USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II > Part 44
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NORWOOD G. PINNEY, late of Brook- ville, was one of the estimable business men of that borough throughout a long residence there, and his widow still makes her home in the place endeared to her by many associa- tions. Mr. Pinney came to this section from Kittanning, Armstrong county, his native town, where his father became established on his removal from Connecticut. The family is of Revolutionary stock. Lester C. Pinney, the
father of Norwood G. Pinney, was born in Connecticut, and died in Kittanning. He had a carriage factory at the latter point, and de- voted all his time to its operation. His wife, Jane (Graham), was a native of Armstrong county.
Norwood G. Pinney was reared at Kittan- ning, learned the carriage making under his father's tuition, and continued to follow it for some years. He gave up his own interests during the Civil war to aid the Union cause, enlisting in the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and at the close of his army service returned to Kittanning, where he conducted his father's business for a time. In 1869 he settled at Brookville, and during the early part of his residence there engaged in carriage building, but he saw a desirable opening in the insur- ance business and took advantage of it. He found his new work so agreeable and profit- able that he remained in it permanently, acquiring a patronage representative of the most reliable element in his locality. Mr. Pinney was able and successful in the conduct of his business affairs and in his social rela- tions was regarded as a man of unimpeachable character, one who held upright principles and practiced them in his daily intercourse with his fellows. He died at Brookville Oct. 3, 1904, and the remains were taken to Kittan- ning for interment.
On Nov. 4, 1867, Mr. Pinney married Anna Jane Boggs, daughter of the late Judge Jack- son Boggs, of Armstrong county. Of the two children born to this marriage Phoebe Isabella died in her fifteenth year; Rebecca J. is the wife of Samuel B. Arthurs and resides in Brookville. After the death of Mr. Pinney his widow took over his interests in the insur- ance business which he had established so firmly, and conducted the same for seven years longer, finally selling out. She proved her- self a capable business woman, earning the confidence of all with whom she had dealings. Mrs. Pinney was one of the charter members of the Woman's Relief Corps at Brookville, and for years a devoted worker in that organi- zation. She has also taken a helpful part in other local activities of a philanthropie nature, having led a busy and useful life.
SAMUEL B. ARTHURS is one of the best known residents of Brookville, having acquired wide acquaintance during his long experience in the hotel business there. As proprietor of the "Central House" he also gained recogni- tion among the successful business men of Jef- ferson county, and in all the relations of life
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is a typical member of a family which in the century and more of its residence here has maintained prestige among the most desirable inhabitants of this region.
John Arthurs, the grandfather of Samuel B. Arthurs, was born March 1, 1783, at Jacks Creek, Mifflin Co., Pa., and came to Jefferson county in 1795, helping to erect the first mill in the county. He came again in 1806, but soon afterwards went to what is now Armstrong - county, and the same year married Joanna Roll, who was born in Penn's Valley, Center Co., Pa., June 15, 1786. He then purchased the Ferguson farm near Clarion, this State, where he continued to live until about 1812, when he removed to Port Barnett, Jefferson county, and engaged in lumbering. In 1813 he went to Tidioute, Warren Co., Pa., and in the winter of 1814 was pressed into the United States service and sent to Lake Erie; but in the spring of 1815 the treaty of Ghent was concluded, and he was allowed to return home, the war being ended.
Richard Arthurs, son of John, was born in ISII. In 1830 he attended the sale of the first lots sold in Brookville, where he settled two years later. After working for a short time in the cabinet shop of a Mr. McDonald, he purchased the tools and other accessories and removed to "Snyder's row," where he estab- lished a cabinet and carpenter shop in the south room, while Samuel Craig occupied the north room with his chair factory. In 1834 he sold out to the latter's brother, James Craig, and commenced the study of law with Cephas Dunham. He deserved the great reputation and success he won in the profession. It had always been his ambition to pursue the study of law, and while receiving only the meager wages of from one dollar to a dollar and a quarter daily, and paying out twenty-five cents a day for board, he managed to save six hun- dred dollars in two years, and thus was enabled to enter upon his preparation for the bar. He was also prosperous in business affairs, and ac- cumulated considerable property in his later years, owning many of the best business houses in Brookville. His wife, Sarah J. (Williams), died Nov. 20, 1895.
Samuel B. Arthurs was born at Brookville Nov. 20, 1865, and obtained an excellent con- mon school education there, attending the public schools until he was about nineteen years old. When he started out to make his own living, he took up agriculture, and followed that line for five years, after which he devoted most of his time to hotel keeping, being one of the leading men in that business in Jefferson
county. For years he conducted the "Central House," at Brookville, which became very fav- orably known to the traveling public whose business brought them this way, as well as in the immediate locality. Mr. Arthurs had the faculty of pleasing his patrons, catering to their physical comfort and creating an agree- able atmosphere of friendliness which at- tracted and held custom among old and new guests alike.
Mr. Arthurs married Rebecca J. Pinney. daughter of the late Norwood G. Pinney, of Brookville, and his wife Anna Jane ( Boggs).
ADAM HIRAM REITZ, the leading mer- chant in his section of Jefferson county, has been postmaster at Ohl for a quarter of a century, actively associated with the conduct of public affairs, and one of the most enter- prising business men of his generation. Mr. Reitz's progress should not only be judged by the position he has reached, but also by the adverse conditions against which he had to struggle in his early years, for he is a self- made man in the true sense of the term. As a representative of a family whose substantial qualities have made it respected for several generations in Jefferson county, he might have been expected to display the traits of industry and perseverance and self-reliance for which its members have become known. But he has done much more than that. Without favoring circumstances he has made his way to inde- pendence and high standing, and has done worthy service to his fellow citizens by his share in the economical development of the township and county, his own business record being an interesting chapter in the story of its expansion.
Mr. Reitz is a native of Beaver township, born April 29, 1866, at the old Brosius home- stead, half a mile from his present home, son of Peter R. and Catherine ( Brosius) Reitz. He is of German ancestry in both paternal and maternal lines, the first of the Reitzes to come to America having been his great-great-grand- father, who settled in Pennsylvania, purchasing one thousand acres of land in Northumberland county, which he divided among his four sons. His son Michael, the great-grandfather of Adam Hiram Reitz, was born in Lancaster county, and settled in Northumberland county, spending the remainder of his life there. He married Catherine Snoke.
John Reitz, son of Michael and Catherine (Snoke) Reitz, was born in Northumberland county, where he continued to reside until after his marriage to Margaret Smithi, also of
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that county. In 1833 they came with their family to western Pennsylvania, settling in Jefferson county, where Mr. Reitz followed farming throughout his active days, dying in 1881, aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Reitz died in 1880, aged eighty-two years, nine months. They had the following children: Isaac, who became a farmer in Oliver township: Mollie, married George Burkhouse, a farmer of Pine- creek township and survived him; Michael. who spent his closing years in retirement at Sandy Valley; Saloma, who married John Reinhart, of Oliver township, and survived him: Harry, deceased; Peter R .: Mary, who married Henry Emerick (he operated a saw- mill).
Peter R. Reitz, father of Adam H. Reitz. was married in Beaver township Oct. 1, 1857. to Catherine Brosius, and had a large family : Sarah J., who married Levi Plyler, of Beaver township: Cornelius, a carpenter, of Beaver township; Elizabeth E., who married Frank Plyler ; Albert Franklin, of Beaver township; Adam Hiram; John, a carpenter, of Knox Dale ; Emanuel I ... a stonemason ; Catherine A., of Brookville; Emma S .; Rebecca, and Charles W. During the Civil war, Mr. Reitz, the father, was drafted into the Union service. Sept. 4. 1864, and served for nine months and fifteen days, under Captain Pierce. He had followed carpenter work during his early years, but was obliged to give it up because of rheumatism brought on by the hardships of army life, and he subsequently engaged in general farming. His death occurred in May. 1900. Mr. Reitz was a Democrat and a Luth- eran, his wife adhering to the same .church. She is still living on the home place.
Jacob Brosius, grandfather of Mrs. Reitz, came from Germany to this country at an early day. His son, Peter Brosius, father of Mrs. Reitz, was born in Northumberland county, and married Leah Delp, of Northumberland county, who had two sisters, Mrs. Michael Thomas and Mrs. Byerly, both of whom settled in Beaver township. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bro- sius had two children, Catherine (Mrs. Peter R. Reitz) and Elizabeth. The latter married Peter Dinger and died here leaving five chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brosius lived for some time on what is now the Oxenrider farm in Beaver township. near the Burkhouse Church. It formerly belonged to Mrs. Brosius. who sold it to the Oxenriders, the Brosius fam- ily removing about 1868 to the farm now owned and occupied by their grandson, Albert Franklin Reitz, about a quarter of a mile west of Ohl. There Peter Brosius died at the age
of eighty-two years, his wife at the age of eighty-six.
Adam Hiram Reitz began work early, for he was one of a large family, and had to face the problem of self-support when only a boy. At the age of twelve years he hired out as a farm hand, turning his wages over to his father until he was eighteen years old. He then joined his brother Albert, with whom he served an apprenticeship at the stonemason's trade and with whom he was in partnership for six years. They took contracts for bridge work, all sorts of mason work for the local farmers, and did a successful business together until 1892 when Adam H. Reitz determined to give his time to the mercantile establishment at Ohl which he purchased Dec. 23, 1890. The store and trade then showed little promise of the growth which has taken place under his management. He paid sixteen hundred dollars for the property and stock of goods, and en- tered the venture under rather discouraging circumstances, for twelve merchants had pre- ceded him and none had remained longer than eighteen months. The store was opened many years ago, and the original place had burned down, E. M. Ohl building a new one and secur- ing the postoffice at this point, named Ohl in his honor. Previously the office was called Packer: it was eventually removed a mile dis- tant to the railroad and is now known as Heathville. E. M. Ohl was the first post- master of the Ohl office, his successors being D. B. Keifer, G. L. Allshouse, John A. Guth- rie, from whose father, C. L. Guthrie, Mr. Reitz bought the property and business. When Mr. Reitz became proprietor he succeeded Mr. Guthrie as assistant postmaster, and was regu- larly appointed postmaster April 29, 1892, since when he has filled the office without inter- ruption. The mercantile trade seemed to re- ceive a fresh impetus when he took hold of it, and in 1893 he erected a substantial new store upon the site of the one which had been de- stroyed by fire. The growth has been constant. and the change in the volume of patronage is no doubt due largely to the live methods which Mr. Reitz has employed, his energy and pro- gressive spirit having combined with strength of purpose to awaken into prosperous activity an enterprise which had languished for years. The first year his sales amounted to fifty-nine hundred dollars. By 1916 they had reached forty thousand dollars, and the stock is now valued at fifteen thousand dollars. He found that the ininers' trade was well worth solicit- ing, and consequently he added to the articles ordinarily required in a country store such
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goods as would be in demand among them, with the result that he has put in such compre- hensive lines that his customers of all classes find the establishment a highly satisfactory trading center. Though another store has been started in the town it has not affected his trade, which is now so large that three assistants are kept busy.
For the last thirteen years Mr. Reitz has also been interested in farming, having bought a wornout tract for which he paid eighteen hundred dollars, clearing it and carrying on improvements until he had thirty-three hun- dred dollars invested. By systematic cultiva- tion it has paid for itself fully in this tinic, even including all repairs, etc., for Mr. Reitz has kept an accurate account of expenditures and receipts which makes a most satisfactory showing ; he grows hay, corn, oats and potatoes on his land. For the convenience of his pat- rons Mr. Reitz has handled considerable pro- duce, working up this branch of the business to such proportions that he has made it profit- able to himself as well as to the farmers whose crops he handles. For twenty years he has handled buckwheat, buying at various stations on the Pennsylvania railroad from New Bethle- hem to Reynoldsville, his operations in this field having grown to such an extent that in 1915 he shipped thirty-six thousand bushels. From twenty thousand to thirty thousand dol- lars annually go into circulation in the locality in this way alone. Mr. Reitz was the first man in this section to make a specialty of handling the buckwheat crop, and he has benefited local growers greatly by his system of marketing, assuring them profitable sales for good grain.
Mr. Reitz has been active in public affairs to the extent of helping to secure satisfactory regulations for the management of the public schools and the opening and maintenance of good roads, two matters of vital importance. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. He is an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows, having borrowed twelve dollars when he reached his majority to pay for his initiation into that fraternity, and his dues have been kept up faithfully ever since. He also belongs to the Red Men, at Summerville, and to the P. O. S. of A. He has no connection with the church but helps the local congrega- tions of all denominations.
On March 12, 1890, Mr. Reitz was married in Brookville to Rebecca Haugh, of Clarion county, who was born Dec. 25, 1861, in Rose- ville, daughter of Valentine and Maria ( Shaf- fer) Haugh, of Northampton and Jefferson counties, respectively. Mr. Haugh was a car-
penter. He died April 14, 1875, aged fifty-one years, on a farm in Beaver township, leaving four children : Rebecca, Mrs. Reitz; Sherdon, of Michigan, an undertaker; Solomon, a stage driver. of Montana ; and Charles S., who lo- cated in Indiana, where he became connected with an oil refinery. The father was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and a Demo- crat in politics. The mother, born April 27, 1843, married for her second husband Jacob Shick, of Clarion county, and to them were born four children, namely: John, William, Jesse and Ollie O.
Mr. and Mrs. Reitz have become the parents of three children: Clyde E., who died when nine years old; one that died in infancy ; Anna B. L., now the wife of John Byerly, of Ohl, a salesman in the Reitz store.
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS PATTON, as- sistant to the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, was born at Union Fur- nace, Huntingdon Co., Pa., on Oct. 21, 1849. His father, George W. Patton, was promi- nently identified with the iron furnaces in the Juniata Valley, and at the time mentioned was manager of the Union Furnace. He subse- quently removed to Altoona, becoming one of the early settlers and prominent business men of that now prosperous railroad city, and serv- ing as its postmaster and as associate judge of Blair county.
Mr. Patton received his education in the public schools of Altoona, finishing with a course in the high school. He entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany, in the general superintendent's office, Altoona, on Jan. 11, 1865; was transferred to Philadelphia in December, 1871, and was ap- pointed chief clerk in the office of Mr. A. J. Cassatt, general manager, on Aug. 1, 1872, re- maining with him in that capacity while Mr. Cassatt filled the positions of general manager, third vice president and first vice president. Upon Mr. Cassatt's resignation as first vice president, Pennsylvania Railroad Company, on Oct. 1, 1882, Mr. Patton was transferred to the president's department, and on April 1, 1884. was appointed general assistant by the board of directors. On Feb. 10. 1897, he was ap- pointed assistant to the president of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, acting in the same capacity with the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad: West Jersey & Seashore Railroad, and Northern Central Railway. On May 24, 1884, he was elected vice president of the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Rail- road Company, and upon the resignation of
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Mr. A. J. Cassatt to accept the presidency of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company Mr. Pat- ton, on June 14, 1899, was elected president, which position he fills, in addition to his official connection with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
On Aug. 30, 1899, Mr. Patton was elected general chairman of the Pennsylvania Railroad Department of the Young Men's Christian Association of Philadelphia. He is a director of The Real Estate Trust Company of Phila- delphia, a trustee of the Presbyterian Hospital, a member of the board of trustees of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, president of the board of trustees of the John Edgar Thomson School ( which was founded by the late John Edgar Thomson for the care and education of daughters of employés of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company killed in the service ), a di- rector of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion of Philadelphia, and a member of the International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations of North America, as well as a member of the Valley Forge Park Commission of Pennsylvania. Mr. Patton is also a member of other organizations, among them the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution, Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish Society, Franklin Institute. Union League, Merion Cricket Club. St. David's Golf Club and Radnor Hunt.
Mr. Patton married in Philadelphia, on Dec. 13, 1876, Katharine Jane Linn, a daughter of John Atcheson Linn, a native of Perry county, Pa., and afterwards a well-known citizen of Philadelphia. They had one child. John Linn Patton, born Oct. 13, 1883, died Oct. 6, 1900, who at the time of his death was a member of the sophomore class ( 1903) at Princeton Uni- versity, and is buried in West Laurel Hill cemetery, Philadelphia.
Mr. Patton resides at Radnor, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania.
HORACE G. MILLER, of Punxsutawney, has had a career of steady popularity as owner and editor of the Punxsutawney News for over thirty years. He has been associated with newspaper work in that borough from boyhood, and by holding to an undeviating policy of giving his townsmen the best news service pos- sible, and, editorially, honest opinions on pub- lic questions whether of local or wider interest, has been a friendly pilot of much good senti- ment in the community favorable to its ad- vancement, and the mouthpiece of the people whenever a cause appeared that needed cham- pionship or "boosting." To sum up his
endeavors, he has tried to be a good citizen, and his efforts have been recognized by other good citizens. It is much to say of any man.
Mr. Miller is a native of Punxsutawney, born March 1, 1859, son of Adam B. Miller by his second wife, Margaret Jane ( Bender). The father was born in Center county, Pa., and settled at Punxsutawney, where he fol- lowed tailoring successfully and was a sub- stantial citizen for many years. He took a prominent part in local affairs, holding the office of justice of the peace for fifteen years. He died at Punxsutawney in 1888, and is buried in the old cemetery. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Woodward, Mr. Miller had two children, Frank and Jennie. Four children were born to the second union, namely: Horace G .; Christina ( Mrs. Harry F. Sprankle), of Punxsutawney; Lunetta J .; and Grace, who married Dr. W. B. Stewart. Lunetta and Grace both became trained nurses, following their profession in Philadelphia. The mother, a native of Williamsburg, Blair county, is living at Punxsutawney.
Horace G. Miller was brought up at Punxsu- tawney, and attended the public schools until he began to learn his trade, with W. P. Hast- ings, who ran the old Mahoning T'alley Spirit at Punxsutawney. He was seventeen years old when he started his apprenticeship, and as the work gave him a better idea of the value of education he returned to school for two terms after working two years. Later he went to New York City, where he was employed as a stenographer for two years, the experience enlarging his ideas and outlook and proving valuable to him in subsequent activities. On Oct. 22, 1885, he established the News at Punxsutawney, and though rather young for the venture made a success of it, which he has owned and published ever since, conduct- ing a prosperous job printing plant in connec- tion. Assuming the responsibility of both business and editorial management, Mr. Miller has had opportunity to exercise all his talents. Ile is a mechanic of noteworthy skill, and in- vented and patented a perforator for use on printing presses which has proved a valuable device. It has been sold all over this country and in a number of foreign countries, and has met with approval everywhere, being of great practical value as a time and money saver.
Mr. Miller has various social connections. belonging to John W. Jenks Lodge, No. 534, F. & A. M .; Laurel Lodge, No. 672, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs; and the O. U. A. M. In political association he is a Republican, but in home matters his sup-
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port usually goes to the best man regardless of party lines.
In August, 1893, Mr. Miller was married to Lenore Stockdale, daughter of P. A. Stock- dale, of Punxsutawney, and they have had two children: Margaret Jane and Horace G., Jr., both students. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the M. F. Church, and she has been particularly active in its work. Their home is at No. 230 West Mahoning street, where Mr. Miller also has his business estab- lishment.
ALONZO FERMAN (deceased ) was one of the leading citizens of Snyder township, extensively engaged in lumbering, a large land- owner, and active as a promoter of various industries. His intelligence and capability made him a valuable acquisition to the pioneer settlement which he joined about 1840, for more than fifty years continuing a factor in its advancement, which he witnessed with keen appreciation.
The name Ferman was originally spelled Fairman, and is sometimes found with the spelling Firman. He was born in the neighbor- hood of Malone, Franklin county. N. Y., Nov. 27, 1818, and there lived until he reached young manhood. Being but an infant when his father died, he was brought up by foster parents, who gave him what educational ad- vantages they could afford, and it was charac- teristic of him that later, when he had established himself in Pennsylvania, he sent for them and provided for them in their latter years. About 1840 he came to this region with all his possessions tied up in a handkerchief. and remained for a time in Clarion county. but soon made his way to Jefferson county, working in the woods, and rafting down the river. His employers were Raught & Wilson, and in company with John Johnson he bought them out, the property they acquired including a mill, on Little Toby creek two miles above Brockwayville, and six hundred acres of land. They first used the old "up and down" saw, changing to more modern methods as business improved, eventually installing steam power. Mr. Ferman continued to give most of his time to its operation until it burned down. He was best known as a successful lumber manufac- turer. having followed that business most of his life; but he also developed much of the land which he cleared. He sold the under- lying coal, and dealt quite extensively in real estate at Crenshaw. At one time he owned one thousand acres of land in Elk county, and
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