History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2, Part 30

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885, ed; Hungerford, Austin N., joint ed; Everts, Peck & Richards, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 912


USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 30


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- The carly his- tory of this church will be found in the sketch of' the Presbyterian Church of Allenville, where it was organized, and where, for many years, the only church edifice of the congregation was


located. The present brick edificeat Belleville was erected in 1860, at a cost of four thousand dollars.


The pastors since 1860 are here given. Rev. Robert B. Moore was called to the charge of the Allenville and Belleville congregations in 1 860 and served until the fall of 1866. In the spring of 1867 the present pastor, the Rev. R. M. Campbell, received a call to become their pastor, which he accepted and is still in charge.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - The church was organized at Mechanicsville in 1835 or 1836, with the Rev. Thompson Mitchell as pastor. A brick church was erected, which was destroyed by a storm. It was then de- cided to creet a new frame building at Belle- ville, which was begun and finished in 1844. The Rev. Jacob Gruber succeeded the Rev. Mr. Mitchell. He was followed by the ministers ou the cirenit. The Rev. Mr. Memminger is now the pastor.


MECHANICSVILLE.


The land on which the town now stands was the property of David Zook, and in the year 1832 le procured the services of Joseph Haflley, a surveyor, to lay out fourteen lots, cach con- taining one-fourth of an aere, with a view of selling them at moderate prices to mechanics and laborers. To this plot he gave the name of Mechanicsville. The lots were soon sold and others have been added. In 1834 the Lutheran Church was erected, and, soon after, the school- house. The town at present contains twenty- three dwellings and about one hundred inhab- itants. The history of the Lutheran Church is here given.


ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH .- This congregation was organized in 1831 as All Souls Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Charles Kyle as pastor. A class of thirty- one members were confirmed. The following is a list of pastors, with terms of service :


Rev. Charles Kyle, from 1831 to 1839; Rev. Chris- tian Lepley, from July 4, 1839, to January, 1840; Rev. - Heister ; Rev. Adam Height, from January 1, 18445, to April 1, 1849 ; Rev. George Sill, from April 1, 1819, to March, 1855; Rev. Jacob B. Crist, from 1855 to 1857; Rev. J. N. Burkett, trom 1857 to 1859; Rev. John C. Langer, from 1859 to May 6, 1861 ; Rev. J. M. Steek, from August 2, 1861, to January, 1870;


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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.


Rev. J. M. Rice, from August 1, 1870, to 1875; Rev. David 4. Foulk, from Angust, 1875, to 1879; Rev. J. M. Steck, from 1879 to Angust, 6883 ; Rev. C. W. Heisler, from October 18, 1883, to the present time.


The corner-stone of the first church edifice was laid August 2, 1834, with appropriate ser- vices by the Rev. Dr. Lochman, Rev. Mr. Martin and the pastor. The building was of brick, forty-five by thirty-five feet. Contract was made with John Koser for its erection, for the sum of eight hundred dollars. The edifice was completed, dedicated and used until 1880.


In the spring of 1879 agitation was begun for the erection of a new church edifice and it was fully decided to build, and preparations were made and the material was on the ground. On the 5th of March, 1880, a high wind occurred and the church building was unroofed and the west end blown in. The Presbyterian and Methodist congregations of Belleville offered to the society the use of their churches, which was accepted for service once in two weeks. A lot had been selected on the main road and on the top of the hill abont fifteen or twenty rods from where the old church stood. The corner-stone of the new building was laid June 12, 1880, with impressive sermons conducted by the pas- tor, the Rev. J. M. Steck, the Rev. R. M. Campbell, of the Presbyterian Church of Belle- ville, and the Rev. J. M. Reimensnyder, of the Lutheran Church of Lewistown, who preached sermons appropriate to the occasion. The church was completed in the fall and carly winter of 1880, and dedicated, December 12th in that year, as St. John's Evangelical Church at Mechanicsville. It was built of brick, forty by sixty-five feet, with a steeple one hundred and seven feet in height from the base. The entire cost of the edifice, including two organs, was eight thousand dollars.


In 1853 a dwelling and lot was purchased for a parsonage, which was used until 1883, when it was decided by the church council of the entire Belleville charge that a new parsonage should be erected at Mechanicsville on the west side of the church. Contract was awarded to Mr. Owen Coplin, of Milroy, for the erection of parsonage and stable, at a cost of one thousand five hundred and forty dollar-, which, how-


ever, did not complete, as additional work to the amount of three hundred dollars was put upon it. The old parsonage and lot were sold in December, 1883. The grave-yard, which was a part of the old church lot, is still used.


KISHACOQUILLAS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY .- This company was incorporated by the courts of Mifflin County February 9, 1851, for the purpose of insurance in this and surrounding townships in the Kishacoquillas Valley. The office is located at Belleville. Since the organization of the company there have been assessments made to the amount of $31,670.67 ; the amount of losses paid during that time was $25,996.34. The number of policies in force December 31, 1884, was four hundred and eighty-nine. The amount of premium notes held by the company on poli- cies issued and in force is $49,971. The total value of property insured is $1,191,849.


The present officers and dircetors are Henry P. Taylor, president ; G. Gibboney, secretary ; R. J. MeNitt, Ner Thompson, John P. Tay- lor, William B. Kyle, Joseph H. Maclay, Nich- olas Hartzler.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


JOILN W. WILSON.


John Wilson was born September 26, 1751, at Newtown-Limavaddy, on the Row-Water, Lon- donderry County, Ireland. This was his home until September, 1770, when, at the age of nine- teen years, he emigrated to the United States of America, landing at New Castle, Del., and one month after he settled two miles west of Reeds- ville, Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin (then Cumberland) County, Pa. Ile soon after moved ten miles farther west, in the same valley, into what is now Menno township, where he en- gaged in farming. This was his home for sixty-two years. Here he died September 11, 1832, aged nearly eighty-one years.


He became a member of the Presbyterian Church in his native land, and brought a cor- tificate of membership with him to his adopted


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MIFFLIN COUNTY.


country, uniting with the Presbyterian Church of' West Kishacoquillas, in which he became a ruling elder, holding the office until his death, a period of about forty years.


He married, in 1782, Margaret Fleming, who was born at Fagy's Manor, Chester County, Pa., December 17, 1761, and who died Anne 2, 1829, aged sixty-four years, five months and sixteen days. Her father's name was John Fleming, and her mother's maiden-name was


John, born July 3, 1791, who married Mary Scott, and died March 12, 1870. His wife died September 22, 1878, aged seventy-one years.


James, born Angust 22, 1793, who married Jane Hope, sister of Rev. Matthew B. Hope, D.D., missionary to China, and afterwards secretary of the General Assembly's Board of Education, then professor in Princeton College, New Jersey. She having died May 26, 1829, he married Isabella Stewart. Died Jan. 6, 1837.


g. I Wilson


Mary Hays. They had twelve children who lived to adult age, -- eight sons and four daugh- ters, viz. :


David, born September 11, 1783, died June 11, 1822. Ile was unmarried.


Mary, born September 30, 1785, who married Richard Allison, and died October 8, 1852.


Inn, born Angust 28, 1787, who married William Hazlet, and died December 29, 1837.


Sarah, born July 17, 1789, who married Robert Reed, and died August 11, 1850.


George, born May 28, 1795, who married Nancy Taylor February 22, 1821, and died August 19, 1862. ITis wife died November 3, 1877.


Margaret, born JJuly 2, 1797, married James Wilson March 20, 1825, a resident of Dauphin County, Pa. She died February 18, 1848. They had three sons and two danghters. James, the eldest son, a cavalryman, was killed at Hartsville, Tenn., in the Civil War. Sanmel R. was wounded in the same war at Fort


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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.


Blakley, near Mobile, Ala., while in command as a prominent officer, leading hismen in an en- gagenent, dying eight hours after the amputa- tion of his leg. Ile was a graduate of' Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and had the gospel ministry in view. John F., the second son, was a graduate of the sune college, a captain of a company in the sume war, seriously wounded at Vicksburg, Miss. ; left for dead, but, rising, walked to his tent, being care- fully nursed for three months by his brother Samuel R. ; he measurably recovered, thongh losing an eye and having an arm permanently disabled. He was commissioned judge advo- cate of Old Virginia by President Lincoln, Became postmaster, under President Grant, at Lynchburg, Va., for eight years. He is now an attorney and engaged in other business. Thus the Union cause in the Civil War was well served by these three brothers.


William, born August 28, 1799, married Eleanor Baily January 21, 1823, and died March 14, 1881. He was commissioned a major of the militia, and was a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. His wife died October 13, 18 18, in the forty-sixth year of her . age. His second wife was Mrs. Rebecca Gon- zales. She died January 1, 1875, aged fifty- seven years, nine months and twenty-two days.


Thomas Jefferson, born November 18, 1801, married Margaret Fleming, and died - They had three sons-John F., Joseph C., Thomas J .- and four daughters,-Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah and Matilda.


Samuel, born September 21, 1801, began his academical education at Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa .; graduated at Jefferson College, Pa., September, 1828; studied theology at Princeton Theological Seminary ; was licensed by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, at Hunting- don, Pa., April 5, 1831 ; preached the following Sabbath at Alexandria, in the same county, and was there ordained and installed pastor, con- tinning to preach until illness from bronchitis compelled him to cease, Jume, 1837. At the urgent request, of prominent men in Uniontown, Fay- ette County, Pa., the same your; he started a female seminary and also a boys' school, which he conducted until April 1, 1810, when called!


to the pastorate of Dunlap's Creek and MeClel- landtown Churches. The labor being too great for him, in May, 1869, he removed to El Paso, Ill., where he served the church until October 1, 1872, when, November 7, 1872, he removed to Bloomington, III., and served the church of' Normal for three years. He preached as an evangelist, living at Streator, III., for four years ; then removed to Fairfield, Iowa, Sep- tember 23, 1881, where he still lives, having completed his eighty-first year September 24, 1885.


He married Anna Maria Rodgers, of Monut Pleasant, Pa., who still lives. He received from Jefferson College the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Their children were six sons and two daughters,-three sous were graduates of college ; two sons and one daughter are living. John F., a captain in the Union Army, was shot through both arms at Gettysburg. He was wounded in the thigh while captain in command of his company, supporting General Sheridan in an engagment ; his limb was ampu- tated, but he died in the hospital at City Point AApril 15, 1865, five hours before President Lincoln was assassinated. He was buried at Dunlap's Creek, Pa. James G. Wilson is a banker at Streator, III. Rev. Joseph Rodgers Wilson, D. D., is a professor in Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa.


Robert Fleming, youngest of the twelve chil- dren, born February 9, 1808, began his edu- cation for the ministry, but died September 30, 1824.


John Wilson had a brother David, who came from Ireland with him, and married a Miss Black, of Stone Valley, Huntingdon County, Pa., and lived but a short time.


He had two sisters who, with their husbands, also came over to America in company with him and his brother.


Elizabeth had married a Mr. - Gettys. John and Joseph were their sous. The husband dying, she married William Fleming, and William, John, Joseph, Martin, Margaret (wife of Thomas 1. Wilson) and Elizabeth (wife of Dr. William R. Finley) were their children.


Anna had married a Mr. MeNitt. Both the Gettys and MeNitt families settled in Kishaco-


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MIFFLIN COUNTY.


quillas Valley, and among the children of the MeNitt family were Ann, who married Ephraim Clark, and after his death she became the second wife of William Hazlet. Mary became the second wife of her consin, John Gettys, Mar- garet married John Shadle. Elizabeth and Naney were unmarried. James was killed at a wedding, being thrown from a horse.


Sarah married Ilngh Laird, and died at Port Royal, Pa, March 15, 1885, in her eightieth year, in the family of her daughter, Mrs. Robert .1. Robison.


George Wilson, at the age of twenty-five, married, February 22, 1821, Nancy, a daughter of Robert Taylor, of the same valley, where they took up their residence on one of his father's farms in Menno township, known as the "Three Spring Farm," of which he became the owner, and where he lived until his death, August 19, 1862. His wife survived him until November 3, 1877. She was born November 27, 1802.


His age was sixty-seven years, two months and twenty-two days, and hers was seventy- four years, cleven months and seven days. Their children were five sous and four daughters.


Jefferson Taylor, who married Sarah Am Gonzales, Their children are Harry G. (now of Kansas), Rebecca G., George T., Robert M. and Nannie T.


Farming is his ocenpation, owning, besides the farm on which he lives, several in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.


John Williamson, of whom an account will appear hereafter.


Robert Fleming, a Presbyterian minister, graduate of Jefferson College, of Prinectou Theological Seminary ; licensed at Huntingdon, Pa., by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, Jime 14, 1854; ordained in MeKeesport, Pa., November 20, 1856 ; pastor of First Church there eleven years; afterwards pastor of Bedford Church, Bedford, Pa., ten years; pastor of Port Royal Church past seven and a half years, and still there. He married, September 24, 1856, Eliza- beth C., second daughter of Hon. James Me- Cullongh, Cannonsburg, Pa. Their children are Namnie Eliza (wife of Horace Brady Robinson, chief engineer of the National Transit Oil Com-


pany, Bradford, Pa.), James Mccullough, cashier of Everett (Pa.), Bank, Anna Margaret and Mary Josephine.


Margaret Jane, wife of Andrew W. Camp- bell, for some years a farmer, but living at his leisure at present. Lizzie M. is their only daughter living. They have one dead.


Miles Cooper, a graduate of Jefferson College and of Princeton Seminary ; licensed by the Presbytery of Huntingdon ; for many years a teacher ; preached a number of places, and died June 15, 1870, while preaching in the church of Sidney, Iowa. He was umarried.


Henry Smith, a farmer and extensive owner of lands in Kansas and Nebraska, as well as of a fine farm in Mifflin County, on which he lives. He married Sarah Elizabeth Fleming. Their children are George T. (deceased), N. Amie, Jennie T., James M., Richard and Joseph F ..


Nancy Ann, married.


Rhoda Mary, who married Joseph W. Flem- ing, a farmer, then merchant, sheriff of Mifflin County, and now farming near Lewistown. Their children are Nannie T., George, Jolm, Mary and Stella, with one deceased.


Sarah Reed, who married John 1. Campbell, a farmer.


George Wilson and his wife and their chil- dren, with the husbands and wives of those married, became members of the Presbyterian Church of West Kishacoquillas, except Rev. R. F. Wilson's wife, who was a member at Canonsburg.


Jefferson T., John W. and Henry S. became farmers. John W. was born June 23, 1823, ou the farm where his father lived and died, which is now owned by the oldest son, Jefferson T., and cultivated by him. The neighboring public school furnished him all the education he received in his youth. He and his older brother became interested in the work of the farm, and were thus invaluable assistants to their father. In 1847 he married Margaret N., daughter of 'Squire James Wills, of the adjoining township of Union. One year after he rented a farm in Meno township from his uncle, John Wilson, on which he remained fourteen years, cultivating its productive acres, to the profit and satisfaction of his neleand himself.


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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.


The health of his wife failing, he was obliged to give up farming. At the urgent solicitation of his mother-in-law, he, with his family, moved to her home to reside, his wife's death occurring soon after.


Their children were two daughters-R. Tillie (Mrs. James C. Fleming, of Tama County, lowa), and N. Ida (Mrs. M. F. Kenyon, of Humboldt County, lowa), and three sons, de- ceased,-George T., James J. and an infant. Mr. Wilson's father had purchased, some years before his death, an adjoining farm, which, with the one formerly in his possession, on which he lived, he left at his death to Jefferson T., Johan W. and Heury S. Jolm W. sold his interest to these two brothers, and purchased a farm a mile distant, adjoining the mill and farms of the MeClellands ( Robert, William and Jane).


This farm was, in early days, noted for a fort, where invaluable protection was afforded from the Indians during the stirring scenes of those times.


After occupying this farm for nineteen years, he sold it in 1881. Some two years before he had become the owner of one of the Mellel- land farms near by. Ile also has several farms in lowa and Nebraska. He now resides near Belleville, Mifflin Comty, Pa., not specially engaged in business other than the general care and oversight of his farms. On the 6th of December, 1866, Major John W. Wilson mar- ried Elizabeth A., daughter of Benjamin Gar- ver, Esq., of Kishacoquillas Valley, whose children are Bettie L. and John Taylor. Ile was always interested in military matters, and was an officer of the Milllin County Cavalry for a number of years. Subsequently the Governor of the State commissioned him as a major. When the State, during the late war, needed defense from invading foes, he was among the first to volunteer his services, and materially aided the Union canse. He is in politics a Republican, and has held various offices in his township.


AAs excentor of wills, administrator of estates, guardian and in other positions where intel- ligence and integrity are demanded, his ser- vices have often been sought. He is a member


of the Patrons of Husbandry and a director in the Kishacoquillas Turnpike Company. For many years he has been an acting elder in the West Kishacoquillas Presbyterian Church, of which his wife and daughter, Bettie L., are members.


Never having used, in any form, tobacco or intoxicating liquors, he is earnestly in favor of temperance, and still enjoys good health.


JOHN HAYES, SR.


John Hayes, is of Irish descent, Andrew, his father, having married, in his native land, Jane Alcorn, and with his wife emigrated before the war of the American Revolution, and settled in Lancaster, Pa. Their children were Robert, Thomas, Edward, Andrew, John, Frank, Wil- liam Henry, Sally and a child who died in youth.


Their son John, the subject of this biograph- ical sketch, was born March 6, 1797, in Lan- caster County, when he remained until twenty years of age, meanwhile enjoying such instruc- tion as was imparted at the common schools. Being desirons to become master of a trade, he chose that of a plasterer, first pursuing his eraft at home and afterward for two years in Centre County. He was, on the 25th of August, 1824, married to Jane, danghter of John Alexander, of Mifflin County, a descendant of Hugh Alex- ander, of County Armagh, in Ireland. Her birth occurred March 11, 1803. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are William, born July 2, 1825; lleury, November 3, 1826; John, July 9, 1828; Francis, March 1, 1830; Josiah, April 1, 1833; Jane Ann, July 19, 1838; William James, October 20, 1843. Of this number William died in 1838, Jane Ann in 1848 and Francis in 1866. The death of Mrs. Hayes occurred on the 10th of January, 1883. Mr. Hayes, in 1821, made Mifflin County his home, and having already established a reputa- tion for skill in his trade, found his services much in demand. After a period of nearly thirty years thus industriously spent, he pur- chased the farm he now resides upon, and, aided


633


MIFFLIN COUNTY.


by the labor of his sons, cultivated and greatly improved it. This land, together with an ad- joining farm, are now worked by his sons James and Josiah. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Hayes had frequently been tendered, but invariably declined office, though often importuned to be- come a candidate for important posts. He was «dneated in the faith of the Protestant Episcopal ('hrch, though a contributor to all Christian denominations.


Menno township was erected from Union at Jaimary term of court, 1837. A petition was presented to conrt at the April term, 1836, asking that Armagh and Union townships be divided. Thomas 1. Postlethwaite, D. R. Reynolds and Robert Miles were appointed commissioners to divide the townships of Armagh and Union and form two new townships. The commissioners reported, July 20, 1836, that they believe it very proper to divide the townships of Armagh and


John Mages In


CHAPTER XIII. MENNO TOWNSHIP. '


The territory comprising this township was originally in Derry from 1767 to 1770, when it became a part of Armagh and so remained until the erection of Union, and in 1836, upon the division of Armagh and Union, it was erected as given below.


' By Miles Haffley.


Union, and presented a plot of the same as No. 1, Menno; No. 2, Union ; No. 3, Brown ; No. 4, Armagh. Menno was described as being six and a half miles in length, and the average width from the summit of each mountain as four miles. The report was accepted and confirmed at January term of court, 1837, and the new township No. I was named Menno, after Menno Simon, the founder of the Mennonite Society.


The township lies north of Jack's Mountain,


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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.


and is the westerly part of the territory that was embraced in Armagh upon its erection, in 1770. It is bounded also by a range of hills on the north- erly side, on the east by Union and on the west by Huntingdon County. Kishacoquillas Creek takes its rise in the valley and flows northeasterly through Union, Brown and Derry townships, and enters the Juniata River at Lewistown.


EARLY SETTLERS. - In 175f, Alexander Tor- rentine and Robert Brotherton, in their wander-


nonites and Amish became settlers in this locality.


An account of the Sharron tract of land, granted to Andrew Montour, now, in part, the site of Allenville, will be found in the sketch of that town. This tract, containing seventeen Indred and ten acres, was purchased by John and Jacob King, of Lancaster, Pa., April 12, f801, for ten thousand pounds.


On this tract JJacob King, with his family of


Ersoph Ring


ings in search for land, located tracts in this val- ley, and took out their warrants in 1755, the first year warrants were issued.


Robert, Joseph and James Allison, Matthew Kenney, Samuel Gilmore, Hugh Mcclellan, Henry MeConkey, John McDowell, Esq., and John Wilson, Esq,, were among the carly set- tlers. Of these families, the Allisons, Gihnores, Mcclellans, MeDowells and Wilsons were living in the township in 1837. Many of the Men-


nine living children, removed, the eldest being John, and the remainder, in order of birth,- Anna, Samnel, Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, Magdalene and Jacob. Much of the land originally purchased by Jacob King still remains in possession of the family. John King was, during his lifetime, a farmer in Menno township. He married Elizabeth Yoder, of the same county, and had children,-Samuel, Jacob, Jolm Y., Solomon, Benjamin Yo-t,


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635


MIFFLIN COUNTY.


Elizabeth (wife of Christian Myers), Barbara (wife of Jacob Hartzler). All with one exception settled in the county, and of this number John Y. is the only survivor. Yost, a native of Menno township, resided upon the farm now owned by his son Joseph King. He married Magdalene, daughter of Joseph Zook, of the same county, and had children, -- Joseph ; John, deceased ; Peter Y., of Menno township ; Levi, deceased ; Yost, of the same township ; Eliza- beth (wife of Jacob Hartzler), Sarah (wife of Jonathan B. Zook.


Mr. Yost. King occupied an influential posi- tion in the county, was enterprising and public- spirited and especially well known for his philanthropic nature and many acts of kindness. His political principles were those of the Whig party, by which he was elected county com- missioner and to many township offices. His religions views were in harmony with the erecd of the Mennonite Church, of which he was an exemplary member. His death occurred in 1859, and that of his wife in 1855. ITis son Joseph was born on the 28th of September, 1832, on the homestead farm, where, with the exception of six years, his life has been spent. He was early instructed in the various industries of the former, and after a limited time at school devoted his energies to agriculture, remaining as assistant to his father until his twenty-second year. He was married, on the 13th of March, 1855, to Nancy, daughter of John and Leah Esh, of Juniata County, Pa. Their children are Emma S., Lina L., Ida and Albert J. On his marriage Mr. King rented a farm adjacent to that of his father, on which he remained for six years. He finally inherited a portion of the homestead and purchased the remainder, which he continues to make his home, still devoting himself to farming, and giving special attention to the raising of grain and to grazing. He is in politics a Republican. He was for nine years a school director. The family of Mr. King worship at the West Kishacoquillas Pres- byterian Church, of which he, and his wife and daughters are members.




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