Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 52

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 52

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In Eldred township' Mr. Mckinley still re- tains the ownership of a well improved and valuable farm of 164 acres, to which he gives

general supervision, and he owns also seventy- four acres of excellent timberland, in Union township, and a half interest in a similar tract of sixty acres in Eldred township. Besides his hotel, his business interests in Brookville are as a stockholder in the National Bank and the Brookville Title & Trust Company, as well as the Brookville Glass & Tile Company.

During the long years of a very active and successful career Mr. Mckinley has shown distinctive civic loyalty and progressiveness and taken a lively interest in local affairs of a public character. While residing upon his farm in Eldred township, he gave effective service as a member of the school board and was for several years its treasurer, besides which he was called upon to serve as town- ship supervisor and also as overseer of the poor. He and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church, and he was for- merly affiliated with the lodge of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks at Reynolds- ville.

On the 19th of June, 1866, at the "Union Hotel," Brookville, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Mckinley to Miss Margaret Mc- Cracken, who was born Jan. 4, 1847, in Eldred township, Jefferson county, and reared there. She died April 14, 1912, at her home, the "Union Hotel," Brookville. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. McKinley John A. and Charles J. are identified with business ac- tivities at Brookville; William L. and Ira re- side at Sharon, Mercer Co., Pa. : Fanny Cath- erine died when about two years old ; Harvey was a promising and popular young man of nineteen years at the time of his death ; Robert has active charge of his father's farm in Eldred township; Flora, Mary, Bess and Mabel re- main at the parental home.

John and Fanny ( Riley) MeCracken, par- ents of Mrs. Robert R. Mckinley, were both natives of western Pennsylvania. They were married in Armstrong county, and shortly thereafter settled on an uncleared tract of land in Eldred township, Jefferson county, which was soon converted into a productive farm through their industry. In the early days of their residence there they endured all the privations incident to pioneer life, the nearest mill being at Kittanning. In 1864 Mr. MeCracken retired from farming and the him- ber business and removed to Brookville, where he conducted the "Union Hotel," until his death, which occurred Sunday evening, March 1, 1891. He died very suddenly. Com- plaining of a pain in his arm, he asked his daughter for some remedy, then walked to

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the bed and lay down, expiring in a few min- utes. His wife, finding her life companion had passed away, yielded to the shock but twenty minutes later, and thus they were not divided in death. Several years previously they had celebrated their golden wedding, and when summoned were about seventy-eight years of age, and among the most venerable citizens of the community. A man of stern integrity and honor, John McCracken had the confidence of all with whom he came in con- tact, and his word was considered as good as his bond. His wife was a faithful member of the Baptist Church. To this worthy couple twelve children were born, six sons and six daughters, all attaining honorable stations in life, viz .: Dinah, who became the wife of J. Stewart; Joseph; Mrs. Jennie Fritz; Mar- garet, wife of Robert R. Mckinley; Mrs. Caroline Corbin; Henry: Lowery; Albert; William; Mrs. Mary Corbin ; John, and Mrs. Clara Fetzer. All are now deceased but Al- bert, William and Mrs. Fetzer.

EVAN T. McGAW has maintained his home at Reynoldsville since March 17, 1875, and is there actively engaged in the real estate and insurance business, to which he has given his attention for many years, and in connec- tion with which he has done much to advance the civic and industrial interests of the coun- ty. He has been specially prominent and in- fluential in public affairs as the incumbent of various positions of distinctive trust and re- sponsibility, including that of county commis- sioner, these preferments indicating the high popular estimate placed upon his character.

Evan Trego MeGaw was born at Maze. Juniata Co., Pa., April 30, 1855, the fifth son of Mark J. and Phoebe W. ( Windle) Mc- Gaw. He gained his early education in the public schools of Maze, and at the age of four- teen years began an apprenticeship to the shoe- maker's trade, in which he became a skilled workman. In 1875 he came to Jefferson county and established his home at Reynolds- ville, where he continued in the work of his . trade about fourteen years, meantime also de- veloping a general boot and shoe business. A man of broad mental grasp, mature judgment and utmost civic loyalty, he has been prom- inent in community affairs and has been called upon to serve in numerous offices of local pub- lic trust. He served five years as justice of the peace ; in April, 1894, under the administra- tion of President Cleveland, he became post- master at Reynoldsville, in which office he served four years, with characteristic effi-

ciency; in November, 1905, he was elected county commissioner, and the value placed upon his services in this important office was signalized by his reelection, his incumbency thus covering a period of six years. His po- litical allegiance is given to the Democratic party.

As previously stated, Mr. McGaw has been for many years engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Reynoldsville, where he owns valuable property and where he is one of the prominent representatives of these im- portant lines of enterprise in Jefferson county. He holds the position of notary public, his present commission bearing date of Dec. 27, 1915. By the county commissioners he was appointed assessor of Reynoldsville borough, and later he was elected to that office, of which he is now in tenure-1913-17. He served many years as overseer of the poor, and no citizen is more securely intrenched in popular confidence and esteem.

On Dec. 28, 1876, Mr. McGaw married Mary. E. Hunter, who was born and reared in the county, and who is a daughter of the late John and Sarah ( McIntosh) Hunter, honored pioneers of the Beechwoods district. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. McGaw, Phoebe Bertha is now a resident of Pasadena, Cal. ; Sarah Viola is remaining at the parental home ; Mark Jay was an ambitious and popu- lar student in Pennsylvania State College at the time of his death, in July, 1905: Jennie Elsie, who remains at the parental home, was graduated from the Pennsylvania State Nor- mal School at Clarion and is a successful and popular teacher in the public schools; Lester Hunter resides at Pasadena, Cal. : Lois Evelyn remains at the parental home, which is a veri- table center of gracious hospitality and good cheer.

J. FRANK ARTHURS, who maintains his home at Brookville and is now filling the office of county surveyor of Jefferson county, has achieved distinctive success and prestige in his profession and has been identified with important civil engineering work, especially in connection with railway construction. Aside from his personal position as one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of his native county, special interest attaches to his career by reason of his being a scion of a sub- stantial family, of Scotch-Irish lineage, that was founded in Pennsylvania in the Colonial era of our national history, and that gave to what is now Jefferson county one of its early

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pioneer citizens, John Arthurs, great-grand- father of J. Frank Arthurs.

The name of the family has been most prom- inently and worthily identified with the civic and material development and progress of this now favored section of the State and none is more clearly entitled to recognition in this history of Jefferson county. J. Frank Arthurs is of the fifth generation in line of direct de- scent from Richard Arthurs, who died in Warren county, this State, at the age of eighty- four years, and who was influential in the af- fairs of that county in the Colonial days. John Arthurs, son of Richard, was born on the Ist of March, 1783, and was yet a boy when he came to what is now the beautiful and opulent county of Jefferson, where, in 1798, he as- sisted in the building of the'first sawmill within the present county limits. Later he returned to his old home in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, but in 1806 he established his home in Jefferson county, where, in the same year, was solemnized his marriage to Joana Roll, who was born June 15, 1786, and came to Jefferson county in 1801. They set- tled on a tract of wild land near the present village of Strattonville, Clarion county, where the sturdy pioneer set himself vigorously to the work of reclaiming a productive farm from the forest. Ile was thus engaged at the time when the war of 1812 was precipitated, and he served as a patriot soldier in that conflict. Ile did much to further the industrial and social development of this section of the State. He and his wife are buried in the old cemetery at Brookville. John Arthurs died May 13, 1847. at the age of sixty-four years, two months, twelve days. and his cherished and devoted wife preceded him to eternal rest. her death having occurred on the Lith of July, 1843, at which time her age was fifty-seven years, twenty-six days. The names and respective birth dates of their children are here recorded : Mary Ann. April 26, 1807; David, Oct. 9. 1808: Hannah, April 8, 1810: Richard, Nov. 18, 1811 ; Susannah, Oct. 6, 1813: Nancy, May 7. 1815 ; John R., Jan. 16, 1817; Philip. May 20. 1819: Sarah Jane. Aug. 30, 1821 ; Capt. Samuel C., May 14, 1823 : James, May 3. 1825 : Evelina. July 17, 1827 ; Isabinda, July 11, 1820.

Concerning these children of the second generation further brief data are available and are here presented : David died July 13. 1833. aged twenty-four years, nine months. four days: Susannah became the wife of Titus Powels and died in Lawrence township, Clear- field county, on the 23d of April. 1885 : Philip died in October, 1830; Hannah, who became

the wife of Charles Dunlap, died on the 17th of June, 1856; Evelina was thirty-seven years old at the time of her demise, in 1864; John R. was the grandfather of J. Frank; Isabinda died in the spring of 1887; Richard died Feb. 20, 1802, and his wife, Sarah Jane, passed away Nov. 24. 1895; James, the youngest of the sons, died on the 12th of January, 1900, and his next older brother Capt. Samuel C., died on the 27th of March, 1906, about two months prior to the eighty-third anniversary of his birth.

Of the third generation in western Pennsyl- vania was Benton Polk Arthurs, who was born Nov. 14. 1845, a son of Richard and grandson of John.

John R. Arthurs was born on the old home- stead near Strattonville, Clarion Co., Pa., on the 16th of June, 1817, and died in Portage county, Ohio, on the 3d of November, 1869. his remains being laid to rest in that county. He and his brother Richard became the own- ers of the "Central Hotel" at Brookville, Pa .. and after operating the same several years he went to Clarion county and purchased the old "Alexander House," at Clarion, which he conducted successfully until about the year 1845, in which year he removed with his family to Ohio, where he was engaged in farming for several years. He then returned to Brookville, Jefferson Co., Pa., where, in 1866, he became associated with his brother Richard in the general merchandise business, with which he continued to be thus connected until 1868, when he made a trip through the South, returning to his former home in Por- tage county, Ohio, where he died in the fol- lowing year, as already noted.

John R. Arthurs married Frances Rodgers, a daughter of Samuel R. Rodgers, and she died while they were residing in Portage county, Ohio, when forty-five years of age. She was laid to rest in the cemetery in which the re- mains of her husband were later placed. Of their children, William H. was born June 15. 1844; Philonzo, the second child, died at the age of fifteen years: Samuel R. was a resi- dent of the city of Chicago at the time of his death ; Mary, whose first husband was Charles Lincoln, is now the wife of Alonzo Smith. and they maintain their home in the State of Ohio.

William H. Arthurs was born in the old "Franklin Hotel," now known as the "Central Hotel," at Brookville, Jefferson county, and was afforded a good common school educa- tion. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade, and it is worthy of special mention that

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in 1869 he assisted in the erection of the pres- ent courthouse of the county, at Brookville. He served as deputy sheriff of the county under the regime of Sheriff McPherson, and in March, 1871, was solemnized his marriage to Cornelia A. Case, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Matey) Case, well known citizens of Clarion county. After his marriage Mr. Ar- thurs established his home on what was then known as the Arthurs farm, in Warsaw town- ship. this county, and after there devoting six years to agricultural pursuits he removed with his family to Elk City, Clarion county, where he resumed the work of his trade. About one year later, however, he became associated with the Northwestern Mining Company, of Elk county, with which he continued to be con- nected for a period of fifteen years. During the ensuing interval of about seven years he was engaged in selling drugs and medicines. in which line of enterprise he was associated with Dr. Day, of Ridgway, that county. Ile then returned to Brookville, his native place, where for the next two years he conducted the "Central Hotel," which had been the place of his birth, and since his retirement from the hotel business he has found pleasant and profit- able employment in the work of his trade. as a valued attache of the Deemer Furniture Company, of Brookville. He and his wife are well known and highly esteemed citizens of Jefferson county and have a wide circle of friends in this section of their native State. Of their children the eldest is Cecilia, who is the wife of Burleigh 1. Bundy, of Falls Creek, Clearfield county : the second child, a son. died in infancy : J. Frank is mentioned below : Estella died at the age of eight years. Edward C. at the age of two years, and Burton at the age of three years; William H .. Jr .. who re- mains at the parental home, was born June 22, 1884, and is a civil and mining engineer by profession.

T. Frank Arthurs was born in Warsaw town- ship. Jefferson county, on the 19th of Jan- nary. 1874, and the place of his nativity was the farm now owned by Samuel Arthurs. From the age of five to that of sixteen years he attended the public schools of Kersey, Elk county, and in the winter of 1894-95 com- pleted a course in the Iron City Business Col- lege, in the city of Pittsburgh. With an am- bition that was one of decisive action, he de- termined to prepare himself for the profes- sion of civil engineering, and to compass this end he devoted himself closely to private study, besides which he availed himself also of the excellent course of technical instruc-

tion provided by the great International Cor- respondence School of Scranton, this State. When but fifteen years old he began work at the carpenter's trade, to which he continued to give his attention, together with work at painting and paper-hanging. until he had at- tained to the age of twenty years, and from 1894 to 1898 he was engaged in the "Central Hotel" at Brookville, at the time when he was in charge of the same. While he early formulated definite plans for his future career. he showed his energy and versatility by turn- ing his attention to such work as would yield him the best returns. In the summers of 1898 and 1899 he was engaged in the ice business at Brookville, and during the intervening winter he worked on surveys for the Shawmut Railroad Company. In the winter of 1899 Mr. Arthurs was employed as clerk in the "American Hotel," Brookville, and during the following summer and winter he again gave his attention to the carpenter's trade, in which connection he was employed about five months, as an assistant in the erection of the County Home or infirmary of Jefferson county. He then became a practical assistant to James B. Caldwell, the county surveyor, with whom he worked until March, 1902. from which time until April of the following year he served as instrument-man in connection with surveying work on the Susquehanna & New York rail- road. with headquarters at Towanda, Pa. The ensuing five months found him engaged with the Elk Tanning Company, of Ridgway. Elk county, in land surveying and work incidental to the construction of log roads. From Sep- tember, 1903, to January. 1905, he was as- sistant engineer of construction for the Pitts- burgh, Summerville & Clarion Railroad Com- pany, in the building of the line between Sum- merville and Clarion. From that time for- ward until May, 1905. he was assistant to James B. Caldwell. county surveyor of Jef- ferson county, and from May to November of 1905 he was inspector of stone masonry for the double track line of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company between East Brady and Ten- pleton. From November, 1905, to Septem- ber, 1907, Mr. Arthurs held the position of in- strument-man on the construction of the Franklin & Clearfield railroad, and he was then made resident engineer of construction for this road, a position which he retained until February. 1910. He then assumed the position of instrument-man in the maintenance of way department of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad. and in this capacity con- tinued to give effective service until he as-

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sumed his present office, that of county sur- veyor of Jefferson county, of which position he has been the efficient and popular incumbent since January, 1914, and in which he has done a large amount of important work. Mr. Ar- thurs is known as one of the progressive and loyal citizens of his native county. llis politi- cal allegiance is given to the Republican party. In a fraternal way he is affiliated, at Brook- ville, with Hobah Lodge, No. 276. F. & A. M., and Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, Royal Arch Masons.

On the 21st of September. 1904, was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. Arthurs to Cora M. Steele, daughter of James and Sarah Steele, of Brookville. Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs have four children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here noted: J. Frank, Jr., June 12, 1905 : Richard, Dec. 11, 1906; James S., Sept. 13, 1908; and Sarah Cornelia, Sept. 29, 1913.

SAMUEL A. HUNTER, of Knox town- ship, has the enviable distinction of owning and operating a farm that is so perfect in ap- pointment and fertility of soil, that widest search for superiority in a homestead could at best but eventuate in futility. It is a broad statement, for though Jefferson county does not depend principally upon its agricultural resources, there are many progressive farmers residing there, taking the yield of the soil ac- cording to the most approved up-to-date meth- ods, and Mr. Hunter has had to go far to at- tain a place so eminent among them. How- ever, his beautiful property bears evidence of such intelligent care, discriminating develop- ment and well matured plans, that it is no more than just to give him credit for what he has accomplished. Moreover, every wide- awake farmer knows that each well-cultivated traet in the neighborhood makes his own more valuable in prospect, and Mr. Hunter's sys- tematized work and economic administration are watched with interest and appreciation by all of the enterprising farmers of this sec- tion who realize what he has done for the en- tire locality. The place he operates is the old Hunter homestead where his grandfather set- tled almost a century ago, and which his father in turn owned and occupied. He, himself, was born there March 20. 1868. The early his- tory of the family will be found in the sketch of his elder brother. Perry A. Hunter.

Samuel A. Hunter obtained his preliminary edneation in the common schools of Knox township, later taking more advanced studies at Delaware, Ohio, in the School of Business

of that university. For several years during his young manhood he was successfully en- gaged in educational work, teaching one year in Winslow township, this county ; one term as principal of the schools at Rathmel, this county ; two terms in Knox township; for a time in the G. W. Michael's business college at Delaware, Ohio; and for two years in the G. W. Michael's business college at Logans- port, Ind. His experience in Jefferson county alone covered four years. When he gave up the profession he went to Homestead, Pa., where he was employed in the capacity of clerk, and thence went with the pressed steel car works as steel and lumber inspector. Re- turning to the home farm in Knox township he spent two and a half years there, after his father's death taking charge of its enltivation for his mother. On Aug. 6, 1903, he pur- chased the "American House" at Brookville in partnership with his brother Perry .A. Hunter, and gave his time to conducting that place for nineteen months and eleven days. Having become interested in baseball he then went to Cambridge Springs, Pa., where he established a ball team and remained for one summer. Returning to Brookville, he clerked at the "American House" for a time, spent an- other season at Cambridge Springs with a ball team, and then made a trip out to Portland, Oregon. After coming back to Jefferson county he resumed the hotel business, taking charge of the "Commercial Hotel" in Brook- ville, which he carried on until March 20, 1912. Mr. Hunter displayed great ability in the hotel business, for which his friendly dis- position and obliging nature eminently quali- fied him, because of his courteous attention to the wants of all guests. When he sold the "Commercial llouse" in March, 1912, Mr. Hunter came to live once more on the home place where he was born, in Knox township, and where he is now established. He had pur- chased the property some time previously, and since he returned to it has devoted practically all his time to its cultivation and management. Though business has occupied more of his attention than agriculture Mr. Hunter seems fitted by nature for the latter vocation, in which he uses his business experience also to excel- lent advantage. He has a fine tract for scien- tifie agricultural operations, his farm being considered the best piece of arable land in Jefferson county. It contains 166 acres of tillable soil and sixty-six acres of woodland, all of which is turned to the best possible use by Mr. Hunter and his efficient force. He erected new buildings, which like his home

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are of model construction, his cattle barn es- pecially being a simple, sanitary structure, up- to-date in its appointments but not cluttered with unnecessary "contraptions" of any kind. It is so all over the place-the most convenient devices are in use, but there are no cumber- some, complicated things that use up time with- out showing adequate results. Mr. Hunter keeps a herd of registered cows in which he takes great pride. Mr. Hunter is one of the foremost citizens of Jefferson county, and is as well liked as he is well known, having a large circle of friends whom he is always glad to welcome to his home.

Mr. Hunter is not selfishly bound to his own affairs, being ready to give his aid and counsel in public matters when necessary, and he is serving at present as a member of the town- ship school board, of which he is treasurer. With his brother Perry A. Hunter he has oil interests at Oil City, Pa. Socially he holds membership in the Aerie of the Fraternal Or- der of Eagles at Brookville.

Mr. Hunter married Mrs. Harry Matson, daughter of Joseph T. Spare.

JOHN GOURLY NORTH is considered one of the most capable officials of Jefferson county, at present filling his second term as county commissioner. The responsibilities of his publie duties have been looked after with the same fidelity as he gives to the details of his personal interests, a fact which has recom- mended him highly to the favor of his fel- low citizens, who appreciate the advantages of having in the service of the community one whose sense of obligation extends to every- thing he undertakes. His connection with the affairs of local government, which has been continuous for the last fifteen years, has en- abled him to keep in close touch with the ad- ministration of home interests generally, and the experience gained during that period is invaluable to the proper discharge of the func- tions of his present office.

The North family is numerously represented in this part of Pennsylvania, where it was es- tablished just about a century ago by John North, the grandfather of John G. North. Daniel North, the great-grandfather, lived and died in Ireland. In that country John North was born and spent his early life, coming to America in the year 1810 with his wife and family, which then consisted of two children. They landed at Wilmington, Del., and Mr. North was employed for a time at the Du Pont powder plant. He resided in Phila- delphia for a short time. He served in the

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 52

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