Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 80

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 80

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ment and the coal drilling business occupying practically all his time and affording ample opportunity for the demonstration of execu- tive ability. In the latter line he is associated with his brother in the firm of John G. North & Brother, which enjoys an extensive pat- ronage and high reputation in its line. Mr. North is an influential factor in public affairs, one of an enterprising element who recognize that the public has rights which should be con- served and not exploited, and his attitude in this connection has won him the favorable regard of all his fellow citizens interested in working to the same end.

In fraternal connection Mr. North is a Ma- son, affiliated with John W. Jenks Lodge, No. 534. F. & A. M .: Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M., of Brookville : Williamsport Con- sistory, thirty-second degree; and Jaffa Tem- ple. A. A. O. N. M. S., of Altoona, Pa., as well as the Eastern Star of Punxsutawney.

EARL G. SHELDON is one of the younger business men at Punxsutawney, but he has made a promising start which justifies the be- lief that he is a representative bearer of a name which has come to be associated with success- ful enterprise in that borough. He and an elder brother constitute the firm of Sheldon Brothers, dealers in talking machines, pianos and other similar merchandise, for which they have built up a local patronage appreciative of their efforts to place a desirable line of this class of goods within easy reach of the resi- dents of Punxsutawney and adjacent territory. Mr. Sheldon is a young man of active intelli- gence, which he has exercised to good purpose in establishing his business affairs upon a sound basis.

Mr. Sheldon was born March 14. 1891, at Auburn, N. Y., son of George A. and Minnie ( Russel) Sheldon, who have had a family of six children: Russel, who is in partnership with his brother Earl as a member of the firm of Sheldon Brothers; George A., Jr., now in Norwalk, Conn. ; Earl G. : Mildred R., a grad- nate of the Elmira (N. Y.) College for Women, 1916, and now engaged in teaching at Sleighton Farm, Delaware Co., Pa. ; Howard, deceased ; and Herbert, a student. George A. Sheldon, the father, is a leading business man of Punxsutawney. Pa., connected with the Punxsutawney Coal Mining Company and the Frances Supply Company.

Earl G. Sheldon attended public school in Brooklyn, N. Y., and after the family's re- moval to western Pennsylvania the high school at DuBois, taking his higher course at the

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Pennsylvania State College. For a year after completing his college work he was in the Pennsylvania State Highway service, located at Franklin. spent the next year at Towanda, Pa., with the firm of Blaisdell & Sheldon, con- tractors, and in May, 1913, in company with his brother, established the Punxsutawney Talking Machine Company, which Sheldon Brothers have since conducted. They are lo- cated at No. 113 Findley street, Punxsutaw ney, in the Spirit building. Their stock con- sists of a full line of Victor talking machines and records, and they deal in pianos and other musical merchandise, for which they have found a good demand in this territory in re- sponse to their attractive offerings. The people in and around Punxsutawney have shown themselves fully alive to the advantages of hav- ing a business house of this character in the borough, and the Sheldon Brothers have given solicitous attention to every department of their trade.

Earl G. Sheldon married Lucie A. Blakeslee, daughter of Austin Blakeslee, who for many years was president of the DuBois Traction Company and is now extensively engaged as a coal operator. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon have one child, John Donald. Mr. Sheldon is affiliated with the Elks and I. O. O. F. lodges at Punx- sutawney, and holds membership in the Meth- odist Church.

THOMAS F. NOLAN, M. D. Jefferson county may justly claim its full quota of able and successful physicians and surgeons. and in the thriving borough of Reynoldsville there is found a representative of the profession in the person of Dr. Nolan, whose ability is best at- tested by the substantial scope of his practice. his popularity in the community and assured professional prestige.

Dr. Nolan was born at Driftwood, Cameron Co., Pa., on the 7th of June. 1884, and is a son of Daniel and Bridget ( Kane) Nolan, the latter of whom is deceased. Daniel Nolan, now living retired at Reynoldsville, achieved success as a railroad contractor. He resided for a number of years at Driftwood. later was employed at Erie and finally engaged in rail- road contracting. in which connection it is notable that he held the contract for the major part of the grade construction on the line of the Summerville & Clarion railroad. Of the children the eldest is Daniel J., who is a rail- road passenger conductor and resides in the Province of Ontario, Canada : Dr. Thomas F. was the next in order of birth : Dr. William P. was graduated in the medical department of

the University of Pennsylvania and is in the practice at New Kensington, Westmoreland county ; Leo L. B. is in northwestern Canada, where he is identified with gold-mining enter- prise; Dominic M. is engaged in the oil-pro- ducing business at Eldred, Jefferson county ; Catherine is the wife of Patrick W. Cashman, of Toronto, Canada ; and Eleene remains with her father in their pleasant home at Rey- noldsville.

Dr. Thomas F. Nolan attended the public schools of Reynoldsville until he had completed the high school course, and graduated with the class of 1904. In the meanwhile his ambition had been quickened and he formulated plans for his future career. In consonance therewith he entered Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, and here applied himself with char- acteristic diligence and appreciation until he had completed a thorough course and admir- ably fortified himself for the exacting work of his chosen profession. He was graduated as a member of the class of 1907 and having re- ceived his degree of Doctor of Medicine he returned to Reynoldsville, where he has since been engaged in active practice, giving special attention to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye, ear and throat. It is need- less to say that he has concentrated his studies along these lines, and his research and investi- gation have given him not only authoritative judgment in diagnosis but also success in the treatment of diseases which he has considered worthy of such special attention. In 1916 he served as president of the Jefferson County Medical Society, a fact that attests the esteem of his professional confreres ; he is also identi- fied with the Pennsylvania State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association. The Doctor holds membership in the Orville llorwitz Society and the H. C. Chapman Physiology Society. He served three years as a member of the borough council, is a Repub- lican, and in a fraternal way is a member of Reynoldsville Lodge. No. 519. B. P. O. E.

In the year 1911 was solemnized the mar- riage of Dr. Nolan to Mary Bowen, a daughter of Richard Bowen, of Greensburg, Westmore- land county ; they are valued factors in the representative social life of their home place.

JAY BYRON MCKNIGHT, of Brookville, manager of the establishment of McKnight & Son. leading druggists of Jefferson county. is the youngest son of Dr. William J. Mc- Knight and his partner in the business. He was born in the borough of Brookville, Jan. 4, 1867, and obtained most of his education

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in the public schools there, supplementing his early training withi a course at Duff's busi- ness college, in Pittsburgh, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1887. Returning to Brookville he became a clerk in what is now the National Bank of Brookville, but after holding the position only a few months went West, to Denver, Colo., where he was em- ployed by the E. F. Hallack Lumber & Man- ufacturing Company as assistant to the sec- retary. His stay in Denver covered a period of about four years. On coming back to Brookville he became connected with the Mc- Knight drug store, then conducted under the name of McKnight & Brother, and has since given most of his time to the business, now carried on by MeKnight & Son. Thomas L. Templeton formerly held an interest in the concern, Jay B. McKnight purchasing his share in 1892. when the style was first changed to Mcknight & Son, Dr. W. J. McKnight be- ing then as now the senior partner. In 1906 Albert Gooder, a well known Brookville man, was admitted to the firm, the name becoming McKnight, Son & Co. After Mr. Gooder's death, in 1911, Jay B. McKnight bought the interest he had held, and the name MeKnight & Son was resumed. A few years ago this house celebrated the fiftieth year of its found- ing. It not only has the distinction of being the oldest business organization under one continuous management in Jefferson county, but has attained the leading place among sim- ilar establishments in this part of Pennsyl- vania, and is known far and wide for its com- plete stock and up-to-date commercial stand- ards. Mr. Jay B. McKnight, the manager, spends the greater part of his business hours in direct oversight of the various departments, having a thorough knowledge of all the de- tails of the comprehensive dealings involved. He is a registered pharmacist. The biggest share of trade in their line is controlled by Mc- Knight & Son.

Mr. Mcknight has kept in touch with other local affairs, of a social and public nature, and is popular with a wide circle of friends in the borough and elsewhere. He is a member of Lodge No. 217, I. O. O. F., and Lodge No. 477, K. of P., both of Brookville. In 1902 he was elected a member of the borough school board, and during the four years of his serv- ice on that body was its treasurer. His re- ligious connection is with the Presbyterian Church.

On Sept. 29, 1896, Mr. McKnight married Helen Gordon Hastings, daughter of Thomas K. and Anna ( Williams) Hastings, well

known residents of Punxsutawney, Jefferson county. To this marriage has come one son, William J .. Jr., born July 22, 1897, who is now a student at Bucknell University, Pennsyl- vania. He graduated from the Brookville high school as a member of the class of 1916, in whose activities he was keenly interested, hav- ing been the first editor in chief of the high school paper, the popular Periscope.

BLAKE E. IRVIN was born in Brookville, Pa., educated in the high schools of his native town and at Dickinson College and Dickinson Law School. He is a member of the bar of Jef- ferson county and of the Superior court and the Supreme court of the State of Pennsyl- vania. He was elected to the offices of protho- notary and clerk of the courts in the year 1908, and to the same office in 1911, and again re- elected in 1912 for a period of four years.

WILLIAM ALLISON, proprietor of the Punxsutawney Boiler Works, is of Scotch birth and origin and has many of the character- istics typical of his race. He came to this coun- try alone in young manhood and courageously undertook to establish himself in a strange land. The industry and self-denial his early experiences had taught him were doubly valu- able when combined with persevering energy, and the larger rewards his labor received here stimulated his ambition to continued effort, until he found himself in a position to engage in business on his own responsibility. Some twenty years ago he started his present venture at Punxsutawney, and his well equipped plant in the West End of the borough is now con- sidered one of the stable factors among the industrial resources of the place, built up under his capable management and good judgment, which are commonly recognized among his business associates. Mr. Allison is content to serve the community indirectly by contributing his share to the general prosperity as a success- ful business man, but he has nevertheless filled public office occasionally, taking a good citi- zen's part in the conduct of municipal affairs.

In Scotland Mr. Allison and his immediate ancestors were coal miners. His grandfather, Samuel Allison, lived and died in that country, and was employed by a coal company. His father, also named Samuel, was a native of Scotland and followed mining, losing his life in the mines when forty-seven years old. The widow, whose maiden name was Ellen Mc- Cartney, came to America with two of her children, settling at Punxsutawney, where she died in 1909. She is buried in Circle Hill

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cemetery. Mrs. Allison and all her family were Presbyterians. She was the mother of twelve children, five now living : Samuel, re- siding in Scotland; Robert, of Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Pa .; Christina, who is the wife of Alexander Kidd and lives in Illi- nois ; Nellie, unmarried, living with her brother Robert ; and William.

William Allison was born in Scotland Jan. 12, 1800, and lived in his native country until he was twenty-one years old. He had but meager educational advantages, as he had to leave school when eight and a half years old and work in the coal mines, being so employed until he came to America. Landing at New York City Sept. 30, 1881, he proceeded west- ward to Illinois, locating at Oglesby, where he found work in the mines. He continued that occupation up to his twenty-sixth year, when he became a boilermaker's apprentice in the Phoenix Iron Works at Meadville, Pa. He remained there about ten years, in September, 1895, coming to Punxsutawney, where he be- gan boilermaking on his own account. He has since operated the well known Punxsutaw ney Boiler Works, and his patronage has grown to such an extent that he now gives steady employment to nine men. Mr. Allison is justly respected for his substantial quali- ties, which have been shown to advantage also in his public service, six years as a member of the school board and six years as a member of the borough council. He is a Republican in political principle. but nonpartisan in local matters, which have been materially benefited by his loyal cooperation. At present he gives all his time to his business, except for the demands of his Masonic and other social con- nections. Mr. Allison took the examination for boiler inspector of Pennsylvania at Harris- burg in November. 1916, and received his com- mission. He holds membership in John W. Jenks Lodge, No. 534, F. & A. M., of Punx- sutawney, and is master for the current year, 1916; belongs to Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M., of Brookville; Bethany Com- mandery. No. 83. K. T., of Du Bois ; Williams- port Consistory, thirty-second degree; and Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Altoona. Besides, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias and Knights of the Maccabees.

Mr. Allison was married to Maggie Niven, daughter of William and Agnes ( Bone ) Niven, and the following children have been born to them: Agnes married William Nichol and is living at DuBois; Nellie died in infancy ; Sam- uel N. is a resident of Detroit, Mich. ; William

Jr., now has charge of his father's factory ; Nellie (2) is a student at the Indiana State Normal School, Indiana, Pa., studying vocal and instrumental music; Janette is at home ; John was accidentally killed on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh railroad, when seven and a half years old.

JOSEPH R. PENTZ, of Reynoldsville, has been a resident of that borough for fifty years and up to five years ago was engaged in busi- ness, which he continued until he was long past the age when most men feel inclined to with- draw from active pursuits. Having for a num- ber of years been the leading contractor and builder in his section, there are many sub- s'antial structures in Reynoldsville and the sur- rounding territory bearing ample testimony to his skill and workmanship, in which he took a conscientious pride. His personal character was well exemplified in his business transac- tions, thoroughness and a painstaking effort to do his duty to the extent of his ability being his prominent traits.

Mr. Pentz was born June 6, 1836, in Cum- berland county, Pa., and belongs to a family which has been in this State since his great- grandfather's day. The Pentzes claim rela- tionship to the royal family of England, Mr. Pentz's great-great-great-grandfather having married a German duchess. When his great- grandfather came from Germany he located in York county, where he purchased several large tracts of land. His son George was born in that county, and there married Elizabeth Bower. He then purchased a farm in Frank- lin township, York county, about twenty miles southwest of the county seat, upon which he made his permanent home. In addition to farming he conducted a large distillery. He and his wife died there years ago, his death occurring first. Of their children, John mar- ried Elizabeth Knox, of York county, and moved to Clearfield county with his brothers Andrew and Jacob: he was survived by his wife and seven children, George, Andrew (at one time sheriff of Clearfield county), John, Henry, Elizabeth, Maria and Fred. Peter married Sarah McCreary and moved to Adams county, Pa., where he remained until his death : his wife is also deceased, and several children survived them. Elizabeth married Isaac Lerew, of York county, and settled upon a farm where both died, leaving two children, who moved to the West. David, who married a York county woman, remained on his father's homestead until he purchased a farm near the Five Points, in Adams county, where he was

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accidentally killed : he left a wife and five chil- dren, who remained on his farm. Jacob moved to Brady township, Clearfield county, pur- chasing 130 acres adjoining his brother An- drew's homestead : he married Sarah Rishel, of Indiana county, and had a large family, Philip, Lucy, John, Isaiah, Sarah, Henry and W. Clarence ( attorney at law, DuBois). Susanna died in Adams county at the age of sixty-five years, unmarried. Andrew completes the family list.

Andrew Pentz was born at Highspire, Dan- phin Co., Pa., and lived at home with his father up to the time of his marriage. He then rented a farm in Cumberland county. Pa .. which he operated for a year, coming thence to Clearfield county with his two broth- ers and settling in that part of Brady town- ship now known as Sandy township. Their father had previously purchased an extensive tract of land for them here, and Andrew l'entz began life at the new location in true pioneer fashion, building a log house and barn, and clearing his land before he could farm to any extent. As the years progressed, he con- verted the property into a valuable farm, and became one of the most prosperous farmers of his vicinity. Mr. P'entz lived to the age of eighty-seven years, dying Feb. 10, 1898.

By his first marriage, to Mary Ann Meyers. of Adams county, Mr. Pentz had a family of seven children, two born before they removed to Clearfield county: Mrs. Matilda Jane Sprague, of Jefferson county, is deceased ; she had four children, three of whom died in child- hood, the other settling near Penfield. Clear- field county. Joseph R. was the second born. Anna F. married Alexander Shea, of Brady township, and they settled on a farm near Lit- thersburg: five of their children grew to ma- turitv. Harry, Andrew. Elmer E., Effie and Annie. Susanna married John Lenkard, of Armstrong county, Pa .. and they settled on a farm in Brady township, near the Jefferson county line, where she died leaving five chil- dren, Samuel, James O., George. Lillie and Ella. Margaret P. married Edward IJarker, of Jefferson county, and after living in DuBois for some time they moved to New Bethlehem. Clarion county, where he followed the machin- ist's trade; they had several children: Mrs. Harker is deceased. Benjamin F. died when nineteen years old. George W. was a prosper- ous business man at DuBois for many years. and is still residing there : he married Susan Lenkard, of Armstrong county, and they had two children, Nora and Ward.

Joseph R. Pentz was but six months old

when the family moved to Clearfield county, and was brought up in the midst of primitive conditions, with all the restrictions of early training which that implied. His attendance at school amounted to less than a hundred days all told, but he managed to get a practical knowl- edge of the common branches, and he had a very complete education in the art of making a living, which was of prime importance. He re- mained upon the home farm until twenty-four years old, and then learned the trade of car- penter, which was the foundation of his subse- quent success. After following it for two years he went into the army, enlisting in the 58th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served from Oct. 3. 1864, until Nov. 15. 1865. Returning to Clearfield county he re- mained there but a short time, coming to Jef- ferson county the same year and establishing his home at Reynoldsville. For a considerable period Mr. Pentz operated a planing mill at the borough, and was soon interested exten- sively in contracting and building, the two en- terprises working together profitably. Many of the most desirable residences in and about the town were of his construction, including the Thomas Reynolds homestead, well known as the Mansion, and solid business blocks. He had responsible work all over this section of Jefferson county and the adjacent parts of Clearfield county. lle has lived retired since IOII.

Mr. Pentz has acquired valuable property in the course of his industrious career, in- cluding the homestead of his wife's family in Franklin township. York Co., Pa. As one of the practical men of the borough he has been called upon to assume some of the responsi- bilities of local government, his publie spirit and intelligence qualifying him for any trust. For thirteen years he was a member of the borough school board, and during the time the high school was being constructed was presi- dlent of that body. For five years Mr. Pentz was a member of the town council and was an influential factor in the direction of its actions. ITis only social connection is with John C. Conser Post. G. A. R., of Reynoldsville.

Mr. Pentz married Hannah Jane Stauffer, daughter of John Stauffer, of Franklin town- ship. York Co .. Pa .. and five children have been born to them: Eulalia, wife of William McDowall, living in Chester county, Pa., near Coatesville; Mary: Artemus, who lives at Reynoldsville, where he is engaged in the au- tomobile business; John, who died when ten years old ; and James, who lives at Harrisburg,

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Pa., and has been State high school inspector for the last three years.

JOSEPH T. SPARE. There are no rules for building character; there is no rule for achieving success. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, but every human being has an angle of influence that is ever widening, be its influence broad and beneficent or narrow and malevolent. In studying a sane, normal and prolific life, such as that of the late Joseph T. Spare, there is no need for in- direction or puzzling, for interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation. Mr. Spare showed in all relations of life a high sense and appreciation of personal stewardship, and while he did not pass into the garish light of publicity or seek official position, he guided and guarded his course by the strictest princi- ples, followed the even tenor of his way in righteousness, industry and achievement. and left a record of good deeds well done. He was a native son of Jefferson county, a scion of a sterling pioneer family, and through energy, earnest application and good judgment won temporal success of the worthiest order, the while he commanded popular esteem and ex- emplified as a citizen and man of affairs the same loyalty he brought to bear as a soldier of the Union during the dark era of the Civil war.

Joseph T. Spare was born on a farm in Beaver township, Jefferson county, on the 21st of April, 1843, and thus he was seventy- two years of age when he passed "to that un- discovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." His grandfather, Henry Spare, was one of the pioneer settlers of this county and, as a man of superior intellectual powers, gained prestige as one of the early school teachers who presided in the primitive log schoolhouse of the type common to the locality and period. Henry Spare eventually became one of the successful farmers of Bea- ver township, and upon his old homestead he and his wife continued to reside until their death, their mortal remains being interred in the Berkliouse cemetery.

Henry W. Spare. father of Joseph, likewise did well his part as agriculturist. lumberman and progressive citizen, and here he continued his activities until the close of a long and useful life. He married Magdalene Thomas, and they became the parents of four children,-Sarah, Joseph T., Lavina and Rebecca. Sarah mar- ried Edward Rutz; Lavina has never married and is living at Brookville; Rebecca is the wife of Benjamin Reitz, of Brookville. Henry W. Spare subsequently married Mary Lerch,

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 80

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