Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 79

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 79

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Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have known each other since childhood. They were married Aug. 3, 1865, and on Aug. 3, 1915, celebrated at their home the golden anniversary of their wedding, some four hundred guests being present on that occasion. It was the first jubi- lation of the kind ever held in or near Rich- ardsville, and indeed there have been few such anywhere in Jefferson county. This couple have contributed their quota to the develop- ment and progress of the county along both civic and industrial lines. They have both been connected with the Baptist Church at Rich- ardsville since childhood.

An appreciative estimate of the career of William J. Shaffer was published in a Jefferson county paper in 1899, at the time when he ap- peared as candidate for county register and recorder at the Republican primaries, and from this article are taken, with but slight para- phrase, the following quotations :

"Although born and bred upon a small farm in a backwoods community, William J. Shaf- fer early evinced an ardent desire for a higher education than the public schools afforded. His was one of those alert, receptive natures on which a liberal education has a broadening effect. In such natures educational training reaches its highest fruition. Its possessor is enabled to think and act broadly and to view things as a whole rather than apart. It gives what is called the initiative in practical affairs and insures adaptability in any capacity to which it may be applied. As a qualification for public office a liberal education coupled with the characteristics that enable their possessor to overcome great obstacles, is an infinitely supe- rior equipment to mere technical training. Mr. Shaffer was dependent upon his own resources in obtaining a higher education than falls to the lot of the ordinary farm boy. These early struggles, sacrifices and self-denials developed the qualities which early placed him upon the ladder of success. He was a diligent student and was highly regarded in each educational or business institution with which he was con- nected. William J. Shaffer is a young man. yet he is essentially a man of affairs. Born and reared on a farm, his early struggle for an education and his subsequent business ca- reer have given him a wide range of association with his fellow men. He is a typical young American, alert, ambitious, progressive and resourceful.

"Like many other American boys, Mr. Shaf- fer inherited his political beliefs. His father and all his uncles on both sides of the house were Republicans, and all served in the Civil

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war, and their loyal and patriotic devotion to the issues which gave birth to that party could not help but be reflected in William. All his mature life he has been an ardent partisan of the principles of the Republican party, not in a narrow, selfish sense, but along broad and liberal lines."

Apropos of his appearance as candidate for the office noted, it may consistently be said that he made a splendid showing at the polls, in. June, 1899, as indicated by the following statements which appeared in the DuBois Evening Express of June roth of that year : "William J. Shaffer, candidate for register and recorder, was the hero of the campaign. He entered it without aid or 'pull.' with hardly a fighting chance, and conducted one of the brightest and cleanest campaigns on record. He was defeated by the close margin of 136 votes, his opponents both being considered very strong men, though he left one far behind in the race. He will be a winner next time."

Reverting to the high ambition and resolute purpose shown by Mr. Shaffer in gaining a liberal education, it should be stated that he availed himself of the advantages of Reid's Institute at Reidsburg ; of Bucknell University Academy. at Lewisburg ; and the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Clarion, in each of which institutions he acquitted himself with characteristic zeal and devotion to the work in hand and made a record that gained him un- qualified commendation upon the part of his instructors. In 1885-86 Mr. Shaffer put his scholastic attainments to practical test by teaching school, and his success in the peda- gogic profession was unquestionable. In the autumn of 1800 he went to the city of Pitts- burgh and obtained a place as a traveling salesman for the great cigar manufacturing concern of the R. & W. Jenkinson Company, with which he made a splendid record through- out his assigned territory. When he left the employ of this house, in May. 1898, its presi- clent gave to him the following significant let- ter of commendation : "Mr. William J. Shaffer, of Brookville, Pennsylvania, has been in our employ since the first day of Septem- ber. 1890, and during that time we have found him honorable, upright and conscien- tious in every particular, and a hard worker. with his heart in the business. He leaves us of his own free will, and, feeling sure he would prove a valuable man in whatever capacity he might decide to employ his tal- ents, we, in justice to him and to ourselves. are writing this letter, only trusting that it

may some day be the means of doing him a good turn."

In the year following his severing of asso- ciation with the firm above mentioned Mr. Shaffer became at the Republican primaries candidate for the office of register and recorder of his native county, and though he was de- feated he has continued a stalwart figure in the local camp of the Republican party, but has not again appeared as a candidate for office.

On the Ioth of November, 1898, Mr. Shaf- fer engaged in the insurance business at Brookville, and for the first two years he maintained his offices with the representative law firm of Carmalt & Strong, to whose coun- sel and kindly assistance he attributes much of the success he has achieved in this impor- tant field of enterprise. Characteristic honesty of purpose, fairness and consideration have marked his remarkably successful work in the insurance field, and for several years he has been general agent for the stanch Massachu- setts Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Springfield, Mass. In this agency he is asso- ciated with his brother Warren T. Shaffer, of DuBois, Clearfield county, under the firm name of W. J. and W. T. Shaffer, and they are general agents for the company, with of- fices at Brookville and DuBois. Mr. Shaffer is also general agent for the Casualty Com- pany of America, and this great corporation has shown such confidence in his integrity and ability as to empower him to write and sign all policies and pay all claims from his office in Brookville. In order to expand the scope of his business he has appointed sub-agents in nearly all of the large towns of this section of Pennsylvania, and he has gained secure van- tage ground as one of the resourceful and representative insurance men of his native State, his finely appointed offices in Brook- ville being in the Pearsall building, and his insurance business having broad and success- ful ramifications.

On the 24th of December, 1896, was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. Shaffer to Mrs. Harriet Bonnett Young, of Brookville. They have three surviving children: Ruth E., a daughter by Mrs. Shaffer's first marriage. Max Anthony and Marie: one child. Thomas C., born Aug. 17. 1898, having died at the age of eleven months. Ruth E. completed the curriculum of the Brookville high school and in 1915 was graduated from Dennison Uni- versity, at Granville, Ohio, from which she received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She is now a popular and efficient representative

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of the pedagogic profession. Max A., born Jan. 23, 1901, is attending high school. Marie, the youngest of the family, was born June 27, 1903.

Mrs. Shaffer is a daughter of the late Henry Anthony Bonnett, who was one of the most honored citizens of Brookville, where his death occurred on the 2d of July, 1907. He was born at Charlottenburg, Nassau, Germany, on the 4th of April, 1835, and at the age of seven- teen years he immigrated to the United States. For the first three years he resided in Clarion county, Pa., where he was employed in iron mining, and he then served an appren- ticeship to the trade of gunsmith, at Clarion, a vocation in which he became a skilled work- man. There, on the Ist of December, 1857, he married Elizabeth Gibbs, who survives him. Mr. Bonnett first became a resident of Jeffer- son county in 1860, but from 1868 until 1882 he was again a resident of Clarion county. From the latter year until his death he main- tained his home at Brookville, where he car- ried on a shop and worked at his trade, besides being a skilled woodworker and having manu- factured many violins of superior order. He was a Democrat in politics and was an earnest and zealous member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his widow. He had marked artistic ability, and numerous attractive speci- mens of his oil and water-color paintings re- main to attest his talent in this direction. Of his nine children three preceded him to the grave, and those who survive him are: Mary E., John C., Minnie A. (Mrs. L. N. Kline ), Harriet A. (Mrs. William J. Shaffer ), Wil- liam H. and Olive C. (Mrs. Walter C. Kauffman).

ALBERT J. SPRAGUE has distinguished himself among the farmers of Henderson township by his success in the development of the old Rider property in the Paradise settle- ment, five miles north of the borough of Big Run, where he has made his home for over thirty years. Delightfully situated, and sur- passing in productive qualities the average farms of the neighborhood, it has been made conspicuously attractive by incessant care as well as intelligent direction of its operation. combined with the exercise of good judgment in the location and construction of buildings and other permanent improvements. In its present condition Mr. Sprague has a life work of which he may well be proud. Born Feb. 9. 1854, he is a native of the adjoining town- ship of Winslow, where the Spragues have been well represented since his grandparents

settled there in 1832, being the first to im- prove the Prospect Hill property which was his father's home for so many years. Mention of his parents and grandparents will be found in the sketch of his brother Edwin G. Sprague, elsewhere in this volume.

Albert J. Sprague spent his early life on the home place in Winslow township, where his experience was sufficiently varied by the re- quirements of its activities, in lumbering, agri- culture and the operation of a coal bank. Hav- ing become familiar with the latter work even as a boy, he followed it also after he left home. Having a married sister living in New York he went there to visit and remained a year, meanwhile meeting his future wife, Cora E. Christian, a native of Cattaraugus county, N. Y., whom he married Dec. 2, 1877. Subse- quently, on his return to Jefferson county, he was employed at lumbering and in the coal mines until 1884, when he bought and settled upon his present farm in Henderson town- ship, in the Paradise neighborhood. It was first settled in 1838 by the Riders, in whose possession and name . it continued until Mr. Sprague bought it-a 167-acre tract, of which only a little more than sixty acres had been cleared. He has sold two acres to the Odd Fellows for cemetery purposes, and has cleared sixty-six acres more, having 130 acres under cultivation at present, with about thirty acres still in timber. It was a difficult but profitable task to clear the ridge of hardwood, hemlock, chestnut and maple, and among the other main improvements may be mentioned the rebuilding of the house and the construc- tion of a new barn, the old one having been burned before he actually took possession. Mr. Sprague has found general farming very profitable, and he has taken good care of the orchard, which has produced large crops of apples. Mr. Rider set out most of the fruit trees on the place in 1869. There are also valuable coal deposits on the property, and Mr. Sprague has sold considerable coal, hav- ing a market at the important coal mining town of Eleanor, which is seven miles from his farm. The land is pleasantly situated, and there is a fine view from the residence site, which was well chosen. Being thoroughly interested in all that concerns the welfare of farmers, Mr. Sprague has been a live member of the Paradise Grange and has furthered its enterprises in every possible way. He is a Democrat on political questions, and though not particularly active in party affairs has kept in touch with public matters in his locality. He has held the office of school director.

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Genial and companionable in nature, and with a strong sense of responsibility regarding his duty toward his fellow men, he has made ,many friends whose loyalty he esteems highly.

Mr. and Mrs. Sprague have a family of nine children : Bert G., who lives at Paradise, is employed as an electrician at Sykesville ; Fred D., a carpenter, is at present located in Cambria county, Pa .; Mabel is the wife of Robert Hughes; Edith, married to John Feicht, lives at Anita, this county; Leon is at Akron, Ohio; Lloyd lives at home; Bertha is the wife of Blair Little, of Winslow township; Ethel married Robert Robertson, a miller, of Henderson township : Mary, Mrs. Glen Strouse, lives at the home place.

ARTHUR RAY McNEIL. M. D., a repre- sentative member of his profession in Jeffer- son county, was born there, in Eldred town- ship, May 12, 1879, son of Francis Harbison and Anne Eliza (Gayley ) McNeil. His father was born in Indiana county, Pa., Oct. 20, 1827, and his mother in the city of Philadelphia, Aug. 20, 1837, she having been sixteen years of age when she accompanied her father and brothers to Jefferson county, the family home being established in Eldred township. Eliza- beth (Thornton), mother of Mrs. Anne Eliza McNeil, died in Philadelphia ; she was a lineal descendant of Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. James Gayley, father of Mrs. McNeil, passed the closing years of his life in Jefferson county. In her native city Mrs. McNeil re- ceived excellent educational advantages, and after coming to Jefferson county she became a successful and popular teacher in the schools of Eldred township.

Francis H. McNeil passed the period of his childhood and youth in his native county and there gained his early education in the com- mon schools of the period. He was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sigel, Jefferson county, and he was one of the honored pioneers of the county at the time of his death. He was actively concerned with lumbering operations in this section of the State in the early days. and it is interesting to note that he assisted in felling timber on the site of the present borough of Brookville. He became one of the substantial farmers and influential citi- zens of Eldred township, served as supervisor and school director, and commanded the un- qualified confidence and goodwill of all who knew him. Of his children the eldest is Sarah Esther, who was at one time a popular teacher

in the schools of Jefferson county, and who, as a trained nurse, is now engaged in the work of hier chosen calling in the city of New York; Nancy Jane is a resident of San Francisco, Cal., where she established her home about the year 1882; James Gayley, who married Margaret Bailey, is engaged in mining at Knox Dale, Jefferson county ; William Harbi- son is a representative farmer of Snyder town- ship (he married Zaidee Ferman) ; Robert Donaldson wedded Clara Stahlman, and they reside at Brookville, this county ; Harry Thornton, who is a railway engineer, resides at Barnes, Warren county, and is married to Mildred Young ; Thomas Leon married Laura Buzzard, and they reside on their well im- proved farm in Eldred township; Dr. A. Ray McNeil is the youngest of the family.

William McNeil, grandfather of Dr. Mc- Neil, was born in the vicinity of Elder's Ridge, Indiana county, this State, and was a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of that county. As previously intimated, he became a pioneer in the vicinity of the present village of Sigel, Jefferson county, where he made a clearing, built a log house and instituted the development of a farm in the midst of the forest. Ile finally returned to Indiana county, and two of his sons, Francis H. and James, assumed charge of the embryonic farm. In the little log house erected by this sterling pioneer was held the first communion service of the little congregation which later estab- lished the Mount Tabor Presbyterian Church. William McNeil passed his closing years on his farm in Indiana county and was advanced in age at the time of his death. He was thrice married. His first wife, Sarah ( Harbison), bore him three children, James, Francis H. and Nancy Jane. His second wife, whose family name was Elder. bore him two sons, Thomas and John. His third marriage was to Eliza- beth Gayley; no children were born of this union.

Arthur Ray McNeil acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools of Eldred town- ship, and at the age of eighteen years had com- pleted the curriculum of the Sigel Normal Academy. He devoted three years to teaching in the schools of Jefferson and Elk counties, one year in his native township, one in Spring Creek township, Elk county, and one in the borough schools of Punxsutawney. After a successful experience in the pedagogic profes- sion he followed the course of his ambitious purpose and began the work of preparing him- self for the exacting profession to which he now gives his attention and in which his suc-

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cess has been the most effective voucher for his ability and earnest application. He first studied under the effective preceptorship of Dr. J. A. Newcomb, of Sigel, and later con- tinued his technical studies in Grove City Col- lege. Finally he went to the city of Philadel- phia, where he was matriculated in the Med- ico-Chirurgical College, now affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, and in this ad- mirable institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1905. After receiving his degree of doctor of medicine he estab- lished his residence at Coal Glen, engaging successfully in general practice and also as official surgeon for the Jefferson Coal Com- pany. He is now established in Brookville. With characteristic energy and appreciation, Dr. McNeil keeps himself in close touch with the advances made in medical and surgical science through recourse to the best standard and periodical literature of his profession, and also through active affiliation with the Ameri- can Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the Jefferson County Medical Society. Of stanch Scotch- Irish ancestry, the Doctor was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, and both he and his wife became zealous and valued members of the Beechwoods Presbyterian Church, which he served as elder. The Doc- tor was affiliated with the Republican party until 1912, when he cast in his lot with the newly organized Progressive party, but the national campaign of 1916 found him again a supporter of the Republican candidates for the presidency and vice presidency of the United States.

At Brookville, Oct. 6. 1910, Dr. McNeil married Emma J. Eisenman, daughter of Am- brose Eisenman, and the one child of this union, Francis Harbison, born Sept. 6, 1913. was named in honor of his paternal grand- father.

S. T. MILLER, post office address Brock- wayville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, Route No. I.

IRWIN C. NORTH, owner of a portion of the old North homestead two miles south of Punxsutawney, upon which he resides, is justly considered one of the most progressive resi- cents of that locality, not only because of suc- cessful activity in business, but for public-spir- ited zeal in matters of general interest. Politi- cally he is a Republican, and is now serving as tax collector. He is a creditable representative of the third generation of one of the important families of this section, it having been here es-

tablished about a century ago by his grand- father. John North.

Daniel North, the great-grandfather, lived and died in Ireland. In that country John North was born and spent his early life. com- ing to America in the year ISio with wife and two children. They landed at Wilmington, Del .. and Mr. North was employed for a time at the DuPont powder plant, and becoming an officer in Colonel DuPont's regiment in the war of 1812, saw service with that command. For a short time he resided in Philadelphia. In the latter part of 1814 he came to what is now North Mahoning township. Indiana Co., Pa., where he took up a tract of government land, for which he paid $1.25 an acre, the late Charles Gaskill acting as agent. The property was in the wilderness and wild animals abounded in the region, but Mr. North set reso- lutely to work to make a home, and as he cleared his land engaged more and more ex- tensively in its cultivation, that being his prin- cipal occupation through life. Being a weaver by trade, he made and operated a loom at times, turning out such fabrics as were in great demand among those about him. By thrift and industry he maintained his family in comfort, rearing nine children to useful manhood and womanhood. He married Elizabeth Pogue, who was born in Ireland, and died in May, 1848, aged sixty-three years. His death oc- curred in November. 1845, in his seventy-sec- ond year. and they are buried side by side in the old cemetery at Punxsutawney. Of their family. Deborah, born in 1807. married Wil- liam Pogue, and died in Philadelphia in 1801; Margaret, born in 1800. married John Hen- derson, and died in Johnstown, Pa., leaving five children: John, born in 1811, married Elizabeth Simpson, and was the father of S. Taylor North, congressman from this district ; Eliza, born in 1814, married James Means, and they both died at Whitesville, Pa. : Joseph P., born June 14, 1816, married Marjorie Kin- sel. and died in 1891 in McCalmont township. Jefferson county, aged seventy-five years : Daniel, born in 1820, married Catherine Bell. who died in 1801 : Phoebe, born in 1822, mar- ried John Steffy: Thomas P., born July 2, 1824, died Feb. 2. 1905, was the father of Irwin C. North; William P., born in 1826, (lied April 14, 1900, married Margaret Simp- son.

Thomas Pogue North, son of John and Elizabeth ( Pogue) North, was born July 2, 1824. in North Mahoning township. Indiana Co., Pa., and died Feb. 2, 1905, after an active and useful career. From early manhood he

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was engaged in farming and lumbering, which he carried on most successfully, having a well improved farm of 160 acres in Young town- ship, Jefferson county. Mr. North possessed unusual intelligence, his natural keenness of mind being cultivated to some extent by school- ing but more so by extensive reading and care- ful observation. He held advanced ideas re- garding the general welfare and betterment of social conditions, there being no effort to advance material, mental or moral circum- stances but found in him a friend. He had the courage of his convictions, and with practical demonstration in his own public service greatly improved local affairs. IIe held the office of overseer of the poor for many years, was a school director, and particularly interested in the Covode Academy, of which he was a trus- tee. During the Civil war he served with the 206th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, in which he was a corporal, later joining Captain Little Post. G. A. R., Punxsutawney, in whose membership he retained close fraternal rela- tions with old comrades. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Church for fifty-six years. His jovial disposition kept him always young.

Mr. North was twice married, his first wife being Sarah McConnaughey, who was born near Marchand. Indiana Co., Pa., and (lied June 9, 1866; she is buried at Covode, that county. Seven children were born to this union, viz .: Catherine, Mrs. W. F. Piffer ; Clayton, who married Ida Morris : Jane, Mrs. Charles T. Hauck ; Roda, Mrs. Fred Raught ; David. who married Jennie Boreing; Meade, who married Catherine Dickey ; and Loretta, Mrs. Joseph Corl. For his second wife Mr. North married Eva Sutter, daughter of Philip Sutter, and she survived him seven years, passing away Feb. 7. 1912. They are buried together in Circle Hill cemetery in Punxsu- tawney. By this marriage there were four children : John Gourly ; William P., who mar- ried Pearl Dougherty: Irwin C .; and Nora, who is unmarried and lives with her brother Irwin C. North at the old homestead.

Irwin C. North was born in Young town- ship, on the farm where he lives, March 7. 1875, and was reared there. Beginning his education in the public schools of the home neighborhood, he later attended the academy at Covode, and the State Normal School at Slippery Rock. Butler Co., Pa., subsequently teaching for five years in his native township. His life has been spent at the home place, of which he is now part owner, looking after the operation of the entire property, its manage-

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 79

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