USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 78
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During his many years of residence in the county, both as a citizen and as a profes- sional man, Dr. Potter formed an extensive and favorable acquaintance, and, although he never possessed any political ambition or sought political preferment, yet he has oc- casionally been pressed into the political arena when strong men were needed. He had, moreover, strong convictions, and openly opposed every movement that tended toward political "bossism " or " rings," in his own or the opposite party. In the year 1868 he became a candidate for the Lower House of the State Legislature, but was defeated in the primary election, Thomas J. Mccullough being the successful candidate. Again, in 1873, he was run as an independent candidate, having been nominated by the inde- pendent and conservative Democrats, and receiving a strong support from the Repub- lican ranks, against Thomas J. Boyer, the " machine" candidate of the Democracy. In the hotly contested campaign that followed, Dr. Potter showed great strength and was elected at the polls. This victory practically terminated the existence of "the rings " in Clearfield county .
For one term Dr. Potter served, with credit to himself and county, in the Legisla- ture. The next year, 1874, he was re-nominated by the independent Democrats, but was defeated by Col. W. R. Hartshorn, the regular nominee, a man of large and favor- able acquaintance throughout the county. In the year 1858, at New Bethlehem, Clar-
John OF Haut
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DR. J. W. POTTER. - JOHN P. HOYT.
ion county, Johnson W. Potter married Alamanda Hoffman. Of this marriage eight children have been born, four of whom are still living.
H OYT, HON. JOHN P. In the early part of the year 1819, there came to Clear- field county a young man, just turned of his twenty-fifth year, who took up his resi- dence at a point in Pike township, about two miles southwest from Curwensville, and there commenced the practice of medicine. In this event alone there was nothing unusual, but as years came and went he began to attract considerable notice and attention from the sturdy pioneer residents in that vicinity and in the country roundabout the county seat, and the name and fame of Dr. John P. Hoyt spread throughout the entire county : from Cherry Tree to Karthaus, and from the southeast to the northwest of the county's boun- daries, and even beyond it, there came calls for the professional services of this man. In the year 1824, then having been a resident of the county for about five years, there was no man more pressed, more occupied or more wearied with unceasing toil and sleepless nights, than he ; the terrible scourge, well remembered as the " dysentery plague," taxed the skill and the endurance of the few resident physicians of the county, and none more than Dr. Hoyt. 'Yet, it was not in this year alone that Dr. Hoyt acquired his enviable reputation as a practitioner and as a man. From his first coming to the county until the time of his death, he was respected and esteemed as a man of professional skill and un- derstanding, a close and thorough student, a wise counselor and a candid advisor; a man of kind disposition and generous heart.' The rich and the poor alike shared his at- tention. No matter how far distant, or how doubtful the probability of pay for service, he never refused to attend a call from the sick or the distressed.
Aside from his regular duties as a physician, Dr. Hoyt was, for some time, engaged in the mercantile business at Curwensville ; moreover, as by his practice and business he acquired some means, this he put to good use by real estate investments, and by the gradual advance in values he accumulated a comfortable fortune.
In the year 1846, having become somewhat broken in health, the result of over-care and over-work, he retired from the busy field of life to the comforts and retirement of a pleasant home on the bank of the Susquehanna, about three miles above Lumber City, where, surrounded by family and friends, he passed the remainder of his life.
John Pennoyer Hoyt, the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of Hudson, New York State, on the 12th day of September, in the year 1793. His father, Phineas Hoyt, was a New Englander by birth, while his mother, whose maiden name was Julia Pennoyer, was a native of the Empire State. Having acquired a preparatory education, young Hoyt entered Dartmouth College, a famous educational institution of New Eng- land, where he completed his education and laid the foundation for a practical knowl- edge of the medical profession, which he had determined to enter. He then read medi- cine with Dr. Woodward and Dr. White, both practicing physicians of Otsego county, N. Y., and still later with Dr. Wing, of Tioga county, N. Y. At the latter place he finished his course of study and was regularly admitted to practice in the early part of the year 1818. Soon after he came to Half Moon, Centre county, and in the next year, 1819, located near Curwensville.
On the 20th day of January, 1820, John P. Hoyt married Mary, daughter of Thomas McClure, one of the pioneers of the county. Of this marriage ten children were born, viz. : Hiram, who died in 1824 ; Julianna, who died in 1824; Harriet ; a son who died in infancy ; David Wilson, of Louisiana; Elizabeth M., wife of Martin Watts; Mary E.,
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
wife of Martin D. Stirk, and who died in 1863 ; a son who died in infancy ; Margaret ; Christiana T., who died in 1843. In the year 1852 Mr. Hoyt was honored by his fel- low-citizens in his election to the office of associate judge of the county, in which ca- pacity he served until 1857, his colleague on the bench at the time being Judge Richard Shaw, of Clearfield.
Judge Hoyt died on the 26th day of February, 1885, in the ninety-second year of his life. His wife, Mary, survived him about one and one half years and died Septem- ber 6, 1886, having passed her eighty-seventh year.
Upon the occasion of the death of John Pennoyer Hoyt, the following resolutions were passed and adopted by the Clearfield bar, and ordered to be placed upon the min- utes of the court :
WHEREAS, We have learned with deep regret of the death of Hon. John P. Hoyt, who died at the ripe old age of ninety-one years and upwards, on the evening of the 26th of February, A. D. 1885, at his residence in this county, after having been an upright, honored and influential citizen of the same for a period of nearly three-score and ten years ; therefore, be it
Resolved, First-That Hon. John P. Hoyt, having performed the duties of associate judge of this county for a period of five years from December 1, 1851, in a manner hon- orable to himself and acceptable to the people, is entitled to our grateful remembrance.
Resolved, Second-That the sympathy of the court and members of the bar are hereby extended to his family in this their sad bereavement.
Resolved, Third-That in token of respect to his memory these proceedings be en- tered upon the records of this court, and that a copy of them, with the seal of the court attached, be furnished to the family of the deceased.
G. R. BARRETT, J. B. McENALLY, SMITH V. WILSON, Committee.
ILL, WILLIAM H. William Henry Dill, son of Rev. Henry G. and Sarah A. D (Gilbert) Dill, was born at Sunbury, Northumberland county, Pa., on the 28th day of September, in the year 1838. In the family were eight children, and, in the order of their birth, William H. was the fourth. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, as such, was called upon to make frequent changes in place of residence, as designated by the conference to which he was attached.
At the age of twelve years William began to take care of himself, and entered a drug store at Berwick, Pa., in the capacity of clerk, where he remained about one year, work- ing for the modest compensation of board and twenty dollars cash. After that he found employment in a dry goods establishment at Middletown, Md., whither his father and family had been called in the line of his ministerial duty. In the month of September, 1855, our subject commenced a course of study in the Williamsport Dickinson Semi- nary, where he remained two years, and graduated in June, 1857, taking first honors, and delivering the valedictory of the class. He then taught school for a time at Ber- wick, and with such success that he was, in 1858, awarded a professor's certificate by the superintendent of common schools of Columbia county. In the month of April, 1859, Mr. Dill entered the junior class of the Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, for the regular classical course. His advanced position here was granted from the fact of his
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WILLIAM H. DILL. - REV. FREDERICK G. BETTS.
having attained a sufficient degree of proficiency in scholarship in the Dickinson Semi- nary to entitle him thereto. From this institution he was graduated in the month of September, 1860, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and subsequently, at the end of three years, the further degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him. In the month of April, of this same year, and prior to his graduation, Mr. Dill was elected professor of ancient and German languages of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary, which professor- ship he was allowed to accept by the faculty of the Pennsylvania College on condition that he present himself at the regular examinations of the senior class of that institution. In the Dickinson Seminary he filled the chair of languages from the time of his first election until the latter part of the year 1865, having been elected to that position by the board of directors, or so appointed by the bishop in charge, each successive year. Furthermore, during this same period and in the year 1861, Mr. Dill became a traveling minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and attached to the Central Pennsylvania Conference. Five years later, March, 1866, he entered the active work of the pastorate, filling such charges as were designated by the conference, and in March, 1868, he came to Clearfield.
In July, 1870, under the advice of his physician, Mr. Dill discontinued his relation with the active, traveling ministry and accepted a business position as cashier of the First National Bank of Clearfield, still maintaining, however, his ministerial position in connec- tion with the church at Clearfield and other points in the vicinity. In the year 1882, at his own request, he was granted a location, and thereby practically severed his connec- tion with the active ministry. While occupying the position of professor of languages at Dickinson Seminary, he became acquainted with Edith, daughter of Jonathan Boynton, of Clearfield, and subsequently, on the 31st day of July, 1865, Edith Boynton and Will- iam H. Dill were united in the bonds of matrimony. Of this marriage six children have been born, two sons and four daughters.
The life of our subject since his retirement from the ministry, has not, by any means, been one of inactivity, as there is, perhaps, no man in the entire county whose time is more wholly employed. Besides his duties as cashier, he is extensively engaged in the lumber business as one of the firm of Dill, Watson & Co., of Myersdale, Somerset county, and also a partner in the firm of A. W. Lee & Co., at Belsena, in this county.
His public spiritedness too, is undoubted, as every effort in the interest and welfare of his county, its institutions, and its people, meets not only with his hearty approval but his cordial support. The part taken by him during the strike in the coal region, in the year 1886, and in bringing about an amicable adjustment of the difficulties there ex- isting, brought to him and to those with whom he was associated, the gratitude of thou- sands of laboring men. His standing in the Masonic fraternity is also worthy of notice, he having filled numerous offices of trust and responsibility therein, and advanced, step by step, until he occupies an elevated and enviable position at the halls of that most an- cient and honorable institution.
RETTS, REV. FREDERICK G., was born in Philadelphia, August 14, 1812 ; his parents were New Englanders. In the year 1840 he was licensed as a Presbyte- rian minister by the Huntingdon Presbytery, and accepting a call from the congregation at Clearfield, he was ordained and installed as its pastor in November, 1840. Moving with his family from Boolsburg, Centre county, to Clearfield, he continued in charge of the congregations at Clearfield, Curwensville and Forest Hill, until his death, in Janu- ary, 1845. His widow, Cornelia (Finley) Betts, died eight years later, 1853.
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
Of their six children, the third, William Wilson Betts, the subject of this sketch, was born at Newark, N. J., on the first day of May, 1838, therefore; at the time of his pa- rents coming into this country, he was less than three years of age. At the age of about thirteen years William went to Meadville, this State, where he entered the office of the Crawford Fournal, intending to learn the trade of a printer; but after remaining there nearly a year he was obliged to abandon it on account of defective eyesight. Return- ing to Clearfield in 1853, he was offered a situation in the store of Reed, Weaver & Powell, where he remained until, having attained the age of twenty-one years, he was taken into the firm as a partner, and the firm became Reed, Weaver & Company. Nine years later, 1869, G. L. Reed and William Powell retiring, the style of the firm became Weaver & Betts, and has so continued to the present time. This firm has been among the heaviest and most extensive lumber dealers on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. In the year 1880 the firm ceased merchandising, and have since given sole attention to their still extensive lumber operations, and the development of their coal properties situ- ated in different sections of the county.
On the 28th day of October, 1862, William W. Betts married Margaret J. Irvin, daughter of William Irvin, of Curwensville. Of this marriage six children have been born, four of whom are still living.
In every enterprise looking to the general welfare of the people of the county and the development of its resources, Mr. Betts has always occupied a prominent position, contributing of his means and personal attention to the advancement of the interests of both borough and county, and actively aided the organization of such public improve- ments as the Water, Gas and Cemetery Companies of Clearfield, as well as most of the manufacturing industries of that place.
Although Mr. Betts is not a politician in the ordinary acceptance of that term, caring nothing far political power or place, yet he has ever been an active and straightforward Democrat, aiding the success of his party with his means, and active in its councils, and though frequently urged to become a candidate for political position he invariably re- fused ; although, in 1876, and again in 1878, he accepted the instructions of his county for the office of State Senator, but made no special effort to secure the nomination in the district. But in 1886, the senatorial conference, composed of Clearfield, Centre and Clinton counties, failing to select a candidate from among the aspirants for the office of State senator, unanimously tendered the nomination to him. Feeling that he could not refuse a nomination so generously offered, and coming entirely without solicitation, he accepted, and was elected for the term of four years, without opposition, the Republicans placing no candidate against him.
`HAW, RICHARD HENRY. The subject of this sketch is a native of this county, S born in Lawrence township on the 7th day of November, 1833. He was the young- est, save one, of ten children born to John and Sarah (Lee) Shaw. Young Richard was brought up on the farm of his father and lived there until he attained the age of twenty- one, when he purchased a part of the home farm, and at once commenced its improve- ment and cultivation, still making his home at his father's residence. For several win- ters he taught school in Girard, Pike, Bradford and Lawrence townships. In 1860 Mr. Shaw made a trip to Iowa with a view of locating in that country. He purchased some land and remained there a short time, when he returned home.
On the 23d day of September, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, of the
A. LITTLE, PHILA.
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693
RICHARD HENRY SHAW.
Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for the three years service. He served with the regiment in every engagement, except at the battle of Gettysburg, when the command were guarding a wagon train, and this service was rendered notwithstanding the fact that our subject had in the mean time been promoted to the position of hospital steward. Mr. Shaw retired from the service December 4, 1864. No better estimate of the character and worth of this man can be formed than is shown by the testimonial granted him by the officers of the regiment, upon his retirement from duty; and what- ever is there said of him can be fully reiterated at the present day as indicating his moral character, integrity and position among his fellowmen. The testimonial reads as follows :
" HD. QRS. MED. DEPT., 84TH REGT. PA. VOL'S., " 2D BRIGADE, 3D DIVISION, 2D ARMY CORPS, " NEAR PETERSBURG, VA., Dec. 5th, 1864.
" Richard H. Shaw enlisted as a private in the 84th Regt., Penn. Vols., September 23, 1864; was promoted to Hospital Steward, October 1, 1862, which position he has held until the term of his enlistment expired, December 4, 1864.
" A few of his many friends desire to add an expression of their appreciation of his high-toned moral character as a man and officer ; his courteous and gentlemanly man- ner on all occasions, and the promptness and dispatch with which he has managed the business connected with his office. Possessing an unblemished private character, and superior business qualifications, we predict for Mr. Shaw success in any walk in life in which it shall please Providence to place him. While we sincerely regret the necessity which calls him from amongst us, we cannot but rejoice that he can, with so fair a record, leave the toils and hardships of the camp, and the battle-field, to return to his family and friends, away from the crimson field, and far from the shock of contending hosts. S. B. Sturdevant, surgeon ; William Jack, asst. surgeon ; John Thomas, chaplain ; C. W. Forrester, adjutant, and asst. adjt .- gen .; Samuel Bryan, capt .; J. Edward Merchant, Ist lieut. and act. adjt .; Joseph W. Dougherty, capt .; James H. Moore, lieut .; A. H. Taylor, Ist lieut .; John C. Wolf, 2d lieut .; John S. Jury, lieut .; James M. Lewis, 2d lieut .; L. B. Sampson, Ist lieut .; S. S. Fowler, sergt-maj .; Wm. H. Ruch, Henry Hayden and Will- iam A. Wilson, lieuts."
On the 25th day of May, 1865, Richard H. Shaw united in marriage with Sally J. Milligan, daughter of William Milligan, of Centre county, of which marriage one child has been born.
The excellent work done by Mrs. Shaw in the great cause of temperance, in the inter- est of humanity, is only emblematic of her true Christian character. The part taken by her in the organization and promoting the association of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, is certainly commendable and worthy of the highest praise. Since the year 1885 she has filled the office of president of the County Union, and is, ex-officio, vice- president of the State Union ; also she is general vice-president of the Clearfield Union.
In 1862, after having engaged for a time in farming, and holding a clerkship in Clearfield, and a few months spent in Illinois for his health, Mr. Shaw established a cigar and tobacco business in Clearfield, in which he engaged for several years, but sold out, and some months later went into the general merchandise business at Houtzdale. After remaining there about five years, he again sold out and returned to Clearfield, where, about one year later, he opened a store in the dry goods and notion branch of trade. The latter he disposed of in 1886, since which he has not actively engaged in any busi-
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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
ness. Although frequently changing in location, Mr. Shaw has been reasonably success- ful in his various enterprises, and has been enabled to acquire sufficient means to live in comfortable retirement. During the last seven years of the life of his father, John Shaw, the latter made his home with our subject and his family, with whom his declining years were made perfectly comfortable and happy.
HAW, WILLIAM M. William Milton, the youngest son, and the youngest of the S
children, but one, of Judge Richard and Mary Shaw, was born at the Shaw home- stead, on the west side of the river, opposite Clearfield, on the 28th day of November, in the year 1832. Up to the time of arriving at the age of twenty-one years, William lived at the home of his parents, rendering them such assistance in the care and cultiva- tion of the farm as was required of him, and in attending school at the old academy. On attaining the age of twenty-one, he married Martha Jane Irwin, daughter of Jacob Irwin, and thereafter for a period of about six years, he continued his residence on the farm. He then went west where he established a mercantile business at Lowden, Cedar county, Iowa. Just as he became fairly engaged in a successful business the war com- menced, and, owing to the disturbed condition of the country, and the uncertainty and doubt that clouded every branch of trade, he deemed it prudent to, and did sell his busi- ness and stock.
Although Mr. Shaw never became a regularly enlisted volunteer in the service, he joined with the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the capacity of hospital steward, and passed one winter with the regiment at Helena, Ark. He then came back to Penn- sylvania and resided for about a year at Hayesville, a small town a few miles distant from Pittsburgh, where he was considering a business proposition; but believing the in- vestment to be unwise, he returned to Clearfield. After a short time he entered the office of Dr. Ashley P. Hills, with whom he learned the art of dental surgery, and up to the year 1886 the practice of dentistry was his chief occupation. In the last named year he entered the County National Bank, in the capacity of teller, and so continued until the year 1871, when he was advanced to the position of cashier, which he has since held.
As one of the sons of Judge Shaw, our subject was given not; only the advantages of early education in the academy of Clearfield, but was instructed by his father in such branches of business as he was for many years engaged. This training seems to have been well bestowed, as William M. Shaw is reputed to be one of the most careful, thor- ough and capable business men of the county; and not only that, he is known to be a man of strict integrity and honesty, in each and every business transaction ; generous, and ever willing to yield a point rather than to be considered in the slightest degree unfair. Of the start in life given him by a kind father, and a subsequent goodly inher- itance from the same source, Mr. Shaw has made profitable use, and now lives in the full enjoyment thereof, and the respect and confidence of his fellowmen as well. His resi- dence is one of the finest of the many that adorn the county-seat. While he has never been a conspicuous or enthusiastic advocate of the various affairs or measures that have been proposed for the benefit of the county, he is none the less interested in each of them, and renders such assistance and support as is productive of the most substantial results.
Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and of their means contribute generously to the support of that church.
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JOHN MITCHELL CHASE.
C HASE, JOHN MITCHELL. The subject of this sketch was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, on the 11th day of March, in the year 1820. Of the children born to Benjamin and Eliza (Swan) Chase, he was the fourth, there being three older and one younger than he. In the year 1823 the family left Ohio, and took up their residence in Broome county, N. Y., where, in the next year, the father died, leaving'to the mother the care of the children, and with no means for their support, save alone that acquired by the labor of her own hands. At the age of seven years John M. was placed under the care of strangers, and performed such work as could be done by a child on a farm. In this manner, living about, he passed about six years, when, with an uncle, John Swan, father of "Squire " Henry Swan, of Ansonville, he came to Pennsylvania and stayed about three years, working on Mr. Swan's farm and elsewhere. After this he returned to Broome county, traveling the entire distance on foot ; in fact he thrice made this jour- ney, a distance of nearly two hundred and fifty miles between these points. After work- ing in various places about Binghamton for about two years, and boating on the old Chenango and Erie Canals, rendering his mother and step-father (his mother having remarried) such assistance as lay in his power, young Chase returned to this county. He made a purchase of a parcel of land and commenced an improvement, but through disappointment, not discouragement, for the latter was foreign to his nature, he gave up this land, and thereafter worked around for about two years. He next bought a piece of land on Little Clearfield Creek, and built thereon a small cabin in which he lived. This cabin, or shanty, was a rudely constructed affair, having a small opening for means of entrance, and before which he rolled a log to prevent intrusion by wild animals which infested the locality. Having enlarged the building and made it a fit habitation, he sent for his parents, and for the remainder of their days upon earth this son was their main stay, comfort and support.
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