History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics, Part 45

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Potter County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Elk County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 45
USA > Pennsylvania > Cameron County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 45

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

three children: Frank D. (of Cornell University), Edith and Eugene (of the Bradford high school). Mr. Jackson attends the Presbyterian Church, of which his family are members. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in poli- tics is a Republican.

T. C. JAMES, M. D., Bradford, was born in Wales, March 21, 1852, a son of Rev. Daniel C. and Elizabeth (Lewis) James, natives of England. In 1856 they came to America, residing in Pittsburgh, Penn., three years, and in 1859 moved to Armstrong county. The father was an Episcopal clergyman, and was engaged in ministerial work until his death in 1875. T. C. James attended the schools of Pittsburgh and Dayton, Penn .; began the study of medicine at Pittsburgh, and completed his course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, in 1876. He began his practice at Pittsburgh, remain- ing there two years, and then for three years was in Butler and Armstrong counties; in 1881 he came to MeKean county, but remained only a short time, going to Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where he remained until 1889, when he again located at Bradford. He is examining surgeon of several insurance companies and beneficiary associations. He is a member of Cattaraugus County (N. Y.) Medical Society, and also of Mckean County Medical Society. He is a diligent student, devoting his time to his profession, and he has been successful. In politics Dr. James is a Republican. He is a Knight Templar. He was married in June, 1881, to Jennie Louise, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Garner) Dixon, and a native of Canada, of English descent. The doctor and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.

SHELDON JEWETT, farmer, P. O. Custer City, is a son of Benja- min Jewett, who was born in the State of Vermont about 1800. Benjamin married in Tioga county, Penn., Miss Lucinda Tuttle, and moved to McKean county. Penn., about 1826 or 1827. He purchased a farm in Bradford town- ship which is now the present site of Custer City. The farm was covered with a dense forest, and Mr. Jewett cleared and improved the same. He was a mem- ber of the Democratic party, and filled various township offices; also a member of the Baptist Church. He died in Custer City in 1883; his widow died on the homestead July 27, 1889, aged seventy-six years. Eight children were reared by them, four of whom are still living: Sheldon; Hiram, of Ohio; Al- bert, of Wisconsin; and Lydia, wife of Henry Bremen, of Elk county. Sheldon, our subject, the eldest of the living children, was born in Bradford township, McKean Co., Penn., December 2, 1840. He received a common-school edu- cation, and has been principally engaged in farming, although for eight years he was engaged in the mercantile business in Custer City. The whole of Cus- ter City is built on Mr. Jewett's farm, and he pays taxes on every building in the town. He also has a good oil production, securing a royalty on twenty- five wells. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss Olivia, daughter of John Ingalsby, of Custer City, and they have two children: Blanche and Grace. In 1861 Mr. Jewett enlisted in Company I, First Pennsylvania " Buck- tails," and served three and one half years. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Bethesda Church, near Cold Harbor, and confined in Andersonville prison for six months. He is a member of Bradford Post, No. 141, G. A. R., is an active supporter of the Republican party, and is postmaster of Custer City at the present time.

F. S. JOHNSON, Bradford, was born in Madison County, N. Y., De- cember 5, 1840, a son of Franklin and Marietta (Spencer) Johnson, who were of English and Irish descent, respectively, former of whom died in 1868. Mr. Johnson was reared in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he received good educa. tional advantages, and in 1858 graduated from the Hudson River Institute,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

where he won the prize for scholarship. Early in life he worked in a cotton factory in New York, and in 1860 engaged in business with his father in the manufacture of and dealing in oils. In 1862 he accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad, to take charge of their oil warehouses, in Brooklyn, N. Y., remaining with the company six years. He then engaged in the lighterage business until 1873, when he removed to Warren county, Penn .. and was employed in the oil fields. In 1875 he moved from Warren county to Bradford, and began operating for oil on his own account, and was one of the first to assist in developing Mckean county's rich oil basin. From 1877 until 1880 he was one of the purchasing agents for the Standard Oil Company in the Bradford oil fields, and since then has bought and shipped oil on his own account. In 1877 Mr. Johnson was elected a member of the town council, be- ing a member when Bradford was incorporated as a city, and in 1880 he was re-elected. In 1882 he was elected a county commissioner, and in 1886 was elected by the Republican party a member of the State legislature, where he had the honor of introducing the bill which gave the first appropriation to the Bradford Hospital. Mr. Johnson was married in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1886, to Miss Nettie M. Butler, daughter of John C. Butler, and they have one child. F. S., Jr. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

FRANK M. JOHNSTON, oil producer, Bradford, was born in West- field, N. Y., June 25, 1850, a son of Samuel and Margaret (McKee) Johnston, natives of County Down, Ireland, who came to America in 1832 and settled at Westfield, where the father still lives. The subject of these lines graduated from the commercial school at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1868, and afterward studied telegraphy, at which he worked three years. He then was employed as a book- keeper until 1878, when he came to the oil fields of Pennsylvania, and drilled wells in what is known as the lower fields. In 1881 he came to Bradford, and bought an interest in several producing wells, being associated for a time with J. Kemp Bartlett, of Baltimore, but since 1885 has operated alone. He now owns ninety producing wells, and is still adding to his possessions, having been quite fortunate in all his speculations. Mr. Johnston was married at St. Petersburg, Penn., in May, 1881, to Josie A., daughter of Sampson and Maria Kerr, of England. In politics Mr. Johnston is a Republican. Mrs. Johnston is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

CAPTAIN JOSEPH T. JONES, Bradford, one of the largest oil producers in the United States, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., June 11, 1842, a son of Albauns A. and Jane (Thomas) Jones, former a native of Philadelphia, of English descent. The father died early in 1843, leaving the widowed mother with two children, a daughter who now lives in Philadelphia, and Joseph T .. who was reared in his native city, and attended school until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. September 10, 1861, when he was only nine- teen years old, he enlisted, and was assigned to Company H, Ninety first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served just two weeks over three years. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, thirteen of which were among the most noted battles of the war, prominent among them being Fred- ericksburg, Antietam and Gettysburg. At the last-named battle he had command of the picket guard in front of the summit of Round Top. On July 2, at the battle of the Wilderness, he received a slight wound; at Cold Harbor he was wounded in both feet, from the effects of which he has never thoroughly recovered. At Alexandria, Va., he was promoted to quartermaster-sergeant, afterward to second lieutenant, and later to captain. At the time of receiving his last wounds he was in command of two companies. After his discharge be re- turned to Philadelphia, and soon thereafter went to Oil Creek, Venango Co.,

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this State, where he began drilling for oil. The first thirteen wells drilled proved worthless, and by this time his funds were gone. Being crippled, as a result of his wounds, and scarcely able to do hard manual labor, he became now very much discouraged. However, he continued to try again, and from that time his fortune changed, his wells having proved successful almost with- out exception. He is now by far the most extensive individual producer in the Bradford oil fields, owning nearly 500 producing wells and having territory for at least 200 more. Capt. Jones is the owner of the Bradford, the Mitchell & Jones, and the Post & Jones Oil Companies. He moved to Bradford in 1877, and was at that time a stockholder in the Atlantic Pipe Line Company. He was one of the incorporators of the Bradford Oil Company, and has since be- come its sole owner. Capt. Jones is a public-spirited man, and a liberal supporter of all measures of benefit to the community. He is a Republican in politics, and in 1888 was appointed one of the Presidential electors from Penn . sylvania. He was married in Venango county, Penn., October 15, 1876, to Miss Lou E. Blackmarr, daughter of Rev. R. L. Blackmarr, a minister of the M. E. Church, and they have two children: Joseph Albert and Grace.

R. B. JONES, owner and proprietor of the Eagle Brass foundry, Bradford, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., April 28, 1850, a son of Robert and Margaret E. (Hill) Jones. His father dying in 1866, from that time he was obliged to rely on himself, and, with the exception of a short time he was in the livery business, has worked at the molder's trade. He located at Bradford in 1879, and in 1880 became established in business for himself, being now at the head of one of the important industries of the city. Mr. Jones was married in 1873 to Luella Fulkenson, daughter of Cornelius Fulkenson. Mrs. Jones died in 1882, leaving three children: Arthur, Laura and Robert. Mr. Jones is vice-regent of the Royal Arcanum, is also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and of the O. U. A. M.

WILL F. JORDAN, of the Harrisburg Telegram, was born in Bed- ford, Bedford Co., Penn., June 26, 1848, and is a son of Hon. Francis and Louise (Farquhar) Jordan. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother a native of Maryland, and they were of Scotch-Irish and English descent, respectively. His mother died in August, 1862. His father was for many years a prominent politician, having served the State in the capacity of sena- tor, secretary of the commonwealth, military agent, paymaster in the army, and chairman of the Republican State central committee for nine years. Will F. Jordan was educated in the common schools, graduating at Hyatt's Military Academy, West Chester, Penn. During his term at the latter institution he ran away and joined the military forces at Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, at the time of the Gettysburg emergency, and the rebel invasion into Pennsyl. vania. After passing several years at St. Louis, Mo., and York, Penn., he accepted a position with George K. Anderson, the then oil king of the world, and located at Pleasantville, Penn. Soon realizing that the oil regions required men to assert their individuality, he resigned his position and went into oil operations and dealing in oil, with Col. A. C. Hawkins. This partnership con- tinned for several years, when Mr. Jordan branched out, went to Parker's Landing, and associated himself with some of the live spirits and oil pioneers in that imperfectly developed country. He took many leases, and speculated heavily and successfully in oil and oil lands. In 1874 he disposed of most of his producing interests, and invested in an agency controlled by the Standard Oil Company, for the manufacture and sale of refined oil, gasoline, benzine and lubricating oil, in the counties of Clarion, Armstrong and Butler, remain- ing in that business until 1877, when he made a sale to the Standard, some of

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whose agents desired him to devote his entire time to the reorganization and perfecting of a newspaper bureau throughout the oil country. To secure this end, he purchased the Daily Derrick, of Oil City, the Breeze and Era of Brad- ford, all daily papers, also the Sunday Herald of the latter city, and subse- quently he became owner of the Sunday News and Evening Star. The sub- ject of this sketch was too modest to detail his part in the exciting scenes which such purchases involved. Suffice to say that the work he performed was in no sense popular, as the oil regions, en masse, have never taken kindly to corporations, notwithstanding the fact that all the successful and leading business men in that part of the State have made their fortunes by or through combines or corporate investments. On July 14, 1887, Mr. Jordan bade adieu to oil region journalism, selling his entire interest to the Standard Oil Com- pany, who have since that time added the Toledo Commercial to their oil region plant. Mr. Jordan has owned half interest in the Harrisburg Telegram since 1885, and purchased the other half January 1, 1890. Politically, Mr. Jordan has taken quite an active part, although always under protest, in the politics of Northwestern Pennsylvania, directly, and indirectly, in those of the State and Nation at large. He is one who has invariably preferred to create, assist and cater to the ambitions of others, to whom he could render service in a jour- nalistic sense, rather than hold offices himself, although he was, in 1874, per- suaded to run for burgess of Petrolia, and for mayor of Bradford in 1881, to both of which offices he was elected by overwhelming majorities, despite the opposition that was wielded against him, on account of his connection with corporations. In January, 1890, Mr. Jordan associated himself with Mr. J. J. McLaurin, in the management and control of the Harrisburg Telegram, the largest weekly paper in Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia, having a sworn circulation of over 50,000.

C. E. JUDD, attorney at law, Bradford, was born in Russell, Geauga Co., Ohio, March 9, 1856, a son of Lucins and Harriet (Cole) Judd, natives ot Ohio and of English descent, their ancestors having been among the early settlers of Eastern Massachusetts. C. E. Judd is the second of four children. but two of whom are living. He was a student at Chester Seminary, from which he graduated in 1877, having taught prior to his graduation. After leaving school, he again was engaged in teaching, and in 1879 came to Brad. ford, where for a time he was engaged in the oil business; also studied law with Henry McSweeney. He was admitted to the bar at Smethport in 1884. and has since built up a good practice. He was married in October, 1887, to Miss Mary L. Haggerty, daughter of John Haggerty, and they have one child, Margaret Louise. In politics Mr. Judd is a Republican.

DAVID KIRK, president of the McCalmont Oil Company. Bradford, has been engaged in the oil business since 1860, when he drilled a well at Frank- lin, and for two years devoted his attention to the production of oil. In 1862 he built a refinery, which he conducted eight years, and also in the meantime opened the first yard for the storage of oil. In 1870 his business was ruined by the Standard Oil Company, and since then he has been engaged in the de- velopment of oil wells. In 1880 he organized the company he now represents, which operates extensively in the lower oil fields. Mr. Kirk was born in Scotland, February 18, 1831, a son of Arthur and Marion (Smith) Kirk, who came to America in 1839, and settled in Pittsburgh, Penn., where they reared a family of six sons and six daughters, David being the fourth child. Early in life he was put to work in a cotton factory, and later learned the carpen- ter's trade, but followed it only a short time, when he went to Allegheny City, where he found employment in a grocery. In 1856 he embarked in business

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

for himself, continuing it until 1860. Mr. Kirk has always taken an interest in the community in which he lives, and while in Pittsburgh was nominated for congress by the Greenback party, but was defeated by a small majority, although he ran 5,000 votes ahead of his ticket. In 1880 he was nominated by the Greenback and Democratic parties to represent the Sixteenth Congres- sional District in congress, but was defeated by 500 votes. In politics Mr. Kirk is now a Republican. He was married in 1856 to Miss Ellen Baldwin, a native of Allegheny City, Penn., and to them were born eight children, four sons and four daughters: W. M. Kirk, Charles Kirk. Mrs. Mary Bell Davidson, Mrs. Ella Bovard, Elizabeth Kirk, David Kirk, Jr., Clara Kirk and Albert E. Kirk. Mrs. Kirk died in 1885.

W. K. LANEY, oil producer and contractor, Bradford, was born in Ger- many in October. 1844. When he was an infant his father died, and when he was about six years old his mother came to the United States and settled in Venango county, Penn. He remained with his mother until shortly after his thir- teenth birthday, when he left home and has since made his own way in the world. He worked in the oil fields in the summer, saved his earnings and attended school in the winter, and in this way obtained his education. He has lived in Bradford many years, and in addition to owning several wells has also engaged in drilling oil, gas and water wells, having had extensive contracts in different States. In 1862 Mr. Laney enlisted in Company I. One Hundred and Forty- Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in many severe battles, among which may be mentioned Chan- cellorsville, Antietam and Gettysburg. He was captured on the first day of the last-named battle, but, being shortly after released, he rejoined his company and was present at the surrender of Gen. Lee. He is now an active member of the United Veteran Legion, and has served as lieutenant colonel of Brad- ford Post. He is also a member of the Masonic order, lodge, chapter, council and commandery. Mr. Laney was married in Meadville, Penn., in July. 1870, to Flora, daughter of Charles Huntley, and they have three children: Ada, Grace and Charles. Mrs. Laney and her daughters are members of the Pres- byterian Church of Bradford. In politics Mr. Laney is a Republican.

L. B. LOCKARD, oil producer, Bradford, was born in Hanover, Colum- biana Co., Ohio, January 2, 1838, the third of nine children of William and Sarah ( McBride) Lockard, former a native of Ireland and latter of Ohio, of Irish descent. He was given good educational advantages, attending the com- mon and high schools of his native county, then took up the study of law at New Lisbon. and was admitted to the bar. He had but just commenced his practice when the Civil war broke out, and he immediately enlisted in the serv- ice of the government, and was assigned to duty in the arsenal at Pittsburgh, where he served until the close of the war. He then returned to Ohio and embarke.l in the dry goods business at Salem, being subsequently interested in various manufacturing enterprises, and while there served five consecutive terms as mayor. In 1875 he moved into the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where he invested in property: in 1879 he came to Bradford, and until ISSI operated in the lower fields. He then bought in the Bradford oil fields, and has since made his home in the city of Bradford. Mr. Lockard was married October 25, 1859, to Miss Phoebe, daughter of Rev. I. Archbold, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they have six children: Vesta, Charles, Fannie, John, Lorenzo and Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Lockard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Lockard is a Democrat. He is supreme vice-protector of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and grand protector of the State; has served the order as grand secretary; represented

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Pennsylvania in the Supreme Lodge at Chicago in 1885, and again in 1887. and at Philadelphia was unanimously chosen to his present position.

DENNIS LUNDERGAN, passenger and freight agent for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad Company, at Bradford, was born in Cat- taraugus county, N. Y., March 27, 1853, the eldest of five children of Martin and Catherine (Ryan) Lundergan, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1851, and settled in New York. Dennis, being the eldest son, nat- urally drifted into the railroad business, as his father was for many years em- ployed by different companies. When a small boy he began to learn telegraphy, and when thirteen years old was employed as an operator by the Erie Railroad Company, holding a position with them seven years, and for two years, from 1873 to 1875, he was both operator and station agent at Fosterville, N. Y. In 1875 he came to Bradford, and was clerk and agent for the Erie Company until 1882, when he accepted his present position. Mr. Lundergan was married in New York, in 1875, to Julia, daughter of Thomas Welsh. In politics be is a Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

A. MCALPINE, D. D. S., Bradford, was born in Welland county. On- tario, Canada, a son of Volney and Lavinia (Chapman) McAlpine, who were also natives of Canada, and of Scotch and English descent. His father is a dentist, and is still in practice in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. McAlpine was reared in Ontario, and choosing dentistry as his profession took a course at the Dental College of Baltimore, Md., from which he graduated. He practiced at Oil City and Petrolia, Penn., and in 1879 located at Bradford, where he has met with success, and has built up a good practice. He was married in October, 1881. to Luella, daughter of L. Mitchell, and they have four children: John. Ethel, Archie and Evelyn. Mrs. McAlpine is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Dr. McAlpine is a Republican. . He was second lieu- tenant of the Sixteenth Regiment, P. N. G., five years. He is president of the Bradford Bicycle Association.

GEORGE BYRON McCALMONT, attorney at law, Bradford, was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, September 4, 1845, a son of Robert and Parthena (Sage) MeCalmont, natives of Venango county, Penn., and of Scotch and Irish descent, respectively. He was given a good education, graduating in 1864 from Westminster College, and then began the study of law in Venango county, Penn. ; was admitted to the bar in 1869, and for five years practiced in Butler, Butler Co., Penn. He came to Bradford in 1878, and has here built up a good practice. For eight years he has served as city solicitor, and was admitted to the supreme court of the United States in 1885. He was a Democrat in politics until 1888, when he transferred his allegiance to the Re- publican party. He was sent to New York by the central committee in favor of protective tariff, and for two weeks was in New York City, and two months in the State. He was married March 26, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth M., daugh- ter of John Redmond.

JOSEPH M. MCCLURE, attorney at law, a member of the firm of Mul- lin & McClure, Bradford, was born in Perry county, Penn., December 28, 1838, the sixth of ten children of James and Rachel Oliver (Patterson) McClure, who were natives of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent, former of whom died in 1865. In his boyhood Joseph M. had but limited educational advan- tages, attending in the winter the district schools. He served an apprentice- ship at the tanner's trade, and after mastering the main details served two years in the currier and roller department. Although his time was so much taken up, his thirst for knowledge induced him to study in all his spare mo- ments, and when he was twenty years old he accepted a position to teach, and

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successfully taught the higher department of a graded school. The next year he entered Tuscarora Academy, where he prepared for college, and in the autumn of 1862 he was able to enter the freshman class at Yale College, where he graduated in 1866 in a class of ninety-six. He then took up the study of law at Mifflintown, Penn., completing his course in Chambersburg with the Hon. John Stewart, who is now president judge of Franklin county. He was ad- mitted to the bar in Franklin county in 1867, and in 1868 moved to Harris- burg. In 1869 he was appointed assistant State librarian, and in the fall of 1869 was appointed deputy attorney-general of the State. In 1873 he went to Doylestown, Bucks county, where he edited and managed English and Ger- man weekly newspapers. In 1875 he again resumed the practice of his pro- fession at Allentown, and in 1879 removed to Bradford. He was admitted to the supreme court in 1869, and also to the United States Court. In politics he is a Democrat. He takes an active interest in the cause of education, and has served as a member of the Bradford school board, of which for a time he was president. He was married in Philadelphia November 27, 1867, to Alice Hamersly, daughter of George W. Hamersly, and they have five children: Mary L., Margaretta D., Robert, Kenneth and Donald. Mrs. McClure is a member of the Episcopal Church.

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Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320