Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 35

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 35

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

166

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in the early sixties, he obtained his elementary education under many difficulties, the district school being more than a mile from his home and open only four months of the year, in the winter season. The methods of teaching were simple in the extreme, but effective in making the pupils learn to "spell and figure," and such was the foundation upon which the boy's fu- ture was built. In his ninth year the family moved to the little village of Smicksburg. where the father engaged in the store and foundry business. Here the school was more accessible, but the terms were also short, never exceeding four months a year. In 1872 Fran- cis Elkin, the father, in association with sev- eral friends organized a company for the man- ufacture of tin plate in this country. It was the first enterprise of the kind tried in America. The plant was built at Wellsville, Ohio, whither the Elkin family moved in 1873. and although not yet fourteen years old young Elkin was given employment in the mill. first as "hammer boy," then as "heaver-up-at-the- muck-rolls." and finally as a finisher in the tin house. He continued in this employment un- til the mill shut down at the end of 1874. The secrets of manufacturing tin plate were at that time carefully guarded by the Welsh and unknown to Americans, and the new in- dustry failed because it was twenty-five years ahead of the times in this country, bringing total loss to the investors. The Elkins had to start life over again. John P. Elkin then de- cided to educate himself for a professional career, and resumed his studies in the high school at Wellsville, where he made such rapid progress that he had practically finished the course at the end of the school year. In the fall of 1875 the family returned to Smicks- burg, and he applied for a vacancy in the borough school, securing the position of teacher with the assistance of some old friends who considered him worthy, finishing the term to their entire satisfaction, though he was but fifteen and a half years old, and had pupils of his own age or older. From 1876 to 1880 he went to school in the summer and taught in the winter, going to the normal school at Indi- ana one term each year until 1879, when he borrowed enough from a friend to keep him in school the entire year. Graduating in 1880, he resumed teaching, and in the fall of 1881 began the study of law in the University of Michigan. graduating in 1884, and having the honor of being selected as orator of his class. On June 17. 1884, Mr. Elkin married Adda P. Prothero, daughter of John Prothero. late president of the First National Bank of Indi-

ana, Pa., and they had three children: Helen Prothero, born July 27, 1886; Laura Louise, born June 10, 1892; and Stanley, born July 15, 1898. Helen is the wife of W. M. Arm- strong.

John P. Elkin had a remarkable public ca- reer. His father, who died in December, 1882, had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the State Legislature, and some of his friends conceived the idea of having the son selected instead, although the latter was away studying at Ann Arbor. But absence proved 10 obstacle, for he conducted his campaign by correspondence and won at the primaries, was elected, and served two terms in succession, in 1887 being chairman of the committee on Constitutional Reform and having charge of the proposed Constitutional amendment sub- mitting to a vote of the people the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Commonwealth. He also served on the Judiciary General, Retrenchment and Reform, and Library committees. Meantime, in 1885, he had been admitted to the bar and begun the practice of law in his native county. He continued his interest in politics, frequently representing his county in State and national conventions, being a delegate to the State con- vention of 1890; permanent chairman of the State convention in 1891; 1896 elected by his Congressional district as delegate to the Na- tional convention at St. Louis as a sound money man ; upon his return from that con- vention elected chairman of the Republican State committee of Pennsylvania ; chairman of the State committee five years: and in 1898 conducted a successful campaign for Gov. William A. Stone.

Meanwhile he had been active also in his home community, at all times taking special in- terest in educational matters, having been con- nected as pupil, teacher, director or trustee with the public and normal schools from boy- hood. For several years he was president of the school board of Indiana, and for a quarter of a century was a trustee of the Indiana Nor- mal School. In 1803 he was elected president of the Farmers' Bank, and occupied the po- sition until 1805, when he moved to Harris- burg in order to better perform the duties of deputy attorney general, to which position he had been appointed under the Hastings admin- istration. He resigned it in 1897 because of political differences with that administration. In 1899 he was appointed attorney general. serving four years. The Legislature of 1899 having failed to elect a senator to fill the va- cancy in the United States Senate, Governor

167

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Stone appointed Senator Quay, this action rais- ing the constitutional question as to his power to make such appointment. Quay's opponents challenged this power, and the question was re- ferred to the committee on Privileges and Elec- tions. Mr. Elkin was chosen to make the argu- ment before the committee, representing the Commonwealth, and as the matter was one of national importance, involving the rights of every State to full representation, interest was widespread. The committee reported in favor of seating Senator Quay, but the Senate after prolonged discussion rejected the report by a majority of one vote, so that he was not per- mitted to take his seat. However, he was elected for the full term in 1901.

In 1902 Mr. Elkin announced his name as a candidate for governor, and owing to Sena- tor Quay's opposition a spirited contest re- sulted. Mr. Elkin making a direct appeal to the people which caused many delegates to the convention to be instructed for him, though owing to their vacillation at the last moment he was defeated. When his term as attorney general expired he resumed private practice, 111 1903 and 1904. In April, 1904. the con- vention met at Harrisburg for the purpose of nominating a candidate to fill a vacancy in the Supreme court, and though it was generally thought that Governor Pennypacker would be the choice, when the latter announced his de- termination to complete his term as governor the convention unanimously offered the nomi- nation to Mr. Elkin. At the election in Novem- ber he won by a vote of 737.978. the largest Republican vote ever given to a candidate for state office in Pennsylvania, with the largest plurality ever received by a candidate for State office up to that time. Mr. Elkin assumed his judicial duties the first of January, 1905, and devoted all of his time and energy to them un- til his untimely death, Oct. 3, 1915. He was greatly attached to his work, and in the spring of 1912 was favorably considered for appoint- ment to a vacancy in the Supreme court of the United States.

In religion Mr. Elkin followed his fore- fathers, who for centuries were devout mem- bers of the Church of England and in this country of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In Indiana the parish is weak, but he contri- buted freely of his means to support the little church he attended.

Soon after his admission to the bar he be- gan to take an interest in the development of coal fields in Indiana county, and may prop- erly be regarded as a pioneer of the industry

Prothero he initiated the opening of the Cush Creek mines in 1887 and always retained his interests in that section. Through their ef- forts the Cush Creek branch of the railroad was built from Mahaffey to Glen Campbell. They sold the lands operated by them near Glen Campbell to the Glenwood Coal Company, thus starting operations which have since been ex- tended in every direction in that section. Mr. Elkin was as successful in business as he was in professional life, and owed his advancement in both entirely to his own efforts. He was a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, of the Clover Club, and of other fraternal and social organizations.

Mr. Elkin was not yet nineteen years old when he made his first appearance as a public speaker, in the campaign of 1878. Then, as later, he was a sound money advocate, preach- ing against the Greenback policies. In 1880 he stumped the country for Garfield, and from that time until he withdrew from politics, in 1904, took part in every State and national campaign. In his teaching days he always made use of the literary society and the' debat- ing club as the most available means of creat- ing popular interest in the cause of education in the rural districts.

JAMES CARLYLE BORLAND, M. D .. has become thoroughly identified with the vital interests of Falls Creek during the several years of his residence in that borough, having established a wide acquaintance in the town and surrounding territory through the numerous connections he has formed in his professional capacity, as public official, and in business and social associations. He settled there in 1909. coming from Armstrong county, where his family has been located for the better part of a century. His father, the late William Pat- terson Borland, was a large landowner and ex- tensive farmer in Wayne township, that county, in which section his grandfather. Rob- ert Borland, founded the family some ten years after his arrival in America.

Robert Borland was born in 1767 in County Donegal, Ireland, and coming to this country settled in 1821 in Salem township, Westmore- land Co., Pa. In 1831 he removed to that part of Armstrong county now known as Wayne township, and locating one mile from Dayton took up 119 acres of land, which he farmed for the rest of his active life. He died there Dec. 15, 1850, aged eighty-three years. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal

there. In connection with Henry and George Church. His wife, Jane ( Borland), also of

168

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Ireland, was born about 1767 and died May 5. 1840, at the age of seventy-three. They had four sons, William, Robert, James and John, all born in Ireland, and all came with the parents to America. They settled in what is now Wayne township, Armstrong county, pur- chasing large tracts of land adjoining their father's place, having altogether about ten hun- dred and fifty acres. They followed farming.

William Borland, son of Robert, was born in 1803 in County Donegal, and was a young man when he came from his native Ireland to America. He settled in Westmoreland county, where he followed farming, and later removing to Armstrong county bought about six hundred acres, for the most part covered with timber. He built a log house and made a permanent home there, devoting the re- mainder of his life to the improvement of his property. There he died Oct. 28, 1874, aged seventy-one years, nine months, twenty-six (lays. Ile was a man well known in the lo- cality in his day, an Episcopalian in religious connection, and in politics a Republican dur- ing his later years. On March 29, 1831, Mr. Borland married Margaret Gartley, who was born in 1801 in Ireland, daughter of Andrew Gartley, later of Westmoreland county, and she survived him a short time, dying July 8. 1876. aged seventy-five years, two months. They are buried in the Glade Run cemetery in Wayne township. The following children came to them: Robert. born Jan. 1. 1832, who died young : John W., born April 19, 1833, now de- ceased : Mary Jane, born Aug. 18, 1834, now Mrs. Alexander Campbell: George G., born May 24. 1836-37, who died in 1895 (he served in the Civil war) : William P .; and Robert T., born Dec. 3. 1840, who died in 1900 (he served in the Civil war).

William Patterson Borland was born Feb. 20. 1839. in Wayne township, and began his education in the common schools, later attend- ing Glade Run AAcademy. When eighteen years old he taught school, and followed the profession for several winters in Wayne town- ship. Meantime he also began farming. his first purchase being a tract of about 130 acres, and later he purchased about 130 more. He continued on the farm now occupied by his son. J. Roscoe Borland, until his death, and was a substantial, useful and respected man among all his friends and acquaintances. He was a Republican and believed in doing his share in the management of local affairs, serv- ing many years as school director, and as sec- retary and treasurer of the school board. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and

Sunday school. Mr. Borland died Sept. 5, 1905.

On April 26, 1866, Mr. Borland married Belle C. Williams, a native of Center county, l'a., daughter of William Williams, who was born in Wales and came to America when two years old, the family settling in Center county, where he passed the rest of his life. Mrs. Bor- land now resides in the borough of Dayton. where she built a fine residence in 1908. She is a member of Glade Run Presbyterian Church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Borland : J. Roscoe married Mar- garet Milliron and has two children. Wilda Maine and John M. : Robert M. died when two years old; Alonzo Clair, who married Caro- line Say, is living in Pittsburgh; Viola M., wife of Mason F. Marshall, lives at Helvetia. Pa. : James C. completes the family.

James Carlyle Borland was born March 24. 1878, on his father's farm in Wayne township. Armstrong county, in the vicinity of Dayton. and began his education in the local public schools. His higher studies were pursued at Grove City College and Jefferson Medical Col- lege, where he completed his professional course and graduated in 1905. In 1906 he entered the practice at Dayton, where he spent the first three years of his medical career, in 1909 coming to his present location, which has proved an excellent choice. Dr. Borland has been exceptionally successful, an active tem- perament enabling him to keep in touch with many phases of professional work besides private practice, though that demands the larger share of his time. He serves as exam- iner for various insurance companies, the Equitable, Pittsburgh Life and Trust, Phoenix Mutual and New York Mutual, and maintains membership with the county and State medi- cal societies. At present he is a member of the Falls Creek school board, for the duties of which position he is well fitted by nature and training. He has a good head for business, is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Dayton, and is secretary and treasurer of the DuBois Garage.

On July 30, 1908. Dr. Borland married, at Dayton, Almina Mae Marshall, daughter of Silas W. Marshall, one of its leading residents. There are two children by this marriage: Carlyle Marshall, born May 16, 1911, and James Hobart, born Sept. 16, 1916. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Falls Creek, and is a deacon. He belongs to the Odd Fellows in that borough. and Garfield Lodge, No. 538, F. & A. M., of DuBois, at which place he has many friends.

TUR NOV. YUPK FU- LIC L .. .

Brublank.

169

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

He votes independently, choosing his candi- dates for their qualifications rather than party connection.

BENJAMIN McCREIGHT CLARK, as vice president and general solicitor of the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal and Iron Com- pany and of the Jefferson & Clearfield Coal and Iron Company, combines in his respon- sibilities the supervision of both operating and legal departments of those two extensive min- ing concerns. It is generally conceded that Mr. Clark is the best known mining man in the bituminous coal region. To have gained stich a reputation among so many fellow work- ers of conspicuous ability implics the posses- sion and application of unusual mental qual- ities and character. A review of his activities brings them into evidence at every step of his progress, a steady growth during years of well-directed exertions. The trained judg- ment so valuable in his legal capacity is the outgrowth of serious study as well as long familiarity with the problems of the coal and iron companies, which he began to handle as far back as 1885, when only a law student. He has been general solicitor since 1903, and connected with the operating department since 1907. Estimating his work in its value to the community, he is one of the thoroughly con- structive figures of the period, in this respect living up to the traditions of his family, whose members in every generation have shown a spirit of progress-the foresight which beckons to advancement and the confident strength of purpose which leads to it. Both his father and grandfather were also members of the Jeffer- son county bar, and his father, the late Hon. E. Heath Clark, was presiding judge of this district.

The Clarks are an old Pennsylvania family. William Clark, great-grandfather of Benjamin MI. Clark, was born Feb. 19, 1791, near Dan- ville, Montour county, this State, and died in 1843. He enlisted for service in the war of 1812, and was one of the company of about one hundred men who passed through Brook- ville over the old State road on their way to Black Rock, on Lake Erie, from Lewiston. They camped one night at Rigley's, on the top of Anderson's creek hill, near Curwensville, Clearfield county, and also at Port Barnett, near Brookville. About 1825 William Clark moved to Blairsville, Indiana Co .. Pa., where he lived until 1830, and was engaged in build- ing locks on the canal. He was a carpenter by trade. In October, 1830, the year that Brookville was laid out, he brought his family

to the town, and the house he built was the second within the present limits of the bor- ough. It stood at what is now the northwest corner of Jefferson and Pickering streets ( later the site of Hon. A. C. White's home), and there he conducted a hotel. Later Mr. Clark purchased the lots on the corner of Main and Mill streets subsequently occupied by Hon. Henry Truman, and there erected the second hotel in Brookville before 1839. He was a prominent man in his day in public affairs as well as business, being twice elected sheriff of Jefferson county ; for four years he car- ried the mail to Indiana, Pa. In 1839 he moved his family to Clarion, Pa. He married Susan Griffeth, who survived him, dying in 1862, and they had children : Jesse G., Matilda S., William F., Calvin B. and Jane E.

Jesse G. Clark was born Jan. 22, 1815, and died in Brookville, Feb. 4, 1847. He accom- panied his parents to Brookville in 1830 and to Clarion in 1839, at the latter place purchas- ing three lots, on one of which he erected a hotel, the "Forest House," still standing as late as 1898, when it was known as the "Loomis House" and owned by M. Murphy. He sold the hotel property to Robert Barber, of Strat- tonville, in 1841, having returned with his family to Brookville, and the same year formed a partnership with his brother William in the general merchandise business, their store being at the corner of Main and Pickering streets, where the Matson brick block is now located. He was one of the most influential men of his day. As early as 1832 he was associated with James P. Blair in the news- paper business, publishing the weekly known as the Backwoodsman, which was afterwards owned by his father-in-law, Thomas Hastings. After disposing of this interest he entered the law office of Elijah Heath, was admitted to the Jefferson county bar at the spring term in 1838, and practiced law for a time with Lewis B. Dunham, in 1841 becoming the law partner of Barclay D. Jenks. For a number of years Mr. Clark was land agent for Charles Oglesby, who owned large tracts in Jefferson and Clarion counties. In 1840 he was elected treasurer of Jefferson county, and he was an active political worker, taking a leading part in the campaigns of the day ; in 1844 he made a political speech at Shippensville, and the excitement of the campaign that year may be judged from the fact that the procession which left Brookville to attend the meeting was four miles long by the time it reached Shippens- ville.

On Oct. 10, 1838, Mr. Clark married Sarah

170

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

W. Hastings, who was born March 19, 1819, in Center county, Pa., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hastings, whose married life was continued for over half a century, Mr. Hast- ings dying in Brookville in 1871 and his wife soon afterwards. He was a distinguished cit- izen, serving as sheriff in Center county, in 1827-28 as a member of the General Assembly. and later as associate judge in Jefferson county, under appointment by Governor Shunk in 1846. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, two sons and one daughter : Elijah Heath was the father of Benjamin MI. Clark; William T., born May 7, 1841, died June 20. 1883, leaving a wife and six children (he served during the Civil war under two enlistments, first in the three months' service. and later for almost two years as a member of Company E, 148th Pennsylvania Regiment. of which he became first lieutenant ; he was severely wounded at Chancellorsville) : Clara . Adelaide, the daughter, died Dec. 18, 1846, in her second year. Mrs. Clark remarried, her second husband being Capt. Robert R. Means. who was born April 25, 1819. and died Oct. 4. 1877. Her death occurred June 4. 1889.

HON. E. HEATII CLARK was born July 22, 1839, in Brookville. and acquired his pri- mary education in public school there. Later he was sent to the academy at Saltsburg. Indi- ana county, and in 1858 to the academy at New Bethlehem, Clarion county. In the early sixties he began the study of law with George WV. Ziegler. at Brookville, later continuing it with W. P. and George A. Jenks, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. immediately engag- ing in practice. The first year he was alone, until he formed the association with Lewis A. Grunder, which continued until 1860. Then he joined the Jenks brothers, his former pre- ceptors, this partnership lasting until W. P. Jenks was elected to the bench in 1871, from which time for nearly twenty years he prac- ticed with George A. Jenks, as Jenks & Clark. Thereafter Mr. Clark was with his half- brother, George W. Means, until 1891. when his son. Benjamin M. Clark, was admitted to the bar and to partnership in the firm. as Clark, Means & Clark. Meantime E. Heath Clark had attained a foremost place at the bar, and in 1891 he was elected presiding judge of the Eighteenth Judicial district, then composed of Clarion and Jefferson counties. serving until 1895, when Jefferson county be -. came a separate district, and his duties were confined to Clarion. For impartiality, clear- sightedness and absolute fairness to all who came before him, either as lawyers or their

clients, he stood high in the popular esteem, and he was no less respected for his engaging personal qualities and integrity of character. He was a Democrat in his political convictions, and a Presbyterian in religious connection. Judge Clark died Dec. 24, 1909.

Mr. Clark married. April 22, 1861, Matilda H. McCreight, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Harriet McCreight, who were among the early settlers at Brookville. He served as county commissioner and county treasurer, and was a highly useful citizen. He lived to the age of eighty-two years, dying Aug. 3, 1883, his wife passing away Jan. 26, 1880, aged seventy-four years. Her father, An- drew Hunter, was a Revolutionary soldier. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark : Lida S. married E. A. Litch and ( sec- ond) William C. Burton, of Brookville ; Ben- jamin McCreight is mentioned below ; Harry G., who was formerly engaged in business as a druggist at Franklin, Pa., now resides in Cal- ifornia. Mrs. E. Heath Clark died Sept. 30. 1915.

Benjamin McCreight Clark was born Jan. 5. 1865, in the old "American Hotel" at Brook- ville, and obtained his education in the public schools of the borough. During his early man- hood he clerked for two years in the National Bank of Brookville, but his inclination was for the law, and accordingly he entered his father's office, studying with Jenks & Clark until admitted to the bar, in 1891. After Mr. Jenks withdrew and the young man was taken into the firm it became Clark, Means & Clark. as above related, but the association was inter- rupted by Hon. E. Heath Clark's service on the bench, beginning in 1891, and the other two members continued practice as Means & Clark. They remained in practice together until the death of Mr. Means, in 1903, in which year Mr. Clark formed his present part- nership, with Arthur B. Stewart, as Clark & Stewart. In April of the same year he came to Punxsutawney and accepted the position of general solicitor for the Rochester & Pitts- burgh and Jefferson & Clearfield Coal and Iron Companies, for whom he had been doing legal work since his student days, when he was engaged in looking up titles, etc. Since 1907 the principal part of his time has been given to the interests of these companies, he having taken the position of assistant to the president in that year, and his connection with the operating department was in that capacity until he was promoted to vice president, which office he assumed formally Nov. 1, 1916. Mr. Clark is a busy man, but his executive talents

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 35

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