Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 9

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 9
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 9
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 9
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 9

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Amid frontier scenes John Evans was reared to manhood, his educational advantages being only such as the public schools of that early day afforded. The terms were very short, and the schools were of an inferior grade. His training at farm work, however, was not so meagre, and he continued to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty, when he began learning the carpenter's and cabinet maker's trades, which he successfully followed for many years. In 1875 he embarked in the planing-mill business in Punxsutawney, and although now seventy-two years of age, he is still well-preserved and able to look after his business interests. In 1848, he was married to Miss Mary J. Drum, daughter of John Drum, an honored pioneer of Jefferson county. Of the eleven children born to them, two died in infancy, but the others are still living, namely: Martha R. ; Einma, wife of W. P. Hastings, pro- prietor of a publishing house at Milton, Penn. ; Carrie, wife of Rev. H. W. Millan, of New Shef- field, Penn. ; Mary M .. wife of John Clawson, of Punxsutawney; Sallie, wife of A. B. White, who is engaged in the railroad business; J. Harry, a resident of Punxsutawney: John D., deputy re- corder of Jefferson county: Anna, wife of Jaines

Dinsmore, of Pittsburg, Penn. ; and Charles Ellis, of Punxsutawney. The children were all born and reared at the home which the parents still occupy, it being built by our subject a short time after his marriage.

During the Civil war, Mr. Evans manifested his patriotism by enlisting, in 1865, in Company B, Seventy-fourth P. V. I., and serving for six months, when hostilities ceased. For many years he was identified with the Democratic par- ty, but now lends his support to the Prohibition party, whose principles he stanchly advocates. Both himself and wife are consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is a ruling elder, and they have reared their children in that belief. For almost half a cen- tury they have traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, and as they pass down the sunset hill of life enjoy the esteem and confidence of their neighbors and affection of their children and friends.

H ORACE G. MILLER, editor of that bright paper, the Punxsutawney News, is a man, if one may judge of the future by the past, who is destined to increasing prominence in his chosen profession.

Mr. Miller was born March 1, 1859, in Punx- sutawney, where his father, the late A. B. Miller, a native of Centre county, was for many years a leading business man (a tailor), and held a prom- inent place in local affairs, serving fifteen years as justice of the peace. He died in 1888, but his wife, Mrs. Margaret (Bender) Miller, an es- timable lady, is still living. Our subject is the eldest of four children, the others being: Mrs. Harry F. Sprankle, of Punxsutawney, and the Misses Lunetta and Grace Miller, who are now trained nurses in Philadelphia, Penn. Horace G. Miller secured hiselementary education in the pub- lic schools of hisnative place, and at seventeen en- tered upon the wider and more practical co :rse which a printing office gives to a clever youth. He spent two years at the printer's desk, and then returned to school for two terms, before continuing his trade. Later he went to New York City and worked for two years as a stenog- rapher, but in 1885 he established the News, and has since resided at Punxsutawney. His paper is a six-column quarto, devoted to general and local news, and is constantly increasing in popularity.

In August, 1893, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Lenore Stockdale, daughter of P. A. Stock- dale, of Punxsutawney. She is a lady of fine 1

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social gifts, and is prominent in the work of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Miller is also a mem- ber. They have one child, a daughter, Margaret Jane, who, at this writing, is fifteen months old. Mr. Miller is identified with the Order of Amer- ican Mechanics, and the 1. O. O. F., being a past grand in the latter organization. He is naturally interested in all problems of the day, and in politics, as in all other lines, does his own thinking. On national questions he favors the policy of the Republican party, but when local affairs only are involved he votes as occasion may require in order to secure the " best inan." Mr. Miller invented and secured a patent for a Perforator to be used on a printing press. This has proven to be a valuable addition to the print- er's outfit. Of the Perforator, the Charles H. Binner Co., of Boston, Mass., who purchased two, after one week's trial say: "They do all you have claimed for them. Have saved the price of them already." The Bingham Paper Box Co., of New London, Conn., say: "Gives us satisfaction, and does all you claim for it." The Marion Centre (Penn.) Independent says: " We perforated the ballots for the general election and found it to be a decided success. Just the thing to fill a long-felt want." Mr. E. Goeth, of Schulenburg Texas, says: "A very handy thing, and would pay any one to buy. Has paid for itself a dozen times over." Orders for the Perforator have been received from Eng- land and other foreign countries. Mr. Miller has disposed of his patent to the F. Wesel Manu- facturing Co., of New York, and has made an arrangement with that company for their manu- facture on a royalty.

J OHN PATTERSON MURDOCH, a repre- sentative breeder of live stock in Jefferson county, proprietor of the Murdoch Stock Farm, and a justice of the peace of Oliver town- ship for nearly fifteen years, has probably done more to secure a better grade of stock in the county than any other man, and has been a prominent factor in the promotion of agricult- ural interests. He was born July 23, 1836, in Murdochsville, Washington Co., Penn .. a son of John and Agnes (Crawford) Murdoch.

The Murdoch family is of Scotch origin, the : it his home for sixteen years, when it was re-

paternal grandfather being a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to Ireland, where John Murdoch (the father of the subject of this re- view) was born. John Murdoch was married April 25, 1816, at Articlave, County Derry. Ire- land. to Miss Crawford, a daughter of James Crawford, who spent his entire life there. He . ferson county and. shortly after that, some Berk-

was an Orangeman, and took an active part against the rebels in the " rising of 1798." Dur- ing his absence from home, Mrs. Murdoch, who was then an infant, was carried from the house by some of the rebels, who intended to burn the place.

In 1816, after a voyage of six weeks on the Atlantic, John and Agnes Murdoch landed at Philadelphia, and located near Wilmington, Del., where they resided until 1830. They then moved to Washington county, Penn., and in 1837 to Armstrong county, where the father died in 1841, at the age of sixty-nine years. In 1853 the mother came to Jefferson county, and ten years later went to Pittsburg where she spent twelve years. She then returned to Jefferson county and died in Knox township in 1884, at the age of eighty-eight years, and was buried in Beaver Run Cemetery. The father was a weaver in his early life, but later engaged in merchandising in Murdochsville, which place was named in his honor. He served as its first postmaster, and took a very prominent part in its development. He belonged to the Seceder Church, and in pol- itics was a Democrat. He was very prominent in public affairs, and impressed his name indelibly on the history of the community with which he was connected.

John Patterson Murdoch, the subject of this review, when only nine months old was taken by his parents to Armstrong county, Penn., where he remained until December, 1847, when, at the age of eleven years, he started out to make his own way in the world. For a year and a half he worked for his board in Westmoreland county, Penn., and then returned to his home, where he continued for three years. He afterward went to Pittsburg, Penn., where he was em- ployed at house painting during the summer, and in a glass factory during the winter for one and one-half years, at the end of which time he took up his residence in Oliver township. Jefferson county, where he followed farming. house painting and lumbering. In the spring of 1859 (the year of the frost) he came to his pres- ent farm. comprising 135 acres of land in the dense forest. There was an old log cabin upon the place, which had a clapboard roof and no floor. Into this he moved with his wife, making

placed by a more substantial residence. During this entire period he industrionsly engaged in the development of his land, which is now under a high state of cultivation. He is especially prom- inent as a stock dealer, and, in 1873, introduced the first thoroughbred Cotswold sheep into Jef-

JP Murdock

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

shire hogs. In 1877 he cominenced to breed grade Jersey cattle, the first in the locality. ~ In 1890-91 he imported from Connecticut and New Jersey the foundation of his present herd of reg- istered, and about the same time invested in some Hampshire and Shropshire sheep. He. has since carried on stock raising, and has done much to improve the grade of stock of his county. From 1880 until 1886 he also dealt in farm imple- ments, and brought the first full carload to the county. He also sold steam-power engines. For the past thirty years he has been widely and prominently known as an auctioneer, and has conducted some of the most extensive sales in Jefferson county, although he has never solic- ited but two. He has settled many estates, and has carried on a successful business which has not only proved of benefit to himself, but has also been of incalculable benefit to the commun- ity with which he is connected. For some time during the Civil war he wasenrolling officer. He has also served as special detective and dep- uty provost, but was never mustered into the regular service. He was instrumental in getting School District No. 8, Oliver township (now Coolspring, where there is now a graded school), organized, and in having the first school bnilt.

On October 12, 1858, Mr. Murdoch was mar- ried in Rose township, Jefferson county. to Eliza J. Millin, the only daughter of Joseph Mil- lin, Sr., a native of Ireland, who came to America, when very young. He wedded Mary Brown, a native of Armstrong county, Penn,. and both died on the old homestead in Rose township, Jeffer son county, Penn., and were buried in Beaver Run cemetery. Mrs. Murdoch was born De- cember 16, 1831, and died January 15, 1892, her remains being interred about two hundred feet from her birthplace, in Beaver Run cemetery. She was the first white child born in the south- ern part of Rose township. The children born to Mr. Murdoch and his wife are as follows: Mary E. is at home: James A. married Alice Keister, a dealer in agricultural implements, of Mt. Pleasant, Penn. ; Ida M. is the wife of B. R. Kline, an attorney of New Kensington, Penn. ; Ella M. is the wife of Curtis Blakesley, a book- keeper. of Bradford. Penu .: John B. G. is a school teacher: Clara J. also teaches school, and is now located at Bradford. Penn. : Ralph (., too, follows that profession: and Maynie is at home. In this family there have been six school teachers who successfully followed the profes- sion and done much for the advancement of edu- cation. The family is one noted for its intellect- nality and culture, and the household is celebra- ted for its hospitality.

Our subject was one of the organizers and the first chairman of the Pennsylvania Jersey Cattle Club. His political support is given the Republican party, but, aside from his faithful performance of the duties of citizenship, he now takes no active part in public matters, his atten- tion being devoted to his business cares, in which he has met with a well-deserved success. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the county. and his pleasant manner and genuine worth have gained him high regard.

J OSEPH B. MORRIS, Eso. Few men have wielded a more potent influence for good in a community than has this well-known resi- dent of Young township, Jefferson county, whose seventy years have been mainly spent in that locality. Prominent in business and political life, Squire Morris has also been a leader in the various religious and philanthropical movements by which the spiritual progress of a community is measured. The Morris family has, in fact. been notably active in the promotion of religious interests, and our subject's parents, Obed and Mary (Bowman) Morris, were among the little band, numbering about a dozen, who, in 1826. founded the first Presbyterian Church in that lo- cality. In 1836, they. with others, dissolved their connection with the old Church and organ- ized the C. P. Church, Obed Morris presiding over the meeting. It is interesting to note that the one person living, who was a member of the new organization during the first year of its ex- istence, is James M. Morris, our subject's brother. now a ruling elder in the Olive congregation. Squire Morris is himself a member of the C. P. Church at Punxsutawney, and has been a ruling elder since 1882. Obed Morris and his wife were born, reared and married in Northampton coun- ty, Penn .. and in 1820 he located in Jefferson county near the present residence of our subject. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life. and while taking an influential part in local affairs, seemed always to find pleasure in a quiet life. His wife passed from earth in February, 1839, and he survived her until September. 1882. Four sons are living: James M., born February 14. 1815: Theodore, born in March, 1819: Charles R. B., born in August, 1821; and Joseph B .. our subject, born August 11, 1827; Moses .1 .. another son, born January 29, 1830. is deceased. Also those living own and conduct fine farms in Jefferson county, and are honored for their ster- lig qualities of character.

. Squire Joseph B. Morris was born on the old homestead, and as he grew to manhood he

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learned the practical details of farm management under his father's instruction. His schooling. . was limited to that ordinarily enjoyed by country boys of his day, the terms being short and the methods of instruction old-fashioned. At twenty- one he engaged in the lumber business, which he continued for twenty years, and then he spent three years in mercantile business at Punxsu- tawney. In 1848 he opened a vein of coal on the old homestead, and as it has proved exten- sive and profitable he has continued to operate it ever since. In 1854 he purchased the farm, and has made his home there ever since, the neat, comfortable appearance of the place displaying the systematic management of its owner. In the spring of 1853 he married his first wife, Miss Julia Murray, a native of Ireland, who died in 1857, leaving no children. In 1858 he married Miss Catherine Crissman, a native of Indiana county, Penn., and a daughter of Enoch Criss- man, of Huntingdon county, this State. Five children were born to this union: Malvern H., of Punxsutawney, a dealer in men's furnishing goods; Ida, wife of J. Clayton North, also of Punxsutawney; J. Lindsay, who is in partnership with his brother, Malvern H .; Clarence O., a graduate of Waynesburg College, and is now studying law; and Lucy A., a trained nurse. The mother of this family passed away in 1887, and, on January 2, 1890, Mr. Morris formed a third union, this time with Mrs. Margaret Miller, of Bloomington, Illinois.

;The Squire's political influence has been given to the support of the Republican party, and his fellow-citizens have not been slow to call upon him to serve them as an official. For thirty years he has held the position of justice of the peace, in which his sound and impartial judg- ment makes his services invaluable. He has held other local offices, and has also served as county auditor and jury commissioner. For many years he was connected with the State Militia, and for some time he was captain of the State Guards.

courteous treatment of his patrons and fair deal- ing, he commands a fine trade.

Mr. Craven was born November 4. 1828. i11 Indiana county, Penn., a son of James and Jane (Blakely) Craven. Thomas Craven, his grand- father, was of Irish descent, and a farmer by occupation. The father of our subject was reared in Indiana county, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits until 1844, when he came to Jefferson county and purchased a tract of wild . land. He engaged in lumbering upon his place, and also improved and cultivated it, but later in life sold out and removed to Minnesota. His last years, however, were spent in Jefferson county, where his death occurred in 1885. The mother of our subject having died in 1842, the father was again married, and his second wife survived him until 1888. In politics he was originally a Whig. later a Republican, and in religious belief he was a Methodist, while his first wife was a Presbyterian. Their children were: Forgus, a retired farmer; Mrs. Eleanor Ostranger: Thomas; Mrs. Mary Heath; John. an agriculturist of Min- nesota; Mrs. Julia A. Kirkpatrick; Mrs. Nancy . Bartlett: Mrs. Martha Gilbert; Catherine, who. died unmarried; and Milton, a resident of Kane county, Penn. There were no children by the second marriage.

Reared upon the home farm, Thomas Craven acquired his education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and continued to remain un- der the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred in 1850, Miss Mary J. Man becoming his wife. Her birth occurred in 1832 in the State of New York, but when young she was brought to Jefferson county, Penn., by her parents, George and - Man, who had four children: Mary J., Franklin, John and Loretta. The father improved a farm in Jefferson county, but later sold out and removed to Michigan, where he spent his remaining days; both he and his wife held membership in the Baptist Church.

Of the nine children born to our subject and his wife, two died in childhood. and the others are as follows: Mrs. Frances Shapner: John, who is engaged in the livery business; Mrs. Emma Steel; : James, who is operating the old homestead: Mrs. Annie Kooncilman; Mrs. Jennie Tibbits, and Mrs. Maud Hamilton. For a few years after his mar- riage the father of these worked at the carpen- ter's trade, and then purchased a farm which he conducted until 1884. when he came to West-

T HOMAS CRAVEN. The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has acquired a high reputation in the calling to which his ener- gies have been directed, and whose social prom- inence is not less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. Among thie . ville and erected his store building and residence. prominent and representative business men of For two years previous he had engaged in mer- chandising in Richardsville, and, on the comple- tion of his store, moved his stock of goods to Westville, where he soon secured a liberal share Jefferson county our subject occupies an enviable position. He is the pioneer merchant of Westville. where he still conducts a general store, and by

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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of the public patronage. The coal company had just commenced the operation of their mines here, and the railroad was not completed until the following year. Although the company has since established two stores a mile distant each way, he still holds some of the miners' trade, and his customers come for many miles throughout the surrounding country. He is not only the pioneer merchant of the place, but he also erected the second house there, and has since been iden- tified with every enterprise tending to advance its interests. He was instrumental in getting the post office established, and is the owner of six or eight dwellings which he rents. An energetic, progressive man, he has met with excellent suc- cess in his business ventures, is numbered among the prosperous and substantial citizens of Wash- ington township, and at the present time, in com- pany with others, he owns 10,000 acres of valu- able timber land in West Virginia (this land is is divided into ten shares, our subject owning two, several others owning shares and parts of shares), but they have not yet begun the manufacture of lumber there.

In August, 1864, during the Civil war, Mr. Craven enlisted in Company B, 211th P. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He was a sergeant; he participated in all the battles of his regiment, and received an honorable discharge from the service. He is a prominent member of the Republican party in his locality, and for ten years served as justice of the peace, holding the office half of the time since coming to Westville. He is a recognized leader in business circles, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished through energy, careful management, keen fore- sight and the utilization of the powers with which nature has endowed one, and the opportunities with which the times surround him. In religious faith he and his wife are Presbyterians.

J AMES B. NEALE, M. D., is engaged in the practice of medicine in Reynoldsville, and has won by meritorious effort marked prestige in his chosen profession. He was born in Jefferson county, November 5, 1859, a son of Winfield Scott and Rebecca (Piper) Neale. His father was born in Indiana county, Penn., near the Jef- ferson county line, and almost his entire life was spent in the latter county. At an early age he was thrown upon his own resources, and followed various pursuits whereby he might earn an honest living, but was principally engaged in lumbering and farming, and by his steady industry, close application and good management he accumu- lated a confortable competence. While landing

a fleet of timber, in 1863. he met with an acci- dent which resulted in his death in June of the same year. His estimable wife was born in In- diana county, Penn., and is still living at the ad- vanced age of seventy-five.

The Doctor received his primary and academic education in Jefferson county, and subsequently pursued his studies in the National Normal Uni- versity (also known as the Holbrook Normal Uni- versity), at Lebanon, Ohio, where he completed the scientific course, and was graduated with the class of 1882. His choice of a life work falling upon the medical profession, at the age of twenty- three years he began its study under the direction of Dr. William B. M. Gibson, of Reynoldsville. He pursued a three-years' course in the Cincin- nati Medical College, where he was graduated in the spring of 1885, and on the 6th of April. that year, opened an office in Reynoldsville, where he has since successfully engaged in practice. The very fact that this is termed one of the * learned professions " is indicative of the effort that must be put forth to win a place of prominence among the representatives of the calling, for wealth and influence avail little or naught in such a calling, and the practitioner must depend upon his skill and merit. A close student of the science and of marked ability, Dr. Neale has steadily worked his way upward, and to-day occupies a foremost place in the ranks of his professional brethren. He is a member of the State and County Medical Associations, served for one term as president of the Jefferson County Medical Society, and has been medical inspector of the board of health for two years. The has held the position of R. R. surgeon since the death of Dr. Gibson, ten years ago.

Our subject was married May 16, 1882. to Miss Joanna R. North, daughter of Daniel North. of Jefferson county. They have two children: N. Nilson and Fay. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Royal Arcanum. He votes with the Democracy, and is a stanchi advocate of the free and unlimited coinage of silver, but he has never sought or desired political preferment. giving his undivided attention to his profession, in which he has inet with signal success.

G EORGE H. KENNEDY. As an enterpris- ing, wide-awake business man of Brookville. Jefferson county. and one who, through his own efforts, has established himself among the pron- inent and successful men of the city, we take pleasure in giving a brief biography of the gen-

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tleman whose name opens this sketch. He was born in 1831, in Brookville, a son of Samuel D. and Jane (Slack) Kennedy, also natives of Penn- sylvania.

Until ten years of age the father lived in Philadelphia, where his father, Henry Kennedy, engaged in hotel keeping. 'The former came to Jefferson county about 1825, where for many years he engaged in lumbering, and subsequently turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which honored calling he continued to follow until old age compelled his retirement. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of eighty-one. and his wife died a few years previously. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are yet living, namely: Elizabeth Wallace, wife of Joseph Garvin, of Troy, Penn. ; Amelia, wife of S. P. Barnes, of Bethlehem, Penn .; and Mary A. and George H., of Brookville. Those de- ceased are: William, Jane, Ann and Susan.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 9

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