Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 60

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 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 60

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).

Capt. McCanna was reared and educated in Armstrong county, where he also learned the stonemason's trade, to which he has devoted the greater part of his attention throughout life. Go- ing west in 1857, he located in Henry county, Ill., and from there removed to Lincoln county, Mo., but in the fall of 1860 returned to Penn- sylvania. When President Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the Re- bellion, the Captain was the first man to enlist in Armstrong county, his name being enrolled April 18, 1861, as a private in Company K. 9th P. V. I., at Kittanning. He was in Gen. Pat- terson's command, and after his three months' term had expired he was honorably discharged at Pittsburg. However, on the 14th of August of the same year, he re-enlisted, this time be- coming a member of Company B, 78th P. V. I .. which was assigned to tlie Army of the Cumber- land. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Buzzards Roost, LaVergne, Big Shanty, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chicka- mauga, Resaca, and Dalton, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and numerous shirmishes; and on the organization of the regiment our sub- ject first was commissioned lieutenant, and on December 27, 1862, at the battle of Stone River. was, for meritorious service, commissioned cap- tain. As the war was not yet over at the end of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his three years, in 1865, he joined the 104th P. V. I., belonging to the Army of Virginia, and re- mained in the service until mustered out August 25, 1865, and honorably discharged September 4 following. At New Hope Church he had been wounded by a shell. He returned to his home in Strattonville, Clarion county, with a war rec- ord of which he may be justly proud.

Capt. McCanna was married at that place, March 25, 1865, to Miss Eliza Jane Showers, a a native of Clarion county, and a daughter of Lewis and Catharine (Carney) Showers. Her father was born in Mifflin county, Penn., and be- came an early settler of Strattonville, where his marriage was celebrated and where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in 1867. Mrs. Showers passed away in 1897, at the age of eighty-four years. Having no children of their own, the Captain and his wife have adopted a daughter.

In 1865 Capt. McCanna again went west and first located in Keytesville, Mo .; later he lived in Dewitt, then in Wamego, Kans., and still later re- moved to Lawrence, Kans., working at his trade in those places. He returned to Clarion county in 1876, and has made his home in Knox since 1884. Here he owns a few acres of land, and in connection with work at his trade, he en- gages in gardening to some extent. He is one of the progressive and enterprising men of the com- munity, and takes an active interest in all nieas- ures which he believes calculated to prove of pub- lic good. His political support is given the De- mocracy.

E ALIAS RITTS, president of the St. Peters- burg Bank, has attained distinctive prefer- ment in business circles, and the various enter- prises which have been under his management throughout his business career attest his eminent and pronounced ability as a financier. Upon the commercial activity of a community depends its prosperity, and the men who are now recognized as leading citizens are those who are at the head of extensive business enterprises. Mr. Ritts is a man of broad capabilities who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

He was born in Berks county, Penn., No- vemiber 5, 1822, a son of John Ritts, a jeweler by trade. The family was founded in America two centuries ago by Peter Ritts, who took up his residence in the Keystone State. The grand- father of our subject, Elias Ritts, Sr., was born in Montgomery county, Penn., in 1732. and on reaching manhood married Catharine Snyder, a cousin of ex-Governor Snyder. The children

born to them were as follows: Lydia, who mar- ried Dr. Sousa; Mrs. Jacoby; Mrs. David Trune; Catharine, wife of Frederick Whitling; John; Elias, and Peter. The father of these children died in Lehigh county, Penn., at the age of eighty years, and his wife at the same place in I$35. He was a farmier by occupation, and was officially connected with the Reformed Church, to which both he and his wife belonged.

John Ritts, our subject's father, was born in 1797. in this State, and was married in Berks county to Miss Sophia Schell, a native of Phila- delphia. Three children blessed this union, but Elias is the only one now living, the others be- ing: Mary, who died in 1896, and John, who died in 1852. At the time of his death the father was seventy-eight years of age, and the mother had reached the ripe old age of eighty-four. They. too, were consistent members of the Reformed Church, and were honored and respected by all who knew them. In his political affiliations the father was a Democrat. Mrs. Sophia (Schell) Ritts was a daughter of a Miss Schuyler, a niece of Gen. Schuyler, of Revolutionary fame.

In 1830 Elias Ritts accompanied his parents on their removal to Lehigh county and six years later came with them to what is now Richland township, Clarion county (but at that time was a part of Venango county), and here he grew to manhood surrounded by other pioneer families, including the Vensels, Shoups and Neelys. Liv- ing near the Allegheny and Clarion rivers. he naturally became interested in different occupa- tions connected with navigation. and in early life became quite familiar with the upper waters of the Clarion. Although his literary education was limited, he was very ambitious and ener- getic, and resolved to make the most of his op- portunities in life.

As early as 1840, Mr. Ritts began building flatboats and freighting metals to the Pittsburg markets, and being a careful, as well as a capa- ble, business man, he met with excellent success in this undertaking, becoming one of the most extensive dealers on the river. He carried all the metal made at the Judge Keating furnace, and had still larger contracts with the firm of Lyon Shorb & Co., and Plumer & Crary. owners of the Buchanan and Jefferson furnaces. His boats niet with very few accidents, although his business was by no means free from risk, vet no man lost a ton of metal which he shipped. While engaged in this business, he became well acquainted along the river, and accumulated con- siderable property.

In 1880, Mr. Ritts purchased a third interest in the Blake Lumber Lands for $50,000. and

Elias Ritts

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

four years later sold the same for $85,000, thus making a handsome profit. He owns considera- ble real estate and valuable farming lands in Beaver and Richland townships, Clarion county, and also tracts in other parts of the county, be - sides personal property of value. These include 450 acres of mineral lands, rich in iron and coal deposits. Mr. Ritts has also given much atten- tion to the breeding of fine stock, including blooded horses and Durham and Devonshire cat- tle, which have taken many premiums. In the early days of the oil excitement near the mouth of the Clarion river, he became an oil operator and producer, and he also prospered in this un- dertaking. Since selling his timber lands, he has to some extent retired from active work on the river, having by a life of industry secured a handsome competence, which enables him to lay aside all business cares and enjoy the fruits of his former toil.

In March, 1849, Mr. Ritts married Miss Elizabeth Vensel, and to thein were born four children, but the youngest is now deceased. Those living are J. V., a banker of Butler, Penn. ; Olive, wife of A. C. Anderson, of Butler, Penn. ; and Susie, wife of C. W. Little, of New York. The wife and mother, who was a consistent meinber of the Reformed Church, died in 1863, and three years later Mr. Ritts wedded Miss Clarissa Elliott, a native of Clarion county, and a daughter of John Gardner Elliott, a millwright by trade, who came from Massachusetts to Clarion county at a very early day. Five chil- dren blessed this union, namely: Sadie; Edna; Jessie; William A., who is connected with the Chase National Bank of New York; and Marion F., who is assistant cashier of the St. Petersburg Bank.

Mr. Ritts is tall and slender, with a well-knit forin and pleasant face. His active outdoor life has given him a strong constitution, and although seventy-five years of age, he appears much younger. In his travels he has visited Canada and thirty-four States of the Union. Since cast- ing his first vote he has never failed to support the Democracy, but has never cared for official honors, preferring to give his undivided atten- tion to his extensive business interests. In early life he united with the Reformed Church, has held office in the same and has contributed liber- ally to the support of all Churches and benevo- lent work. In business he is resolute, possess- ing a firmness and decision of character which, however, never degenerates into stubbornness or impulsive haste; in society he is a courteous, affable gentleman; and, above all, wherever found, whether in public or private life, his in-

tegrity is above question and his honor above re- proach. Clarion county owes much to him and numbers him among her valued citizens.

J OHN V. RITTS, an estimable and successful banker of Butler county, a son of Elias Ritts, was born in St. Petersburg, Clarion Co., Penn., in 1852. His early life, outside of school days, was devoted to agricultural employ- ments on one of his father's farms. He received an academic education, and afterward entered the Iron City Commercial College at Pittsburg. Penn. His aptitude and studious habits won for him not only class honors, but the esteem of the Faculty and patrons as well. Upon his gradua- tion he was offered, without solicitation, a special professorship in bookkeeping and banking in the college, which he accepted and filled with marked ability for about two years.

On the discovery of petroleum in territory contiguous to St. Petersburg the necessity of . banking facilities soon became apparent, and re- sulted in the establishment of the St. Petersburg Savings Bank, in the year 1872. Its organiza- tion was effected by the election of Hon. John IV. Hammond, of Erie, president; Hon. John Fertig, of Titusville, vice-president; and Charles Horton, of Erie county, cashier. Young Ritts, who was then not twenty years old. was called home and assumed charge of the books and ac- counts. The business rapidly increased. and within a year he was promoted by the unanimous vote of the board of directors, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the then cashier. The original stockholders, in obedience to the demand, established additional banking houses at Foxburg and Turkey City. The business at the St. Petersburg bank exceeded the inost san- guine expectations of the parties interested. and required the employment of several assistants. The resources of the " boy cashier " responded to this volume of business, which culminated in a daily aggregation in excess of $1.000,000. The immense business continued down to the year 1878, when the owners of the three banks mentioned conferred on Mr. Ritts the honorable and responsible post of general manager of their banks. After the first few years the personal attention of the stockholders, who were non residents of the county, gradually decreased until after the year 1878, when their visits were lim- ited to the semi-annual dividend periods, and they recorded on the minute books of the banks resolutions attesting their approval of all the ef- forts made by Mr. Ritts to advance the welfare and prosperity of the several banks, and express-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing their personal regard for his integrity and ability in management. Certainly, few men of~ his age in the State were ever more rapid in ad- vancement, more implicitly relied upon by the commercial community, or more deserving of that advancement and reliance.

Prior to this time Mr. Ritts became largely interested in the field production of oil in the up- per oil districts, and having opportunities to sell, disposed of the greater part of his interests, real- izing a handsome competency, He is yet exten- sively engaged in producing oil in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Enterprises of impor- tance were constantly seeking his advice and co- operation. In railroad interests he was identi- fied with the Foxburg, St. Petersburg and Clarion railway (now the Pittsburg and Western), as its treasurer, and was for many years a director of the company, and was also treasurer of the Fox- burg, Kane & Bradford railroad, and a large stockholder in the Parker, Karns City & Butler railroad. He was interested in, and assisted in organizing the following banks: The Eldred Bank, of Eldred, Penn. ; First National Bank, of Salina, Kans .; Seaboard National Bank, of New York; Dallas (now City) National Bank, of Dal- las, Tex. ; Meridian National Bank, of Meridian, Miss .; Ohio National Bank, of Lima, Ohio; the Keystone Bank and the Columbia National Bank, of Pittsburg. And he is now interested in a number of the largest and most successful banks in western Pennsylvania and other States. Dur- ing this time it was fully developed that Mr. Ritts was possessed of an energy which no ordi- nary impediment could resist, and an ambition that difficulties only served to strengthen. Be- lieving that the banking facilities were not ade- quate for the rapidly increasing business of But- ler, Penn., several bankers and capitalists pro- posed, from time to time, the organization of a bank. No definite action was taken, however, until early in 1890, when Mr. Ritts, representing a number of prominent business men, consum- mated the matter on April 1. 1890. The title selected was "The Butler County National Bank." and. on application to the Comptroller of the Currency, a charter was granted July 19. 1 890.

There are few banks within the bounds of this Commonwealth that have enjoyed a more prosperous history than the Butler County Na- tional Bank. From its inception prosperity has marked it for its own, and it ranks to-day with the most solid and best managed financial insti- tutions in this country.

The following statement will give some idea of its standing at the present time:

RESOURCES.

Loans

8 785,710 15

United States bonds. 218,500 00

Banking house and furniture. 16,795 94

United States Treasury .. .

4,50€ 00

Cash and due from banks

218,699 92

$1,244,206 01

LIABILITIES.

Capita

$ 100,000 00

Surplus.

100,000 00

Protits ...

14,018 07

Circulation

90,000 00

Deposits

940,187 94

$1,244,206 01

Dividends paid to stockholders. $ 33,000 00

The Butler County National Bank owns its own building, in which is situated the spacious and conveniently arranged banking rooms. In the fitting of these special heed was given to se- cure absolute protection against fire or loss by burglary. In these particulars this enterprise is well blessed, and is to be especially cominended on this account. In addition to the transaction of a general banking business, the Butler County National Bank issues drafts direct on all parts of the world, a convenience of no little importance to a community.

From the beginning, in consequence of the enterprise and progressive spirit displayed. it at once began to gain favor. and has steadily moved up, until it occupies a place among the largest and most prominent banking concerns in the State of Pennsylvania, and it fills a position to- day of very great importance in both town and country. Its stockholders include among the number several of the most experienced business and professional men, as well as men engaged in the successful development of some of the larg- est manufacturing enterprises in western Penn- sylvania. Several of its stockholders have held positions of trust and distinction in both State and Nation. It was due in a measure to the fact that its owners were men of such erudition, experience and integrity that it has enjoyed such a successful career.

Mr. Ritts, a natural born financier. and one of the most active, persevering and progressive business men in the western part of the State, was married, in August, 1882, to Irene C. Blakslee, a daugliter of W. Z. Blakslee. of New York, and has three children, viz. : Elias, Maude A. and Leonard C. The family are con- nected with the M. E. Church, of Butler, in which Mr. Ritts is one of the trustees. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of the community.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

E DWARD WHITLING (deceased) was for many years one of the influential and highly respected citizens of Salem township, Clarion county, where his birth occurred July 15, 1839. His father, Frederick Whitling, was born in France, near the German border, and when young was brought by his parents to the United States. For many years he made his home in Clarion county, and became both widely and favorably known. He married Catherine Ritts. a representative of one of the old and prominent families of the county. Upon the home farm Edward Whitling grew to manhood, and the knowledge he acquired in the neighboring schools was supplemented by reading and study at home during his leisure hours. During his early man- hood the Civil war broke out, and he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union, therefore enlisting August 14, 1861, in Company E, 78th P. V. T., under Capt. J. N. Harvey. With General Sherman's army he marched from Nash- ville, Tenn., to Atlanta, Ga., and, during his three years and three months of active service, he took part in many hotly contested engagements. The term of his enlistment having expired, he was · honorably discharged and returned home with an enviable war record. For twenty years previous to his death Mr. Whitling was engaged in the drug business in Salem township.

On February 16, 1865, Mr. Whitling was married to Miss Susan E. Bushey, who was born in Venango county, October 14, 1842, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Catherine (Gardiner) Bushey. Her mother died at the age of eighty-one, but her father is still living, aged eighty-four years. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-one. Mrs. Whitling had three sisters, namely: Mrs. Sophia Heasley, now a resident of Kossuth, Penn .; Mrs. Clara C. Yarger, of Nickleville. Penn .; and Mrs. Mary Weaver, now deceased. The children born i to Mr. and Mrs. Whitling are as follows: Alice; Mary; Frank; Belle: Charles Edward; Clara: Theresa; Emina; Bertha; and Margie.

As a Republican, Mr. Whitling took an act- ive and prominent part in political affairs for many years, and in 1874 was appointed post- master of Lamartine, which position, for the long period of sixteen years, he filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public. He was one of the leading members of the. Reforined Church. in which he served as deacon, elder and superintendent of the Sunday- school for a long period, and he was ever a zeal- ous worker in the cause of the Master. Frater- nally he was a member of the Order of American Mechanics, the Knights of Honor, and the Knights

of the Maccabees, and was one of the organizers and prominent members of John Koch Post, G. A. R., of Nickleville, of which he served as coin- mander. After a useful and well-spent life, he passed away December 14, 1896, at the age of fifty-seven years. To him there was truly "no place life home," finding his greatest enjoyment with his wife and children. Mr. Whitling was one of nature's noblemen, and the world is better for his having lived. Throughout his career of continued and, far-reaching usefulness, his duties were performed with the greatest care, and his personal honor and integrity were without blemish.

W M. CLOVER, M. D., of Beaver town- ship, Clarion county, is a native of the county. His grandfather on his father's side was a German; his grandmother on his father's side was a descendant of the stock of Sir Astley Cooper, the great English surgeon; his grand- parents on his mother's side were of Scotch origin.

Dr. Clover received his education principally in the schools and colleges of his own State; at- tended eleven terms of lectures in the medical colleges of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, Philadelphia, Penn., and New York City, N. Y. He is of the school of Regular practitioners; graduated three times M. D. and once C. M. He has taken several special courses on the eye, ear, nose and throat, physical diagnosis, and a microscopical course on histology and patholog- ical anatomy, and a six-months' term in the can- cer hospital. The Doctor is a member of the Clarion County Medical Society, a member of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania, and a member of the American Medical Association. He has made 74,356 professional visits, treated 68,273 patients; has also treated 189 dis- locations and 246 fractures. He has per- : formed 978 surgical operations. met in consulta- tion 827 times, attended 3, 138 cases of obstet- rics. Again, the Doctor has traveled with horse 152.650 miles, and by railroad 65, 284 miles.

Dr. Clover has three sons and two daughters. V. C. Clover is a mechanic, V. G. Clover is a tailor, and C. L. Clover is a physician.

C. L. Clover, after finishing his academic course, graduated in the Elmira N. Y.) Business College, then attended lectures and was gradu- ated at the Bellevne Hospital Medical College, New York City, and, since, he has taken two courses in the New York Polyclinic, devoting his time principally to diseases of the eye, car, nose and throat, in which special work he has been

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

very successful, in connection with the general practice which he also engages in.

Miss Parma V. Clover, now Mrs. Mehrten, took a scientific course, then graduated in music in the Grove City College, Pennsylvania. Miss D. C. Clover is the youngest daughter.

H ON. W. W. BARR, a representative of one of the old families of the Commonwealth, an attorney of marked ability of Clarion, Clarion county, ex-president judge of the Eighteenth Judicial District, was born in Centre county, February 15, 1827.

The first representative of the Barr family in America was David Barr, the grandfather of Judge Barr, whose name introduces this review. David Barr was a native of Ireland, born in 1750. He became a permanent settler of Cen- tre county some time toward the close of the last century. Years subsequently his father, whose name, too, was David, came to this country and located in Mifflin county, this State. David Barr (2) was a patriot, and served his adopted country in the Revolutionary war. He became a local land agent for the Wiesters of Philadelphia, and he, himself, before his death, was a large land owner in Centre county. Will- iam Barr, a son of David Barr (2), and the father of the Judge, was a native of Harris township, Centre county, born in 1794. He followed farm- ing throughout life, dying in 1837, when but forty-three years of age. His wife, whom he married in 1816, was Jane Sample, who was born in Huntingdon county, Penn., in 1792, a daughter of David Sample, of that county, who lived to be an octogenarian. He had three daughters and one son. The children of William Barr and his wife were nine in number, of whom the following seven are aged from sixty to eighty years: Jane is the widow of David Barr, for- merly of Carthage, Ill. ; James S. lives in Carbon- dale, Ill .; Thompson is a resident of Clearfield county, Penn. ; William W. is our subject: Alex- ander B. is deceased: George M. is living at De- sota, Mo .; Sallie is living in Centre county. Penn .; Asenath is the widow of Jefferson New- comb, and resides at Ottumwa, fowa; and Samuel W., recently deceased, was a resident of Olena, Ill. The mother of these died in 1850.

William W. Barr was reared on his father's farm, and received a common-school education in the schools of Boalsburg, Centre county, re- maining on the farm until fifteen or sixteen years of age, when he began teaching school. Later he attended for a year Dickinson Seminary, at

Williamsport, Perin. Following this he went to Lewiston, Mifflin county, and again engaged in teaching, occupying his leisure hours in reading law. He pursued his law studies under the late Joseph Alexander, and was admitted to practice in 1852. In 1852-53 he served as transcribing clerk in the House of Representatives of Penn- sylvania. He was a fluent and able young speaker, and in the campaign of 185 1 he had done effective work on the stump. On being admitted to the Bar, he remained in the office of his preceptor until April, 1853, except while engaged in his duties as Clerk at Harrisburg. Through the advice of Hon. Seth Clover, then canal commis- sioner, he located at Clarion, opened a law office. and began the efforts to gain a standing as a lawyer. He had well fitted himself for the pro- fession, and being full of energy and ambition, and possessing those traits of character that attract, he was not long in getting a foothold, which was soon followed by a large practice. In 1854 he was elected district attorney, and so acceptably did he perform the duties of the office that he was re-elected to the same incumbency in 1857, serving in all six years. As an attorney for the State, he was engaged in the prosecution. of the celebrated Logan murder case, which re- sulted in the conviction of the defendant of murder in the first degree, and, on a new trial, of murder in the second degree. In 1861 Mr. Barr was elected treasurer of the county, serving one term. In 1864 he was the choice of the people of Clarion county for the General Assembly, to which he was elected, and was re-elected in the following year. During his service in that body he was on a number of important committees, among which was the Ways and Means, Judiciary and others, at the time the Hon. Matthew S. Quay was chairman of the former. During his term in the Assembly the entire country was wrought up over the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States, allowing the right of suffrage to the colored people of the South. Jndge Barr made an able speech in oppo- sition to the amendment, and predicted that the Republican party of the North would regret their action in forcing the amendment, that as the Constitution then stood only three-fifths of the colored people of the South were numbered in the population, while the amendment provided that all should be enumerated as citizens with the right of franchise, thus increasing the strength of the South in Congress by one-third and more. that the Southern people, being familiar with the habits of the colored people, would soon control then at the polls, and thus strengthen the power of the lately rebellious States in the United States

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 60

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