Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 114

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 114

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field county, where he lived from 1842 until his death, which occurred July 8. 1801. Sev- eral years after his arrival in this country he was married, at the old Mix place at what is now Big Soldier, Jefferson county, to Margaret Ellen Mix, a native of Clarion county, Pa., daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth ( Reed) Mix. Her parents settled in Jefferson county, Pa., at an early day, and spent their remain- ing years there. Mrs. Wayne died Dec. 7, 1893, and was buried with her husband on the homestead, in a family burial plot opened nearly seventy years ago. Of their children, Lavina E. married E. F. Hand, of DuBois ; Rysome is a resident of Jefferson county ; Araminta 1). has remained at the homestead ; T. J. was a business man at DuBois for a num- ber of years.

Rysome Wayne grew to manhood in his native county, remaining on the home farm until 1886. Meantime he had been allowed common school advantages, and he had the careful training in agricultural work easily acquired on a farm where thrift and industry prevail. When he left home he came to llen- derson township, Jefferson county, and settled upon a 100-acre tract two miles north of Big Run, of which about forty acres were then un- der cultivation. He at once set himself to the task of improving the property, building and clearing, and he still continues to own and operate that farm, where he made his home until his removal to Desire. It became a very valuable place under his thrifty management. and is in excellent condition, a substantial piece of testimony to his skill as an agricul- turist and to his business ability. When the coal mines were opened at Sugar Hill, now known as Desire, Mr. Wayne moved into the village, in 1896, bought a hotel which he en- larged and improved, and also purchased a farm property there. He carried on the hotel until a short time ago, and was a very popular landlord, the place paying well in his hands. He still owns the hotel and his farm at the village. Meantime he has acquired other prop- erty at Desire, owning several houses which he rents. This little mining village is five miles north of Big Run and eight miles cast of Punxsutawney, and the Eleanora mines are in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Wayne has taken considerable interest in the welfare of his town and township, and is at present a member of the Henderson township school board, on which he has been serving for several years On political questions he is a Democrat.

When twenty-eight years old Mr. Wayne married Emma Henneman, a native of Hen-

derson township, daughter of Henry and Louise Henneman, who still reside on their farm there, the father now ( 1916) seventy-six years old. Mrs. Wayne was but a young girl at the time of her marriage. Thirteen chil- dren have been born to this union, three dying in childhood, the others being: Lester DuBois, who is now employed in a locomotive works ; Hazel, a teacher, living at home; Ethel : Emma ; Edward; Ellen ; Florence ; Lovina : Elvera, and Robert.

WILLIAM KENNEDY CORBETT, late of Brockwayville, possessed a sterling char- acter and ranked with the desirable citizens of his borough, being well known and highly esteemed in the various relations of life. With- out taking direct part in public affairs or aspir- ing to conspicuous place, he was one whose influence for good was of real benefit to the community, where he is remembered for his excellent qualities and likable personality.

Mr. Corbett was born Nov. 19, 1860, in Clar- ion county, Pa., son of Cyrus Riggs and Jane ( Kennedy ) Corbett, the latter now deceased. The father is living at Baxter, Jefferson county, and we have record of his children, besides William K., namely: Mrs. George Knapp, of Brookville: Mrs. J. A. Long, of Vandergrift, P'a. ; Mrs. Philip Covert, of Mur- docksville, Pa .; L. C. Corbett, of Kittanning. Pa .; J. D. Corbett, of Baxter ; Ed. Corbett, of Brookville : and Miss Kate Corbett, late a mis- sionary to India, who recently died in that country, at Sialkat.

William Kennedy Corbett spent his early vears at the old Kennedy home, the old brick house near Brookville being a well known land- mark. Later he lived on the Jackson Ken- nedy farm, and moved to the old Lucas farm near Baxter, where his father still resides. lle attended the country schools in these vari- ous localities. Assisting with the farm work, at the age of sixteen years he was employed by his uncle. Alexander Kennedy, then owner of the original Kennedy farm. Later he as- sisted his father at lumbering, cutting, hewing. hauling and rafting, and knew all the other ex- periences common to the business, taking his share in the enjoyments and dangers which were part of the life. Soon after attaining his majority he entered the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company as a bridge builder on the Low Grade division, along the Red Bank creek. and continued at that work until his twenty-ninth year. In 1890 he settled at Brockwayville, where he was destined to re- main till the close of his life. He married the

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next year and began housekeeping in the resi- dence which his widow still owns. For about three years thereafter Mr. Corbett was en- gaged as a builder of houses and bridges, then becoming boss carpenter with the Northwest Mining & Exchange Company and being so employed until his accidental death. About five o'clock on the afternoon of Feb. 18, 1914, while coming home on the miners' train from the County Line mine, whither his work had called him, he was killed by a collision caused by an Erie engine running wild, which tele- scoped the rear coach, in which he was riding. He was caught on the front platform while trying to escape and instantly killed. The fatality was mourned by the entire community. for he had many friends among his associ- ates ; his industrious habits and excellent prin- ciples were admired by all. The remains were taken to Baxter for interment. When fourteen Years old Mr. Corbett joined the United P'res- byterian Church, at Baxter, but finding no church of that denomination at Brockwayville he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, with which he was thenceforth asso- ciated, his life being that of an exemplary Christian. lle and his wife did their share in the betterment of all conditions in the local- ity. their influence being especially effective in the assimilation by the children of the for- eign element of our customs and manners. Every movement for good had their hearty cooperation.

On Oct. 1. 1891, Mr. Corbett married Mary Ella Cooley, of Brookville, who was there born and received her education in its pub- lic and select schools. Her parents were Charles Henry and Louisa (Barr) Cooley. whose home was virtually a dispensary for good cheer and comfort.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Corbett : Chester Cooley, born at Brockway- ville, Dec. 27. 1894, graduated from the high school, learned carpentry, and is now an em- plove in the Canton ( Ohio ) steel mill ; Charles Martel, born in Brockwayville, Sept. 12, 1899. graduated from the high school and is now a freshman in State College; Mary Catherine, born Dec. 17, 1001, is still attending school.

Charles Henry Cooley, father of Mrs. Cor- bett, was married Sept. 10, 1866, at Brook- ville. to Louisa Barr, who was born March 7. 1844. in Clarion county, Pa., daughter of Lewis and Jane ( Meredith) Barr. She was quite young when her parents moved to Brookville. where she spent the remainder of her life, dying in 1016, when past seventy-two years old, at her home in East Brookville. Though

she had been in poor health for some time, her death was quite sudden. She was buried in the Brookville cemetery, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. James B. Hill, of the Brookville Presbyterian Church, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Yates, of Ramsaytown. Mrs. Cooley is survived by her husband and four children: C. E., of Tyrone, N. Mex. ; Mrs. Emma Shobert, of Canton, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Ella Corbett, and Mrs. Eva Butler, of Kane. There are ten grandchildren. She is also sur- vived by three brothers and two half-sisters: E. 11. Barr, of Devils Lake, N. Dak. ; E. W. Barr, of Princeton, W. Va .; Wallace Barr, of Gilfoyle, Pa. ; Mrs. Carrie Wise, of Butler, and Mrs. Louella Allison, of Port Allegany.

At the time of Mrs. Cooley's death a Brook- ville paper had an appreciative notice, from which we take the following: "She had no fear of death, was always spiritually inclined, and in all her acts and deeds throughout her life showed the true spirit of a Christian woman. Her mother died when she was about fifteen years of age, leaving her to take care of a large family, including a baby only six months old. This mother's place she nobly filled until the family were old enough to take care of themselves, when she married Mr. Cooley. Her life was practically that of the pioneer. She was strong and enjoyed the building of her new home. She was a most hospitable woman, a noted cook, and her table was well known and enjoyed by many people. In early life she was a missionary in the home community. An infant never came that her presence was not wanted and gladly given. She had no fear of contagious diseases, and many sick were helped and made glad by her presence. She was a true home and foreign missionary. In later years her life was in her own family and surroundings, and as her health failed she looked forward cheerfully 'to her future home. She was tireless in her care and vigilance in guiding her family, and as they grew up made it one of the happiest of homes. She lived a good and useful life, and her passing away brings sorrow to many. She was a member of the Church of God."

CLAUDE C. MITCHELL is the efficient and popular station agent for the Pittsburgh, Shawmut & Northern railroad, in the thriving village of Knox Dale, eight miles south of Brookville. He has the further distinction of being the first and only agent thus to serve at Knox Dale, where he assumed control when the station was established, on the Ist of De- cember, 1913, though the line of the railroad

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had been constructed through this county about three years previously.

Mr. Mitchell was born at North Freedom. Armstrong Co., Pa., Feb. 10, 1883, a son of John and Louisa M. ( Minich ) Mitchell. His paternal grandfather, Arthur Mitchell, was a boy when his parents, George and Mary Mitch- ell, moved with their family from the old home in the eastern part of the State and became pioneer settlers at North Freedom, Armstrong county. This was before 1840, and they passed the remainder of their lives in the new home, both dying there. Mrs. Mary Mitchell reached an advanced age. Arthur Mitchell was the only son, and only one daughter. Emma, reached maturity. She married Alexander Cougher. At the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Mohney he settled on his father's farm be- tween North Freedom and Mayport. He died in March. 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife survived until May, 1916, being past seventy at the time of her death. Of their eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, John Smith is mentioned below ; George is unmarried ; Joseph died in 1900, when about thirty years old; Frank, who is unmarried, owns the old Mitchell homestead in partnership with his brother George; Fred is located in Seattle, Wash. ; Rebecca, widow of John Min- ich, lives near North Freedom; Mary married Robert Knappenburger, and they are living on part of the old Mitchell homestead, which contains two sets of buildings ; Elizabeth mar- ried Robert Minich, of Clarion county.

John Smith Mitchell was born July 31, 1863, in Redbank township, Armstrong county. After his marriage he lived for two years on the old Mitchell homestead. in 1883 moving to Jefferson county and settling on his present farm in Knox township, one mile south of Knox Dale. The property comprises over forty acres, which was all in the woods when he settled there, but now it is nearly all under cultivation. There is coal underneath, but Mr. Mitchell has neither leased nor sold the mineral rights, and though he has operated a coal bank for some years he has engaged in that line only on a small scale, mainly for his own use. Until recently he retained his inter- est in the old Mitchell homestead. With a sincere interest in the welfare of the com- munity, he has taken an active part in the di- rection of public affairs, serving in such local offices as supervisor and tax collecter, whose duties he discharged with the same scrupulous care which he gives to his private concerns. Politically he is a Democrat, and an enthusi-

astic Wilson supporter. By way of recreation he enjoys hunting in his vacation periods.

On Feb. 10. 1881, Mr. Mitchell married Lou- isa MI. Minich, who was born March 31, 1863, in Ringgold township, Jefferson county, daugh- ter of Henry and Matilda , ( Young ) Minich. Henry Minich was a child when his father set- tled in that township, as early as 1830, and he spent the rest of his life there, caring for his parents in their old age. He died about twenty- five years ago, at the age of seventy-six years, li's wife Matilda surviving to the age of eighty- one years, dying in about 1906. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Mitchell, Charles died at the age of twenty- two years ; Claude C. is mentioned below ; Lena is the wife of Sam Roth, of New York City; Reed is engaged in an automobile factory in New York City; Truman is employed in the Westinghouse works at Pittsburgh ; Maxwell, Mamie and Sarah are at home. The mother is a member of the Evangelical Association Mr. Mitchell is one of the substantial and hon- ored farmer citizens of Knox township. He was formerly concerned with lumbering oper- ations in this county, but now gives virtually his entire attention to the management of his farm, where both he and his wife delight to extend hospitality to their many friends.

Claude C. Mitchell was very young at the time of the family's removal to Jefferson county, where he was reared on the home farm and where he began to assist in reclamation work and other farm activities when he was a lad of fourteen years. He took part in the lumbering operations of his father, and he finds more pleasure in retrospect than he did in the actual performance when he admits that for six years he gave much of his time and atten- tion to the peeling of hemlock bark, as inci- dental to other activities in the felling of the pine and hemlock timber. He assisted also in the rafting of timber in the spring seasons, the product being taken down the streams to Pittsburgh, and he also had his quota of ex- perience in connection with sawmill operation, besides which he found demand for his phys- ical prowess in the mining of coal during the winter seasons. His diversified activities thus continued for about ten years, and in the mean- while he had not neglected the advantages af- forded in the public schools.

In 1905 Mr. Mitchell entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Empire, Ohio, where he learned the trade of telegrapher, after which he was employed by the company as an operator, first at Empire and later in the city of Cleveland, until he as-

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

sttmed his present post at Knox Dale, where his technical and executive ability has enabled him to systematize and give effective admin- istration of the duties devolving upon him as station agent for the Pittsburgh, Shawmut & Northern Railroad Company. The village is on the Brookville & Mahoning division of the line. Mr. Mitchell has identified himself heartily and fully with the interests of the community, where he has a wide circle of friends, having been reared and educated in this part of the county. About the year 1911 Mr. Mitchell purchased the Samuel Strawcut- ter homestead, adjoining the grounds of the Knox Dale railroad station and comprising about twenty-five acres of land, with a good house and other buildings. The place was owned in the early days by Daniel Rhodes, but has been familiarly known by the name of a subsequent owner, Samuel Strawcutter. Here Mr. Mitchell has a pleasant home, most conveniently situated for his business. He gives his undivided time and attention to his official duties, the scope of which is greater than that of the usual village railway station. as large amounts of locally mined coal are shipped from Knox Dale. Mr. Mitchell does not circumscribe his interests entirely, for he shows a genuine appreciation of the national game, baseball. He has never been troubled with political ambition, voting independently. and is always ready to do his part in the furtherance of enterprises advanced for the general good ot his home community.

On Aug. 20, 1906, was recorded the mar- riage of Mr. Mitchell to Jennie Beatrice Let- tie, of Sprankle Mills, this county, and of the three children of this union only one survives, George, who is now a lad of eight years ( 1916). At Reynoldsville Mr. Mitchell main- tains affiliation with the camp of the Improved Order of Red Men.

JOHN M. SYPHRIT, who is the efficient and popular outside foreman at the Trout Run colliery, at Wishaw. Winslow township, is a scion of the third generation of the Svphrit family in Jefferson county. His grandfather, Joseph Syphrit, was born in Canada, Jan. 15. 1814, a son of Christian and Mary ( Shank ) Syphrit. Ile came to Jefferson county in 1841 and became one of the pioneer settlers in Winslow township, where he reclaimed a farm from the forest, incidentally being associated with early lumbering operations in this section of the State, rafting timber and lumber down to Pittsburgh and even to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1835 Joseph Syphrit wedded Mary, daugh-

ter of J. K. Campbell, of Ligonier Valley, Pa., and both continued to reside on their old home- stead until the close of their long and worthy lives. They became the parents of thirteen children, Rebecca, Susan, Daniel, Mary, Noah, Christopher, Amanda, Lizzie, Priscilla, Joseph, Martin, Julia A. and Maggie.

Daniel Syphrit, father of John M. Syphrit, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., March 18. 1841, and in the same year his parents established their home on the pioneer farm in Jefferson county, as above noted. He was reared to manhood in Winslow township and since 1865 has resided upon his present well improved farm of one hundred acres there. He reclaimed this farm virtually from the primitive wilds and has been one of the ster- ling and honored citizens of the county in which he has maintained his home from in- fancy, until he now holds prestige as one of the venerable pioneer citizens of Winslow township. In 1871 was solemnized his mar- riage to Mary A. Henry, a daughter of John F. and Caroline Henry, well known pioneers of this county. The names of the children of Daniel and Mary Syphrit are here noted : John M., Sarah E., George W., Alice C., Anna Bell, Noah W., Charles L., Vernie May, Tusla E., Myrtle V. and Dewey F. Daniel Syphrit has been influential in public affairs in his home community and has served as supervisor of Winslow township. Both he and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John M. Syphrit was born on the old home- stead farm mentioned above, and the date of his nativity was Dec. II. 1872. He gained his early education in the public schools of Wins- low township and continued to be associated with the work and management of the home farm until he had attained to his legal major- ity. Thereafter he was engaged in farming independently until 1902, when he identified himself with the coal mining operations of his native county, his present position being that of outside foreman for the well known Trout Run colliery and his residence being in Reynoldsville borough. At the Trout Run mine, of which Henry Redding is superin- tendent. employment is given to a force of about two hundred and fifty men, and of this number about seventy work under the direct supervision of Mr. Syphrit. Mr. Syphrit is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men, and both he and his wife hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Syphrit married Mary Allison, a daugh-

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ter of John Allison. No children have been born of this union.

DAVID BOLLINGER. Though he is near- ing the psalmist's allotted span of threescore years and ten this sterling citizen of Reynolds- ville manifests the mental and physical vigor of the average man many years his junior, and he is still actively concerned with business affairs, as he holds the position of night fore- man in the leach house of the well ordered manufacturing plant of the Elk Tanning Com- pany, one of the important industrial enter- prises of Jefferson county. There is special consistency in according recognition in this work to Mr. Bollinger, for he is a native son of this county and a member of one of the sterling pioneer families whose name early be- came worthily linked with civic and material development and progress in the county.

Mr. Bollinger was born on the old home- stead farm of his father in Winslow town- ship, this county, and the date of his nativity was Oct. 7, 1848. He is a son of Alexander and Mary ( Long ) Bollinger, both of whom continued to reside on the farm until they died. and the names of both merit enduring place on the roll of the honored pioneers of Jefferson county. Alexander Bollinger was born in Allegheny county, this State, July 26, 1809, and was a son of Michael Bollinger, who reclaimed one of the productive farms of that county. Michael Bollinger was born in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, and coming to the western section settled in Allegheny county, where he spent all the rest of his life. He was twice married, his first wife having been Catherine Culp and his sec- ond Elizabeth Stewart, with whom he was killed by lightning, which struck their home and brought practically instant death to both. lle had six children by the first union: Alex- ander. Michael, Samuel, Mary, Eliza and Nancy. Among the seven born to the second marriage were Barbara, Aaron and John, the latter deceased in infancy.

In the year 1842, shortly after his marriage, which took place in Allegheny county, Alex- ander Bollinger came to Jefferson county and purchased a 180-acre tract of wild land in what is now Winslow township, where he settled April 19 of that year and reclaimed a farm from the forest. He bought this property from the Holland Land Company, whose land agent here was the well known Mr. Gaskill, and hay- ing erected a log house set to work to clear his land, getting it under cultivation as he cut the timber off and continuing his activities as

an agriculturist until his death, Jan. 19, 1890, at the age of eighty years, five months, twenty- four days. His devoted wife followed him to the grave .Aug. 19, 1898, and the remains of both rest in the Syphrit cemetery in Wins- low township. She was a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Best) Long. The latter's father, William Best, came to America from Germany in the days of sailing vessels, and the ocean voyage took thirteen months. Alex- ander and Mary (Long ) Bollinger had the following children: Catherine Ann; Eliza- beth; Sarah, wife of John Douthit ; Maria, wife of George Kircker ; David, a resident of Reynoldsville ; Samuel, of Reynoldsville ; Joseph A., who was living in Jefferson county at the time of his death, Ang. 1, 1916; Mar- garet Susan, wife of David Brumbaugh, living in Winslow township; Martha Isabella, de- ceased ; and Leah S., who died young.

ELIZABETHI BOLLINGER, daughter of Alexan- der and Mary (Long) Bollinger, was born in Allegheny county, Pa., Sept. 20, 1841, and was consequently but seven months old when her parents settled in Winslow township. She had the educational facilities of the public schools conducted in the neighborhood during her girl- hood, and has always remained at the home- stead place of her parents, that farm now be- longing to her. . Miss Bollinger also owns an- other tract, comprising 148 acres, in McCal- mont township, and has given business-like supervision to her interests, showing competent judgment in the management of both her farms. Like the members of the family gen- erally, she is a Presbyterian in religious doc- trine and association.

In the pioneer schools of Winslow township David Bollinger, one of the sons of Alexander Bollinger, acquired his early education, and even as a boy he gained definite fellowship with honest toil and endeavor on the home farm. When a youth he became actively iden- tified with lumbering operations in this section of the State, and much of the native timber in and about the present thriving little borough of Reynoldsville was felled by him, working either independently or as a contractor. He continued his association with the lumbering industry in his native county until 1896, and in the following year he found employment in the tannery at West Reynoldsville. He has since continued his effective service with the Elk Tanning Company, and since 1902 has held the position of night foreman at the leach house of the now extensive plant, being one of the oldest employes of the company. For seven years he was a member of the school

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 114

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