lay there a few days. Later they had the honor of guarding 1, 100 prisoners to Harper's Ferry. Their next engagement was the battle of Win- chester in 1864, where 190,000 men were en- gaged, with heavy loss on both sides. At this. place Mr. Malone was taken sick, and until Sep- tember, 1864, he remained in hospital at Mar- tinsburg. He then rejoined his regiment at Winchester, and spent several months in camp. In May, 1865, they marched to Washington to take part in the Grand Review, and from there were sent to Fairfax Court House, where Mr. Malone was appointed dispatch carrier for Alex- andria. In June, 1865, the regiment was ordered to Kansas to suppress an Indian outbreak, and taking train to Cincinnati was transferred to Louisville, where they took boats for Leaven- worth, Kansas. There they went into camp. and remained until September, Mr. Malone act- ing as forage master during the latter part of the time. On September 15, they were released from the United States service, and returning to Pittsburg were honorably discharged from the State service, at Braddock's Field. Mr. Malone returned at once to Armstrong county, but in 1866 he located in Jefferson county, where he - followed lumbering until 1884. He then spent five years in mining at Walston. In ISgo he purchased his present farmi from Frederick

1358

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Buchite, and has since devoted his attention mainly to agriculture.

In May, 1871, Mr. Malone married Miss Sarah Rutter, daughter of Joseph and Annie Rutter, of Jefferson county. Her father was a . soldier in the Union army, and met his death at the battle of Fair Oaks, his wife surviving him with five children, as follows: Harriet, now Mrs. Joseph Spencer, of Jefferson county; Joseph and Harvey, who are not married; Anna B., wife of James Coxon, of Jefferson county, and Sarah, now Mrs. Malone. For some time after his mar- riage Mr. Malone resided at Sykesville, and from 1884 to 1890 his home was at Walston. He and his wife have nine children: Harold E., born in August, 1873, died in 1887, at the age of fourteen; the others, who are all at home, are as follows-Elizabeth, born in January, 1875; Jonas A., October, 1877; Mary Viola, July, 1881 ; John Hansin, October 11, 1884; Catherine R., No- vember. 1886; Joseph, April, 1889; Alvanita M., May, 1891, and Lydia E., August, 1895.

Politically, Mr. Malone has always been identified with the Republican party, though he has not been especially active in local affairs. He is a Protestant in religion, but while he sympa- thizes in all worthy movements, he has never been connected with any Church.

W A. McCONNELL, one of the most thor- ough and energetic farmers cf Washing- ton township, Jefferson county, was born Decem- ber 5, 1846, on the old homestead where he still lives, and belongs to one of the honored and highly-respected pioneer families of the county.

William McConnell, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and on coming to the United States first located in Centre county, Penn., where for some time he was employed in the Curtin Iron Works. There he was married. and there reared his family of ten children: Janies: Alexander; Joseph; George; William: Da- vid B. : Mrs. Mary A. Mcclellan; Mrs. Peggy Mic- Intosh; Mrs. Frances Morrison; and Mrs. Nancy J. Cooper. Late in life, the father of these chil- dren came to Jefferson county, where he devel- oped a farm and spent his remaining days. In religious belief he and his wife were Presbyte- rians.

In Centre county. James McConnell, the father of our subject, was born December 10, 1805, and there grew to manhood, remaining with his parents until 1826, when he became one of the early settlers of Washington township, Jefferson county. In the midst of the almost un- broken forest, at what was known as Beech

Woods, he developed a farm of one hundred acres, making it one of the most highly cultivated places of the community. As a general farmer he was quite successful, also gave considerable attention to stock raising, and being a shoe- maker by trade also did considerable work along that line in his neighborhood. His customers would bring their leather, and while he was mak- ing their shoes they would take his place at clear- ing or any other work at which he might be en- gaged, this being the only compensation he would accept for his services. In connection with shoe- making, he repaired harness, etc. Although a stanch Democrat, and took an active interest in political affairs, he never aspired to office, and only accepted a few minor positions, such as school director. He was an earnest, consistent Christian, and helped to organize the first Bap- tist Church in his section of the country, in which society he always served as deacon, and of which his wife was also a member.

Soon after coming to Jefferson county, James McConnell married Miss Jane Mitchell, a native of Clarion county, Penn., where was celebrated the marriage of her parents, John and-{ Will- iams) Mitchell, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Scotland, both identified with the Bap- tist Church. They- were the parents of four children: Jane, Peggy, Rhoda and Ross. To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell were born eight chil- dren: Frances, now the wife of J. Shoemaker; S. Miles, a junk and oil operator of Coraopolis, Penn .; Eliza, wife of James Rogers; W. A., of this sketch; Margaret A., deceased: Mrs. Mary J. Satterly; John R., of Dakota; and Emma, wife of J. Lucas. The father was called to his final rest April 4. 1862, and the mother in May. 1870.

Mr. McConnell, of this review, has never left the old homestead, which after the death of his parents he purchased of the other heirs, and he now has one hundred acres of the 125 under a high state of cultivation and improved with a commodious two-story frame residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. Besides general farming he has been interested in stock dealing, marketing some in the East, and for two years engaged in butchering. In 1875 he married Miss Kate McConnell (of no kinship). the only child of Thomas McConnell, and was born in 1855, in Indiana county, where her par- ents both died, and where she was reared by an uncle. She has become the mother of seven children: Margaret. L. (now the wife of Will- iam Buzzard): and Cydna J., Walter P .. Flor- ence M., Robert S., Cora and Miles G., all at home.

1359

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. McConnell is one of the most popular and influential citizens of Washington township ;~ on the Democratic ticket he was first elected tax collector and constable in 1883, and three years later was re-elected. On the expiration of his term he retired from public life, but was subse- quently appointed by the judge to fill a vacancy as tax collector, and after serving two years was again elected to that position for three years. He is still filling the office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. For a number of years he has been manager for the Washington Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and is a prominent member of the local lodges of the Patriotic Order Sons of Amer- ica, and the Knights of the Maccabees.

N ATHAN A. MCLAUGHLIN. Among the progressive, energetic and successful agri- culturists of Clover township, Jefferson county, who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are consequently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He is the owner of the old homestead, where he was born December 8, 1854, and in the public schools of the neigh- borhood he received his education.

Joseph Mclaughlin, grandfather of our sub- ject, a native of Ireland, became an early settler of Westmoreland county, Penn., and about 1834 brought his family to Jefferson county, which was then but sparsely settled and much of the land still in its primitive condition. In his old log house, just across the line in Limestone township, Clarion county, both he and his wife died. They were active and prominent members of the Bap- tist Church, and the parents of ten children, namely: Mrs. Sally Davis; John, the father of our subject: George, a Union soldier. wlio served in the 105th P. V. I., and participated in many hard-fought battles, dying in a hospital at Phila- delphia; Mrs. Lair Miller; Jacob, deceased: Mrs. Elizabeth Walters: Henry, who died on the old homestead: James, a resident of Kingsville. Clar- ion county: Abram, who served through the war as a member of the 105th P V. I., and died from effects of wounds received at the battle of Fair Oaks, and Mary, who died uninarried.

John Mclaughlin was born in Westmoreland county, but was reared in Jefferson county, where he married a native of the county, Miss Harriet Carrier, who belongs to one of the most promi- nent and highly respected families of this section. Her father, Nathan Carrier, came from Connecti- cut at an early day, and was one of the first set- tlers of Suminerville. He was extensively inter-

ested in lumbering in Jefferson county, where he was numbered among the leading representative business men for many years. He died at the age of seventy-three; his wife passed away in 1884. Their children were Darius and Hiram, who are still living; Harriet, the mother of our subject; Mrs. Lucinda Hurd; Mrs. Esther Wel- don; Isaac, who was a Union soldier, and is now deceased; Mrs. Mary Karner; Mrs. Emaline Guthrie, and Mrs. Agnes Davis. The parents and children all held membership in the Method- ist Church. After his marriage John McLaugh- lin purchased a tract of land in Clover township, to which he added from time to time. and there made his home until called from this life, in Sep- tember, 1894, at the age of seventy-three years. To some extent he engaged in lumbering, but made farming his principal occupation, was a hard-working man, honest and upright in all his dealings, and commanded the respect and confi- dence of the entire community. Like his wife, he was a member of the Methodist Church. In their family were eight children: Mrs. Lucinda J. Guthrie; Mrs. Mary M. Mooney: Nathan A .. of this sketch; Isaac B., a resident of Summer- ville; Albert, Eliza and Ida, who all died in child- hood, and Mrs. Harriet Pyler.

Nathan A. Mclaughlin never left the old homestead, which he purchased of his father, for whom he cared after the death of his mother. The place, which is conveniently situated two miles north of Summerville, is one of the most desirable farms of Clover township, and is im- proved with excellent buildings which were erected by the father. Now 125 of the 200 acres have been placed under cultivation, and yield to the owner bountiful harvests in return for the care and labor expended upon them. In con- nection with general farming he has followed lumbering throughout his business career.

In 1875 Mr. Mclaughlin married Miss Lucy Carrier, a lady of culture and intelligence. and a daughter of Darius and Rebecca (Hetrick) Carrier. the former an early settler and prominent citizen of Jefferson county. By trade he was a mill- wright, and for many years extensively engaged in lumbering and merchandising, and also con- ducted both a grist and saw inill. He was the father of nineteen children. ten by the first mar- riage-Nathan. John, Edward. Lavina. Eliza- beth. Stewart. Cash, Martha, Mary and Lucinda -and nine by the second-Milla; Lucy, wife of our subject: Euphrastus; Winfield S .: Emma, wife of C. E. Carrier, and four deceased. Nine children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Laughlin: Euphrastus, John F .. Thomas D., Everett, Grover, Atley, all at home; Rebecca,

1360

1 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who died at the age of three inonths; Robert, born in 1895; and James Lowell. The mother is a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and a most estimable lady. In his social affilia- tions Mr. McLaughlin is a member of the I. O. O. F .; politically he is identified with the Re- publican party.

J OHN C. NEEL, to whose enterprise and pro- gressiveness the commercial activity of Perry township is largely attributable, and who by his well-managed business interests has accumu- lated a handsome competence, was born on the old family homestead in Jefferson county, in March, 1845, his parents being James and Cath- erine (Hadden) Neel.

The father was born in Indiana county, in 1813, and the grandfather was one of the first settlers of Jefferson county-in fact, was the first white man to establish a home in this district, which was still the haunt of Indians. James Neel purchased III acres of timber land on the south bank of Mahoning creek in Perry township, and, in connection with his brother, Winfield, purchased a large amount of land in the neigh- borhood, which he extensively used in lumber interests, floating his products down the Mahon- ing and Allegheny rivers to the Pittsburg markets. He also engaged in merchandising and farming, and dealt considerably in real estate. The part- nership between him and his brother continued until the latter was killed while rafting on the Allegheny in 1863. James Neel then retired from merchandising, but continued farming and luin- bering until his death. His widow, who shared with him all the hardships and trials of early life, is still living at the age of eighty-four.

This worthy couple had a family of children, of whom we have mention of the following: (1) William, born on the old homestead near Perry- ville, married Annie Mitchell, of Perry township. who died in 1895; he is still living in Indiana and has a family of children. (2) Archibald married Miss Ellen Watkins, of Indiana county, who died some years ago, leaving a family. (3) Scott is now engaged in farming in Perry township. (4) Hugh married Miss Emma Sprankle, and they now reside on his farm in Perry township, four miles west of Perrysville. (5) Caroline is the wife of Senator James G. Mitchell, of Perrysville, who is now representing his district in the upper house of the State legislature; they have one daughter, Mrs. Benjamin McCartey, of Perrys- ville. (6) R. W. P. married Emma Brewer, of Perry township, and they now reside at Horatio, where he is engaged as weighmaster for the Ber-

win-White Coal Company. He owns a farm in Porter township, Jefferson county. (7) D. Bar- clay was drowned in Mahoning creek in 1865, at the age of six years.

On the home farm John C. Neel, our subject, was reared to manhood, and in the common schools he acquired a good practical education. After the commencement of the Civil war, he en- listed in Company B, 206th P. V. I., under his brother, Capt. William Neel, and Col. Brady, of Indiana county. He was sworn into the service at Pittsburg, and by' way of Baltimore went to City Point, in front of Petersburg, where he did duty for some time. With his command he then crossed the James river, and was engaged in front of Richmond in the winter of 1864. After Lee's surrender he returned to that place, where he did provost duty until June, when he was dis- charged and returned to Pittsburg, where he was paid off. He reached home on July 4, 1865, and soon afterward entered into partnership with his father in the purchase of timber land. They together followed lumbering until the father's death in 1883, when Mr. Neel formed a partner- ship with Senator Mitchell, as a member of the firm of Neel & Mitchell, general merchants at Perrysville. They have an extensive store, and from the public receive a very liberal patronage as a result of their honorable dealing and earnest desire to please their patrons. Mr. Neel is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning a large farm adjoining the village, whereon he has a fine residence and one of the most commodious barns in the county, being 80 x 50 feet in size, and sup- plied with all modern improvements.

About the year 1886 Mr. Neel was married to Mrs. Harriet Smith (nec Jenart), a native of Arm- strong county, Penn. She presides with charm- ing hospitality over their pleasant home, and both Mr. and Mrs. Neel occupy an enviable position in social circles. He is a stalwart Republican in politics, and a wide-awake, progressive citizen, one who lends his active support to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. His busi- ness methods are above question, and commend him to the confidence and goodwill of all. His interests have been prosecuted with energy, and thus in the legitimate channels of trade he has secured a handsome return for his well-directed efforts.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 52

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