Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 104

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 104

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were twins, the latter deceased in infancy. In the concluding paragraph of this memoir is made a direct quotation from the tribute from which much of the data of this review has been drawn:

"James Welsh joined the Beechwoods Pres- byterian Church many years ago, and he was an carnest and consistent Christian and a strong and influential pillar in the church organization. He was public-spirited, inter- ested in all movements for the good of the community, and gave freely of money, assist- ance and encouragement to deserving causes. The life of Jamies Welsh was an example worthy of emulation, and if for every good deed performed by him consciously and uncon- sciously during his earthly pilgrimage a single rose were cast upon his bier, he would sleep today in a wilderness of flowers. Mr. Welsh made no pretense of desiring to appear high and mighty in the affairs of life, but was con- tent to do his best without having that fact proclaimed to the world with sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. He was a plain man and a scrupulously honest one, and he will be imissed from the associations where he has been a familiar figure for so many years. His funeral services were held at the Beechwoods Presbyterian Church, and interment was made in the beautiful Beechwoods cemetery."

SAMUEL ALEXANDER SCRIBNER. best known to the world as Sam A. Scribner of theatrical renown, is a Jefferson county prod- uct who has attained national reputation in his particular line. But though his achievements in that one direction alone have been suffi- ciently great to rest upon, measured by the ambitions of the ordinary man, they form only a portion of the sum total of his successes. His work and interests have expanded with the years until they comprise the best forces for progress now in operation as part of modern life. Their diversity shows breadth of sym- pathy and intellect of uncommon strength. When Ryan Walker's cartoon of Mr. Scribner appeared with the title of "The Human Dy- namo," he was congratulated upon his choice of an appellation which condensed into a few words so adequate an idea of his subject.

It has been stated that Mr. Scribner is a native of Jefferson county. He was born at Ilowe, in Eldred township, Aug. 18, 1859, and attended the public schools of the country dis- tricts. In 1873, having reached an age when he was expected to become self-supporting. he commenced an apprenticeship at the black- smith's trade in Brookville, and labored in that

AMI YORK L.LHARY

ATOM LEXOX TILLEN .

O- IN-

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line for four years. But his natural tendencies soon asserted themselves, and in 1879 he joined a traveling show as a musician. That he found himself in congenial environment is evident from the fact that he has never been out of the business since, though his associations have been of various kinds. His first attempt for himself was the organization of an "Uncle Tom's Cabin" troupe with which he traveled. and in 1894 he made his second venture, one more pretentious, the organization of a large circus with which he traveled until 1900. That year he located in New York City and became affiliated with the Columbia Amusement Com- pany, of which he is secretary and general manager. His associates are J. Herbert Mack, president : Jules Hurtig, vice president ; Rud K. Hynicka, treasurer. The company has hand- some quarters in the Columbia Amusement Co. building, at the corner of Forty-seventh street and Broadway, New York City. A character sketch of Mr. Scribner published recently is so true to life that we quote it in part :

"From the moment he jumps out of his im- mense red touring car in front of the great office building at the corner of Broadway and Forty-seventh street-a building. by the way, that is as much a monument to Sam Scribner's energy and business ability as to that of any other man in the big corporation-he works like a trip hammer until there remains no 'nin- finished business' on his desk. Usually it is a daily stretch from 9:30 to 5, with half an hour for lunch, and during that time he answers an immense correspondence and sees an average of fifty people. But constant hard work doesn't affect Scribner in the way customary to most men. It simply makes him hungry for more of it, and when he leaves for his beautiful home in the Bronx he is as bright-eyed and alert as if he had just got out of bed after a ten hours' sleep. For several years Mr. Scrib- ner was treasurer of the Theatrical Producing Managers' Association, but he gave that up a few months ago because the details of the office took up a little more of his time than he could very well spare from his Columbia Amusement Company work.

"Outside of the show business Mr. Scrib- ner's activities are important and vast. He is a member of the American Civic Alliance, he belongs to the Academy of Political Science. he is a member of the Post-Graduate Hospital Association and of the Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Children, he is on the board of trustees of the Actors' Fund, and he is a Shriner in Masonry. Besides giving a lot of time to those institutions Mr. Scribner is a 33

member of the Economic Club, of the New York Press Club, and of the New York Ath- letie Club. In view of all this, is it any wonder that Ryan Walker penned such an impression of the man whom he calls 'The Human Dy- namo'? Decisive in speech, rough and ready in action, unalterable and uncompromising in honesty and fairness, Scribner would give the casual observer an idea that he is all flint and a stranger to sympathy. But underneath that broad expanse of shirt front there is a heart as big as it is kindly, and as kindly as that of a tender girl's. Scribner is a 'big' man in every possible application of the word, as all who know him well will readily testify."

In addition to all this, Mr. Scribner some- tinies tries his hand at poetry, and we quote the following lines dedicated to a Brookville boy- hood chunt. The poem memorializes the pioneers of Brookville during the days when Samuel Scribner, in chip hat, blue drilling trousers and listing "galluses," ran the Brook- ville streets in his bare feet.

To Ellis Emery.

Say, Ellis, do you remember, on lower Main street, At the old Brimstone Corner, where the gang used to meet?

Johnny Boucher's old shop stood near there you know,

And the old North Fork brewery, just a half block below;

The little brick schoolhouse, on top of the hill,

Craig & Wilson's, the board piles, the slab house and mill.

Remember Charley Sitz, Alex Paine, William Hall,

Snik Melchoir, Doc. Bennett, and Arad Pearsall, Robert Brady, Hen. Lithgow, Frank Doubles and those,

Your Dad and my Dad, the Colonel and Mose;

Harry Matson's store at the end of the block,

Major Tinthoff, the jeweler, and his sign of the clock,

Van Vliet, the tailor, who made the men's suits, Tom Wesley, who mended our shoes and our boots.

You remember Dan Hubbard, and old Billy Boo, Tom Durgan, John Shobert, John Dunkelburg, too,

George Barrett, who clerked in Mr. King's bank, And Edelblute's rebel, now known as Frank.

Do yon remember Hugh Shields, the blind musician,

And Kennedy Blood, the great politician?

You haven't forgotten old Nicholson Hall,

Where we used to hold the Masquerade Ball,

And McCracken's, the shanghi, the toll gate on the hill,

The sluice, covered bridge, and Mabon's old mill. Remember the sand hole, where Tom Jenks was near drowned,

(Bill Watt just got him as he was going down.) Somers' old pop shop, we kids used to like,

And hi-pe mu-gen, made by "Doc" Doverspike.

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Remember Herb Larry, who lived by the church? While his name was Larry, his father's was Lerch; George McFarland, Ely Bishop, Frank Hall, and Claude Eason,

Toot Dowling, Wade Matson, George Rogers, Merve Leason,

Mack Bennett, Zach Graham, Jim Douthett, Sam Calvin,

Bryon Lick and Bub Goss, China Bill and Glen Alvin.

And all of the Clarks that lived on the hill,

Boose, Jess and Leonard, Cal, Eddie and Bill; Jack Wilcox, Hen Wining, Bill Jewell and Renie, Drs. Dowling and Stebbins, Heichhold and Sweeney,

Charley Kretz, Henry Heber and Benjamin McCreight.

John and Ret Garrison, Al and George White,

Joe Plyler, Joe Gibson, Reed Taylor and Phil,

Bob Larimer, Frank Crane, Chap Loder and Bill, Dan Oyster, Pearl Hutchins, Man. Shugars and Weiser,

Dick Evans and Basil, George Kirkman and Kiser. You remember who filled the street with laughter, And said "There's no change, it's one for de Casper."

Dave Bender, Len Grover, Bob Snyder and Sam, Hen Townsend, Jack Williams and big John Mc Mann,

Herman Zipfel. Tot Bigler, Os Stokes, Simon Denny,

Seth Clover, Jim Russel, Doggie Huff and Cooms Penney,

Capts. McClain, Wise and Steck, and Col. McKnight,

Judges Henderson, Jenks, Clark, Taylor and White,

Sheriffs Shannon and Carrier, Reitz and John Wann,

Ed. and Dan. English, Or. Brown and Pete Baum, Squire Marlin's office at Barnett and Main,

Squire Carroll, Squire Smith, Squires Means and Mc Lain,

Judges Gordon and Campbell, Dr. Rogers, Round Bell.

The Oak Hall, the Moorehead, and Franklin Hotels,

Daniel Smith, Jackson Brady, T. K. Litch and Jos. Darr,

Mr. Verstine and Verbeck. James Long and John Barr,

Bent Arthurs, Butler Wilson, Uncle Dan and Sam Larry,

Bill Depp, Martin Saddler, John McCullough and Harry,

Bill Harmon, Bill Brunton, Hank Peters and Hepsy,

Tom Carroll, Tom Cartin, Tom McCrea and Tom Espy,

Old Mr. Schnell, his boys and his band,

Andy Campbell, the fifer, the best in the land. Here are some names that will carry you back: Mr. Fogle and Wasbinder, Ramsey and Black,

William Erdice, Pearl Roundy, Walker Bell and Jim Neal,

Black John, Yellow Charlie and Oliver Steele.

Back to the days of Yankee Smith and George Rowe,

Before Shadagee was Knoxdale, or Slabtown was Howe,

Before Bootjack was Hazen, when we had Laurel Hill,

Before Belleview was Stanton, or Troy, Summer- ville :

Back to the days of Christ Yeaney and Smathers, Jim Bradly, Jim Whitman, Jim Steel and Jim Cathers.

And here are some more as old as the hills,

David Frank, David Larry, Thomas Mabon, John Mills,

Mr. Corbet and Dougherty, and Uncle Uriah,

Samuel Craig, Samuel Truby, Samuel Stewart, Sam Fryer,

Mr. Arthurs and Nicholson, Darrah and Darling, John Roth and John Jack, Jas. Moore and Josh Harding,

Schuyler Jackson, Sol Kaufman, John Gatz and Tom Farley,

Bob Breffit, Mose Thompson, Christ and Bill Curley.

Bill Sankey, Bill Burkett, Bill Taylor, Bill Scott, Ben Fulton, Ben Diveler, Ben Kroh and Jim Watt, Peter Schnepp. Warren Bowdish, Tom Dixon, Perry Foster,

John Roll and John Cuddy, John Beck, Barney Osler.

Josh Williams, Josh Emery, Josh Knapp, Levi Dodd,

Bart Hastings, George Andrews, Sam Kahle and Lew Cobb.

About all that are left of those good old times Is yourself and myself, and Esther and Line, Oney and Jimmy, Maze, Alice and Ann,

Lillie and Jim, and Sally and Sam.

You remember, Ellis, what I've pictured here,

Places and faces to us both so dear.

And though our meetings are getting farther apart,

Old.Pal, you'll always have a place in my heart, Even though we don't meet so often of late

What I have is yours, any time, spot or place.

New York, Jan. 1, 1916.

JOHN S. ROSS, of Snyder township, owns one hundred acres of the old Ross property, which has been in the family for over half a century, also cultivating the 100-acre Brian farm, upon which he lives. . Mr. Ross is a typical representative of the name, being ac- corded position in the community as an intel- ligent, progressive citizen.

James Ross, grandfather of John S. Ross, brought his family from Ireland during the first half of the nineteenth century, and set- tled in the district known as the Beechwoods in Jefferson county, Pa., where he cut out a farm from the wilderness. He spent the remainder of his life here, dying on his farm. His wife's maiden name was Schofield, and their children were: Mary, MIrs. Patton ; James ; Elizabeth ; John ; Ruth, Mrs. William T. Calhoun ; Martha, Mrs. Wilson ; and Sally, Mrs. Richard Calhoun. All are deceased ex- cept Martha, who resides in Iowa.

James Ross, father of John S. Ross, was born in Ireland in 1827, being still a boy when he came to America. Landing at Phil-

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adelphia, the journey to the Beechwoods was made by wagon. The family settled on land still owned by descendants, the homestead be- longing to Wesley Ross. Here James Ross grew to manhood amid primitive conditions, with wild animals in abundance, and much of the surrounding forests untouched. He helped to clear his father's farm, and lived to see much of the wilderness reclaimed and developed to fertility and improved with homes indicative of prosperity. He married Mary Ann Holt, daughter of John Holt, of Sugar Hill. Mr. Ross died on May 12, 1898, and Mrs. Ross several years later. They were Presbyteri- ans in religious faith, and he was a Demo- crat. Six children were born to them : James, who married Sarah Robinson, was killed while helping to raise a barn at Sugar Hill; Susanna Jane married William Morrison, and died in the Beechwoods ten years ago; Nancy. Mrs. Fred Brian, lives at Sugar Hill; Mary, Mrs. Daniel Wingert, is a resident of Polk town- ship; Alvin Wesley, who lives on the old Ross property in the Beechwoods, married Lizzie Lindermuth; John S. completes the family.

John S. Ross was born March 20, 1862, in Washington township, and there continued to live until his marriage. His education was obtained at the old Dennison school, his first teacher being Rebecca Tedeley. Since 1908 he has resided on the Brian farm, also man- aging his own farm. Mr. Ross has been quick to adopt progressive methods, profiting by modern ideas. Devoting practically all his time to his agricultural operations, he takes no active part in public affairs, though he ever displays a good citizen's interest in the gen- eral welfare. He is a Republican politically. The Presbyterian Church at Sugar Hill counts him among its reliable members, and for three or four years he was deacon.

On June 18, 1884, Mr. Ross married Bella McLaughlin, daughter of John Mclaughlin. of Beech Tree. She died in June, 1893, leaving three children : Vera, Mrs. Fred Vande- vert, of Niles, Ohio ; Annie. Mrs. Harry How- ard, of Niagara Falls; and Clarence Elton, who lives with his father. On July 3. 1895. Mr. Ross married ( second ) Margaret Ellen Ward, of Westville. Jefferson Co., Pa .. and to this union have been born five children : Irene Bella, Oleda Mae (a student at the township high school), Richard Loraine (also in high school), John Ward and Merle. Irene Bella graduated from the township high school at the age of fourteen, being the youngest graduate, and graduated in IQ11 from the Brockwayville high school; she is now the

wife of Robert Lane Coyle, of Sharon, Penn- sylvania.

Mrs. Ross was born Sept. 10, 1869, in Lan- cashire, England, daughter of Richard and Rachel ( McQuade) Ward, he now serving as a justice of the peace in Washington town- ship. She attended school until twelve years old, when she came to the United States with her family, landing at New York and set- tling at Carbon Run, Bradford Co., Pa., where her father found work as a miner. Six years later they removed to Coal Glen, Jefferson county, and the parents are still living at Westville.

HENERY BROTHERS. It is specially pleasing to enter in this history the personal record of three brothers, Marcus E., John B. and Floyd D. Henery, who are native sons of Jefferson county and who are prominently and successfully identified with the industrial interests of this favored section of the Key- stone State, all of them being successfully concerned with both farming and coal mining operations in the county.

MARCUS E. HENERY, farmer and coal op- erator in Winslow township, was born on the old homestead farm in that township March 7. 1875. His father, George M. Henery, was born Sept. 29, 1845, and died Feb. 7, 1910; his mother, Edna C. (Lvons), was born March II. 1848, and her death occurred Jan. 17, IQII. The remains of both rest in a pri- vate cemetery at Rathmel Junction, in Win- slow township. Mrs. Henery was a daughter of Clark Lyons, a sterling pioneer of this section of the State, and on the paternal side Mr. Henery is a grandson of James Henery, who was born and reared in Ireland and upon coming to America first settled in Clarion county, Pa., whence he came to Jefferson county in 1854 and settled on the present Reuben Thompson farm, in Winslow town- ship. Later he removed to the vicinity of Rathmel Junction, that township, where he continued his activities as a farmer during the remainder of his life, both he and his wife having been sterling and venerable pioneer citizens of the county at the time of their deaths. Their remains were laid to rest in Prospect cemetery, in Winslow township. Mrs. Henery's maiden name was Fulton, and she was a native of Scotland. Their chil- dren were: Templeton, Fulton, George M .. Mrs. Nannie Johnson. and Janice, who be- came the wife of William Loudon.

George M. Henery was born in Clarion county, Sept. 29, 1845, and thus was a boy of

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about nine years at the time of the family removal to Jefferson county, where he was reared to manhood and received his education in the pioneer schools of Winslow township. He was actively concerned with lumbering operations and agricultural industry in this county, and eventually opened a coal bank in Winslow township. In the operation of this mine he soon afterwards admitted his sons to partnership, under the firm name of George M. Henery & Sons, and he pur- chased the old Patton farm, one of the valu- able places of Winslow township, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. They were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Henery was a man of ability and sterling character. and ever commanded secure place in the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow men, also achieving substantial success through his well ordered endeavors along normal lines of indus- trial enterprise. Of the children, four died in early childhood and the three survivors are the sons mentioned in this article.

Marcus E. Henery, eldest of the three sons, was afforded the advantages of the pub- lic schools of Winslow township and early became associated with his father's farming and coal mining operations. After the death of his father he and his brothers continued the coal mining enterprise, in which they are still associated, under the firm name of Hen- ery Brothers, and Marcus E. likewise oper- ates an independent coal vein on his home farm at Rathmel Junction. He purchased this farm from the heirs of George W. Fuller, the same comprising 151 acres of excellent land, well improved and under effective cultivation under the able supervision of Mr. Henery. who is known as one of the progressive farm- ers and representative young business men of his native county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Reynoldsville, and his political allegiance is given to the Socialist party. His wife, whose maiden name was Cora Heberling, was born in Clearfield county. daughter of George W. Heberling. Mr. and Mrs. Henery have four children, Arthur Lee. Glenn Melvin, Russell and Beulah.

JOHN B. HENERY, the second in order of birth of the three surviving sons of George M. Henery, owns and resides upon the old homestead farm, in Winslow township, and here his birth occurred Jan. 6. 1877. He gained his early education in the public schools, and as a youth became his father's valued assistant in the management of the farm and the operation of the coal bank on

the same. In due time he became a member of the firm of George M. Henery & Sons, and after the death of his father he and his brothers continued their partnership alliance in the coal mining business until 1912, when it was dissolved, and John B. assumed con- trol of the old home farm of 127 acres. The place was originally owned by the Patton fam- ily and later by John Clayton, George M. Hen- ery purchasing the property in the spring of 1890 from Bell, Lewis & Yates. John B. Henery continues his active association with coal production and finds a ready demand for the output of his mine, the product being sold almost entirely in the locality. From two to five men are employed in the mining opera- tions. Mr. Henery is one of the successful farmers and coal operators of Winslow town- ship. He takes a lively interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of his native county. is independent in politics, and fraternally is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men. His wife has been an active member of the Ladies of the Maccabees at Falls Creek since 1912, both being popular factors in the social life of their home community.

On the 23d of December. 1907. John B. Henery married Mrs. Sadie ( Slee) Fink. widow of Earl Fink, who died in November, 1906, and who is survived by two children, Earl and Mildred. Mrs. Henery was born and reared in Jefferson county, and is a daugh- ter of William and Amanda ( Fye) Slee. Mr. and Mrs. Henery have two children, William George and Edna C.

FLOYD D. HENERY, the youngest of the three brothers, was born on the old home- stead farm previously mentioned, and the date of his nativity was June 18. 1882. He made good use of the advantages afforded in the public schools of Jefferson county, and was but sixteen years of age when he became a member of the firm of George M. Henery & Sons. It has already been noted that after the death of the father the three brothers continued to be associated in the coal mining business until Feb. 1. 1916, when the firm was dissolved and the brothers individually be- came active in coal mining. Floyd D. Henery is successfully operating an excellent coal bank near Rathmel, and is one of the representa- tive young business men of his native town- ship. He purchased. on the Ist of April. 1906, the old Ira Fuller farm of ninety-six acres in Winslow township, and here erected a modern brick house in 1910, the same being one of the attractive and hospitable homes of this part of the county. In addition to his

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coal operations Mr. Henery gives his active supervision to his general farm work, in which he has been enterprising and success- ful. His political proclivities are to be gauged from the loyal allegiance which he pays to the Socialist party, and he gives hearty support to measures and enterprises projected for the general good of his native township and county.

On Sept. 14, 1904, was recorded the mar- riage of Mr. Henery to Mazzie Patterson, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Taylor) Patterson, and the five children of this union are : DeVere J., Eleen, Kenneth, Raymond and Fay.

LYMAN W. SCOTT, a citizen of Rey- noldsville whose residence in that borough has covered over half a century, has proved his substantial worth in all the relations of life, performing public and private duties alike with a conscientious sense of responsibility toward his fellow men. During the Civil war he gave over three years of service in the Union army, and he has been equally faith- ful to his other obligations, the esteem of his associates indicating clearly their appreciation of his sterling character.

Mr. Scott is a native of New York State, born Aug. 13. 1840, in Allegany county, son of Justice M. and Sarah C. (Kirkpatrick) Scott. The father was born in New Hamp- shire, and was twelve years old when he settled with his parents in New York State, where they died. In carly life he followed lumber- ing. later turning to farming. In the year 1855 he brought his family to Pennsylvania, locating at what is now Lanes Mills, in Sny- der township, Jefferson county, where he spent four years, engaged in lumbering. From there he removed to Rockdale, Washington town- ship, this county, operating in the woods of that locality for some years as a log jobber. His next removal was to the vicinity of · Reynoldsville, in Winslow township. where he was employed as a lumber inspector for many years, continuing that work after he settled at Sykesville, where he remained until his death, Sept. 23, 1902, at the age of nine- ty-one years, twenty-three days. His work as lumber inspector covered fifty-one years in all, and he was looked upon as an author- ity, his competent services having gained him a high reputation. Personally he was also held in high respect, and for eleven years he held the office of justice of the peace. He is buried at Sykesville with his wife, who died

Aug. 8, 1900. Of the nine children born to them eight still survive : Mary, wife of David Bacon: Gould, deceased in 1886; Lyman W .; Lovilla, wife of Wilbur Rice; Asa; Walter ; Elizabeth, who married Frank Moore; Lucy, who married James McMann and (second) John Foltz; and William.

Lyman W. Scott had very fair educational ad- vantages, having passed his boyhood in New York State, where he was sent to school until fourteen years old. From that time until he entered the army he worked with his father at lumbering. On Sept. 15, 1861, Mr. Scott en- listed, from Rockdale, Washington township, in Company C. 2d United States Sharpshoot- ers (probably best known as Berdan's Sharp- shooters), and remained in the service over three years, being discharged Oct. 17, 1864, with his company. On June 22, 1864, at the Jerusalem Plank Road fight in front of Pe- tersburg, he was struck by a piece of shell over the right hip, resulting in a partial internal paralysis which has given him trouble ever since. Of the engagements in which his com- mand participated the only ones he missed were South Mountain and Antietam, having a record of which he may well be proud.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 104

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