Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 102

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II > Part 102

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sion of a wooded tract near Troutville, Brady township, Clearfield county, which they cleared and improved, making a permanent home. Some years later, in 1850, he built the East- branch gristmill, conducting it profitably for four years. Ile was also somewhat interested in lumbering. In 1856 he started a general mercantile business at Troutville, carrying it on successfully several years. He was elected county commissioner of Clearfield county, serving a term of three years from January, 1862. His death occurred April 26, 1892, when he was ninety-four years, three months, seven days old. He and his wife lived together for sixty-nine years, her death taking place May 27, 1890, when she was ninety years old. They are buried at Union cemetery in Brady township. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. and he was a Democrat. We have the following record of the children born to this couple: Frederick was drowned in 1850 in Sandy Lick, near Reynoldsville, at the age of twenty-eight; Catherine married Amos Bonsell, a farmer at the old Kuntz homestead ; Elizabeth married Henry Grube, a farmer of Bell township; Sarah married Daniel Rishel, a farmer of Troutville; Lewis died in infancy : Jacob is mentioned below ; Susanna became the wife of Rev. A. Charles Limberg, a Reformed minister : Caroline mar- ried George Weber, of Troutville ; Samuel G .. whose wife was Elizabeth Weaver, is a justice of the peace at Troutville.

Jacob Kuntz was born Oct. 15, 1835, in Brady township, Clearfield county, and had ordinary school advantages, being also trained to farm work from earliest years. For two years after he was thirteen he was engaged in hauling materials, with a yoke of oxen, for the mill in which he was employed four years un- til it was sold. He spent the next two years in the lumber woods, making clearings and taking out square timber, and for four years was engaged in teaming, until his marriage, when he began farming in Brady township, on fifty acres, for which he paid six hundred dol- lars. In 1862 he had the misfortune to be burned out, and selling soon after moved to McCalmont township. Jefferson county, where he bought 104 acres, three acres only being cleared. He there developed one of the finest properties in that section of the county by his thrift and industry. He paid twelve hundred dollars for this place, borrowing the first pay- ment of four hundred dollars at six per cent interest. He met other payments of $350 each by cutting timber. Progress was slow but sure, until he was not only clear of debt

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but owned two fine farms. He held township offices, serving as constable, collector and as- sessor at the same time. For six years he was auditor, three terms supervisor, and was elected justice of the peace in 1869. When re- elected in 1874, he declined to qualify, but was again chosen at the next election, serving four years and eleven months. He accepted public responsibilities only as a duty and not for per- sonal advancement. He was associated with the Democratic party, and was a member of the Lutheran Church, being clder for twelve years. He died Feb. 16, 1909, in McCalmont township, and is buried in the Grube cemetery.

On Jan. 1, 1861, he was married to Susan- nah Grube, daughter of John and Barbara ( Hoy,) Grube, who moved from Center county to Young (now Bell) township in 1839. Four children were born to them: Amos, who mar- ried Maria Phillipi, is living at Rochester Mills, Indiana county; Barbara is Mrs. Samuel S. Hauck; Sarah Catherine died in infancy ; William J. is a resident of Brookville.

GEORGE CRISSMAN, of Punxsutawney, has the distinction of being the only florist at that place, continuing the business which his father established twenty-five years ago and conducted successfully until his death. The beautiful store of the Crissman Greenhouse Company is one of the most creditable estab- lishments of the borough, having the reputa- tion of being the finest floral shop between Pittsburgh and Buffalo. It is easy to infer from this fact alone that Mr. Crissman pos- sesses enterprise and is ranked among the public-spirited merchants of his town, taking a pride in maintaining its prestige. His in- terest extends to all things affecting the gen- eral welfare, and he is justly regarded as a most desirable citizen.

Mr. Crissman comes of a family of German descent, founded in this country by his great- great-grandfather, Daniel Crissman, a native of Germany. On coming to America he first settled in castern Pennsylvania, later removing to Sinking Valley. Blair county, this State, where he was a pioneer. He died there. Daniel Crissman. son of Daniel, also lived in Sinking Valley, where he followed farming. Besides, he owned a tract in West Mahoning township, Indiana Co., Pa., which was prin- cipally timberland at that time. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Fleck, died upon their farm in Sinking Valley. They had a large family, namely: Frederick. George. Oliver, Abraham, David. Betsy, Caroline, Mary. Catherine and Angeline.

George Crissman, son of Daniel (2), was born at the homestead in Sinking Valley, Blair county, and later located in West Mahoning township, Indiana county, where he engaged in farming. He afterwards returned to the old homestead in Sinking Valley for four years, but came back to the Indiana county farm and spent the remainder of his life there. Hc and his family were among the pioneer settlers in that region, into which they made the journey on sleds, driving their stock. He married Nancy Smiley, daughter of David Smiley, and the following children were born to them: Daniel, David, Abraham, Oliver and Frederick are deceased : John is now living at Punxsutawney; Scott is deceased; Catherine married John H. Beyer, of Punxsutawney ; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of John Stitler ; Milton is still living on the home place in Indiana county. The mother died when sixty-four years old, the father at the age of seventy-two, and they are buried at Smicks- burg. Indiana county.

Oliver Crissman, son of George and Nancy (Smiley) Crissman, was born on the old Crissman place in Sinking Valley, and ac- quired a very good education for the times. being naturally studious and having better ad- vantages than the average. He was a boy when he came to Indiana county with his par- ents, and taught school successfully for many vears, devoting himself principally to educa- tional work until 1891. He then embarked in the business of landscape gardening, also operating greenhouses at Punxsutawney, and was so occupied until his death, July 4, 1915, when he was accidentally killed by a Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh train at Punxsutaw ney. Mr. Crissman was a well known man in and around the borough, and highly respected for his admirable intellect and personal traits. He was one of the organizers of the English Lutheran Church at Punxsutawney, but was not active in politics or other public affairs, though a firm Republican in sentiment. He married Mary Jane Robinson, and they are buried in Circle Hill cemetery at Punxsutaw ney. Of eleven children born to this union five are living: Ida, Edith, Elizabeth, George and Margaret.

George Crissman was born Feb. 28. 1874, in Blair county, Pa., but has spent practically all his life in Jefferson county. His education was obtained in the excellent public schools of Punxsutawney. During his young man- hood he followed draying there, later was em- ployed at mining and at a blast furnace, and in 1906 became associated with his father in the

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greenhouse business, which has since been his sole occupation. In 1911, when the Crissman Greenhouse Company was formed, he became a member of the firm and manager of its large business. Now the property, located in the West End, Punxsutawney, comprises two large areas under glass, one 150 by 150 feet, the other 100 feet square, twelve greenhouses in all. The product comprises the ordinary varieties of plants and flowers and many spe- cialties for which the Crissman Company is noted. The ownership of the business has been retained by George Crissman and his sisters, and in addition to the greenhouses they have a store in the Y. M. C. A. build- ing in Punxsutawney, which is one of the features of the business district of the borough.

Mr. Crissman married Minerva Miller, daughter of John Miller, and they are the parents of children as follows: Sarah, Oliver. William, Joseph, George, Frank, and another daughter. Mr. Crissman is affiliated with two fraternal orders, the I. O. O. F. and Woodmen. His religious connection is with the English Lutheran Church.

JAMES CALHOUN, late proprietor of the 175-acre Maple Shade farm in Snyder town- ship, the beautiful property now operated by his sons, was the son of Thomas Calhoun, who was the first of the family to own it, the interest he displayed in its development having been continued by his successors.

Thomas Calhoun was born in Ireland, and brought his family to America in 1848. They lived a year or two in Huntingdon county, but learning that a Mr. Cooper, an old friend, was living in this section, came to Jefferson county. The first home of the family was a log cabin, which gave way to a larger log house, and that in turn to the present dwelling, which was erected in 1867. Thomas Calhoun died on the farm Sept. 5. 1885, when eighty-four years old. His wife, Sarah Ann (Hemphill), born near Londonderry, Ireland, died several years previously. Their six children were: Eliza Jane, wife of Cunningham Longwell, is deceased; James; Thomas, who married Mercy Hendershot, and is deceased : Saralı Ann, who died at the age of twenty-one ; John, deceased, who married Mary Dennison ; and Rebecca, Mrs. James Dennison, of Coal Glen.

James Calhoun was born June 25, 1835. not far from Londonderry. He received his early education there, also attending night school in Jefferson county, under John McCormick, an old teacher then living at Warsaw. He

worked with his father in the improvement of the farm, which eventually he bought, and continued its cultivation until his death, March 24, 1898, making extensive improvement along modern lines. Mr. Calhoun possessed rare in- telligence, ever taking a good citizen's part in the activities of the locality, and filled a num- ber of township offices. Politically he was a Republican.

On July 9, 1868, Mr. Calhoun married Mar- tha Dennison, who was a native of the Beech- woods district, born on the old Dennison farm Nov. 7. 1836. She received an excellent edu- cation, after studying at the local schools be- coming a pupil of the Dayton Academy, and subsequently teaching for fifteen years. Fler first engagement was at the Smith school in Washington township, later at Warsaw, Brock- wayville, and finally at Sugar Hill. All her married life was spent on Maple Shade farm, where she is still residing, enjoying the affec- tionate esteem of many friends. She was reared in and belongs to the United Presby- terian Church, all the other members of her family belonging to the Presbyterian Church at Sugar Hill. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun: John Henry, who died at the age of twenty-one years, nine months ; Sarah Ann, widow of Jesse Atwell, of Snyder township; Martha Eleanor, Mrs. Anthony Hemphill, of Brockwayville; Thomas H .; David C. ; and Eliza J., at home.

Thomas H. Calhoun, eldest surviving son of James Calhoun, was born in 1875 at Maple Shade farm, and attended the Miller and Sugar Hill schools. His brother, David C. Calhoun, was born on the farm in 1877, and had similar advantages. They have always followed farm- ing, and are now operating the home place. giving particular attention to the raising of fine stock. They have twelve registered Short- horn cattle, a line in which they have met with gratifying success. Their prize possession, however, is the beautiful stallion "Glou Glou," a French Percheron, standing eighteen hands high and weighing eighteen hundred pounds. He is glossy black, and a fine specimen of horseflesh. The brothers have acquired a lead- ing position among the enterprising farmers of the township.

David Dennison, father of Mrs. Martha ( Dennison) Calhoun, died in the Beechwoods or vicinity in 1882. He married Martha Cun- ningham, and in 1817 they came to the United States from County Tyrone, Ireland, settling in Jefferson county, where the name has long been highly respected.

ARY

WB adams

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

W. B. ADAMS, a member of the Jefferson county bar and a successful practitioner of the law, was born in Porter township, Jeffer- son county, on the 6th day of May, 1873. He is a son of Ephraim A. and Emeline S. Adams. His forefathers for several generations lived on the farm on which he was born.

The Adams family of Jefferson county was founded in America in early Colonial days, settling first in Massachusetts Bay Colony, coming from there through Connecticut to Westmoreland county, Pa., and thence to Jef- ferson by way of Armstrong and Indiana counties. The Adams family were pioneers in this section. They helped to clear the first land, build the first schoolhouses, establish the first churches, and in short, were those or among those who paved the way for the later civilization that we have here. The family located in the southwestern part of Jefferson county, and on the gravestones there, in their private burying ground and in Zion Church cemetery, may be found the names of those who voted at every presidential election from the election of George Washington to that of Woodrow Wilson.

Henry Adams, a paternal ancestor of W. B. Adams, was the first of the Adams family to come to what is now Pennsylvania. He died shortly after the close of the Revolution. Rec- ords indicate that he was a stalwart, robust man, well qualified to endure the hardships and responsibilities of a pioneer life.

Robert Adams, son of Henry, was born in 1753, or about one hundred and twenty years before the birth of W. B. Adams.

Thomas Adams, son of Robert, was step- father to W. M. Fairman of Punxsutawney.

Richard Adams, paternal grandfather of WV. B. Adams, was among the early settlers of Porter township, although his father, Thomas Adams, had lived in that township. Richard Adams had twelve children-six boys and six girls-one of whom. Ephraim A. Ad- ams, was the father of W. B. Adams.

WV. B. Adams obtained his education in the public schools of his native township. in Day- ton Academy, in Mount Union. Allegheny and Volant Colleges, graduating from the last named institution with the class of 1895. He was salutatorian of his class. He received from his alma mater the degree of bachelor of science, the scientific being one of the three collegiate courses of study adopted by that in- stitution. Later this college conferred upon him the degree of master of science. Immedi- ately after graduating from college Mr. Adams began the study of law, registering with A. J.

Truitt and later continuing his work with George A. Jenks, in Brookville. He was ad- mitted to practice law in 1898, and after prac- ticing for a few years continued his law studies in the Law Department of Washington and Lee University.

After leaving the university he went to Val- ley City, the county seat of Barnes county, N. Dak., and practiced law there for one year, returning to his native county, where he has been engaged in legal practice ever since. IJe has one of the largest, if not the largest law practice in the county. Ile is sober, industri- ous and careful. His clients' interests occupy first place in his thoughts. It has often been said of him. "If it is a question of neglecting business or missing his meals, Mr. Adams misses his meals." He is robust and strong. One of our citizens recently in writing of him made use of this sentence: "Endowed with qualifications of a high order, astute, pains- taking and conscientious, he has forged to the front in a manner at once surprising and grati- fying."

During the 1901 session of the Pennsylvania Legislature Mr. Adams was postmaster of the Senate. He was a candidate for the judgeship of the county at the beginning of the last judi- cial campaign, but withdrew before the primary. His statement at the time of his withdrawal concerning the nature of the cam- paign, then in a formative state, if read now sounds like a prophecy-a prophecy now ful- filled. The political friends of W. B. Adams insisted on his being a candidate for the Senate in 1916. It was conceded by all that the office belonged to Indiana county, but the political affiliations of the Indiana county candidates did not seem to suit all, and Mr. Adams was urged to run. He was a candidate, and not- withstanding the fact that his county had had this office during eight years immediately pre- ceding his candidacy, and that by custom it was at that time to go to Indiana county, he re- ceived the highest vote of any candidate for any office in the county at that time, where the vote was divided among three candidates.

In addition to being a member of the Jeffer- son County Bar Association, Mr. Adams is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and of the American Bar Association. He is a member of John W. Jenks Lodge, F. & A. MI., of the O. U. A. M., and the Pennsyl- vania Delta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternitv. He is at present a member of the board of law examiners of his county and is borough solicitor for his home place. He is attorney for one of the local banks, and lists

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among his clients men and women in all walks of life. He is a life member of the Americus Republican Club of Pittsburgh and a Repub- lican politically.

JONATHAN R. McFADDEN. late of Richardsville, had an energetic career and varied business experience, in the course of which he won not only prosperity but numer- ous friends. Indeed, it is noteworthy that though he was successful from a worldly standpoint he is best remembered for kindli- ness, friendly relations with all his associates, liberality as an employer, sympathy with meritorious projects of whatever nature, and his desire to honor true worth wherever met. Wholesome and whole-souled, he had a rare disposition which made him popular wherever he went, and his memory is cherished by the many with whom his activities brought him into contact.

Born Feb. 19, 1841. at Little Sandy, Pa., Mr. McFadden was a son of Jacob McFadden, Jr., and grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Hettrick) McFadden. The grandfather. a native of Ireland, came to America at an early day and settled in Clarion county. where he remained until his death.

Jacob McFadden, Jr., father of Jonathan McFadden, was born in Clarion county Oct. 7, 1812, near Summerville. He came to Jef- ferson county in 1832, when most of the land was still in its primitive condition and the settlers widely scattered. The wild game which abounded was the chief source of sup- ply for meat. Mr. McFadden first lived in Oliver township, improved a good farm, and sold the property upon his removal to Polk township, in 1848, to the place where his son Shannon yet lives. He would buy a timber lot and sell the land after he had lumbered over it. In fact, lumbering was his chief occu1- pation, until he reached old age. Twelve acres of this property had been cleared when it came into his possession and he cleared off about fifty, meantime farming as the land. became fit for cultivation. In 1862 he removed to an- other farm of 167 acres in the upper part of Polk township, dying there at the age of seventy-nine years. Though he began life poor, Mr. McFadden became prosperous, mak- ing his own way by sheer force of determina- tion and diligent attention to all undertakings. He was a big man physically, standing six feet, three inches, rawboned and powerful, energetic and capable, and was an expert hewer, considered the best man with an ax known in Polk township. He made notable

improvements on all the properties he owned, and put up excellent buildings on the last farm. No man of his day in this neighborhood was more highly respected. He took a lead- ing part in religious work, and was instru- mental in organizing the first Methodist Epis- copal Church in the township, both he and wife being among its active members. Polit- ically he was a strong Republican and an en- thusiastic party worker, and filled a number of local offices.

On March 19, 1835, Mr. McFadden mar- ried Rebecca Reed, a native of Westmore- land county, brought to Jefferson county in infancy by her parents, Peter and Rebecca ( Shannon) Reed, who settled in Oliver town- ship. Her father was a native of Germany, her mother of England. They improved an excellent farm and there spent the remainder of their days, both dying in old age. Their family consisted of sixteen children. Mrs. McFadden died two years before her husband, at the age of seventy-three years. Of the nine children born to them, seven grew to ma- turity, viz .: Shannon; Levi, who died while serving in the Civil war as a member of the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves ; Reed P., also a soldier in the Civil war, a lumberman by call- ing, who died at Ridgway when seventy-two years old : Jonathan R. : Elizabeth, who makes her home with Shannon ; Reeser P., a farmer of Polk township, living on the place last oc- cupied by his parents; Enoch, a farmer of Warsaw township.

Jonathan R. McFadden had the typical early training of boys in this section during the forties, few opportunities for literary culture but plenty of experience in the way of hard work. On May 17. 1866, he was married at Greenbriar ( Schoffner's Corners), to Chris- tina Wingard, a native of Troutville, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Wise) Wingard. She was not yet eighteen years old. The young couple settled at the old Wingard home, now owned by William Wingard, grandson of Jacob, which Jonathan McFadden purchased. It remained in his possession for eight years. during which time he continued the work of clearing, and set out an orchard, doing much to make the property desirable. Then he sold it to Mrs. McFadden's brother Henry. who afterwards sold it to Jacob Wingard. Mr. McFadden then bought another farm, in Polk' township, upon which he resided for twenty years, converting it into a valuable tract. It was covered with stumps and brush and besides clearing the land and putting it under cultivation he built the substantial house

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and barn still standing. Meantime he had purchased a store near by and managed the business; also a blacksmith shop in connec- tion with his farm. Eventually he sold the store to his son-in-law, Mr. Ross, and then lived for a time at Indiana, P'a., where he bought a hardware store. He had a partner in this venture with which he was connected for two years, meantime rebuilding and refit- ting the store, put up a barn. and installed numerous conveniences pertaining to the business. But the returns were not commen- surate with the volume of trade handled, and Mr. McFadden reluctantly realized at last that he had been systematically "done" out of his rewards. He had such confidence in human nature that it was difficult for him to believe anyone would take advantage of him, but he withdrew from the concern and returned to Jefferson county, buying the old Barrett Moor- head farm of ninety acres at Richardsville. The property was greatly in need of repairs and Mr. McFadden worked vigorously to re- habilitate it, building a good barn, clearing more of the land and making a fine home. where he resided until his death, June 7, 1905. He was active to the close of life, making his undertakings prosper. His widow occupies a neat little home at Richardsville.

Mr. McFadden always exerted an influence in the community for good. took an active part in township affairs, held a number of local offices, and was a Republican in political association. lle worked in the interest of good roads, but his particular interest was in the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he joined soon after his marriage. He was liberal with his contributions toward its sup- port and gave generously toward the build- ing of the church at Greenbriar. It was his wish to have the house of worship dedicated clear of debt, and in order to accomplish this he advanced the money to take care of obli- gations others had failed to meet. He never refused to help a friend in need, whether it was a case of debt or other necessity, and was even known to borrow money for others' use when he himself did not have ready funds. His accommodating and magnanimous spirit was so well known that he was sometimes imposed on by unworthy people, and he lost a number of good-sized accounts because of his unwillingness to press people for payment. As an employer he was considerate of his men, paid them well. set reasonable working hours, and looked after their welfare. He was always willing to work as hard as he ex- pected them to, and was able to keep up his

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 102

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers Number of Pages: 972

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972