Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 110

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 110

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

it up he took a brief vacation, but soon embarked in the shoe business at Blairsville, which he continued for four years. There- after he spent a short time with his brother. who had a hotel at Kittanning, and then turned to that line himself, buying the "Central Ho- tel" at Brookville, Jefferson Co., Pa., which he carried on for ten and a half years. Busi- ness at that stand was very prosperous until he was affected by the drought, and he sold out. But he had no desire to change his occu- pation, and he moved to the "Brookville House," which he has conducted since March, 1916. Mr. Replogle's versatility has been well illustrated in the facility with which he turned from his early employment to business life, and from merchandising to hotel-keeping, doing well in all, and deserving his good for- tune because of his perseverance and diligent attention to every detail of his affairs.

Mr. Replogle is well known in Masonic cir- cles, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 255, F. & A. M., of Brookville ; Chapter No. 93, R. A. M .; Bethany Commandery, K. T .; and Jaffa Shrine, of Altoona, Pa. He also holds mem- bership to the B. P. O. Elks, Eagles, and Brotherhood of Engineers & Firemen. Politi- cally he is identified with the Republican party.

On Sept. 26, 1906, Mr. Replogle married Sarah C. Cassidy, of Blairsville, Indiana Co., Pa., daughtr of Elijah and Susanna Cassidy, who had a family of four children : Mary E., Sarah C. (Mrs. Harry C. Replogle). Thomas J. and Louise A. Mr. and Mrs. Replogle have one child. Harry Hall, who was born Jan. 19. 1916.

THOMAS MCELHANY BARR came to Brookville in 1830, and was one of its first citizens. He was born in 1803 in Dauphin county, Pa., near Harrisburg, and was quite young when his father, Alexander Barr, who had emigrated from the North of Ireland, removed to Laurel Hill, Indiana county, and from that place to Preble county, Ohio. About the time Thomas M. Barr became of age he returned to Pennsylvania and went to work at his trade of bricklaying. Coming to Brook- ville in 1830, the year the town was laid out. one of his first contracts was for the brick work on the old courthouse. He also did the brick and stone work on the old jail. the acad- emy, the First Methodist church, the first "American Hotel." "Railroad House," Truby residence (now owned by Mrs. Mollie Means), Jesse G. Clark building (now owned by Mrs. Amelia F. Henderson), and. in fact. all the older brick buildings in the town : and to-day

some of them stand as monuments to his hon- esty as a mechanic and contractor.

In 1833 Mr. Barr married Sarah Corbet, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Cyrus Riggs, then pastor of the old Bethel Church, already referred to in this work. Nine chil- dren blessed this union, two of whom survive at this writing, Capt. Winfield S. Barr, of Oil City, Pa., and William A. Barr, of South Bend, Indiana.

Mr. Barr first resided in the old "Lucas house" on Jefferson street, opposite the pres- ent United Presbyterian church, and then built the house on Main street occupying the present site of Sandt's building, which he sold to Rich- ard Arthurs. In 1847 he built the house on Water street, where he resided until his death, July 4, 1884, in the eighty-first year of his age. Mrs. Barr preceded him to the grave, dying July 5, 1877, in the seventy-first year of her age. She was born in Lewistown, Mif- flin county, came to what is now Clarion county when but a year old, and in 1832 her father, William Corbet, moved to a farm near the present borough of Corsica. Mr. Barr was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, where his seat was seldom found va- cant. A man of sterling integrity, he shunned strife, and it is said of him that in all his busy life he was never a party to a lawsuit.

JOHN EVERETT BARR, son of Thomas M. Barr, was born in Brookville, Pa., Jan. 5, 1845, and attended the Brookville schools until he entered the United States service as a private of Company "B." 105th Pennsylvania Volun- teers, into which he was mustered Sept. II, 1861, for three years. He served forty-seven months and fifteen days, was promoted to ser- geant of Company "B" June 8, 1865, and mus- tered out July 11. 1865. Though he partici- pated in twenty-eight battles, he was never sick or wounded. Returning home he mar- ried Sophia Doubles, who died Feb. 3. 1915. Two children were the fruit of this union : Sarah B., Mrs. Rote, of Aspinwall, Pa .; and Thomas J., of Yoncalla, Oregon, who has two children, Margaret and John E.

Mr. Barr was one of the first mail clerks on the Low Grade Railway, between Redbank and Driftwood, in which position he served about thirteen years. For twelve years he acted as chief of police of Brookville, and in the fall of 1913 was appointed to a place on the Capitol police force at Harrisburg, made vacant by the death of W. W. Perry, of Jef- ferson county, and was serving in that position when taken ill. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Veteran

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Legion and G. A. R. Post No. 242. When Post No. 134 was instituted, June 25, 1868, he was junior vice commander. Details from E. R. Brady Post and the Veteran Legion were present at the interment, and gave their con- rades a soldier's burial.

At a specially called meeting of the State Capitol Police Force, held in the police room, Capitol Building, Wednesday evening, May 17. 1916, announcement was made of the death of John E. Barr, a member of said force, whose home was in Brookville, Jefferson county, but whose death occurred at Harrisburg May 17. 1916, after an illness of a few weeks. A pre- amble and resolutions were adopted as fol- lows:

"WHEREAS, Death has again entered the cir- cle of our Capitol Police Force, and removed therefrom a popular and worthy member, it is therefore,

"Resolved, That as members of said Capi- tol Police Force we bow in humble submission to the divine will of God, who has taken from us our friend and fellow laborer :

"Resolved, That in the death of John E. Barr we realize the loss of a jovial, consistent and steadfast companion, and we cherish his memory as a brave and honored soldier of the Civil war, a member of Company B, 105th Pennsylvania Regiment, who fought the enemy on Pennsylvania soil at Gettysburg as well as in other engagements ;

"Resolved, That we extend our condolences to the surviving members of his family and commend them for sympathy in their grief to our Heavenly Father's eternal love, who does not suffer the fall of a sparrow without His notice :

"Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the members of the deceased's family and that they also be recorded in the minute book of the Capitol Police Associa- tion.

"DANIEL F. GRAIIAM. "TRUMAN HEICHER, "JOIIN T. FITZPATRICK, "Committee."

PHILIP S. WEAVER, who controls a sub- stantial and prosperous business in the con- ducting of a well equipped grocery and meat market on Findley street. Punxsutawney, is a representative of a family that was founded in Jefferson county in the carly pioneer days, and the name has been closely linked with the social and industrial development and progress of this now opulent section of Pennsylvania. On the old homestead farm in Bell township.

where his paternal grandfather settled eighty- five years ago, Philip S. Weaver was born April 10, 1872, a son of Adam Weaver, who was born on the same farm and whose death occurred there in 1901, at which time he was fifty-seven years of age. His widow, whose maiden name was Susannah Grube, passed away in 1909, and the remains of both are interred in the cemetery of the Grube Church, in Bell township. Their children were seven in number, Crissie, Rhoda, Bertha, Sarah Bell, Philip S .. Maude (deceased) and Elizabeth (deceased).

George Adam Weaver, grandfather of Philip S. Weaver, was born and reared in Ger- many and immigrated to America about the year 1822. He landed at New Orleans, came up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincin- nati, and thence to near Troutville. Clearfield Co., Pa .. from which locality within a few years he removed to Jefferson county, settling in that part of Young township that is now included in Bell township. His old homestead was about a mile above Big Run. In the midst of the forest he erected his pioncer log house. after which he set himself vigorously to the task of reclaiming his land to cultiva- tion, this naturally involving his association with the early lumbering operations in the county. In his native land he had followed the trade of weaver, but he proved himself well fortified for the work of a pioneer farmer, and won independence and a fair degree of finan- cial prosperity. He was uniformly respected in the community and was called upon to serve in several township offices. About three years prior to his death he removed again to Troutville, Clearfield county, and there he passed away on the 25th of February, 1875, at the age of seventy years. In Germany he wedded Eleanora Schoch, who was born and reared in the Kingdom of Bavaria, and at the time of their immigration to America they had two children, Henry L. and Barbara. Mrs. Weaver continued her residence in Clearfield county until her death, in 1885, at the age of seventy-eight years. Of their children the eldest, Henry L., married Elizabeth Korp, and both are now deceased; Barbara became the wife of Henry Zimmerman and she now re- sides with one of her sons near Troutville, Clearfield county : Andrew married Caroline Knarr, and both are deceased; Peter married Elizabeth Pifer, and he is now deceased ; George S. is mentioned elsewhere, in the sketch of his son, Harry W. ; Adam, father of Philip S., was the next in order of birth ; Susannah, twin of Adam, became the wife of

TUR NEW YORK PUDER LICHARY

₸

Wml. Smith

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Jacob Eddinger and now resides at DuBois, Pa .; Elizabeth is the wife of Samuel G. Kuntz, of Troutville, Clearfield county. Two of the sons were loyal and gallant soldiers of the Union in the Civil war.

Adam Weaver was reared under the condi- tions and influences of the pioneer days and gained his early education in the common schools of the locality and period, the while he contributed his quota to the reclamation and improvement of the old homestead farm, of which he eventually became the owner, having purchased the interests of the other heirs. The finely improved property is now owned by his only son, Philip S.

Philip S. Weaver attended the district schools of Bell township until he had com- pleted the curriculum of the same, and he continued thereafter to be associated with his father in farming and lumbering operations until he was twenty-two years of age. Then he was for a time employed in the city of Pitts- burgh, and upon his return to his native county established his residence at Punxsutawney, where he is now conducting a specially pros- perous grocery and meat business, holding place among the representative merchants of the county's metropolis. In 1910 he purchased the old home farm, which comprises fifty acres, and which was one of the first to be developed in Bell township. As a progressive and public-spirited citizen Mr. Weaver is found aligned in the support of the Democratic party, and he served four years as a member of the town council of Punxsutawney. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is unmarried.

WILLIAM C. SMITH has given to his ideal old homestead farm, in the Beechwoods dis- trict of Washington township, the appropriate title of Fairview Farm. It was here that his birth occurred. on the 20th of February, 1842. Thus he may be designated consistently as one of the venerable representatives of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of Jefferson county, and no family of the fine Scotch-Irish element that early settled in the Beechwoods has been more worthily and prom- inently identified with the march of civic and industrial progress in Jefferson county than his. Mr. Smith's life has been marked by in- domitable energy, by strong intellectuality, by unbounded patriotism, and by that civic loyalty that makes for effective stewardship in all of the relations of life. He is one of the sons of 35

Jefferson county who represented the State as a valiant soldier in the Union in the Civil war, and in the "piping times of peace" has ever shown the same spirit of loyalty which prompted him to go forth in defense of the na- tion's integrity.

Mr. Smith may well consider himself fav- ored in having been reared in the beautiful Beechwoods district and under the conditions and influences of the pioneer days, for such was his early discipline that he waxed strong and vigorous in both brain and brawn, admir- ably equipped for the responsibilities which come into every human life. Until he was fif- teen years of age he was a pupil in the pioneer Beechwoods school, where his mother was one of his early teachers, she having been a woman of gracious personality and distinct culture. Another of his early teachers was Miss Abbie MIcCurdy, and his last teacher in the Beech- woods school was Eli Rogers, under whose direction he was able to make appreciable progress in the study of Latin. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Smith entered Alfred Acad- emy, an excellent institution at Alfred, N. Y., where he continued his studies along higher academic lines for three terms. He then initi- ated his career as a teacher, and for many years was an able and popular representative of the profession. In this connection it is specially pleasing to note that he has never abated his deep interest in educational affairs, having ex- erted much influence in furthering the cause of education in his home county. He was a mem- ber of the school board when provision was made for the establishing of the Washington township high school, which at first utilized a school room at Beechtree. Three years later, in 1904. was effected the erection of the pres- ent modern and attractive high school build- ing, near the Beechwoods Presbyterian church, which is conceded to be one of the finest school buildings in this part of the State. At the be- ginning provision was made for a high school course of only two years, but the great appre- ciation of the advantages afforded has led by degrees to the extending of the curriculum to cover a four years' course.

In 1858, when but sixteen years of age, Mr. Smith began his novitiate in the pedagogic profession by assuming the position of teacher at the McGregor school. in Porter township. Thereafter he went to school during the sum- mers and taught in the winter terms until he had completed his academic education. He was enrolled as a teacher in the schools of this part of Pennsylvania from 1858 to 1894, a period of nearly forty years, and there have

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been few records of so long and effective serv- ice in this important field of endeavor, the one interim in his scholastic activities having been when he was in service as a soldier in the Civil war.

At Brookville, in June, 1863. shortly after attaining to his legal majority, Mr. Smith en- listed, becoming a private in Company B, 2d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His term of enlistment, six months, was passed prin- cipally in service along the line of the Balti- more & Ohio railroad in West Virginia, and at its expiration he returned home, where he re- ceived his honorable discharge. In January, 1864. Mr. Smith reenlisted at Pittsburgh, in Company C, 211th Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, and with this command he continued in active service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out as second lieutenant of his company and duly received his honorable discharge. The 211th Pennsylvania Infantry was assigned to the 2d Brigade of the 3d Di- vision of the oth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and was under command of General Hartranft, later governor of Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith participated in many sanguinary en- gagements, including the battle of Fort Stead- man, Va., and the siege of Petersburg. He has maintained a deep interest in his old com- rades through his active affiliation with E. R. Brady Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Brookville.

At the close of the war Mr. Smith returned home, and soon afterwards, on the 31st of August. 1865. the youthful veteran wedded Eliza McCormick, daughter of the late John McCormick, an honored pioneer of Warsaw. After his marriage Mr. Smith diversified his activities by giving his attention to the man- agement of the old homestead farm during the summer seasons, teaching school during the winters. He has made many improvements on his farm, which he has converted into one of the model rural estates of his native county. Here he lives in peace and prosperity. secure in the high regard of all who know him, and still active and influential in public affairs in Washington township. He has given unflag- ging allegiance to the Republican party from the time of attaining to his majority, and from his youth has been an active and zealous mem- ber of the Beechwoods Presbyterian Church. of which his wife also is a devoted member. He has served consecutively as an elder of this church since 1874, and was a member of the building committee that had in charge the erec- tion of the new church edifice and the par- sonage.

Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith the firstborn, Anne, died at the age of three years ; Margaret is the wife of Robert Hill, of Mc- Veytown. Mifflin county ; l'elton, a prosperous farmer of Washington township, first married Florence Young, of Ada, Ohio, who died Feb. 22. 1908, leaving two children, Frankie and Torrence, and for his second wife he wedded Edith Sterrett : Clara is the wife of James Dougherty, of Omaha, Neb .; Susie remains at the parental home ; Nellie is the wife of David Dennison, of Falls Creek, Clearfield county. and they have three children, Mary, James and William.

Reverting to the ancestral history of Mr. Smith, it is to be recorded that he is the son of William and Ann ( Trotter) Smith, whose marriage took place in the vicinity of Balti- more, Md. William Smith was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1795. a son of William and Isabella ( Duncan ) Smith, who passed their entire lives in the Emerald Isle, and who were representatives of the fine old Scotch Prot- estant families that left Scotland and settled in the North of Ireland to escape religious persecution. William Smith, Jr., was reared and educated in his native land and was a sturdy and ambitious youth of nineteen years when he immigrated to America. His superb physical powers well equipped him for the sturdy work which he undertook in the iron furnaces at Ridgely. Md., and his adventurous spirit led him in his young manhood to move about from place to place, but he was never idle. He was employed as an iron worker in both Tennessee and Vermont, and also worked in the cutting of wood for the manufacturing of charcoal. He finally joined his brother James in the Beechwoods of Jefferson county. establishing his home here in 1834. With the passing years he developed the fine farm now owned and occupied by his son, William C., and here continued to reside until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years, in April. 1882. Prior to coming to Jefferson county he and his wife had accompanied her parents to Indiana, and after his return to the East he was employed in the State of Maryland until 1834. when he became a pioneer farmer of Jefferson county. His devoted wife passed away in May. 1864. William Smith was one of the most honored pioneer citizens of the county at the time of his death. Both he and his wife were early members of the Beech- woods Presbyterian Church. Her father. Hamilton Trotter. assisted in the building of the national capitol at Washington, D. C., and finally he became one of the early pioneer set-

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tlers of Harrison county, Ind. Ilis son and namesake, Hamilton, Jr., lost his life by drown- ing in the James river, below Richmond, Va. Of the children of William and Ann ( Trotter ) Smith the eldest was Hamilton, who continued his residence in Washington township almost up to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1901 : the maiden name of his wife was Isabella Smith. Sarah Jane, the wife of John McClelland, was a resident of Washing- ton township and. Reynoldsville, Pa. Mar- garet, the wife of William McCullough, died at DuBois, Clearfield county. Andrew H., who married Susanna Keys, died in Washington township in 1901. James, who married Sarah Matthews, was a resident of the Beechwoods at the time of his demise. Anne, the wife of McCurdy Millen, died in Nebraska. William C., the youngest, is the only surviving member of his immediate family.

CAPT. JAMES W. MONTGOMERY. So long as time endures shall America owe a debt of gratitude and honor to the brave "boys in blue" who followed the old flag on many a sanguinary battlefield of the South, and by their loyalty, devotion and valor did well their part in preserving the integrity of the nation. One of those valiant soldiers of the Civil war is the now venerable Capt. James W. Mont- gomery, who, after years of earnest and pro- ductive endeavor, is now living virtually retired in the borough of Brookville, a sterling and honored citizen to whom the people of Jefferson county gladly pay a tribute of esteem and goodwill.

Captain Montgomery was born Oct. 20, 1845, in Ireland, where he resided until seven years old, when he came with his parents and brothers to America. His grandfather, James Montgomery, continued his residence in Ireland during his entire life. James Montgomery (2), father of Captain Mont- gomery, was reared and educated in his native land and when a young man there wedded Margaret Smith. In 1852 he immigrated with his family to the United States. The fam- ily landed in due time at the city of Philadel- phia, whence soon afterwards they removed to Hollidaysburg. Blair county, where the hus- band and father became interested in the oper- ation of an iron ore mine. About two years later he contracted a severe cold, and from complications attending the same died, when only thirty-three years old. His wife long survived him, and passed the closing period of her life at Altoona, Pa., where she died at the venerable age of seventy years. Of

their four children. James W. is the eldest ; Michael A. was a resident of Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, at the time of his death, in 1912 ; Philip and John died in childhood.

James W. Montgomery had the early edu- cational advantages afforded in the common and parochial schools of Blair county, Pa. In childhood he gained fellowship with arduous toil, and he continued his association with agri- cultural industry until he responded to the call of higher duty and tendered his aid in defense of the Union, when but sixteen years of age. He was at that time a resident of Altoona, Blair Co., Pa., and he went forth in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers. enlisting in Company C, 55th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. Rich- ard White, of Indiana, this State. With this regiment he proceeded to the front and entered upon a service that was destined to be one of marked gallantry and attended by many hardships and vicissitudes, as well as by par- ticipation in numerous vital and sanguinary battles. In 1863, at Beaufort, S. C., Captain Montgomery was transferred to the regular army and became a member of Battery M, Ist United States Light Artillery. At the historic battle of Olustee, Fla., on the 20th of Febru- ary, 1864. Captain Montgomery was severely wounded. From the battlefield he was re- moved to a Federal hospital, and as his injury incapacitated him for further active service he was given his honorable discharge in October, 1864. He had taken part in many engage- ments. After returning home he joined the National Guards, in which he was soon unani- mously elected as captain of the Emmet Guards of Corry, Pa. Apropos of his career as a youthful soldier of the Civil war the fol- lowing extracts are well worthy of perpetua- tion in this connection, the same being taken from the edition of the New Bethlehem Vindi- cator, of New Bethlehem, Clarion Co .. Pa .. of Feb. 21. 1913, and the writer of the article having stated that Captain Montgomery was one of the few who escaped slaughter in the celebrated Florida battle.

"Few, if any, of his friends knew that Capt. J. W. Montgomery, of Penn street, was one of the few survivors of the bloodiest battle of the Civil war. The reunion of the Union and Confederate veterans to be held in July on the historic battlefield of Gettysburg, just fifty years after the awful slaughter, revived the question as to which was the bloodiest bat- tle of those four years of carnage. This ques- tion has been discussed from the public platform, debated by school boys, and has re-

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 110

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