Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 59

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 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 59

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).

The mausoleum contains twenty catacombs, ten on either side; the doors, catacomb handles. guard for the window and grills for the ventilat- ors are all of bronze. The two doors of bronze at the entrance are a work of art in themselves, of a well executed classical design. At the far- ther end and opposite to the doors is to be seen a beautiful stained glass window, the design of which was taken from a " log drive" at a point where the logs had formed a gorge, two and one- half miles from Cooksburg on Tom's run. They make a noticeable contrast in their fallen and helpless state, to that of the tall. grand and stately old pines bringing up the rear, and formning an appropriate back ground for such a scene, and at the same time guarding their fallen

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comrades with the hope that they may be spared a like fate for years to come. In this mauso- leum was placed the remains of Judge Cook, in the fall of 1893. The mausoleum is one of beauty, grace and endurance; it is situated on one of the highest points surrounding Cooksburg, acting as a silent sentinel overlooking the grad- ually sloping hills and beautiful sleeping valley of the Clarion, whose river in the distance recalls "The liquid marble of the windless lake, " and whose waters sparkle and twinkle in the bright sun-light, a reminder of the bright and beautiful home our Heavenly Father has gone to prepare, where parting and sorrow never come, and we can say "all is well."

P ROF. EMORY D. BAKER, principal of the Edenburg Public Schools at Knox, Penn., a prominent educator of Clarion county, and a musician of talent, is one of the self-made men of his time.

Prof. Baker traces an interesting lineage back to the early German settlers of Maryland and eastern Pennsylvania. Dr. William Baker, his great-grandfather, a stanch German of Maryland, had a family of seven hardy children who were born in that State, and were as follows: Eliza- beth (Mrs. Yingling), Barbara (Mrs. Murray), Mrs. Slaugenhaupt, Mrs. Moonshower, John, Jacob and William. The latter, the grandfather of Prof. Baker, was married to Miss Louisa Ying- ling, who, too, spoke German. They were mar-

ried in Maryland, but soon afterward located in Huntingdon county, Penn., removing later to the southern part of Clarion county, then Armstrong, where they were among the first to clear away the forests and to build the primitive log huts. The husband was a noted physician. Their eight children were: John, William, David, Daniel, Benjamin, Susannah, Elizabeth and Fanny. Two members of this family still survive, namely: Will- iam resides at . Rimersburg, Penn., and Daniel, at West Freedom, Pennsylvania.

Benjamin F. Baker (deceased), the father of our subject, was born July 12, 1823, in Toby township, Clarion county. At his death his ca- reer was thus referred to by the Clarion Demo- crat of December 16, 1897: "At an early age Mr. Baker was compelled to make his own liv- ing. Work was plenty, but wages small. Many a weary day he worked through harvest time for the small pittance of fifty cents, and this after he had grown to inanhood. He learned to do all kinds of farm work well, and had no trouble to secure employment on farms. For many years he 'cropped on the shares.' An opportunity

presented itself, he embraced it and learned to do blacksmithing. Spare moments were im- proved to such an extent that he fitted himself to be a teacher. For nineteen winters he taught. being frequently employed to teach the schools that were hardest to govern and that had a bad naine through abusing or ' running out ' a teacher. Un- der his rule the young men and women (even to the age of twenty-one years), who did not know how to behave were birched in such a way that it was acknowledged by all that the teacher was, as they said, 'Master.' Some rebelled, but the teacher's fearlessness and native Pennsylvania- Dutch pluck carried him through every conflict victoriously. Through economy Mr. Baker was enabled to buy a small farm in Toby township. On this small farm he reared a family of three boys and six girls. All except two of the girls are living. Four of them became teachers. In early life he responded to God's call to the sin- ner, gave his heart to God and his name to the M. E. Church. Ever since until his death he was a faithful worker in Christ's vineyard. For many years he was officially connected with the Cherry Run M. E. Church as trustee, class-leader, etc. He was one of the small congregation that built that church. His first voting was Demo- cratic. About the time of the outbreaking of the Civil war he changed his political views and voted the Republican ticket. In later years he fre- quently supported the Prohibition ticket. His sickness was of but a few months' duration. He did his own work on the farm during even part of the summer just past. At the time of a surprise party held for him last July he was found in the harvest field binding wheat. But he worked when he should have been resting. During his illness which followed he was a constant sufferer to the last. His faith in God was firm even to the most severe suffering. The death angel came to relieve him from all suffering. and at half-past eleven in the forenoon of November 30, 1897, his spirit passed peacefully away. He was con- scious to the last moment, whispering . Good-by to all' as he crossed over. His pastor, Rev. Mills, of Sligo, conducted the funeral services. Interment took place in the Rimersburg Ceme- tery on December 2, 1897. His faithful wife pa- tiently bore the great burden chiefly alone by his side through the weary and anxious hours of his sickness. Many a midnight hour found her toil- ing. The sorrowing ones have the sympathy of many friends."

l'rof. Baker's ancestors on his mother's side were among the pioneer German settlers of eastern Pennsylvania. George Snyder, his great-grandfather, was a native of Northampton

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county, Penn. He became the husband of Miss Margaret Siple, of the same county. For some- time they lived in that county, but at an early date in the history of western Pennsylvania, they, with a number of families, crossed the mountains, traveling, eating, sleeping, etc., in covered wagons then much used for such purposes. After a long and weary journey the caravan reached the vicinity of the present Curllsville, Penn., but which was then a country well cover- ed with forest. In the Snyder family were six children: Mary, Catherine, Abraham, Michael, David and Elizabeth. Elizabeth Snyder became the wife of John Crick, and they were the grand- parents of the subject of this sketch. Adam Crick (father of John) was married to Miss Mary Hammer, and lived in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. They were among the pioneer settlers of Clarion county, locating at what is now designated as Hartman's Corners, of Mount Airy. After a few patches of the forests were cleared, farming was rudely carried on. All the buildings were of logs. Their nine children were: Jacob, Henry, Daniel, Lewis, David, Susanna, Kate, Christina and John.

John Crick and his wife Elizabeth were the first settlers in what is now a part of Toby town- ship, Clarion county. They located on land lying near where the Cherry Run Campground is now situated. Here the husband cleared a farm, put up log buildings, raised a large, intelligent family, and lived his many years one of the prom- inent citizens of that neighborhood. He was a faithful member of the German Reformed Church, as was also his wife. But so generous were his religious views that he told his children to unite with whatever Church they desired. All of them either joined or attended the M. E. Church. The people of this community held Mr. Crick in such high esteem that he was teacher, justice of the peace, etc., at different times during his long and useful life. He was the father of ten children, namely: Lydia La- vina, Solomon, Rufena, David, Jane, Sarah, Sylvester, Mary, Linnie, and one that died in infancy. Lydia Lavina was married Feb- ruary 8. 1855, to Benjamin Franklin Baker, and to them were born nine children as follows: Jennie, Lowry, Emma, Emory D. (our subject), Addie, Ida, Blanche, William and Allie.

Emory D. Baker was born April 28, 1863. in a log house, which was the last of its kind in that neighborhood. His boyhood was that of a poor farmer's lad, being uneventful except the fact that his folks always spoke German in the home. The only English the children heard was at such times when they were at Church, school, |

or mingling with the children, and in the morn- ing and evening family worship. Emory D. could not talk English until he was nine or ten years old. His early education was neglected. His faithful and kind mother taught him the En- glish alphabet and gave him a few lessons in read- ing and spelling. At the age of twelve his father decided this boy also must go to the public school, but he was then so large and so far behind the children of his age that he had to be flogged off to school. The public country schools of his neighborhood of that day offered very poor ad- vantages for an education. Of a dull and back- ward disposition, and being poorly taught, he acquired a great dislike for school. At the age of eighteen he came out of the public school with a very poor knowledge of a few of the com- mon English branches. His parents being poor, he had no opportunity of entering higher institu- tions of learning. He helped to do the farming at home, and hired out frequently to the neigh- bors at very small wages, until he prided himself in being able to do farm work in a very credita- ble manner, and to swing the cradle, etc., from morning till night with the stoutest and most pro- ficient men in that line. In this way he suc- ceeded in buying a few clothes, and a few books, that were badly needed. By hard study at home he began to make progress in the common En- glish branches. He had then made up his mind to become a teacher. He wanted to attend one of the academies then in session in Clarion county, but the obstacles in the way were so many and so formidable that his good hopes frequently would sink within him. He had only four dollars, and could not expect any financial help from home. The academy he wished to enter was four miles from his home, and tuition was a dollar a week. He needed a few books, tablets, etc., and these were procured, leaving him two dollars. He started to school, hoping that in some way he might yet receive means to attend the whole term. For two weeks he made the trip of eight miles afoot, carrying his noon lunch with him. His progress was fair, and he was very anxious to continue his attendance at the academy, but was forced, through lack of means, to stop. Very much discouraged. he went to work on the farm again, studying during his spare moinents. That summer he ventured to enter the teachers' county examination. Supt. A. J. Davis granted him a certificate good for teaching, and remarkable for its high aggregate. With this poor certificate he applied for a school in Licking township. Clarion county, and was elected teacher of Oak Grove school. There he taught the term of two months at seventeen

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dollars a month. When the teachers for the winter term were hired he was re-elected to the same school for a term of four months at twenty- eight dollars a month. This was the school year of 1884-5. Each subsequent year he has con- tinued teaching and attending school or studying at home. During this time he was a regular stu- dent of the Clarion Collegiate Institute at Rimers- burg, Penn. In 1889 the LaGrippe called a halt in his work, attacking his strong constitution, and, in conjunction with hard school duties, made such a wreck of it that it took many and persistent efforts to overcome these effects.

Prof. Baker has done all his teaching in his native county. He has taught in all grades of public schools, having worked his way up to the principalship of some of the largest graded schools of the county. He is now principal of the Edenburg Public Schools at Knox, Penn. During these years of hard work in the school- room he spent much of his vacations and spare moments in hard study. In 1889 he was grad- uated in the four-years' course of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, passing special ex- aminations which won him the "White Seal." In 1893 he graduated from the State Normal School at Clarion. He has great talent for music, and in his short, busy life has given considerable at- tention to it. . He has studied harmony, and has written music for a number of years. He plays a number of musical instruments, but prefers the violin, which he teaches. He has also written poetry of some note. In 1890 some of his poems, together with a portrait and a brief bio- graphical sketch appeared in " Poets of America." He is a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and an advocate of Prohibition.

On August 21, 1895, Prof. Baker was mar- ried to Miss Mollie A. McKee, of Reynoldsville, Penn., who is of German-Irish descent, her fa- ther's people being of Irish and her mother's of German parentage. Her four great-grandparents were: William McKee and Margaret Hite, who were married March 5, 1807, and were the par- ents of ten children; and Jacob Waite and Bar- bara Ann Lukeheart, who had a family of nine children. From these two families came her grandparents, James McKee and Margaret Waite. The latter, a most estimable old lady, born Au- gust 18, 1812, is still living, and is very active in body and mind for one of her age. She is the mother of twelve children: Margaret, Jacob, Jeremiah, Harriet, Hannah, Francis, Christie, Eliza, Wilson, Milliard, Amos and Arnold.

Jeremiah C. McKee, the father of Mrs. Baker, was born January 5, 1839, and was married to Miss Nancy Smalley Cookson, on July 31, 1862, 88

whose parents, John Pratt Cookson and Mary . C. Patton, were both Germans from Hunting- don county, Penn. They moved to Western Pennsylvania, and were among the first residents of the town of Clarion. Their children were: Nancy, Harriet, Jane, Martha, Oliver, Charles, Robert and George. Nancy Smalley Cookson was born December 11, 1842. She was a hard- working, faithful mother, and bore her lot bravely and patiently. She is now reaping her reward, having passed to the better land March 15, 1894. She was the mother of nine children, namely: George, Laura, Louona, Mollie, James, Charles, Robert, Audley, and an infant that was never named (Mollie and the infant being twins). Mollie A. McKee, born March 23, 1870, became the wife of Prof. Baker. After her mother's death Mrs. Baker had the care of the household laid upon her. At the same time she was an artist in the studio of G. J. Corwin, of Reynoldsville, Penn., in which work she had become very pro- ficient. But these labors, and the loss of her mother, were too much for her rather weak con- stitution, which gave way under the strain. She is now, however, rapidly recovering her health; she is a faithful member of the M. E. Church, a plain, cheerful lady of true culture, and a kind and affectionate helpmate for her husband in his arduous.profession.

R EV. GEORGE B. ROBINSON, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, at Clarion, Clarion county, was born near Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania.

His parents, James and Mary (Speer) Robin- son, were natives of Pennsylvania, and were pious Christian people, respected and esteemed by the community in which they lived. The father, who was a modest, retiring and unassum- ing man, followed the carpenter's trade through- out life. He died in 1862, his wife in 1871.

George B. Robinson was liberally educated. He attended the Academy in Allegheny, and graduated from that institution in the class of '62; in 1866 he graduated from Jefferson College, Washington county. Subsequently he took a course in theology at the Theological Seminary of the U. P. Church at Allegheny, and was graduated in 1869. He first preached in the Eleventh Church at Pittsburg. Following this he was the pastor of a Church at Oxford, Ches- ter county, where he remained four years. His reputation as a preacher and pastor led to his receiving a call from Brookville, Jefferson county, and he was pastor in the U. P. Church at that place from 1878 to 1890. He then entered the

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Presbyterian Church, and was located at Ems- worth, below Pittsburg, where he was pastor four years. In March, 1897, he became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, at Clarion, where he is doing a good work. He is popular both in and out of the Church, being affable and genial, and a man of culture and refinement.

In May, 1872, Mr. Robinson was married to Miss Anna M. Ballantine, a daughter of Nathaniel Ballantine, of Pittsburg To the marriage have come three children, all daughters: Sarah W., Anna May, and Grace Ethel. In politics our subject is a Republican. He was one of the board of directors of Allegheny Seminary, and has attended a number of the general assemblies of the United Presbyterian Church. For ten years he was clerk of the Brookville Presbytery. He has been very actively identified with tem- perance matters, and with the Christian Endeavor movement.

" His call to this large and influential Church was given in recognition of his high ability as a pastor, and his earnestness as a Church worker. He is a gentleman of very agreeable manners, and the sunshine of his presence and his personal influence have had much to do with bringing to- gether all classes of people, and uniting them in Christian work wherever he has labored. Mr. Robinson is a gentleman deeply read in the ad- vanced thought of the day. He is a beautiful writer. and preaches strong, practical sermons. He is a very able man in the pulpit as well as elsewhere, and it is believed that the First Pres- byterian Church of Clarion, with its beautiful new building, its great numerical strength, and its well-organized societies, will, under his able leadership during the coming year, do a great work in the advancement of true religion."

S AMUEL MAHLE, a well-known general merchant and farmer of Miola, Clarion county. is a man whose sound common sense and able management of his affairs have been important factors in his success, and with his undoubted integrity of character have given him an honorable position among his fellow men.

A native of Clarion county, Mr. Mahle was born in Shippenville, in 1836, and is a son of Justus and Annie M. (Graff) Mahle. The birth of the father occurred, in 1806, in Germany, but during his childhood he left the old home in Prussia, and, with his father, Henry Mahle, came to the New World. The latter purchased property in Fryburg, Venango Co., Penn., and later became the owner of. a number of farms which he left to his sons. He died in that coun-

ty about 1852, having survived his wife a nun- ber of years. In his family were four sons and five daughters, namely: Sophia, Wilhelmina. Catharine, Mary, Elizabeth, Lewis, William, Helvitch, and Justus.

In 1826 Justus Mahle married Annie M. Graff, a native of Switzerland, who, about 1803. was brought to this country by her parents, and became one of the first settlers of Beaver town- ship, Clarion county. After their marriage they located in Shippenville, where they made their home until called from this life, Mrs. Mahle dy- ing some years previous to her husband's death. Their children were as follows: George, who is married, and resides in Shippenville, where he is now serving as justice of the peace; Annie. widow of James McDowell, of Covode, Indiana Co., Penn., by whom she had several children: Mary, who wedded David Sigworth, of Fryburg. Washington township, Clarion county, and died. leaving six children; Susan, who married Alex- ander Thomas, and died some years ago; Sam- uel, of this review; Henry J., who died in Oil City, Penn., leaving a widow and two sons; Sol- omon, who died in 1894, and left a widow and one son; and Sophia, who married Alexander Thomas, and died some years ago, leaving three children who still reside in Washington county. Pennsylvania.

Samuel Mahle wase ducated in the common and select schools of Shippenville, in which city he grew to manhood. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Reed, of Highland township, Clarion county, a daughter of John and Jane Reed, the former a well-to-do lumber- man. They began housekeeping at Miola, on the Clarion road, in Highland township, but in 1864 removed to Clarion, where Mr. Mahle clerked in the store of Nathan Myers for one year, and then returned to his home in Miola. He has cleared his farm and placed it under a high state of cultivation, and has made many ex- cellent improvements upon the place, including the erection of a good barn, in 1875, and an ele- gant residence, supplied with all inodern conven- iences, in 1896. In 1883 he also built a large store building, in which he has since successfully engaged in general merchandising. He was in- strumental in having the post office established at Miola in 1884, and has served as postmaster for six years, to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned.

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mahle have become the parents of eight children, all of whom are natives of Clarion county, and began their edu- cation in its public schools: James, born in 1862. resides at home and is engaged in the cultivation

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of his farm, which adjoins his father's place. Ida L., born in 1865, pursued her studies in the Clarion Normal and Grove City College, and has now successfully engaged in teaching in the pub- lic schools of Clarion county for a number of terins, She also lives at home. Mary E., born in April, 1870, attended the Normal School, and taught for one term. She was married in 1895 to S. E. McClain, of Clarion county, by whom she has one daughter, Ruth, and they now reside in Empire, Elk Co., Penn., where he is engaged in lumbering. S. A., born in December, 1872, pursued his studies in the Clarion Normal and at Grove City, and also followed the teacher's pro- fession while residing at home. W. E. G., born in 1867, was educated for a teacher, and was a very promising young inan; he died April 19, 1892. J. J., born in March, 1876, assists in the operation of the home farm. Harvey Leroy, born in 1879, died January 20, 1893. Howard G., born in January, 1883, is at home.

In his political affiliations Mr. Mahle is an ardent Republican, and has been called upon to serve in a number of positions of honor and trust, being auditor of his township, school di- rector, constable and tax collector. He was also elected justice of the peace, but refused to qualify. Socially he is a member of the Grange at Miola, and religiously his wife and family hold member- ship in the Presbyterian Church, but he was reared in the Lutheran faith. The success of his life is due to no inherited fortune, or to any happy succession of advantageous circumstances, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, tireless industry and sterling integrity. Of very social and genial natures, he and his wife have become the center of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

C APT, MARTIN McCANNA. There is prob- ably no man in Knox more widely or favora- bly known than Capt. McCanna, who won his title by faithful service in the Union army during the dark days of the Rebellion. He is proud to claim Pennsylvania as his native State, his birth occurring in Armstrong county July 2, 1834.

Barnabus McCanna, Sr., his paternal grand- father, was a native of Ireland, and on einigrating to America at an early day located in Centre county, Penn., but he spent his last days in Clar- ion county, his death occurring at Mill Creek. Barnabus McCanna, Jr., the Captain's father, was born and reared in Centre county, and as a life work chose farming. In Jefferson county he married Miss Mary Ann Walker, and for many years they made their home in Armstrong coun-

ty, but were living in Forest county, this State, when he was called to his final rest in 1861. His wife long survived him, dying in Clarion county in 1890.

In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, of whom five sons and six daugh- ters reached years of maturity: William, the eld- est, enlisted in Armstrong county, in Company B, 78th P. V. I., was discharged on account of physical disability, but later re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of the Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, with which he served until the close of the war. He died in Kansas City, Mo. Martin is next in order of birth. Peter enlisted in Armstrong county, in the Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, served until the close of the war. and now resides in Armstrong county. Barna- bus enlisted in Clarion county, in the Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves, and after his discharge re-enlisted in Company B, 78th P. V. I., re- maining in the service until hostilities ceased. He now makes his home in Brookville, Jefferson county, Penn. Wilson resides in Kittanning, Penn. John and Martha J. are both deceased. Mrs. Isabella Harps and Mrs. Lavina Williams live in Clarion. Mrs. Susanna Cannam makes her home in Strattonville. Mary Ann is de- ceased.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 59

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