Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 18

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 18

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MY YORK

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

coal, the highest grade mined in Pennsylvania. It is sold to the Shawmut Coal & Coke Com- pany, of Buffalo, N. Y., who resell. About three hundred and fifty men were employed until the company's recent acquisition of the WV. J. McAninch mines at Knox Dale, which represent an addition to its properties of about one thousand acres and an increase of one hundred and fifty to two hundred men on the working force, raising the output one thou- sand tons daily. The Middle Kittanning coal is found in this field, in four-foot veins. The company's investments are proving very prof- itable. They own seventy acres of coal land, and control about six hundred acres on lease, besides the McAninch property. Two mines are being worked at Knox Dale; one is being opened at Timblin, this county, sixteen miles distant ; and No. I Mine was opened Nov. 1, 1916, after having been closed six years. All are drift mines.

The Stewart Coal Company was incorporated Dec. 29, 1911, with a capital of five thousand dollars, the officers being: W. J. McAninch, treasurer; W. B. Warren, president ; I. N. Stewart. secretary. The present officers (1916) are: W. B. Warren, president; I. N. Stewart, secretary; W. S. Reid, treasurer. Mr. Warren is from DuBois, Mr. Reid from Punxsutawney, and both are experienced coal operators. The company was so named in honor of Mr. Stewart's father, on whose estate the Knox Dale mines are located. The com- pany does not maintain a store, and all the working conditions are regulated according to the highest modern standards.

Mr. Stewart has given his township capable public service, having been township auditor for three years, and being at present a member of the school board. He is independent of political connections, supporting the candidates and measures which meet his approval, regard- less of party. Fraternally he is a Mason. affiliating with the lodge at Brookville, and he and his wife attend the United Brethren Church at Knox Dale.

When twenty-three years old Mr. Stewart was married to Minnie V. Fike, daughter of Samuel and Mary Fike, and a native of Jef- ferson county. Four children have been born to them: Victor, Warren, Mary and Eldora.

HON. THEODORE M. KURTZ, of Punx- sutawney. now completing his second term as member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from that district, has been prominently before the citizens of Jefferson county for the last twenty years in official capacities. His intimate asso- 6

ciation, long continued, has given him experi- ence of many phases of government life and the administration of public affairs, qualifying him for further service. By his fidelity to the in- terests of his constituents he has shown proper appreciation of the honors they have handed him, and marked himself as worthy of them and equal to their responsibilities. But though he has attained his widest popularity probably through the medium of his public associations, he is just as well known in busi- ness circles, where he has manifested the same versatility in the handling of diversified inter- ests. The facility with which he is able to turn from one thing to another is indeed one of the most remarkable traits of this remark- able man, whose forceful personality and vig- orous intellect have carried him to a foremost place among the leaders of thought and action in Jefferson county. He is a native son, born Feb. 27, 1868, in Young township. eldest son of the late Dr. George Michael Kurtz.

Dr. George Michael Kurtz was born in Ger- many and grew up there, enjoying excellent educational facilities. He came to America in young manhood, and having already spent some time in the study of medicine continued his studies in Philadelphia, Pa., where he con- pleted his course of preparation for the pro- fession he had chosen as his life work. Then he came westward to Jefferson county, being an early settler in Young township, near Punx- sutawney, where he purchased a large farm upon which he made his permanent home, looking after its development along with his medical practice, to which latter most of his time and energies were devoted. His skill and conscientious attention to his patients brought him success, and he was specially beloved and respected for his goodness to the poor of the county, none stich ever calling for his services in vain. In fact, he availed himself to the utmost of the physician's opportunities for helpfulness in any capacity, and was consid- ered a model representative of his profession and of ideal citizenship. Though he lived to be eighty-eight years old he continued in ac- tive practice up to within a few months of his death, which occurred in July, 1881. He is buried in the German Reformed cemetery at Punxsutawney, and had been a member of the church of that denomination. He was mourned throughout the region as one of its most valuable citizens.

Dr. Kurtz married Salome Hartzfelt, daughter of Henry Hartzfelt. She came to America from Germany with her parents when thirteen years old, died at the age of forty-

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

three years, and is buried at Punxsutawney. Five children were born to this union: Theo- dore M .: Joseph L., who is assistant cashier of the Punxsutawney National Bank; George H., a resident of Franklin, Pa. ; Anna M .. wife of S. A. Rinn, of Punxsutawney, a prominent coal operator and president of the Punxsu- tawney National Bank ; and Olie, now the wife of William Pattorf, of DuBois, Pennsylvania.

Theodore M. Kurtz acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools of Jefferson county, later attending Waynesburg College, in Greene county, this State. He became a resident of Punxsutawney the year he attained his ma- jority, 1889, and for nearly three years was en- gaged in the flour and feed business in part- nership with T. C. Zeitler. The association was dissolved by mutual consent. and Mr. Kurtz then embarked upon the first enterprise which brought him into close touch with the typical activities of the community, he and W. O. Smith purchasing the Punxsutawney Spirit, then and now one of the leading news- papers of Jefferson county, in 1892. Mr. Kurtz had long been attracted to the business, and he could have chosen no better organ for the experiment and no better associate, Mr. Smith being still the influential editor of that paper. Its large circulation and wide influ- ence continued to expand under their capable management, and Mr. Kurtz had an interest- ing and profitable experience during the four years of his connection with the Spirit. In 1807 he leased his interest in the paper to John P. Wilson in order to devote himself to another line in which he had begun to make invest- ments, the buying and operation of coal prop- erties. He formed a partnership with his brother-in-law. Mr. S. A. Rinn, a leading coal operator of Punxsutawney, and they are doing business together as Kurtz & Rinn, taking high rank among similar concerns in this and ad- joining counties. Mr. Kurtz is at present in- terested in the MeKnight Coal Company and the Cambria Smokeless Coal Company, of Coalport : is a member of the Punxsutawney Board of Trade ; and a director of the Punxsu- tawney National Bank, which he served two years as vice president.

From early manhood Mr. Kurtz has found the keenest pleasure in politics and in following the fortunes of the Republican party, and he is one of its best known workers in western Pennsylvania. As soon as he acquired the right to vote he began to participate actively in local public affairs, and his zeal and ability had honorable reward in 1807 with his election as burgess of Punxsutawney. His services were

highly satisfactory to his townsmen, but he did not remain to complete the term, resigning in the spring of 1899 to take the position of county chairman of his party, which he filled for four successive terms, an unusual honor. In 1898 he had been elected as a delegate to the Republican State convention at Harrisburg. In 1908 he was elected State senator from his district, and reelected in November, 1912, be- ing now in the last year of his second term, with eight years of efficient legislative service to his credit. Mr. Kurtz has labored unsel- fishly in behalf of his party, contributing time, influence and means to its promotion, but he has not accepted office merely as a reward for his activity, rather as a means of exemplifying the principles for which he stands. Socially he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias. B. P. O. Elks and Improved Order of Red Men.

Mr. Kurtz married Maude Rowan, daughter of J. 11. Rowan, of Oliver township. Jeffer- son county. Six children have been born to them: Leone, Helen, Geraldine, Theodore, George Harvey and Donald. The family be- long to the Presbyterian Church.

CLARENCE CLARK CHITESTER, of Brockwayville, has a number of live business connections indicative of the energetic part he takes in promoting the industrial pros- perity of this part of Jefferson county. His interests are sufficiently diversified to show that he has courage in taking advantage of opportunities, though he is known principally as a coal operator and driller, in which line he has been engaged practically all the time since he started on his independent career. Mr. Chitester was born Feb. 20, 1861, on the old farm in Knox township occupied by his grandparents and parents, in turn, being a member of one of the early families of that region whose representatives in every gen- eration have been worthy citizens.

The Chitesters are of English origin, and early generations of the family in this country are found in New Jersey, from which State some of its members served in the Revolu- tionary war. The great-grandfather of Clar- ence Clark Chitester was a native of New Jersey, and one of his sons. William, was with Commodore Perry in the battle of Lake Erie. Another, Daniel, was the grandfather of C. C. Chitester.

Daniel Chitester was born Aug. 12. 1808, at Hollidaysburg, Pa .. and moved with the family to Westmoreland county, this State, where he grew up. On Aug. 21, 1828. he

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

was married there to Elizabeth Schrum, who was born Nov. 9. 1802, at Fairfield, West- moreland county. Some time later this cou- ple came to Jefferson county, where they were among the pioneer settlers. After hunt- ing all over this section for a desirable site Mr. Chitester selected the tract of 120 acres in the wilderness now known as the Jacob Johns place, upon which he built his home, a one and a half story log house, with stone flue fireplace. This house stood until a few years ago. Here the sons John and David were born. By trade Mr. Chitester was a millwright, and preferring such work to agri- culture as it was then carried on he moved from the farm to the mill at Port Barnett which he erected and operated. But the mill dust made him asthmatic, and he was obliged to give up that kind of work, so he pur- chased and moved to a farm in Knox township in 1848, and there died June 26, 1852, aged forty-three years, ten months, fourteen days. His wife survived him but one year, dying on the farm Oct. 23, 1853, aged fifty years, eleven months, fourteen days. They were interred in the old burial ground at Brookville. Of their five children the eldest, and the only daughter, Esther, was born Nov. 2, 1829. before the family moved to Jefferson county, and died Feb. 2, 1860; she was twice married, her first husband being Martin Howard, her second William Bailey. John Andrew, born June 17, 1831, died Dec. 10, 1912; he never married, and resided on the old homestead with his brother David, and they had joint care of the place; he is buried in the Meade Chapel cemetery in Knox township. David was the father of C. C. Chitester. Daniel S .. born June 6, 1836, died March 10, 1861, of diphtheria ; he married Elizabeth Ritchey, and is survived by a son, Daniel, of Falls Creek, Pa. Lyman B., born Oct. 25, 1841, was a soldier in the Civil war, and is now living re- tired at Reynoldsville, Jefferson county ; he married Margaret Uplinger.

David Chitester, born Oct. 30, 1833. at the place where his parents originally settled, now owned by his grandson Clyde Chitester, moved thence with the family to Port Barnett, where his father built the old water mill. He was a youth when they moved to the Knox town- ship homestead, which he owned until he died there. April 29, 1914, after a residence of sixty-six vears at the same spot. Most of his schooling was acquired in the log school to which he was sent while the family lived at Port Barnett, but at the best his opportu- nities were limited, and though he was but

eighteen when his father died he and his older brother, John A., took charge of the home place for their mother, who did not survive long. His early years were spent in typical pioneer fashion. Supplies were hauled prin- cipally from Kittanning, but some came from as far away as Olean, N. Y. The spelling bees and singing schools afforded practically all the social life provided for the young people. But he was diligent and intelligent in the man- agement of his affairs, in which he prospered sufficiently to bring his family up well and enable him to spend his days in contentment. In all his domestic and social relations he ad- hered to high standards which won him the affectionate esteem of his family and friends. He was brought up in the tenets of the Pres- byterian faith, but with his wife joined the Meade Chapel - Methodist Episcopal, and when that church was being erected helped to haul the timber.

On March 2, 1857. Mr. Chitester was mar- ried in Knox township to Martha Ann Eck- man, daughter of William and Phoebe ( Ford) Eckman; the latter was of Scotch-Irish ex- traction. Mrs. Chitester was born Dec. 7, 1836, in. Armstrong county, Pa., near Apollo, her parents moving from that county to Knox township, Jefferson county, where they died. Mrs. Chitester had only the ordinary educa- tional advantages which the public schools of the day afforded. Like her husband she reached an advanced age, passing away Dec. 21, 1913, a few months before him. Their daughter, Mrs. Hetrick, and her husband lived with the old couple the last year of their lives, looking after their comfort. Mr. and Mrs. Chitester are buried in Meade Chapel cemetery. Mrs. Chitester was one of the most devoted workers in the congregation there, in spite of the fact that she had numerous household duties. She was the mother of nine children, viz .: Austin Ambrose, born in 1859, died in 1864; Clarence Clark was the second; George Gourley, born Jan. 6, 1863. is a resident of Brookville; Sherman, born April 3, 1864, died aged one year, six months, three days: Clara Elizabeth. born Dec. 10. 1865. is the wife of Rush M. Mehrten, of Brookville: Edith, born May 19, 1867, is the wife of Frank B. Hetrick, and they are now living at Brookville: Robert Nicholson, born March 15, 1860, is living near Brookville in Pinecreek township, where he is engaged in farming at what is known as Fairview Heights (he married Louise Schweitzer, of Clarion county ) ; Joseph Matthews, born March 18, 1871, is residing on the old homestead in

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Knox township, where he looked after his parents in their declining years (he married Mary Hawthorne) ; Amanda B., born Jan. 10, 1877. married Frank W. Swineford, of Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Clarence Clark Chitester attended the Lucas school in the vicinity of his boyhood home, among his early teachers being Dr. J. G. Steiner, of Brookville ; the late George Zetler ; the late James Campbell; J. Newton Kelly, who was later a county commissioner; and Lester Fleming, who was severe but an ex- cellent educator, under whom the boy made good progress. Marion Fitzsimmons and Frank Griffin were his last instructors. His studies were continued until he was eighteen or nineteen years of age, but long before leav- ing school he had commenced training for the practical work of life, there being plenty of need for his assistance in the operation of the home place. There was considerable timber on the property then, and he spent the greater part of the winter season helping his father in the woods, getting out square timber. saw logs, etc. He seldom did any work away from home until he was twenty-four years old. Then he started to learn the carpenter's trade with one of his former teachers, Marion Fitz- simmons, with whom he continued for three years, working as a journeyman until the autumn of 1888. His next experience was as a tool dresser in the old fields of Bradford county and Kane ( in Mckean county) for some time, until he took a position at Punxsu- tawney in the employ of Van Horn & Brit- ton. working on a Keystone drilling machine. In the fall of 1891 he and his father-in-law. Thomas Hutchinson, purchased a drilling ma- chine and followed the drilling business in partnership until Mr. Hutchinson's death. in June. 1912, since when Mr. Chitester has car- ried it on alone, buying out Mr. Hutchinson's interest. He has tested practically all the coal lands into which the Shawmut Mining Com- pany has ventured, not only in Jefferson, but also in Elk and Armstrong counties, including some very extensive and valuable fields. Though he still operates for that company he does not devote himself to their interests en- tirely, being engaged in the business on his own account. Naturally he has also acquired interests in coal property, taking advantage of favorable opportunities which have presented themselves in the course of his activities as a driller. and in March. 1914. in company with John Chilleott, John Armstrong and W. W. Henchey, they organized and set in operation the Pawnee Coal Company, of which he is

president. He also owns considerable real estate in the borough of Brockwayville and in Knox and Pinecreek townships. In 1913 Mr. Chitester became interested in the automobile business, starting the Brockway Garage, which he has since conducted very profitably, and in connection therewith he has exclusive sales rights for the Ford cars in Brockwayville and Snyder township. Mr. Chitester combines lris various interests advantageously, giving evidence of keen business ability in the close attention he applies to each without letting any of the others suffer because of neglect. He also finds time for social diversions, being well known in the local fraternal bodies as a member of Masonic Lodge No. 379, the blue lodge at Ridgway, and of the I. O. O. F. lodge of his home place. In political principle Mr. Chitester has been in sympathy with the Re- publicans for a number of years, but he votes independently. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the M. E. Church, which he serves officially as a member of the board of trustees.

In October, 1890, Mr. Chitester married Catherine Anna Hutchinson of Brockwayville, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann ( Smith) Hutchinson, and they have two children : Martha Ethel. now Mrs. George Carlyle Nob- bit. of Brockwayville; and Thomas II .. at home.

HON. SAMUEL A. CRAIG is a repre- sentative of an old pioneer family of Penn- sylvania and is one of the more vener- able of the resident native sons of Jeffer- son county. He has long practiced his profession, maintaining high prestige as an attorney. an honored soldier and efficient public servant. He was born at Brookville on the 19th of November, 1839, and during the long years of a signally earnest and useful life has not faltered in loyalty and allegiance to his native town. Samuel Craig was for many years a resident of Marion Center, Indiana county, and became one of the pioneers of Brookville, where both he and wife passed their closing years. Their son Samuel was born and reared in Indiana county, coming to Brookville in 1831 and here died at the age of seventy-six. He was formerly engaged in the manufacturing of chairs, and later became a leading merchant. He possessed alert men- tality and s'erling character, wielded influence and served as county treasurer in 1841. His wife was , Margaret Hjelm Park, born and reared in Indiana County. Of their children the eldest is John P .. who was captain in the 15th lowa Regiment in the Civil war and now

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

resides at Joplin, Mo. The other children are : Jane, who was the wife of Dr. S. C. Allison, of Punxsutawney, both now deceased ; Mary L .; Samuel Alfred ; Robert B .; Agnes ; Margaret ; and W. Franklin. Robert B. is deceased and Agnes E. is the widow of Attorney William F. Stewart, and lives in Brookville; Mary L., Margaret and W. Franklin are in Washington, the latter holding a clerkship with the Inter- State Commerce Commission.

Samuel .\. Craig attended the public schools, also gaining the equivalent of a liberal educa- tion, by serving an apprenticeship to the print- er's trade. He worked on the Jefferson Star and on the Jeffersonian. While in Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Washington county, he laid aside his studies at the outbreak of the Civil war, and tendered his aid in defense of the Union. At the first call he enlisted, for three months, in Company I, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel MeKnight. Given an honorable discharge, he returned and for a few months taught in the Brookville schools, re-enlisting in December. 1861, in Company B. 105th Regiment, being chosen second lieutenant under his former commander, Colonel McKnight. He was soon promoted to first lieutenant, and with his regi- ment entered active service as a part of the Army of the Potomac. While in the siege of Yorktown, Va., he was detailed as assistant engineer on the staff of General Heintzelman. In the battle of Fair Oaks, he was shot through the head and right leg, lying on the battlefield two days and two nights. Recovering he re- joined his regiment and was recommended for promotion for gallantry and wounds received in that engagement, on the 26th of August, 1862, being commissioned captain of his com- pany. In the engagement at Manassas Junc- tion with General Stonewall Jackson Captain Craig received a severe wound in his right wrist and, with about half his command, was captured, but a few days later was recaptured and resumed his command, leading it in the battle of Chancellorsville, when he was com- missioned captain by Lincoln, of the Veteran Reserve Corp guarding prisoners at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. He was assigned as commander of the Soldiers Home at India- napolis, and was then provost marshal at that city one year. After the close of the war Gen. O. O. Howard chose him as an assistant com- missioner in the Freedmen's Bureau, with serv- ice in Texas. When Abraham Lincoln's body lay in state in the capitol at Indianapolis he was one of a detail of four as guard of honor

to stand at the head of the bier as the proces- sion passed.

lle soon began the reading of law, under the late George A. Jenks, and in 1876 was ad- mitted to the bar. In 1879 he was elected dis- trict attorney for one term, thereafter giving attention almost exclusively to the demands of an ever increasing clientele. In 1888 he was elected representative to the Fifty-first Con- gress. Captain Craig has since continued in successful practice having part in most of the important litigation, attaining enviable reputa- tion as a skillful advocate and reliable coun- selor. He is actively identified with the Jef- ferson County Bar Association (is author of the History of the Bench and Bar of Jefferson county) and also with the Pennsylvania State Bar Association. His interest in old army comrades is indicated by affiliation with E. R. Brady Post, being Past Commander. He be- longs to Hobah Lodge, No. 276, F. & A. M .. and both he and his wife are zealous members of the First Presbyterian Church, in which he is elder and historian.

On Oct. 6, 1870, was solemnized his mar- riage to Nancy R. Rodgers, daughter of the late Dr. Mark Rodgers, who was for many years one of the representative physicians and honored citizens here. They have two chil- dren: Anna Hjelm is the wife of S. S. Hen- lerson, of Brookville; and Mark Rodgers Craig is title officer of the Potter Title & Trust Company, of Pittsburgh.

JOHN WILSON HENDERSON, of Brookville, is one of the oldest business men still maintaining active connection with the commercial affairs of that borough, where he began business fifty years ago. The millinery and notion house which he carries on is the oldest establishment of the kind in the town.

John Wilson Henderson, eldest son of Joseph Washington and Nancy ( Wilson) Henderson, was born at Brookville Dec. 18, 1840, and acquired his education in the home schools. He gained his early business expe- rience as clerk for his uncle, David Wilson, at Corsica, this county. On June 17, 1857, he went to the town of Clarion to learn the trade of tinsmith, and during his apprenticeship re- ceived twenty-five dollars a year "and found." lle was still working there when the Civil war broke out, and he entered the Union service almost immediately, enlisting April 30th in the Clarion Guards, who went to Pittsburgh and became part of the 8th Pennsylvania Reserves. Under this enlistment Mr. Henderson re- mained in the army twenty-two months, dur-

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 18

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