Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 20

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 20

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(12) George Cooper Brown, born Oct. 28,

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1868, married Ada Willson, of Punxsutawney, daughter of John P. Willson, and they have two sons: Henry W., who is studying in Philadelphia, and Donald, attending school in Punxsutawney.

( 13) Ward Fulton Brown, born Oct. 21, 1869, is now in the lumber business at Eskota, N. C., being half owner in the Brown Broth- ers Lumber Company, of which he is presi- dent and manager. Except for an occasional respite, when relieved by his brother P. Lot Brown, he remains at Eskota in constant supervision of the company's interests. He married Olive Jenks, of Punxsutawney, daughter of Jolin Jenks.

( 14) Andrew Barclay Brown, born Dec. 8, 1870, died Jan. 11, 1880.

(15) Weight B. Brown, born Feb. 28, 1872, died Aug. 20, 1872.

(16) Edward Purl Brown, born March 25, 1874, married Clara Graffius, of Punxsutaw ney, Pa., who is deceased. They had one son, who died young.

David Fisher Brown was born Oct. 7. 1856, on his father's farm at Bells Mills, where he grew up. He obtained his education in the local public schools, and remained at home until twenty-three years of age, when he went to Clearfield county, this State. His early environment had been such as to make him familiar with woods and mill work, and he hired out in the lumber woods, receiving sixty cents a day wages. After a short time he decided to try his fortune elsewhere, and went to Bradford, Pa., where he was first employed in the manufacture of oil machinery. He was one of the earliest operators in the oil field in that section, drilling wells, and from there went to other fields in every part of the United States where oil is found, gaining a wide experience in the thirty years or more of his connection with the industry, from which he withdrew in 1914, when he sold his last holding, in Oklahoma, to the Standard Oil in- terests. Now his chief investments are in the lumber business, which he carries on in con- nection with his brothers Ward F., Peter L. and George C. Brown, under the firm name of Brown Brothers, owning a large tract at Eskota, N. C. He maintains his residence. however, at Punxsutawney, living with his brother Peter L. Brown. During 1915 and 1916 he gave much of his time toward super- intending and assisting in the erection of a beautiful residence in the East End of the borough which they now occupy, one of the most interesting homes, from an architectural standpoint, in the country, and equipped with

all the conveniences and comforts known to modern constructive art. It is located at Dinsmore avenue and East Mahoning street, Punxsutawney. Mr. Brown did all the de- signing himself, and the original and artistic arrangement of space and use of material are a credit to his ability as well as to his sense of beauty. He wanted materials of natural beauty, and the stones and marbles employed have been gathered in all parts of the world, and put together with a keen understanding of the propriety and relative values attaching to each. Henry L. Wilson, of Los Angeles, was the architect, and the stone work was laid by John Quincy Adam, of Albion, Bell town- ship, assisted by Zeke Carsi, an Italian, Mr. Brown working with them and handling every stone, making careful selection and deciding upon the placing of each piece. The result is a triumph well worth the trouble and patience necessary to attain it. The Spanish Mission style of architecture was followed very suc- cessfully, and people from many States have come out of their way to view the building, whose exterior and interior finishing is re- markable enough to make the trip worth while. The stone for the mantels was chosen espe- cially for each, and shows rare taste in texture and color as well as use.

Mr. Brown has traveled widely, and during 1909-10 he made a tour of the world, leaving New York City Oct. 16, 1909, on the "Cleve- land," of the Hamburg-American Line, the first ship to make the trip completely.

Mr. Brown married Frances C. Bell, of Bells Mills, who was born June 7, 1879, daugh- ter of William E. and Hannah ( Barclay ) Bell, the former deceased, the latter still residing at Bells Mills. Mrs. Brown died March 14, 1913, at her mother's home in Bells Mills, and is buried in the Brown plot in the old cemetery at Punxsutawney. Mr. Brown has no chil- dren. He is one of the most influential resi- dents of Punxsutawney, and has been so thor- oughly public-spirited that he has the highest regard of the best element in the borough. where his judgment on all matters of im- portance is sought and valued.

The old homestead farm in Bell township is now owned by Ward F. Brown, one of the sons of Henry Brown. At 3 :40 p. m. on Aug. 5, 1916, his barn, the largest in Jefferson county, and filled with about seventy-five tons of hay and other grain, was struck by light- ning, and totally destroyed in the ensuing fire.

JAMES S. CARROLL is emphatically loyal to and appreciative of the vigorous borough

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of Brookville, where his birth occurred on the 19th of November, 1861, and where his activities have been centered during the in- tervening years and have been marked by definite and worthy achievement. He is cashier of the Jefferson County National Bank. Mr. Carroll is a son of James T. and Mary Ann ( Farley ) Carroll, the former born at Tomstown, Franklin county, on the 14th of February, 1829, and the latter at Bellefonte, on the ist of June, 1836. The father died at Brookville, on Nov. 23, 1895, and here the devoted. wife and mother passed to the life eternal on the 18th of April, 1906, the mem- ories of both being revered by all who came within the compass of their gracious and kindly influence. Of the two children the younger is James S. and the elder was Charles, born on the 17th of January, 1858, and whose death occurred on the 9th of February, 1862.

James Thomas Carroll was reared and edu- cated in Franklin and Jefferson counties, and in his youth he learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he became a skilled workman and to which he devoted his attention for many years. llis boyhood was passed with other members of the family in building a home in the wilderness, and he continued his residence in Eldred township, Jefferson county, until the 28th of June, 1847, when, as a young man of eighteen years, he removed to the village of Brookville, where he passed the residue of his life, a steadfast, upright and unassuming citizen, who proved himself one of the world's workers and who so ordered his course as to merit and command the unqualified esteem of his fellow men. He took a loyal interest and part in community affairs and from 1860 to 1870 was the incumbent of the office of jus- tice of the peace, in which he served with characteristic fidelity and ability. Ilis politi- cal support was given to the Democratic party.

James Carroll, grandfather of James S. Car- roll, was born near the picturesque river Slaney, in County Wexford, Ireland, and the year of his nativity was 1799. Ile was a scion of one of the sterling old families of that section of the fair Emerald Isle, where he grew to adult age and gained the mental and physical power that well equipped him for the winning for himself of independence and prosperity after coming to America. Hle was a lad of about sixteen years when, in 1815, he immigrated to the United States, and he first located in the State of Maryland. Within a few years thereafter, at Frederick, that State, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Margaret Keplinger, born in 1801, and

whose death occurred at the old homestead in Eldred township, on June 23, 1873, her re- mains being laid to rest in the Catholic cem- etery at Corsica. James Carroll went to Illi- nois, and at Mount Carroll, Carroll county, that State, his death occurred in June, 1855. From Maryland he had removed with his fam- ily to Pennsylvania, and in coming to estab- lish a home in Eldred township, he and his family arrived at Brookville on the evening of the last day of September, 1841 ; the sturdy young sons slept in the wagon that night and found themselves covered with snow when they awoke in the morning. The trip to this county was made with team and wagon, as may be inferred from the foregoing, and the father established a home in the wilds of Eldred township, where he became a substantial citi- zen. Both he and his wife were devout com- municants of the Catholic Church, and Mrs. Carroll was of German lineage. In the follow- ing paragraph is given brief record concern- ing the children of these sterling pioneers :

John Edward was born Nov. 20, 1825; his death occurred May 27, 1890. On the 2d of August, 1846, he wedded Matilda Ander- son, born July 17, 1829, and died on the 7th of January, 1859. On the 4th of April, 1861, John E. Carroll contracted a second marriage, when Elizabeth Snyder became his wife; her birth occurred Sept. 22, 1837. Marian, sec- ond of the children, was born March 10, 1827, and became the wife of George MeLaughlin, who was a prosperous farmer and merchant of Jefferson county and served as sheriff of this county from 1852 to 1855. James Thomas, father of James S., was the next in order of birth, and his marriage to Mary Ann Farley was solemnized on the gth of December. 1856. due record concerning them having already been entered in this context. William Henry. the fourth child, was born Jan. 16, 1831, and was a resident of Colorado at the time of his death, which occurred June 11, 1902. He was a substantial farmer of the county for a time : the maiden name of his wife was Judith Stahl- man. George Alexander was born Oct. 18. 1832, and passed to eternal rest on the 8th of . Oc ober, 1908. lle was a successful agricul- turist and merchant of Jefferson county, was influential in public affairs of a local order, and served for a number of years as justice of the peace in Eldred township. He mar- ried Nancy Jane Pierce, who still survives him. Thomas Moore, born April 6, 1834, was a resi- dent of Brookville at the time of his death. which occurred Dec. 22, 1897. and was a shoe- maker by trade and voca'ion; the maiden

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

name of his wife was Louisa Cherrier. Eliza Lucretia, who was born July 17, 1836, died on the 12th of December, 1903. She became the wife of Joseph M. Wilson, born Dec. 27, 1829, and who died April 12, 1897, a well known citizen of Jefferson county. Margaret C. was born Oct. 30, 1838, and is the wife of Richard R. Snyder, who was born Sept. 22, 1837, their home being at Corsica, in Jefferson county. Sarah Jane was born July 22, 1842. and died in young womanhood. Francis, the youngest of the children, was born Feb. 16. 1845. and died at Nashville, Tenn., on the 17th of May, 1862, while a member of Company B, 18th Regiment, U. S. A.

James S. Carroll, whose name introduces this article, is indebted to the public schools of Brookville for his early education. Leav- ing school he learned the art of telegraphy, and entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, his identification with rail- road work continuing from 1875 to 1886, in which latter year he became a clerk in the post office at Brookville. In this position he re- mained until the ist of October, 1888, when he assumed a clerical position in the Jefferson County National Bank, his service in this ca- pacity leading to a final and merited advance- ment to the important office of cashier, the duties of which he entered upon the Ist of July, 1890, and in which he has been retained, as a valued and popular officer of this solid and well ordered banking concern, to the present time. He takes a lively interest in all that touches the welfare and progress of his native place, and is an essentially enterprising and public-spirited business man of Brookville. with inviolable vantage place in popular con- fidence and esteem. Mr. Carroll gives his po- litical support to the Democratic party, and in a fraternal way he is in active affiliation With Hobah Lodge. No. 276, F. and A. M .. and Jefferson Chapter, No. 225. R. A. M.

111 1802 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Carroll to Miss Victoria LaV'erne Porter. who likewise was born and reared in Jefferson county and whose father, William 1 .. Porter. was long a prominent and influential citizen of Brookville. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll have no children.

GEORGE W. FINK, of Punxsutawney. present chief executive of that borough, has a well deserved place in the good graces of his townsmen. He is not one of the old residents there, but none commands a greater degree of respect and confidence. His record in politics

is unique, an example of non-partisanship in municipal affairs which does him high credit.

Mr. Fink is a native of Jefferson county but of German extraction, his father, Fred- erick Fink, having been born in Germany, whence he came to America in the year 1848. He first settled at Pittsburgh, Pa., where he worked for a short time, removing soon to Jefferson county and locating at Bells Mills, where he operated an old "up and down" saw mill for Henry Brown. Later he purchased a tract of land in Oliver township, which he cleared and improved, erecting substantial buildings on the place, where he lived and died, reaching the age of eighty-two years. He is buried in Circle Hill cemetery at Punxsu- tawney. His wife, whose maiden name was Magdalena Graitge, came to this country on the same sailing vessel which brought him, with a large company of other young people, and tlfey had the opportunity of becoming very well acquainted during the long voyage of fifty-two days, their arrival being delayed by storms and other unfortunate happenings. It was not long afterwards that the young couple married, and they had a long and pros- perous domestic life, Mrs. Fink reaching the age of seventy years. Of the four children born to this union, Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Snyder, is living in Rose township, Jefferson county ; John B. died in 1892; Margaret mar- ried J. C. Vasbinder, of Rose township ; George W. completes the family.

George W. Fink was born Aug. 24, 1857, at Oliveburg, in Oliver township, and was reared and educated there. He was trained to agricultural work, assisting his father during his early life and later taking over the home- stead and operating the place on his own ac- count. But though successful in his farm work he had an ambition to enter commercial busi- ness, and in 1903 he removed to Punxsu- tawney, where his interests have since been centered. He sold out his farm property, and took up the insurance business, and the lucra- tive patronage he has acquired fully justifies the confidence he had in his ability to win suc- . cess. Mr. Fink has also handled many profit- able real estate transactions, his good judgment being a reliable guide in the purchase and sale of local property. . Meantime, though busy establishing himself in his new business rela- tions, he had entered with proper spirit into civic matters, serving a year in the borough council and several years on the school board, of which he was a member when elected bur- gess, resigning when he assumed his new duties. He took office as mayor of Punxsu-

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tawney Jan. 5. 1914, under unusual conditions. Mr. Fink is a Democrat, and the borough strongly Republican, so much so that in a period of twenty-five years only two Demo- cratic mayors have been elected. Moreover, his name was put up at the primaries against his wishes and advice, and during the campaign he made no appeal or promises to the voters to secure their support. It is worthy of rec- ord that his campaign expenses amounted to about four dollars, spent for cards bearing his name and the announcement of his candidacy, which he distributed without comment. In the race for the office he had two worthy com- petitors, men of the highest standing, so that his election was a victory which might well be a matter of personal pride. His administra- tion has been characterized by the integrity and business-like methods which his supporters ex- pected when they voted for him. His hon- orable, well-balanced character and sincere de- sire to be a true servant of the borough have been exemplified in many well-directed enter- prises inaugurated upon his advice and in- fluence. It has been his endeavor to perform his duties conscientiously, warranting the good opinions of his fellow citizens as to his capacity and honest intentions, and there is no reason to believe that they will be disappointed in their judgment of him. His popularity is based upon a combination of sterling qualities which make him well liked by his associates in any relation.

In 1899 Mr. Fink was married to Mrs. Emma Updegraph. and they have one child. Elizabeth. He is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church and very active in its work, having been a member of the board of trustees for years and church treasurer for ten years.

JOHN WESLEY FOUST, M. D., late of Reynoldsville, was one of those men of vigor- ous character whose personality influences every phase of thought and action in the com- munity where their lot is cast. Possessing strong individuality, and the faculty of im- pressing others with the soundness of his views, he combined those traits happily with sincerity of purpose toward his fellows and a high desire to help them attain the best in life. The workings of his active mind were apparent in every enterprise with which he was asso- ciated. and they were many and varied, for his sympathies were broad and his talent for leadership not limited to any particular field. He was a guiding spirit in all local affairs, whether of a social, business, public or politi-

cal nature, and entirely competent to handle larger questions whenever called upon to do so. as he frequently was. There are few men whose record is so complete in respect of large usefulness.

Dr. Foust was a native of Huntingdon county, Pa., where his father, Samuel Foust, lived and died. Two of the latter's sons still survive : Frank, a resident of Harrisburg. Pa .. and D. Il .. of Huntingdon. John Wesley was born in 1844 at the town of Shirleysburg, and spent his youth on a farm. His early education was acquired in the local schools, and later he was sent to the Cassville Seminary in Hunting- don county, becoming sufficiently well in- formed to begin school teaching when seven- teen years old, in Union township, that county. When eighteen years old he taught school in Mifflin county. In June, 1863, he enlisted in the Union army, joining Company A. 22d Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served to the end of the war. Then he resumed teaching. be- coming principal of the high school at Maple- ton, Huntingdon county, and in 1866 taught the Sugar Grove high school in that county, meantime taking up the study of medicine. He attended lectures at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia, from which he was gradu- ated, and began practice in 1868 at Port Ma- tilda, Center county, at which location he re- mained about five years. Moving to Reynolds- ville in 1873, he made his permanent home there, and at the time of his death was the oldest physician in the borough, an honored member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, and of the State and the American Medical Associations. Dr. Foust was in active practice until within a few months of his death and always held a high place in the ranks of his profession, being as popular with his fellow practitioners as he was with the patients who depended upon him for medical advice.

In view of his work and worth in his pro- fession, Dr. Foust's achievements in other lines are especially remarkable. The borough of Reynoldsville was incorporated the year he set- tled tbere, and he was one of the men who voted at the first election, four others who par- ticipated in that affair surviving him. The election was held in the spring of 1874, and he was chosen burgess of the new borough, succeeding Mr. Miner, who had been appointed to fill the office until an election should be held. It was the beginning of a public service which is not often equaled in any community. In 1878 he was a school director, and remained in that branch of the borough government for thirty-three successive years, retiring in 1911.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

But he was recalled to the membership of the board in 1913, and was serving at the time of his death. It would be difficult to define the extent of his work in securing adequate public educational advantages for the borough, a duty of whose responsibilities he had the highest conception. His ideas on this question were well formed, and he went to great pains to see that the most approved methods were properly tried out in the local schools. In recognition of his long-continued loyalty in the interest of the public schools, several hun- dred pupils of the primary grades marched in a body to his home on the day of his funeral, a mark of respect which no other man in Reynoldsville has ever received.

In the fall of 1885 Mr. Foust was elected associate judge of Jefferson county, resigning that office in February, 1890, to accept the appointment of postmaster of Reynoldsville, under Harrison. He served four years, with his customary efficiency. Dr. Foust was a life- long Republican and one of the most enthu- siastic members of the party in Jefferson county, taking part in every campaign and be- ing considered one of its most reliable coun- selors throughout his life. After his service as postmaster he was twice a candidate for the Republican nomination for member of the Leg- islature, and was at one time prominently men- tioned for Congressional honors. He fre- quently was a delegate to county and State conventions, and in 1912 was sent to the Na- tional convention held in Chicago as a Roose- velt supporter, following the latter into the Progressive party.

Dr. Foust was always ready to encourage local industrial undertakings with his financial support and sometimes also sharing in their active management. In company with A. R. Barlow he was engaged in the lumber busi- ness ; he was president of the Star Glass Com- pany, whose plant was at Reynoldsville; and was a stockholder in the First National Bank. His last public appearance was at the meeting held in the Adelphi theatre, which he ad- dressed, to advocate the consolidation of the boroughs of Reynoldsville and West Reynolds- ville, his speech undoubtedly helping to decide in favor of the union. Dr. Foust died at his home in Reynoldsville Dec. 26, 1914, after several months of illness, and was buried in the Reynoldsville cemeterv. The pall-bearers were members of his profession, the honorary bearers members of John C. Conser Post, G. A. R., of which he had long been a member. and the other fraternal orders with which he was affiliated, the Elks. Knights of Pythias

and P. O. S. of A., were also well represented, as were all classes in the community.

Dr. Foust married Catherine Robinson, daughter of Daniel Robinson, of Huntingdon county. Pa. She has one sister, Anna, wife of William Rabold, and they reside in Hunting- don county, Pa. Twelve children were born to this union, six of whom survive with Mrs. Foust : Vada married W. R. Smith, of Al- exander, W. Va., and has four children, Orba, Eula, Placid and Milfred. Clara is the wife of Samuel E. Wisor, of Reynoldsville, and has four children, John. Charles, Mabel and Walter. Luella was educated at Chamberlain Institute, at Randolph. N. Y., and was assistant in the post office during her father's term as postmaster : she is the wife of G. C. Strouse, of Reynoldsville, and has two children, Hazel and Howard C. William O. died when thirty- one years old, and is survived by a daughter. Mabel. Mabel married H. C. Richards, and has four children, Coral, Harold, Lillian and Harry ; they live at Beaumont, Texas. John. who died at the age of twenty-nine years, was married to Evaline Doebel, and they had three children, Ruth, John and Richard. Martha is the wife of H. L. Dickey, of Beaumont, Texas. and has one child, George. James and Mary, twins, died in infancy. Selma and Birdie died young. Pansy graduated from the Reynolds- ville high school in 1913, subsequently at- tended the Clarion ( Pa. ) State Normal School and State College, and is now teaching in Winslow township.

GEORGE C. STROUSE was born July 19, 1863. on his father's homestead in Winslow town- ship, son of George Strouse and grandson of Jonathan, who changed the spelling of his name from Strauss to Strouse after his re- moval to Jefferson county. Jonathan Strauss was a native of Berks county, Pa., where the name is an old and honored one, its represen- tatives in the different generations prominent in public life in their several communities, and some of wider fame in the State and nation. Thrift seems to have followed the history of the family since its first coming to America from the Fatherland, back in the eighteenth century, and many of its members have been men of wealth and influential in the financial world.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 20

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