Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 56

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 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 56

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).

1376

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

at the age of eighty-three, and his wife died one year later at the age of eighty-two. Both were_ consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Anderson, whose name introduces this sketch, was born November 20, 1826, in West- moreland county, Penn., where he was educated in the common schools, and on coming with his parents to Jefferson county began to assist in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm, where he still continues to reside. He and his brother, James, purchased a large tract from their father, later divided the same, and they still live upon their respective portions. Upon his place our subject has made many val- uable improvements, including the erection of a handsome two-story frame residence on the bank of Red Bank creek, overlooking the valley and Summerville, and commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. Underlying his land are three coal veins, and one of limestone six feet in thickness. In connection with the cultivation of his land he has also dealt to some extent in farm machinery, and has met with good success in this undertaking.

In 1849 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Lavina Jaynes, who was born in Westmoreland county, April 27, 1831, a daughter of William and Margaret (Henderson) Jaynes, also natives of that county. Her grandfather, Timothy Jaynes, was from New Jersey, and was an early settler of Westmoreland county, Penn. In early life her father followed cabinet making, but later was a traveling salesman, selling medicine for his cousin, Dr. Jaynes, of Philadelphia. He died at the old home in Westmoreland county, Decem- ber 11, 1862, and his wife on August 26, 1868, both members of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of six children, namely: Mrs. Caroline Green; Joseph, deceased; Lavina, wife of our subject; Mrs. Julia A. Carson: Mrs. Ma- linda Work: and Timothy. now a resident of Ok- lahoma.

To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born nine children: Mrs. Anna M. Irvin; Mrs. Margaret R. Scott; Miles E., who is engaged in farming on the old homestead; Harry, also an agricult- urist: Mrs. Kate R. Beck: Mrs. Ella Snider; Mrs. Olive Swanger; Mrs. Ida M. Vermilyea; and Me- lissa, who died at the age of twelve years.

Mr. Anderson is a recognized leader in the ranks of the local Democracy, and has been called upon to fill a number of important posi- tions of honor and trust, including those of high sheriff of his county (1882-85), and justice of the peace. He retired from office as he had entered it, with the confidence, respect and esteem of the entire community, and is one of the most

popular and prominent citizens of his adopted county. Since the age of fourteen he has been a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, is one of its most active workers, and has served as elder for many years. His estimable wife is also connected with the same denomination.

SAMUEL T. HOOVER, who for fifteen years has served as justice of the peace of Gaskill township, Jefferson county, is a citizen who rep- resents the best interests of the community, and has been a prominent factor in promoting the enterprises that have secured the substantial de- velopment of his township and county. He was born in Armstrong county, Penn., January I, 1825, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Thomas) Hoover, natives of the Keystone State. His father followed farming throughout the greater part of his life, and was active in Church work. He died at the age of eighty-six years; his wife had preceded him to the grave.

"Squire " Hoover, as our subject is familiarly known, had but limited educational privileges, for the school terms were short and the teachers often but poorly qualified for their duties. He remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age, and then started out to make his own way in the world with but twenty-five cents in his pocket. For his first work he received fifty cents per day, but his wages were gradually increased, and at the end of the year he returned home, having saved $256. This he invested in wild land, and for many years thereafter he operated rafts on the Susquehanna river, navigating that stream from one end to the other. In 1847 he entered the employ of Stewart & Co., and later acted as agent for the company, who had a 1. 500- acre tract of timber land. This he managed from 1851 until 1860, when he purchased the store and business of his employers, and contin- ued merchandising until 1863. Mr. Hoover then sold out and came to the farm on which he is still living. It was then a wild wooded tract, which he at once began to improve, and now he has one of the best cultivated farms in Jefferson county. | There are good buildings upon the place, the fields are neat and thrifty in appearance, and the owner has for thirty-five years been regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of Gaskill town- ship.

In 1865 Mr. Hoover went to the defense of the Union as a member of Company B. 74th Pennsylvania Infantry, and did valiant service for his country until the close of hostilities, when he returned home to his family. He was mar- ried in 1854 to Christiana Kinter, a daughter of

walborbeto

1377

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Finley Kinter, of Indiana county, Penn. They have four children: Alfred E., of Jefferson county; Dr. Burton E., a prominent dentist of Reynolds- ville, and the first dental graduate among Jeffer- son county's native sons; Laura L., wife of John Wainwright, of Omaha, Neb .; and Ella C., wife of Clarence Smith, of Jefferson county. Squire Hoover and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Protestant Church, and he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844, and has been identified with the Republican party since its organization. He is an admirer of Grant, Lincoln, Garfield, Mckinley and the class of men who have embodied our best American citizenship, and most largely promoted the inter- ests of the nation. He has served in several local offices, and for fifteen years has acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace, discharg- ing his duties with marked fidelity and fairness. He is a man of strong purpose, unfaltering in his support of what he believes to be right, and Jef- ferson county may well number him among its valued citizens.

M ON. WILLIAM L. CORBETT, generally known as Judge Corbett in the neighbor- hood in which he resided, was born on the 12th day of February, A. D. 1826, in Clarion town- ship, Clarion Co., Penn. The home of his par- ents, Isaac and Margaret Corbett, stood on the side of the old Susquehanna and Waterford turn- pike, about a mile east of Clarion borough. He received his middle name, Lucas, after the fam- ily of his mother. His ancestors were among the original settlers of Clarion county, and had been united by the marriage of his grandfather, Will- iam Corbett, with the Clovers, a family equally as large. The grandparents, William and Sarah Corbett, were the progenitors of that very large connection at present residing in northwestern Pennsylvania. At the early age of fourteen years William lost his father, and being the only child was left the sole support of his widowed mother. She and her son had been left a farm of consid- erable size, and as was frequently the case in that day it was accompanied by a scarcity of money. This resulted in many a sacrifice and denial, and furnished Judge Corbett that early training which was the common inheritance of men of his time. His boyhood was mostly con- sumed by assisting in the management of the farm, and in attendance on the neighborhood schools. As soon as the Clarion Academy was erected and opened, on the site of the present public-school building in Clarion borough, Will- 87

iam was entered as a pupil, and attended its ses- -sions until he was about eighteen years of age.

When Clarion was located as the county seat of the new county, then created and named Clar- ion county, and the ground was broken for its first public buildings in 1840, William was re- siding with his mother in the old homestead. His education was finished with his course at the Academy. The earliest recollections of Judge Corbett, by those who knew him, show him to have been a taciturn, thoughtful boy. Thrown at a very early period on his own resources, life seemed made up of the sternest realities-in it- self, a hard but earnest struggle. And to these early experiences is to be attributed the develop- ment of that spirit of independence, indomitable courage and unswerving loyalty to the principles of right and truth which characterized his entire life. In comparison with the advantages of the schools of to-day one must recognize that Judge Corbett's education up to this point was very limited. Undoubtedly as a boy and young man, his attention was attracted to the legal contro- versies of the county seat, for in that early day great interest was manifested in the legal battles of the courts, and the respective abilities of the different attorneys by the people of the surround- ing country. In the eighteenth year of his age William registered as a law student in the office of D. W. Foster, an attorney of Clarion, and as a student read in this gentleman's office. One of his associates has said "his mind ran so strong in the direction of his legal studies that it was not very long until he knew more law than his preceptor did; and such was his proficiency that an exception was made in his favor, the rules of court were suspended so that he could be, as he was, admitted to the Bar before he was of full age.". This was February 2, 1847. He was a close student, and in the early days of his student life, and even up to the time he was forty years old, he poured over the text books of the masters of the law into the morning hours. As a young man this close application was varied with an oc- casional trip down the Clarion river on a metal boat, to obtain money with which to buy books.

Before he was at the Bar two years he was appointed deputy attorney-general for Clarion county, and served in that capacity until the fall of 1850. By study and close attention to busi- ness, he soon acquired a reputation and a good practice at the Bar. The law as a profession he regarded as a highly honorable and responsible cne. and in it he took a just pride. It is unmistakable that Judge Corbett was born to be a lawyer. He acquired a mastery of legal science so rapidly

1378

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and so thoroughly, that in a very short time, for a young man, he rose to the very front rank in the profession. His peculiar physical appear- ance inade him well known to every one in Clarion county. Every one that ever attended court, and caught sight of him once, would ever know him. Massive, rugged and robust, in mno- tion slow, in speech sonorous and deliberate, grave in aspect, serious in demeanor, of antique and heroic mold, he, in heated debate, seemed the incarnation of force and energy and power. In the trial of cases in court, he was a leader in Clarion and adjoining counties for many years. For forty years he occupied the position as the leading trial lawyer in cases before those courts. He was uniformly and thoroughly a lawyer. Everything that came under his observation was considered and treated in a lawyer-like manner. If it was making an improvement, erecting a house, or making preparations for an outing to hunt or fish, every need and want was considered and. provided for in the most practical way. Preparation was the secret of Judge Corbett's success. There were few questions that he read or heard inquired of relating to his profession that did not receive immediate deliberation and examination. Very frequently what was con- sidered general knowledge with him, was the re- sult of study in anticipation of being called upon for an expression of his opinion. In the trial of cases Judge Corbett gave himself up more com- pletely to this principle of life. From his intro- duction into a case he cominenced a critical analysis of it in all its phases. A page was im- mediately set apart in his brief book, and when the day of trial came there was a record of the points likely to arise, and the authorities relating to the same. In his advice to one younger at the Bar who expressed regret of the manner a trial of a case einbarassed him, he said that the best cure for nervousness under such circumstances was thorough preparation.

judge Corbett in early life was a Whig in pol- itics, but in 1854 he attached himself to the Democratic party, and on several occasions was chosen delegate to county and State conventions. In 1868 he was a delegate to the Democratic Na- tional Convention that nominated Horatio Sey- mour for President. In 1872 he was elected del- egate-at-large to the State Constitutional Con- vention, and served on its most important com- mittees. In this distinguished body he inet the leading lawyers and public men of that period in Pennsylvania, and his ability and character be- came known throughout the State, and the friend- ships formned with its leaders were cherished throughout life. In 1876 he was elected a meni-

ber of the State Senate of Pennsylvania, and served two years. Here his ability as a lawyer was at once recognized, and he was assigned to the most responsible committees. This term in the Senate was characterized by a spirited dis- cussion on anti-discrimination and pipe-line bills. Judge Corbett, while representing a district then the heart of the oil territory of the State, was expected to take an active part in supporting measures before the Legislature on these sub- jects. This he did as to the pipe-line bill. but he refused to speak on behalf of the anti-dis- crimination bill, as he believed, as drawn, it was unconstitutional, and the history of subsequent legislation on this subject in Congress supported the view taken by Judge Corbett at that time. His refusal to act in opposition to his convictions to please a few was used against him, and his service in the Senate was limited to one term.

In January, 1885, he was appointed president judge of the Eighteenth Judicial District, by Gov. Pattison, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. James G. Knox, and served during that year. He brought to the discharge of the duties of that office the same ability and integrity that characterized all his actions through life. One of the most important cases that came up before him remains in the reports as a monument of his legal ability. In the case of Commonwealth cx. rel. The Attorney General vs. the N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. Co., 114 Penn. 340, the State sought to escheat the lands of the defendant company. Eminent counsel appeared on both sides of the case. After hearing the argument Judge Corbett took the case from the jury. An appeal was taken, and the supreme court reversed the ruling of the lower court. Two years after- ward, in Commonwealth vs. N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. Co. ct al., 132 Penn. 591, the same ques- tion came before the higher court, and after a re- argument the court reversed its former ruling. The supreme court then ordered a re-argument in the first case, and in Commonwealth os. Rail- road Co., 139 Penn. 457, reversed their former ruling and adopted the view taken of the case by Judge Corbett.

Judge Corbett's love for dumb animals was particularly noticeable to those who knew him. Very frequently in passing from the court house to his office would he speak to a dog, or to a horse tied to a hitching post. So familiar was he with these fellow creatures that a delivery horse of a neighboring grocery store would prick up his ears whenever the Judge came in sight. Most of the children of Clarion knew him; and it was unusual for him to pass a small child with- out noticing it. In his profession he was es-

1379

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pecially spoken of for his kindness to his fellow members of the Bar, and particularly to begin- ners, in always having time to talk with them over hard points in their practice.

On January 22, 1895, Judge Corbett tried a case in the common pleas of Clarion county, in which he made a long and exhaustive argument. He retired that night in very good spirits, ex- pecting to commence another case the following morning. About dawn of the next day he was stricken with paralysis. Then followed fifteen days during which part of the time he was con- scious; at other times in his delirium he was try- ing again the legal battles of his past life, asking the court or the jury, in the name of justice, to remember the favorable points of his client's cause; and to overlook wherein he had failed. Pleading, as he was wont to do, for the supremacy of mercy, justice and truth, the strong and noble spirit of William L. Corbett passed into the presence of his Creator, seeking " no reward but the crown for duty done.'

We cannot close this short sketch of such a character in a more fitting manner than to quote the resolution of the Bar of Jefferson county: "That of him we can truthfully say, that he was an honest man, a law-abiding man; that he proved himself in the several courts to be an attorney of sound learning and ability, faithful alike to the. court and to his client, that he used no false- hood, and never retarded the administration of justice for either lucre, malice, or to obtain an unfair advantage."

M AJ. BERNARD J. REID, a gallant soldier, lawyer and civilian of prominence of Clar- ion, Clarion county, was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., April 24, 1823, a son of Meredith and Eleanor (Hanlon) Reid.

Both parents were natives of Ireland, and there resided until they reached manhood and woman- hood. Immigrating to America in 1817, they lo- cated in Westmoreland county, Penn. Meredith Reid was a surveyor, and on coming to this coun- try pursued that vocation in connection with mercantile pursuits and school teaching, through- out his lifetime. He was a sturdy son of the Emerald Isle, and made a good citizen in his adopted country. He died in Westmoreland county in 1844. His wife departed this life two years previously.

Bernard J. Reid was born at a period in the history of that section when the subscription schools were in vogue, before the advent of the public schools. He attended both, however, and also an academy near Fayetteville, Ohio,

where the classics were taught. At the age of sixteen years he began teaching, and for three years taught in the public schools of his native county. In April, 1842, he came to the borough of Clarion, and for one year taught a select school, when he became editor and part owner of the Iron County Democrat. In 1844 this paper was consolidated with the Clarion Republican. the new paper being styled the Clarion Democrat, and was published by Reid & Alexander. In the fall of 1845 Mr. Reid disposed of his interest to his partner, he having in the spring of that year been appointed surveyor of the county by Govern- or Shunk. He faithfully devoted himself to the duties of the office until in June, 1847, and at intervals read law under the direction of Thomas ' Sutton, of the Clarion Bar. From June, 1847, until May, 1849, he was employed at St. Louis, Mo., in the office of the surveyor-general of pub- lic lands for the district of Illinois and Missouri. In May, 1849, he started across the Plains en route to California, the journey occupying over five months. He remained in that State until 1852, being engaged in mining, printing, farm- ing, and teaching. He taught school for one year and a part of that time he was Professor of English, Mathematics, and Spanish in Santa Clara. In December, 1852, he returned to Clar- ion, Penn., resumed his law studies with his for- mer preceptor-Thomas Sutton-and was ad- mitted to the Bar December 9, 1853. He prac- ticed his profession alone until 1857, when he en- tered into partnership with Robert Sutton. This law firm continued until the fall of 1860, when, Mr. Sutton abandoning the law for the Ministry. Mr. Reid became associated in practice with James Craig.

In July, 1861, immediately after the battle of Bull Run, Mr. Reid, fired with patriotism, began recruiting a company to go into the Civil war in defense of the Union. On September 5. 1861, Captain Reid marched with his company to the front. It became Company F, 63d P. V. I., Col. Alexander Hays, commanding the regi- ment. Captain Reid participated in all the skirmishes and engagements in which the regi- ment figured during the Peninsula campaign, and on August 1, 1862, he was honorably mus- tered out of service at Harrison's Landing, Va. He then returned to Clarion and resumed his law practice alone, Mr. Craig his former partner, having closed his office and gone West. In June, 1863. on General Lee's invasion into Pennsyl- vania, which prompted the governor to call out the Militia of the State, Captain Reid raised a company for three months' service and marched to Pittsburg where it becanie Company D, 57th

1380

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Pennsylvania militia, and its captain the major of the regiment. Major Reid remained with the command until it was mustered out of the service August 17, 1863. The only active service this regiment was engaged in was in the chase and capture of General Morgan and his raiders near New Lisbon, Ohio.

On returning home he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1865 the law firm of Reid & Patrick was formed, Major Reid associating with him J. H. Patrick. From the spring of 1871 till the spring of 1874 Major Reid was a resident of Titusville, Penn., going at the latter date to Erie, Penn., where he remained until in August. 1877. Since then he has resided at Clarion, and · has been engaged in his chosen calling, associated from 1878 to 1889 with his eldest son, and from the latter date up to the present with F. J. Maffett, the firm being Reid & Maffett. Major Reid is one of the substantial citizens of Clarion. He is not only an able lawyer. but a man whose learning and talents have been recognized in other lines of the activities of life. On the organization of the Clarion State Normal School in 1887, he was made a trustee of the institution, and has since sustained that relation to it. He is also one of the Educational committee.

On February 21, 1854. Mr. Reid was united in marriage with Miss Letitia Farran, daugh- ter of John Farran, and six of their nine children survive, namely: Ambrose B., Charles V., Mary Agnes, George J., Letta E. and Nor- bert S. Mary Agnes and Letta E. are Sisters of Mercy, and in the order are known as Sister Mary Agnes and Sister Alphonsa. The eldest son was admitted to the Bar in 1878, and since 1889 he has been located in the practice at Pitts- burg. George J. is a Catholic priest located at New Castle, Penn. The parents of these are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Major Reid is identified with the G. A. R., in which he has served as commander. He is now (1897) Judge Advocate of the Department of Pennsyl- vania. Since 1872 he has acted with the Democratic party.

R EV. RUSSELL MADISON FELT, who is now living retired in Sligo, Penn., was for many years one of the leading Methodist Epis- copal ministers in this Conference.

He was born in Potter county, Penn., No- vember 6, 1839, and is a son of Comfort D. and Marcia (Robinson) Felt, natives of Allegany. N. Y., where they continued to make their home until coming to Brockwayville, Jefferson county, Penn., in 1846. Both had previously been mar-

ried, the father's first wife being a Miss Clark, by whoin he had children as follows: Orange, who died, and had a son, Adelbert; Charles, a fariner of Chautauqua county, N. Y .. and Mrs. Lucina Benson, a widow living in Chautauqua county. The mother first married Russell Madison, and to them were born three sons: Harley, who was killed at the battle of Petersburg during the Civil war; Alonzo, a resident of Brockwayville, Penn .. and Sidney G., who is engaged in lumbering in the State of Washington. Our subject is the second in order of birth of the children of the second union, the others being Betsy E., who first married Jacob Linzenbigler, and after his death wedded Mahaman Heathe, a farmer of Clearfield county, Penn. ; Rachel M., twin sister of our subject and the wife of William Rice, a re- tired farmer and lumberman living in Brockway- ville; Jacob D., who died in 1854. at the age of thirteen years; Polly E., wife of David Ri- mer, a farmer of Clearfield county; and Ira, who died in infancy. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Brockwayville May 10, 1871, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife passed away in June, 1885, at the age of seventy-eight, both being laid to rest in the Brockwayville cemetery. When married they were members of the Baptist Church, but later united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father became an exhorter and class leader in the same. He always took quite an active and prominent part in Church work, and was a liberal contributor to all enterprises for the bet- terment of his fellowmen.

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 56

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