Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 7

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 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 7

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all of whom have since married. (9) Phineas. who was born in 18-, married Miss Mary Jane McKee, of Westmoreland county, and after- ward moved to Lucas county, lowa, to settle upon a farm. They have four children: Lutetia. who is married; Watson; Loa, now Mrs. Lung. of Iowa; and Lizzie, who married George Weaver, of the same State. ( 10) Catherine. who was born in 18-, married Ebenezer Deeker. and now resides in St. Joseph, Mich. They have six children. (11) Thaddeus died in childhood.

The subject of this sketch was born April I1. 1826, and was reared at the old home in West- moreland county. On October 2, 1849, he mar- ried Miss Harriet Rutter, of the same county. who was a granddaughter of General Gamble, of Revolutionary fame, and for a few years they re- sided in Indiana county. - He then purchased. from Judge White, a tract of one hundred and twenty-four acres of land in Winslow township. Jefferson county, and after building a leg house on the place he moved there with his family and spent seven years, engaging in the meantime in getting out square timber, and rafting down the Allegheny river to Pittsburg. In 1866 he bought the old Fox farm in Henderson township, where he has ever since made his home. In 1881 he built the large two-story-and-a-half frame resi- dence, with all modern improvements, and no pains have been spared to make the place a com- fortable as well as a beautiful home. At his other farm in Winslow township he has a saw- mill, built in 1886, where he manufactures lum- ber. Having been in the trade for so long. he is thoroughly familiar with all its details. and is well known as a dealer along the Allegheny and Mahoning rivers and their tributaries.

Mr. Reed is a man of strong convictions, and reserved in disposition; his honesty wins him friends wherever he goes. In politics he was originally a Whig and later a Republican, but his vote and influence are now given to the Pro- hibition party. He is always interested in reliz- ions work and in the various progressive move- ments of his community, and he and his family are prominent members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Sykesville.

Eleven children have brightened his home. four of whom were born in Indiana county: (1) Miss Juliet accompanied her parents to Jefferson county, and after acquiring a public-school ed :.- cation attended Covode Academy at Indiana. Penn .. for two terms. She taught school suc- cessfully for twenty years, and at present is at home. (2) Margaret also completed her education in Covode Academy, and, aber teaching for a few terms, was married, in 1876, to Rev. J. B. Neff.

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D. D., formerly of New Washington, Clearfield Co., Penn., who is now a prominent Methodist minister at Erie, Penn. They have three chil- dren: Abner, a graduate of Randolph Institute, and is now in the office of N. T. Arnold, an at- torney of Ridgway, Penn .; Grace and Bertha, who are at home. (3) Orlando, who came to Jefferson county in boyhood, is now a resident of Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., where he is en- gaged in business as a real-estate and lumber dealer. He married Miss Barbara Ruffner, of New Florence, Penn., and has five children- Clarence, Nettie, Elsie, Earl and George M. (4) Alice, the youngest of the four children who were born in Indiana county, was educated in Jeffer- son county, and taught nine years there and in Clearfield county. In 1881 she married James A. Brown, of Jefferson county, and after residing for three years at Stanton, in the same county, they removed to Colorado, where Mr. Brown died in March, 1894. Later Mrs. Brown re- turned to the home of her parents with her two children, Roy and Rosaline, and they now reside there. (5) Clara, who was born after the re- moval of the family to Jefferson county, was educated in the local school and in the Normal School at Curwensville, and tlien taught school one year. In 1884 she married Samuel Painter, of Clarion county, and now resides at Fairview, Butler Co., Penn., where Mr. Painter is em- ployed as a telegraph operator, and is also en- gaged in the oil business. They have three chil- dren: Bessie, Edna and Roland. (6) G. Annie received a public-school education in Jefferson county, and married William McKnight, of the same county. She has no children, and now resides with her parents. (7) Hezekiah died when eleven years of age. (8) PHINEAS, who was born in Winslow township, Jefferson county, received his elementary education in the local schools there and at the present homestead. Later he pursued the higher branches in the State Normal School at Lock Haven, and in Spring Garden Institute at Philadelphia. He is not married, and now resides at home, relieving his father of the cares which passing years have made somewhat burdensome. (9) Lot was born on the present homestead, and was educated in the public schools of the locality and in Pitts- burg at the Iron City Business College. At pres- ent he is the manager for a lumber finn in West . Virginia. (10) Samuel I. was born and reared in Henderson township, Jefferson county, and after receiving a common-school education en- gaged in business on his own account elsewhere. ((!) Catherine attended first the schools of Hen- derson township, and later took a course in the

Meadville Conservatory of Music. In October, 1896, she married Charles E. Couch, of Jeffer- son county, a graduate of the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal School, and they now reside at Cumber- land, Md., where Mr. Couch is employed as bookkeeper for a law firm, and is himself a stu- dent of law.

W ILLIAM E. BELL, who in his lifetime was a progressive and enterprising farmer of Bell township, Jefferson county, was born January 27, 1829, in Armstrong county, Penn., but when only two years old was brought to the former county by his parents, Hon. James H. and Anna (McConaughy) Bell, who became hon- ored pioneers and prominent citizens of this re- gion.

James H. Bell, the father, was born October 2, 1800, in Walton, N. Y., of Scotch ancestry, but emigrated with his family to Armstrong county, Penn., a short time previous to the war of 1812. There he was married in 1826, and in 1831 removed to what is now Bells Mills, Jeffer- son county, which was named in his honor. Al- though he began life here in limited circumstances, he soon became one of the most substantial and well-to-do citizens of the community, as he was enterprising, persevering and industrious. In the midst of the forest he secured a tract of land, and after paying for the same, he erected a saw and grist mill on the Mahoning, which became known as Bells Mills. There a post office was subsequently established, bearing the same name, and he was made the first postmaster. He was one of the leading business men of the locality and was an active politician, but always refused to accept official honors, though for many years he served as a delegate to the county, senatorial, legislative and congressional conventions of the Democratic party. In 1853 Governor Bigler ap- pointed him associate judge to fill a vacancy, and during the following campaign he was compelled to accept the nomination to the same office, to which he was triumphantly elected. As a con- scientious Christian, he was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and died in that faith in Sep- tember, 1877. His wife had passed away some time previous. her death occurring March 12. 1866. They had two sons: Capt. John T. and William E., both now deceased, and several daughters, all living, except one.

During his boyhood our subject attended the public schools of Punxsutawney, but his educa- tional advantages were rather limited as he had to walk quite a distance to school. Later his father, with two other gentlemen, erected a

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small house, in which short terms were taught by private teachers. He grew to manhood amid scenes of frontier life, and early became quite familiar with farming and lumbering in their various departments. For a few years he as- sisted his father in his lumbering and milling op- erations, but later devoted his time chiefly to agricultural pursuits. He was married, in 1858, to Miss Hannah M. Barclay, who was born in Indiana county, Penn., April 20, 1839, a daugh- ter of James Barclay, a native of Scotland. They had five children, namely: Kate, now the wife of F. A. Hill, of Kansas; Nancy J., postmistress at Bells Mills; John R., a resident of Punxsu- tawney; and James I. and Fannie C., both at home.

In his political views, Mr. Bell affiliated with the Democratic party, in the success of which he took an active interest, and he did all in his power to secure its victory. For ten years he acceptably served as justice of the peace of Bell township. Socially he was a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and had filled all the chairs in the latter order, having been past grand. He was highly respected and esteemed by the entire population of the township, and was looked up to as a man truly honorable and up- right in all things, and one whom they could de- pend upon as a friend. Like her husband was, Mrs. Bell is held in high regard, and is a con- sistent member of the Baptist Church of Punx- sutawney.

P ROF. THOMAS TELFORD MILLIN is one of the successful educators of Jefferson county, and is also a leading farmer and cattle dealer of Oliver township. He resides on the old Millin homestead, where his birth occurred, March 20, 1853.

Prof. Millin is a son of John and Ann J. (Hanthorn) Millin, the former a native of Lan- caster, Penn., and the latter of Shippensburg, Penn. The paternal grandparents were Hugh and Esther (Wilson) Millin, and their children were: Charles (deceased): Nancy, who became the wife of Jacob Steele (both now deceased); Joseph L. (deceased): John, father of our sub- ject; James, of Jefferson county: Mary (deceased wife of McKee Newcomb); Barbara, wife of Charles E. Temple, of Brockwayville, Penn. ; Esther, wife of James Gailbreath: Esther (de- ceased); and Hugh W., a farmer of Jefferson county. Of these. John Millin was born Marchi 5. 1821, and was married, in Knox county, Ill., to Ann J. Hanthorn, who was born April 14,

1826. She was a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Hawthorn) Hanthorn, natives of Ireland, who, on emigrating to America, took up their residence in Jefferson county, Penn. In 1847 they re- moved to Knox county, Ill. The grandfather of our subject was engaged in business as an iron inaster, contractor and farmer. He had also operated a sawmill in Oliver township, Jefferson county, before going to the West, and was the owner of 500 acres of land there. He was a capable man, and prosperous in his business undertakings.

In 1847 John Millin and his wife returned to Jefferson county, Penn., locating on the farm where our subject now resides; and which con- tinued to be their home throughout the remainder of their lives. He always followed agricultural pursuits, and by his well-directed efforts accu- mulated a comfortable competence. He was a prominent citizen of the community, held a num- ber of township offices, and for forty years served as ruling elder of the United Presbyterian Church. He died in May, 1891, and his wife passed away in November, 1890, their remains being interred in Beaver Run cemetery, in Rose township. They had eight children, namely: Thomas H., born July 3. 1849, died at the age of two years; Rev. H. Wilson, born March 26, 1851, is a min- ister of the United Presbyterian Church, now lo- cated in Beaver county, Penn .; Thomas T. is the next of the family; Rev. James R., born Novem- ber 25, 1854, is now a professor in Knoxville College and Theological Seminary in Knoxville, Tern .; Joseph A., born October 21, 1858, died at the age of a year and a half; Rev. John C., born July 8, 1860, died at the age of twenty-nine; Mary L., born April 13, 1862, a school teacher, died at the age of twenty-eight; and Anna O., born July 9. 1864, is the wife of Dr. David B. Best, a physician of Wheeling, West Virginia.

Prof. Millin, whose name introduces this re- view, was born and reared on the farin which is now his home, and which has,continuously been his place of residence with the exception of five years which he spent in the West. At the age of seventeen he began teaching, and has since followed that pursuit. In 1877 he went to Knox county, Ill., where, in addition to his edu- cational labors, he engaged in farming and dealt in cattle. After three years he returned to Pennsylvania, but a year later again went to Knox county, where he remained for two years. In 1884 he located on his present farm, purchas- ing the interest of the other heirs. He has been especially successful in his school work, having the faculty of imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired. His

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farming interests have also been managed with skill and ability, and his various enterprises have brought to him a well-merited success. In poli- tics Prof. Millin has long been a stanch Repub- lican, and has been very active in the work of the party, probably doing as much for its inter- ests as any other young man in the county. For about ten years he has served as township auditor. He is recognized as one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the community, his business ability and strong intellectual endow- ments gaining him prestige in all circles.

On September 4. 1883, Prof. Millin was united in marriage in Punxsutawney with Sarah K. Startzel, who was born in Ringgold township, Jefferson county, April 25, 1856. They now have three interesting children: Florence G., born May 26, 1884; Edith M., born March 28, 1887; and Mary O., born April 27, 1892. It may be interesting in this connection to note something of the family history of Mrs. Millen, the mother of these children. Her parents, George and Charlotte (Postleweight) Startzel, are now residents of Oliver township. Her paternal grandparents, Jacob and Catherine (Weary) Startzel, were natives of Berks and Northumberland counties, Penn .. respectively. In 1839 they became residents of Ringgold town- ship, Jefferson county, and afterward removed to Oliver township, where the grandmother died March 18, 1852, at the age of forty-eight years. The grandfather, who was born February 22, 1807, is now living retired in Brookville. He was a contractor, builder and farmer. He be- longs to the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican. His children were: George; Daniel (deceased ); Eliza (deceased wife of Joseph Mooney, of Guthrie, Okla. ); Alvin, a carpenter of Falls Creek, Penn .; Mary M., wife of Jerry Hemminger, of Northumberland county, Penn. ; Henry, a miller of Kansas; John, a merchant of Brookville: Rushann (deceased wife of Charles Boyer. of Northumberland county); Lucetta, wife of Samuel Bozzart, a lumberman of Jefferson county; Amandus, a stock raiser and banker; and William ( deceased).

George Startze! was born in Northumberland county, March 17, 1829, and remained on his father's farm until twenty-two years of age, when he rented that place for five years. He then rented an adjoining farm in Ringgold town- ship for two years, then his present place for three years. On the expiration of that peri- od he purchased the property for $3.200, and two years later was offered $5.000 for it. He was married February 12, 1852, in Ringgold township, to Charlotte T. Postleweight, who

was born in Indiana county, Penn., November 10, 1830, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Neill) Postleweight, natives of Jefferson county. The father was a farmer and died in 1864, at the age of fifty years. Her mother died in 1850, at the age of forty-three. Their children were: Mrs. Startzel; John, a farmer of Nebraska; Will- liam and James, farmers of Ringgold township, Jefferson county; Mary (deceased); Watson; and Henry, who was killed in the army; and Susanna (deceased).

The children of Mr. and Mrs. George Startzel are Franklin P., a farmer of Oliver township, who married Martha J. Hawthorn; S. Kate, wife of T. T. Millin: James, an agriculturist of Oliver township, who married Sarah Isenhart; Mary L. and Daniel A. (both deceased); Laura A., wife of Edward Thompson, a merchant of Milton, Penn .; John W., a lumber dealer; Mira J., wife of Morris R. Schaffner, and Belle, at home. Mr. Startzel has filled a number of township offices and has been an active factor in the administra- tion of public affairs. He is a very active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was class leader for twenty years, Church steward and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has done much to promote the best interests of town and county, and his services in behalf of thepub- lic welfare have been most effective and benefi- cial.

G EORGE G. SPRAGUE, president of the Seely & Alexander Bank, of Reynoldsville. Jefferson county, is a man whose long and useful life has brought ripe experience and clear insight without the physical weakness which too often attends advanced years. Born February 2, 1818. Mr. Sprague has already passed the allotted limit of life, yet his vigorous mentality and sound health promise many more years of activity.

He comes of good New England stock. and is himself a native of Caledonia county, Ver- inont. Samuel B. Sprague, his father, was born in New Hampshire, but went to Vermont in youth. where he met and married Miss Hannah Farley, a native of that State. In 1824 they re- moved to New York State, and eight years later they came to Pennsylvania, and made their per- manent home in Jefferson county. Samuel B. Sprague was a quiet, unassuming citizen, his at- tention being devoted to his own affairs, and for the greater portion of his life he followed farin- ing as an occupation. He died in 1845, but his estimable wife survived him many years, passing away in 1880.

George G. Sprague's early education was ob-

George & Sprague

Prudence prague

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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tained with difficulty, the school which he at- tended in boyhood being three miles from his father's farm, while the work at home often de- prived him of the opportunity to go at all. The instruction of that day was inferior to that afforded under our present improved system, and Mr. Sprague's experience has made him an earnest supporter of improvement, his interest being shown by a service of nearly a quarter of a century as a school director. In early manhood he engaged in agriculture, which he followed con- tinuously until 1886, when he retired from busi- ness and moved to Reynoldsville to spend his re- maining years He was not allowed to remain in idleness, however, as he was chosen in 1892 to the position of president of the Seely & Alex- ander Bank. whose affairs he has ever since ad- ministered with ability and faithfulness.

Mr. Sprague was united in marriage, in 1844, with Miss Prudence Broadhead, a native of Eng- land, who had come to America with her parents in 1832. Eight children were born to this union, of whom seven are yet living, viz .: Angeline, wife of Samuel Bailey; Edwin; Albert; Walter; Charles; Mary, who married Asa Phillipi, and Edith, widow of Milan Phillipi. Mrs. Sprague is a member of the Baptist Church, in which she was reared. As is her husband she is well pre- served, and at the age of seventy-one enjoys ex- cellent health. In 1894 they expected to cele- brate their golden wedding, but the death of their son-in-law prevented the occasion. Their pleas- ant home in Reynoldsville reflects in its hospi- table atmosphere the kindliness and good cheer with which its owners have brightened life's path- way for themselves and others.

Mr. Sprague has always taken keen interest in public affairs, his efforts in the cause of better education having been already noted. In pol- itics he is a Democrat, first, last and all the time, and he is thoroughly opposed to monopolies and special privileges. Official distinction has no charms for him, and, although he has been many times chosen to positions of trust in his locality, he is not a politician.

C LARENCE ALEXANDER STEPHENSON. One of the prominent representatives of journalism is the gentleman whose name intro- duces this brief notice, the well-known editor and proprietor of The Star, of Reynoldsville. A son of Josiah Augustus and Elizabeth Stephen- son, he was born October 1, 1857, in Milton, Armstrong Co., Penn., and in that place received his primary education, but later pursued his 72

studies in the schools at Worthington. Parker and Reynoldsville, this State.

In 1876, Mr. Stephenson entered a printing office as an apprentice, in the last named place, where he remained for two years, and then secured a position in a first-class job office in Pittsburg, Penn., where he worked for the same length of time. For the following year he served as foreman of the St. Mary's Gasette, and then turned his attention to a different line of work. being fireman on the Allegheny Valley railroad for two years." Returning to the printing busi- ness, he was made foreman of The Paper, of Reynoldsville, of which Frank J. Black was edi- tor. and held that position for five years. Sub- sequently he served for three years as foreman of The Volunteer, W. C. Elliott being editor. On May 11, 1892, Mr. Stephenson began the publi- cation of The Star in Reynoldsville, of which he has since been editor and proprietor, and has met with a fair degree of success in his under- taking, the paper having now a large and con- stan tly increasing circulation.

On May 21, 1884, at the home of the bride's brother, Dr. S. Reynolds, of Reynolds- ville, Mr. Stephenson was married to Miss Laura Gilson Reynolds. Our subject is a man of much force of character, strong individuality. and his pleasant social manner has won him a host of warm friends. For seven years he was superintendent of the Reynoldsville Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school, and has ever taken an active part in advancing the moral, educational and material welfare of the community.

F FRANCIS A. WEAVER. America owes much of her progress and advancement to a position foremost among the nations of the world to her newspapers. and in no line has the incidental broadening out of the sphere of use- fulness been more marked than in this same line of journalism. Jefferson county has enlisted in its newspaper field some of the strongest intel- lects among the statesmen of broad mental grasp. cosmopolitan ideas and notable business sagacity. Prominent among these is Mr. Weaver. who for many years has been the popular editor of the Brookville Republican.

Born on January 22, 1842. in Westmoreland county. Penn., Mr. Weaver is a son of John and Eliza St. Clair) Weaver, the former of German parentage, and the latter of Scotch-Irish de- scent. The parents were also natives of West- moreland county, and throughont life made their home in Unity township, where the father fol-

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lowed the occupation of farming. There Fran- cis attended the public schools during each win- ter term after arriving at school age until he had attained his seventeenth year. when he en- tered the office of the Herald, of Greensburg, Penn., of which D). W. Shryock, Esq., was editor and proprietor. Three years were spent in acquiring a knowledge of the "art preserva- tive," and like most apprentices in those times, he made his home with his employer, and, besides his "boarding and washing," received $2 per month for the first year, $3 per month for the second, and $4 per month for the third.

Mr. Weaver's apprenticeship was ended early in 1861. When the President called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the Rebellion, two com- paníes were formed in Greensburg, and six days after the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter the subject of this sketch enrolled himself in what was soon afterward Company I, 11th P V. I , under the command of Capt. Richard Coulter, who later became lieutenant-colonel, and after- ward general. Mr. Weaver served with his company until the close of his three-months' term of enlistment, and then re-enlisted in the same regiment for three years, or during the war. During the last two years of his service he was a non-commissioned officer of Company I, Ninth Oh o Cavalry, and participated in all the active engagements of that branch of the army of the West, under Gen. Kilpatrick. On July 20. 1865, at Lexington, N. C., he was honorably discharged, and returned home.

He obtained employment at his trade in the Brookville Republican office, John Scott be- ing the editor and proprietor. After holding that position for one year, he purchased a half inter- est in the office and publication, and the paper was then conducted under the name of Scott & Weaver, the junior member of the firm being the editor and having charge of the business for about six years. The firm then became Weaver Brothers, and under the several changes in name that have since taken place our subject has con- tinued to edit the paper, his name appearing at the head of the editorial page for inore than thirty continuous years.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 7

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