Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 103

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 103

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end with any of them, especially in lumbering. He cut a good deal of timber from his own land and also jobbed on others', was one of the most reliable pilots who ever rafted on the Clarion river, and was an expert hewer, squaring his own timber and frequently hew- ing for others. In fact, he was a natural mechanic, handling tools skillfully, and very capable at whatever he undertook.

During the Civil war Mr. McFadden served for over three years, first in Company B, 135th . Pennsylvania Regiment, and later with Com- pany I, IIth Pennsylvania Cavalry, remain- ing in the army to the end of the conflict.

Mr. McFadden is survived by his widow and four children: Harvey W., farming in Polk township; Laura R., wife of Frank Ross. a commercial traveler, of Indiana, Pa .; Daniel, who owns his father's old farm at Richards- ville ; and Nettie B., wife of Raoul Snyder, of Wesleyville, Erie county.

ALBERT NEAL BOWDISH is a native of Brookville and popularly known personally. As head of the Bowdish Stock Company he has a wide acquaintance, his traveling show making it possible for many to enjoy good dramatic entertainment in their own vicinity. From early youth Mr. Bowdish gave evidence of ability in the calling of his choice, for which his taste and inclinations have never lessened, and, further, he has the faculty of selecting and originating exhibitions of high character and pleasing features. His relation to the theatrical business includes executive respon- sibilities as well as presenting of shows. His enthusiasm and desire to give patrons meritori- ous productions have manifested themselves in the development of an organization known for complete and modern equipment, combined with high class amusement. In fact, Mr. Bow- dish's slogan, "Not a cheap show-We give you a good show cheap," aptly describes the animating idea.

Mr. Bowish was born at Brookville Sept. 1, 1857. a son of George A. Bowdish and grandson of Asa Bowdish, the latter a native of New England, who settled in Erie county, N. Y., eventually moving to Jefferson county in 1838, and establishing a home in Warsaw township. He was a shoemaker and also did teaming, following the latter occupation prin- cipally after his removal to this section. He died in 1854 when past middle life and was buried in the Temple graveyard near Hazen. Mr. Bowdish was twice married, and by his first wife, whose maiden name was Wilson, had three children : Susan, who married

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Nathan Hoag; Rosephia, married Thomas Mathews ; and Asa, who married Mary Holi- day. To his second union, with Margaret Fredericks, daughter of Christian and Charity ( Crounce ) Fredericks, were born : Philo mar- ried Cornelia Bronson ; Joseph B., married Jane Mitchel ; Warren P. married Lena Sny- der : George A. married Mary Jane Coon.

George A. Bowdish was born Aug. 18, 1830, at Clarence Hollow, Erie Co., N. Y., and came with his parents to Jefferson county in boy- hood. He was a veritable mechanical genius, trained to the trade of cabinetmaker, but able to do any kind of skillful work. At odd times he followed millwrighting, buikling several mills in this section. He lived at varions points in the county. Brookville, Brockwayville and Warsaw township, and in the States of Kansas and Michigan, in 1883 returning to Brockway- ville. He continued in mechanical pursuits all his life, and did much important work in that line, establishing the Craig & Wilson cabinet factory in Brookville, besides other creditable achievements which brought him deserved reputation. In the local fraternal bodies he was well and favorably known, belonging to Lodge No. 217, F. & .A. M., of Traverse City. Mich. : Lodge No. 217. I. O. O. F., of Brook- ville ( past noble grand ) ; Charity Lodge No. 488, Knights of Pythias, of Brockwayville : and the Brockwayville post of the G. A. R. On the first call for troops Mr. Bowdish en- listed, April 19, 1861, as a drummer in Capt. A. A. MeKnight's Company I. 8th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was at once made drum major. He was discharged at Harrisburg July 29, 1861, and later became a recruiting officer. Mr. Bowdish died Sept. 23, 1896, and was buried in Wildwood cemetery at Brockwayville. He was esteemed as a sub- stantial and highly useful citizen and there are still many evidences of his superior handi- craft.

On Oct. 7, 1852, Mr. Bowdish married Mary Tane Coon, who was born Sept. 20, 1835, at Plumville, Indiana Co., Pa., daughter of John B. and Ann ( MeClelland ) Coon, and died Dec. 14, 1894. Three children were born to them : Annie M., who died in childhood ; Albert Neal, born Sept. 1, 1857 ; and Alice May, born Nov. 10, 1860, who lives at Brookville.

Albert Neal Bowdish had common school advantages, and spent his boyhood assisting his father in mechanical work, acquiring a knowl- edge of such matters which has been invaluable to him. When quite young he began taking part in shows whenever opportunity offered, but did not adopt the profession until 1894.

Meantime he was employed in a planing mill and later was foreman of the Brookville Fur- niture Company the two years of 1893-94, since when he has turned all his energies to the show business and is now manager of the Bowdish Stock Company, which has an enviable repu- tation for the production of live, interesting, clean and wholesome amusements ; his children have cooperated with him in this enterprise. lle and his sons built the second successful Ferris wheel operated in the United States ; one of the very first semicircles, also a com- plete success ; and they have also constructed seven merry-go-rounds. The complete outfit which the Bowdish Stock Company has accu- mulated would have been impossible without the comprehensive mechanical knowledge which Mr. Bowdish and his sons possess. The road work necessarily demands substantial ve- hicles and appliances of many kinds, and com- petent repair service, always at hand ; they are able to look after all this themselves. They have built all their wagons, designed, painted and decorated all the scenery, and in 1916, after three years of work, they succeeded in completing a steam calliope which is highly satisfactory. Mr. Bowdish has spared neither pains nor ingenuity to provide every facility for the comfort and convenience of audiences as well as their amusement. A large canvas theatre affords seating capacity for 1,800, and is adequately lighted by a portable electric plant manufactured especially for use with the outfit, which is just as well appointed in every other respect. The Bowdishes have always been eager to try new appliances, and had the first gasoline engine in Brookville.

As for the entertainment, Mr. Bowdish has always kept to the policy of good plays pre- sented by good players, avoiding trashy ex- hibits of any kind, and never resorting to the expedient of giving old plays under new names in order to vary his repertoire. The plays are of high class, and during a week's stop the company gives a different show every night. With a carload of magnificent scenery and electrical effects to aid them, the company pro- duces novel and enjoyable variety features as well as dramas, at popular prices. No gamb- ling devices or other objectionable adjuncts are permitted. From eighteen to thirty people are required, and territory covered in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Kentucky.

Mr. Bowdish married Theodosia Frances Rhines, and they have had children as follows: Adwain S. is a mechanic employed by the Brookville Manufacturing Company; Harry

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N. is a skilled workman, and looks after the painting, decorating and supplies for the Bow- dish Stock Company; Mabel Alice, now the wife of Joseph Angell, is an actress, and with her husband is in theatrical work in Pitts- burgh: Andrew J. died in infancy; George Andrew is musician and electrician for the company : Dorothy is leading lady of the com- pany, and during the winter months takes en- gagements in the large cities; Charles Albert is an artist, and is comedian of the Bowdish Stock Company. All of the family are accom- plished musicians and natural mechanics. Dur- ing the winter season they reside at Brook- ville, and Mr. Bowdish spends his time repair- ing and repainting, devising new features and studying out novelties. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Andrew Stean Rhines, father of Mrs. Albert N. Bowdish. was well known in his day as a most successful lumberman. It has been said of him, "Perhaps no man ever transacted so much business in our county as he and had so few enemies. . . A man of clean Chris- tian character, always ready to do right by God and man." He was as liberal as he was prosperous, "in reality the foundation of the Richardsville Baptist Church, having fur- nished most of the material, etc., with his own money, given with a cheerful heart. After the church was erected he furnished it with what was then nearly unknown, an organ, which today is one of the oldest organs in this part of the country. Aside from being so prominent in other circles and being loved by all who knew him. he was a faithful husband and an indulgent parent. Ifowever, their su- preme happiness was of short duration. On the ist day of September, 1865. while driving through Richardsville, he was thrown from his buggy near the place where the M. E. Church now stands, his head striking the root of an oak stump lying near the road, the root penetrating the brain above the left ear. His physicians gave him temporary relief for three months, but he went to meet his Master on the 7th day of December, 1865, being but thirty- six years of age."

On Nov. 8. 1851. Mr. Rhines married Caro- line Chamberlin, who was born in Potter county. Pa .. March 7. 1830. whence her par- ents. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Chamberlin, moved to Jefferson county when she was but a small girl, locating on the farm now owned by Pearl Cyphert. She had a number of brothers and sisters, and the family had the usual experi- ences of pioneer farm life, spending their early life in the lumbering districts of Elk

and Jefferson counties. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom were living at the time of his death, the eldest then but thirteen years old, and the mother brought them up in the most exemplary manner. All survived her but Mrs. Clara Alice Culver, who had moved to Kansas, the other six being : A. J. Rhines, Mrs. J. A. Stewart and Mrs. W. H. Shaffer, of Richardsville; Mrs. W. J. Godwin, of Butler; Mrs. A. N. Bowdish, and Grant A. Rhines, of near Parkers Landing, Pa. Andrew and Rosanna died young. The mother lived to the advanced age of eighty- one years, three months, twenty-eight days, dying July 5, 1911, in Warsaw township, and was buried at Richardsville. Besides her six children, she was survived by thirty-one grand- children and fourteen great-grandchildren, and by her brother, George Chamberlin, of Rich- ardsville.

CHARLES R. STEVENSON, M. D., of Adrian, is one of the popular physicians in his part of Jefferson county, where he enjoys an extensive and varied practice. Both as medical practitioner and as private citizen he has given public-spirited service in matters pertaining to the general welfare, and has been effective in arousing and promoting interest in such questions. His ideas of individual responsibility in civic affairs are typical of his high regard for duty in all the relations of life.

Dr. Stevenson is a native of Jefferson county, born May 19, 1876. in Washington township, where the family has been estab- lished since 1845, when his grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth ( Moore) Stevenson, settled there upon their arrival from Ireland. Thomas Stevenson subsequently cleared the farm upon which they continued to reside, and where both he and his wife died. Their family were : Robert, William, Martha, James. Henry, Nancy, Rebecca, Thomas and Mary. Reference to the sketch of Henry Stevenson may be made for further history . of the family.

Robert Stevenson, father of Dr. Stevenson, was born in Ireland, accompanied his parents to this country, and became a farmer and lumberman in Washington township. where he made his home until his death, Dec. 22, 1913. He married Priscilla McWhirter, who died April 16, 1902, and four children were born to them: Clarence and William, both living in Washington township: Mary, who died unmarried in August, 1916; and Charles R.

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Charles R. Stevenson obtained his early education in the public schools in Washington township, later attending Grove City ( Pa.) College. He took his medical course in the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, gradu- ating with the class of 1897, and immediately returned to Jefferson county to begin prac- tice. For several months he was interne at the Adrian Hospital, Punxsutawney, and in 1898 opened an office of his own at Adrian, where he has since continued. Dr. Steven- son has an extensive private practice among a steadily widening circle of patrons, and be- sides has been physician and surgeon for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Com- pany, and has served on the staff of the Adrian Hospital, at Punxsutawney. To meet the widely varying demands of his duties in these several capacities he keeps abreast of the times by familiarizing himself with the latest devel- opments in medical science and by association with the profession. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Jefferson County Medical Society, taking an active part in its deliberations, and belongs to the State Medical Society and to the American Medical Association. For the last three years he has been a member of the school board of Young township, of which he has been president for two years, striving to secure for his community the most approved educational advantages.

Dr. Stevenson was married to Edna Farra. and they have a daughter, Dorothy, a student in Punxsutawney. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership in John W. Jenks Lodge, No. 534, F. & A. M., of Punxsutawney.

HARVEY L. HOKE, a loyal. efficient and valued member of the borough council of Reynoldsville, has been a resident of Jefferson county for more than forty years and has been prominently identified with business activities and industrial enterprise in this sec- tion of the State. He is now living virtually retired, vigorous, progressive and broad- minded, and is a citizen whose circle of friends in the community is limited only by that of his acquaintances.

Mr. Hoke takes consistent pride in revert- ing to the historic "Old Dominion" as the place of his nativity and to the fact that he is a descendant of one of the old and honored families of that Commonwealth. His grand- father, Henry Hoke, went forth as a valiant soldier in the war of 1812. He continued to maintain his home in Virginia until his death, at the patriarchal age of ninety-four years, and was a farmer or planter by vocation. On

the old homestead farm in Virginia was born his son Josiah Hoke, father of Harvey L. Prior to the Civil war Josiah Hoke had been engaged in lumbering operations and also fol- lowed the hotel business in Virginia, besides having served as captain of a local militia company. When the war was precipitated on the nation he was naturally loyal to the cause of the Confederate States, and for the military service he organized a cavalry com- pany, with which it was his plan to proceed forthwith to the stage of active conflict. He died, however, on the 19th of February. 1862, two weeks before his company went to the front. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Young, had passed away Jan. 27. 1859. Their children were seven in number, namely : John, Elizabeth, Harvey L., Ander- son, Susan, Robert and Margaret.

Harvey L. Hoke was born in Alleghany county, Va., on the 31st of July. 1849. and thus he was under thirteen years of age when doubly orphaned by the death of his honored father. He had gained his early education in the schools of his native county. After the death of his father he was associated with lumbering operations in Virginia until he had attained the age of twenty-one years. In 1871 he went to the West, visiting various States of that section of the Union, where he remained somewhat more than two years. He then came to Jefferson county, Pa .. and found employment in O'Donnel's sawmill, at O'Don- nel's Station, where he continued his active connection with lumbering operations for a period of thirteen years. He next turned his attention to the manufacturing of brick, be- coming one of the organizers of the Reynolds- ville Brick & Tile Company, in which he re- tained his interest until 1911, when he sold the same to Clyde C. Murray. The plant of this company is partially located on the farm of fifty-five acres of which Mr. Hoke had become the owner, in Winslow township, and which he finally sold to the present owner, Henry Foltz, though he retains title to the coal deposits on the land. Mr. Hoke con- tinued in active service as engineer for the Reynoldsville Brick & Tile Company even after he had sold his interest in the business. being engineer for the company from the time of its organization until 1915, since which time he has lived practically retired in his pleasant home at Reynoldsville. He is a stalwart advo- cate of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party has always stood spon- sor, and he has proved a most liberal and valued member of the borough council of

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Reynoldsville, of which office he has been con- tinuously the incumbent since his election in 1913. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in their home place, and he has not only served as a member of its official board but has also given zealous and effective service as class leader.

In the year 1887 Mr. Hoke was united in marriage to Emma Best, daughter of the late Michael Best, who was a well known lumber operator in Jefferson county. Mr. and Mrs. Hoke have two daughters: Blanche, who re- mains at the parental home, and Eldina, who is the wife of Walter R. Newberry, of Rey- noldsville. . Mr. Hoke has been an apprecia- tive student of the history and teachings of the Masonic fraternity and is actively affili- ated with John M. Read Lodge, No. 536, F. & A. M., at Reynoldsville.

JAMES WELSH passed the major part of his long and worthy life in the Grove Summit district of Jefferson county, was a representa- tive of one of the county's old and honored pioneer families, served from Pennsylvania as a gallant Union soldier, and in civil life ever gave account of himself with the same spirit of loyalty and the same high sense of personal stewardship. His was a sincere, earnest and kindly life, unostentatious, marked by no am- bition for publicity of any kind, but he threw the strength of his fine mental and physical powers into the achievement of legitimate prosperity and long was known and honored as a successful farmer of Washington town- ship. His death occurred on his old home- stead, June 25, 1907. when he was sixty-six years of age, after several years of impaired health. We may appropriately quote from an appreciative estimate that was made by one who knew him well and that was published in a local newspaper at the time of his death, making various changes and numerous addi- tions in the reproduction.

The news of the death of Mr. Welsh was received with deep regret by his many friends throughout the section in which he was well known and held in high esteem, and the re- moval of the husband and father from his ac- customed place in the home was a sad blow to the bereaved family. He was one of the oldest and best known residents of the Beech- woods district and was one of Jefferson county's few surviving veterans of the Civil war. In the death of Mr. Welsh the com- munity lost one of its best, most honorable and most influential citizens. He was always recognized as a man of sterling qualities, irre-

proachable character, straightforward and honest, and one who lived close to the Golden Rule. Thus was he known to his neighbors and other friends throughout the Beechwoods district, a section of country noted for men of clean character and distinctive thrift, men who came into this section and blazed the way into a vast wilderness, which, from a rugged virgin forest, they developed into a beautiful county. Many of these sterling pioneer fami- lies sent forth gallant soldiers to aid in the preservation of the nation's integrity when the Civil war was precipitated, and of this number James Welsh was one, his father also having served as a member of the State militia or home guard at the time when Pennsylvania was threatened with invasion by the great Confederate raider, General Morgan. James Welsh enlisted as a member of Company C, 21Ith Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and he was a gallant soldier, even as he was a noble citizen. Scarcely more can be said of any man. He participated in many battles and minor engagements marking the progress of the great conflict between the States of the North and the South, and in later years he showed his vital interest in his old com- rades by maintaining active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic.

James Welsh was born in the city of Phila- delphia, on the 13th of June, 1841, and thus was a child of about two years when, in 1843, the family removed to the wilds of Jefferson county. He was a son of James and Mar- garet (Carrothers) Welsh. the former of whom immigrated from Ireland to the United States when he was a young man. The father was a stone and marble cutter by trade, but after coming to Jefferson county he turned his attention to the development of a farm from the forest wilderness and he thereafter continued his association with agricultural pursuits until the close of his life. He was one of the sturdy pioneers of the Beechwoods district, and on his old homestead farm his grandson, William Walter Welsh, son of James Welsh, is still upholding the civic and industrial prestige of the family name, he being one of the representative young farmers of Washington township and being individu- ally mentioned on other pages of this volume. On this farm James Welsh, Sr., and his wife passed the closing period of their lives. he having been summoned to eternal rest on the 2d of June, 1894. at the age of eighty-eight years, and his wife having passed away sev- eral years prior to that time. Both were de- voted members of the Beechwoods Presby-

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terian Church, in the organization and up- building of which they were influential figures. Their children were: John, Robert, Henry, James, Jr., William and Mrs. Sarah Jane Pat- ton, and of the number William, a resident of Williamsport, this State, is now the only survivor. John was a resident of Marion, Kans., at the time of his death, and Mrs. Pat- ton died at Westville, Jefferson county. In coming from Philadelphia to Jefferson county the Welsh family made the journey with team and wagon, and theirs was about the first team of horses in the Beechwoods. Such were the demands of the locality and period that the horses were soon sold by James Patton, Sr .. for, like the other pioneers of the district, he found ox teams far more serviceable in the reclaiming of the forest land.

James Welsh, Jr., was reared amid the scenes and influences of the pioneer days, and as boy and youth had no lack of hard work in connection with clearing away the forest, assisting in incidental lumbering operations and in the general work of the pioneer farm. Meanwhile his scholastic advantages were necessarily limited to those found at the some- what primitive log schoolhouse in the vigorous new community. After the death of his par- ents he assumed the ownership and active management of the old homestead farm, upon which he passed the rest of his life and upon which his son William Walter now resides.

In the year 1861 Mr. Welsh wedded Mary J. Mccullough, whose death occurred on the 2d of June, 1875. Of the children of this union, James, who was born Dec. 25. 1862, is a resident of Home Camp, Clearfield county ; Hugh M., born in April, 1866, resides at West Springfield, Pa .; Robert C., born Aug. 16, 1868, is a resident of Benzie county, Mich. ; Nancy W., born Oct. 3. 1870, is a resident of West Springfield, Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 26, 1878, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Welsh to Sarah Patton, daughter of the late Thomas Patton, likewise an hon- ored pioneer of the Beechwoods, and she still remains on the old homestead, where she not only reared her own children but also gave equal care to the young children of her hus- band's first marriage. Of the children of this second marriage, Thomas died at the age of sixteen years ; Margaret is the wife of Walter S. Miller, of Falls Creek, Pa., and they have two children, Sarah and Charles ; John Henry, familiarly known as Harry, married Lottie Rhoades, and they likewise reside at Falls Creek (their two children are Grace and Bernice ) : William Walter and Charles Ross

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 103

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