Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 34

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 34

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JOHN JAMIESON THOMPSON, second son of Hon. John J. Y. and Agnes S. (Ken-

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nedy) Thompson, was born at Bellport, Knox township, Jefferson Co., Pa., June 16, 1836. He received the usual education of the com- mon schools in a pioneer county, which was in a general way much better and more thor- ough than under the circumstances could have been expected. But all his life he remained a student, reading constantly and observing care- fully the facts of public life. He was an en- thusiastic and active Mason, a Republican in politics, and enterprising and successful as a business man.

When a young man Mr. Thompson entered into partnership with Joseph Darr, and for many years was associated with that gentle- man in the conduct of the "American" hotel and in the lumber business. This partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Darr in 1901. In all of his business dealings as well as social relations Mr. Thompson was rec- ognized as a man of sterling worth and one in whom the greatest confidence could be placed. He made friends readily and no one ever had occasion to say a harsh word against him. In 1899 he moved to Bayonne, N. J., where he took charge of the works of the Orford Copper Company.

On June 25, 1863, Mr. Thompson was mar- ried to Mary E. Darr, who died July 27. 1871. Three children were the result of this union : Bertha T., who married H. I. Ross, now of Ontario, Cal. : Mabel, who married Robert R. Maffett, now deceased, of Bayonne, N. J. ; and Mary E., who married Uriah J. Matson, now of Ithaca, New York.

John Jamieson Thompson died at Bayonne, N. J., Sept. 10, 1906. He was a man uni- versally beloved and respected, wise in counsel, steadfast in friendship, and a refuge to all who were in trouble. He amassed a large estate and left it to his children.

WILLIAM D. McHENRY, cashier of the First National Bank of Sykesville, is well en- dowed with both the personal and business qualifications necessary for the proper admin- istration of the duties of that position. A man of substantial character and high reputation, he is a representative member of a respected family which has been established in this part of western Pennsylvania for considerably more than a century.

The first of this branch of the McHenrys to come to this country was Isaac McHenry. who was born in Scotland in 1734. and whose wife's name was Jane Smith or Smythe, likely the latter, as the Scotch often spell the name that wav. The first we know of Isaac is his 11

taking the oath. of allegiance, with Abraham Leasure and John Stutchel (Dallas Albert's History of Westmoreland County). The name is there spelled McHendry. This was in 1777. Later, before 1800, he settled three miles north of Indiana on what has been known as the James Hamilton farm. Thence he moved to what is now North Mahoning township, where he and his wife and two sons died in the fall of 1812, all during the same week, the parents aged about eighty years, the son James aged thirty-three years, and the son Samuel aged thirty-six years. They lie in the cemetery at Gilgal Church (this church was organized in 1808). The father served as major in the Pennsylvania State militia. Isaac and Jane McHenry had children as follows: John mar- ried Miss McCord; William, born in 1770, married Sidney Gordon, and they were the grandparents of Squire McHenry, of Spangler, Pa., whose mother was a Row; William was with Anthony Wayne in Ohio in 1793 and' 1794, and with him was his brother Isaac, who died in the service; Mary married Patrick Lydick; James is mentioned below ; Samuel married Mary McCall; Joseph married Eliza- beth Boyd; Jane married Robert Morrison; Sarah; Hannah married Daniel Morrison.

James McHenry, son of Isaac and Jane Mc- Henry, was born Feb. 15, 1779, three miles north of the town of Indiana. He was a major in the State militia, serving two terms under Govs. Snyder and Mckean, and took part in the Indian war. He died in 1812 at the early age of thirty-three years, as already re- lated. In 1795 he married Elizabeth Stutchel (daughter of John), who was born Feb. 15, 1779, and died in 1851. There were born to them the following children: Catharine mar- ried Joseph Crossman; Isaac married Cathar- ine McCelland; John, born in 1801, married Martha Jordan: James, born in 1805, married Ann Neal; Mary married Asa Crossman ; Elizabeth married George Timblin : Jane mar- ried William Postlewait.

James and Ann (Neal) McHenry, grand- parents of William D. McHenry, had children : Elizabeth married Martin Reits ; William mar- ried Lucetta Light and (second) Rachel Lantz; Margaret married Austin Welchons; Benjamin F. married Christina C. Beck ; Mary married George Goheen and ( second) Rev. Uriah Conly : Sarah married John C. Stear.

Benjamin F. McHenry, father of William D. McHenry, was born at North Point, In- diana county, and still resides there, being now (1916) in his eighty-first year. During his active days he engaged in farming and lum-

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bering, retiring some years ago. His wife, whose maiden name was Christina C. Beck, is now seventy years old. The following chil- dren were born to them: David G .; Nora. wife of Charles Kayser, of Pittsburg, Kans .; Loretta, wife of George G. Gahagan, of North Point; Mary Ernie, Mrs. Van Stear, of Hor- atio, Pa .; and William D.

Through his mother. Christina C. Beck, Wil- liam D. McHenry is a great-great-great-grand- son of George Gould, an English soldier who was serving with General Wolfe at the surren- der of Louisburg in 1758 and at Quebec in 1759. He had three sons: Dan, John and George. Of these, John, the great-great- grandfather of William D. McHenry, was born March 22, 1743. His wife, Margaret, died Oct. 17, 1813, aged sixty-four years. So far as known, their children were: Dan, John. George, and Sally (Mrs. Green).

George Gould, son of John and Margaret, was born Feb. 16, 1792, and served as a cor- poral in Capt. James Alexander's company of Pennsylvania militia under Colonel Orr in the war of 1812 under the name of George Guld. On July 4. 1812, he married Christina Fiscus, who was born June 6, 1793, and their children were born as follows: Margaret, March 20. 1813; Mary, Nov. 5. 1815; Christina .. June 24. 1819: Rosanna, March 29, 1822; Catharine, July 25, 1825; Rebecca Jane, Sept. 1. 1837. The eldest, Margaret, was married Dec. !. 1831, to Adam Beck, by Frederick Rohrer, of Waynetown, Armstrong Co., Pa., and they were the grandparents of William D. Mc- Henry. On June 5, 1832, the daughter Mary became the wife of Joseph Schreckengost. On Jan. 5, 1837. Christina Gould and Isaac Butler were married. George Gould died Oct. 27. 1878, aged eighty-six years, eight months. eleven days, and was buried in Butler's ceme- tery at Nelson, Wis .; his wife, Christina (Fiscus), died Nov. 7, 1886, aged ninety-three years, five months, one day, and was interred beside him.

William D. MeHenry was born April 5. 1863, at North Point, Indiana Co., Pa., and grew to manhood in his native county, where he was allowed excellent public school advan- tages. When a young man he taught school for some time, meanwhile also engaging in agricultural pursuits and lumbering, accord- ing to the season, until his removal to Jeffer- son county in 1886. His first location here was at Big Run, where for eighteen months he was in the employ of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad Company, and later he was appointed postmaster at that point, filling

the office for eleven and a half years. In 1900 Mr. McHenry was transcribing clerk for the State Legislature, at Harrisburg. His connec- tion with the First National Bank of Skyes- ville dates from 1912, when he became one of the board of directors, taking his present posi- tion May 4, 1916. He moved to Sykesville in: the spring of 1916. Socially Mr. McHenry is prominent in local Masonic circles and Odd Fellowship, belonging to John W. Jenks 1.odge. No. 534. F. & A. M., to Pittsburgh Con- sistory, and to Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Altoona; he is treasurer of Mahoning 1.odge. No. 924, I. O. O. F., of Big Run.

By his first marriage, to Effie MI. Gourley, Mr. MeHenry had two children : A. G., who is now living at North Point, Indiana Co., Pa. ; and Ruby Mary, wife of M. M. Hamilton, a merchant of Big Run. There are no children by his second union, to Mrs. Martha C. ( Elkin) Meister, widow of Jacob Meister.

Mrs. McHenry is a sister of the late Justice John P. Elkin, of the Supreme court of Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Francis Elkin. whose father, late of West Mahoning town- ship, Indiana Co., Pa., may be said to have been the head of the family in that county.

William Elkin was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Feb. 3, 1804, and died at his home in the above named township May 28. 1896, aged ninety-two years, three months, twenty-five days. He was twice married, and raised two families. His first wife, Martha ( Beattie), died in Ireland in 1849. Her children were: Francis, who married Elizabeth Pratt ; Wil- liam, who married Mary Elkin: James, who married Jane Elkin; Henry, who married Agnes Potter ; Eliza, who married John Bond ; Anne, who married Spencer Barrett; and Sarah, who married James Chapman. In 1853. four years after the death of his first wife, William Elkin married Jane Rippey, the chil- dren of this marriage being: David, who mar- ried Etta Lowe: Martha, wife of Thomas Ralston ; and John, who married Emma Spran- kle. All of these children lived in western Pennsylvania, where many of them with their families still reside.

In 1850 William Elkin made a visit to his son Francis, who lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., and who had preceded his father to this country. After remaining here nine months William · returned to Ireland, and two years later came back to Pittsburgh with his family. In 1854 he purchased the old homestead in West Ma- honing township, upon which he spent the re- mainder of his life.

Francis Elkin, eldest son of William and

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father of Justice Elkin, died in Smicksburg, Pa., Dec. 12, 1882, survived by his wife Eliza- beth ( Pratt ) and six children : Elizabeth Caro- line, Mrs. William Elkin; James Henry, who married M. Ella Oberlin; John Pratt, who married Adda P. Prothero ; Martha Cordelia, Mrs. William D. McHenry ; William Francis, who married Ersie C. Maugans ; and Margaret Alicia, Mrs. Robert Mckibben.

Mrs. Martha ( Beattie) Elkin, first wife of William Elkin, was the granddaughter of Joseph Ilill, who died in Ireland in 1844 at the ripe old age of 107 years. She had several brothers and sisters, but none of the old stock emigrated to America. Her brothers, Henry, Robert and John, were men of literary ability and became distinguished scholars. Ilenry was graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1847. He won several scholarships during his university course in competitive examina- tions, and was graduated with distinguished honor. He took a theological course and be- came a clergyman of the Church of England, married the daughter of a bishop, and resided near London, his children still living there. Ilis brothers prepared themselves for the pro- fession of teaching and for many years were leading instructors in the Queen's naval schools. All the Beattie family were inclined to intellectual pursuits, and its members took high rank in the various callings and profes- sions in which they became engaged. Many of the younger generation are in professional life in England at the present time.

The authorities on genealogy hold widely dissimilar views regarding the origin of the surname Elkin. In "The Domesday," generally regarded as authoritative in England, the name is said to be a combination of "Ella" and "kyn" and was used to designate the followers of Ella, the leader of a band of Saxon in- vaders who landed in south Britain about 514 A. D. He became king of the South Saxons, and with his three sons and followers ruled those people for a long term of years. He was universally conceded to be the head of all the subsequent settlers in Britain-the first Bretwalda. In the history of the Northmen we find that "Ella" and "Alla" were used in- terchangeably and had the same meaning. Frequently the words "Ellakind" and "Alla- kind" were used in the sense of being synony- mous with "Englishman." According to a slightly different view the name Elkin, while used to designate an Englishman, is a modifi- cation or corruption of "Alchen," a Shropshire landholder in the reign of Edward the Con- fessor. There is little doubt that the name is

of Saxon origin. According to Ferguson, a recognized authority on the origin of names, "Ella" is derived from the Gothic words alius and alja, meaning a person from another country, a foreigner, or a wanderer. In this connection there appear in the old German "alja," "Ello" and "Ella," these words in the later German taking the diminutive forms "Alikin" and "Elikin." In the Anglo-Saxon these words appear as "Alchen" and "Elkin." From these words and their derivatives we learn two facts: That the Saxon kings and their followers were inhabitants of the Conti- nent before they became invaders of Britain, the name Elkin being therefore of Teutonic and not Celtic origin ; and that the original name was Elkin and not Elkins, because in all of the derivatives and their roots there is 110 indication of the letter "s," which was prob- ably added in England at a much later date." The two forms mean the same thing. Both branches of the family belong to the old Saxon stock.

The members of the Elkin family who set- tled in western Pennsylvania belong to the branch that emigrated from England to Ire- land in the seventeenth century. The exact date of the settlement of the Elkins in Ireland is not known. The best authenticated tradi- tion is that in the seventeenth century some members of the Graham, Ramsey and Elkin families went from England to County Tyrone, Ireland, and settled near Omagh. Among them was James Elkin, of whose subsequent history little is known. Robert Elkin was the head of the chief branch of the family in Ire- land. He came from England about the middle of the eighteenth century and settled near Omagh. He married Marjorie Woods, of County Fermanagh, where some of his rela- tives still reside. There is no definite informa- tion concerning this Robert Elkin, but he had brothers and sisters and was undoubtedly closely related to the James Elkin mentioned above. It is also very probable that he was a member of the family of William Elkin men- tioned in English history as an alderman of London, and also of John Elkin, one of the subscribers to the London Company's Colonies in America, 1609, and a merchant of London, where many members of the, Elkin family in England lived.

The history of the second generation in Ire- land may very properly start with the children of Robert Elkin and Marjorie Woods, five in number : Robert, David, Francis, William and Mary, born at Mullinatomagh. The parents were stricken with fever and died when the

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children were comparatively young, and they were taken into the family of a neighbor, Wil- liam Smith, whose daughter Catherine after- wards married the son David. This couple by their industry and thrift were soon able to purchase the farm known as Kilbuck, which has remained as a homestead in the Elkin fam- ily to the present.

Robert Elkin, eldest son of Robert and Mar- jorie (Woods) Elkin, came to America in 1794 and made his first settlement in Brushvalley township, Indiana Co., Pa. He was the first of the Elkin family to emigrate to America from Ireland. Having been a farmer in Ire- land he evidently decided to follow the same pursuit here, and no doubt selected a farm in that section of Indiana county for the purpose. For many years he wrote an occasional letter to his friends in Ireland, but nothing was heard from him later perhaps than 1825, except that he had moved from Indiana county to the cen- tral part of Ohio. A nephew who settled here in 1853 made a visit to that State to locate him, but found the family had moved West, to Mis- souri, and as there are numerous Elkins in the southwest no doubt many are his descendants.

Francis Elkin, third son of Robert, married Nancy Park and had three children, William. Mary and Sarah. He died in 1864 at the old homestead in Ireland, and was buried in Lower Langfieldl cemetery with his brothers David and William. The exact date of his birth is not known, but the year was probably 1784. Francis Elkin had the reputation of being in- dustrious, thrifty, intelligent, and loyal to friendships, principles, convictions and faith. He lived and died a member of the Church of England, the faith of his fathers. He was a man of affairs and had the respect and con- fidence of his neighbors. relatives and friends. He lived a long and useful life and died con- tented and happy. It was a matter of regret to him that most of his immediate family had emigrated to America, but he was reconciled because he thought they had greater oppor- tunities here than they could have in the old country. He was the great-grandfather of Justice Elkin and Mrs. McHenry.

William Elkin, fourth son of Robert, was familiarly known as "Orange Billy."

Mary Elkin. the fifth child of Robert, mar- ried a Mr. Hunter, and many of their posterity live in Canada.

That members of the Elkin family were en- gaged in various occupations and professions appears from the fact that in 1559 a certain George Elkins was graduated from Oxford and became a clergyman of the Established

Church. In 1405 a William Elkin was made vicar of the parish at East Cloyden, Bucking- hamshire. Another William Elkin had a daughter Ursula, who married Sir Roger Owen, a prominent member of Parliament from the County of Salop, and the widow of this William Elkin later married Thomas Owen, father of Sir Roger, and a judge of the court of Common Pleas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The members of the orig- inal Elkin family lived in the south and east of England, especially near Cheltenham and in London. In the "Munimenta Gildhalae Londoniensis" there is a reference to Robert Ellkyn, thus retaining in part at least the early spelling ; he was an officeholder during Sir Richard Whittington's mayoralty in the six- teenth century. In 1547 a coat of arms was granted to Richard Elkins, and in 1593 an- other coat of arms was granted to William Elkin, who was an alderman of Cripple Gate, London. About the same time the family coat of arms was authorized to be registered, and is still used by the English branch of the family.

In western Pennsylvania the Elkin people are very generally engaged in agricultural pur- suits. They are industrious, frugal, thrifty and reasonably prosperous. They are loyal to friendships, devoted to their families, and maintain correct standards in their domestic relations. They pay their debts, keep their contracts and save their earnings. They live the simple life, finding recreation and enjoy- ment in wholesome things.

Elizabeth ( Pratt ) Elkin, mother of Mrs. McHenry, was the youngest daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carden) Pratt. She was born on the old homestead in Queen's County, Ire- land, July 16, 1833. and died at her home in Indiana county, Pa., Jan. 2, 1913. She left Ireland in her eighteenth year and settled with friends in the city of New York, where she remained a few years, and then came to Pitts- burgh, where she first mnet and subsequently married Francis Elkin. They lived in Pitts- burgh, where he was employed as superintend- ent in the iron mills of his uncle, John Lindsey, who died suddenly during a visit to Ireland. The death of Mr. Lindsey left the business in the control of a junior partner, Christopher Zug, who for reasons best known to himself found it convenient to dispense with the serv- ices of Francis Elkin. This changed the young couple's plans, and during a visit to his father, William Elkin, who then lived in West Mahon- ing township, Francis Elkin concluded to buy a farm and engage in agricultural pursuits.

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He and his wife were industrious, saved their earnings and prospered. After spending sev- eral years on the farm they moved to Smicks- burg, Indiana county, where they remained un- til Mr. Elkin's death. Mrs. Elkin was a help- mate to her husband in every sense of the word, and loyally supported him in all of his undertakings. In adversity she cheered him; in sorrow she comforted him; and in success she rejoiced with him. She was loyal to his every interest and always willing to bear her share of the burdens. In religion she adhered to the faith of her ancestors, who for cen- turies were steadfast in their allegiance to the Church of England. She was confirmed as a member of the church in Ireland before depart- ing for America, and for more than sixty years remained true and devoted to the church of her choice. Her body lies at rest near the entrance to the little Episcopal Church at Smicksburg which her husband was instru- mental in building nearly forty years ago. In later years she attended Christ Church, Indiana, where she was much esteemed by those who attended the services there.

The Pratt family of Ireland were devoted followers of Oliver Cromwell, and were ranked among his favorite soldiers at the time of his invasion of Ireland. Prior to that time they had lived in England, but following the for- tunes of "Old Ironsides" they found their way into Ireland and became possessed of a considerable portion of the fair lands of Queen's County. John Pratt, father of Eliza- beth ( Pratt) Elkin, was familiarly known as "Cromwell Pratt," because of his devotion and loyalty to the cause of the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. The Pratts aided Cromwell in the storming of Drogheda in 1649 and some of them won distinction for acts of valor in that engagement. This was a tradition in the family, passed down from one generation to another, the mention of which was always sufficient to stir the fighting spirit of the Pratts. John Pratt had a family of thirteen children, who scattered to the four corners of the earth, and their descendants may be found in Australia, New Zealand. South Africa. Canada, and in several sections of the United States. All of the brothers and sisters predeceased Mrs. Elkin. It was always a matter of keen regret to her that she was separated from her brothers and sisters, for whom she had the deepest affection, but this was the fate which befell many an Irish family.

Justice John P. Elkin, who bore the name of his maternal grandfather, during a visit to Ireland caused a monument to be erected in

the churchyard at Rathdowney in memory of John P'ratt, who was buried there. He also caused another monument to be erected in the graveyard at Skirk, in memory of his grand- mother. Elizabeth ( Carden) Pratt, who sur- vived her husband many years and died at eighty-nine. The Cardens were a large family and much respected. Some members of this family emigrated to Canada and were in pro- fessional life there. In 1905 Justice Elkin. while on a visit to Ireland, had a monument erected in the cemetery at Langfield to the memory of Francis Elkin, his great-grand- father, and of his grandmother. Martha ( Beattie ) Elkin, who was buried at Cappah in 1849.

The Pratt family were of Norman stock, and the tradition is that they came into England with William the Conqueror. After the Con- quest the Pratts and their numerous descend- ants lived in England for many centuries. A large branch of the family still resides there.

Mrs. Elkin came to this country in a sailing vessel, was shipwrecked, and after many trials and vicissitudes was finally landed in New York harbor. having spent nearly three months on the ocean. It was an adventurous voyage and left her in dread of the storms on the sea. She never overcame this feeling, and as a re- sult she was unwilling to revisit the old friends in Ireland whom she dearly loved and often talked about. In her bedchamber at the old home in Smicksburg hung the picture of an Irish maiden who had come to this country. underneath which were printed the following lines, no doubt expressive of her own senti- ment :

Erin, my country, though sad and forsaken, In dreams, I revisit thy sea-beaten shore: But alas! In a far foreign land I awaken,

And sigh for the friends who can meet me no more.

She was a devoted wife, a good mother. a loyal friend, and steadfast in her convictions and faith. Her wish was that she be buried by the side of her husband in the old church- yard at Smicksburg, and this was done. She spent the happiest days of her life among the people out there and it seemed most fitting that her body should rest where her heart was.

HON. JOHN P. ELKIN, justice of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania, was born and reared in Indiana county. where he spent most of his life. His successful career was fairly representative of the growth and development of the county and its people. Born in a log house on a farm in West Mahoning township

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 34

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