Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 85

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972

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years engaged in life insurance, and is now a prominent representative in Denver, Colorado; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of Emerson Boggs, of Allen's Mills, Jefferson county; Lafayette F. is a resident of Denver, his wife having been Cassie B. Greedy : Lawrence Walter mar- ried Lois Arrowsmith, their home being now in Kansas City, Missouri.

Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun is the following : Ruth married Edward Weiser, of Washington township, and had four children, Evelyn, Chester, Russell and Irene. Mary Amanda, who died in young womanhood, graduated from the Beechwoods high school and Grove City College, besides having taken a course in a business college at DuBois; she was a successful and popular teacher for four years prior to her death, one year in Colorado. Sarah Margaret is the wife of H. Leroy Holt, of Milton, Wash .; Samuel died at the age of eleven months and Ida Oleta at the age of five years ; Susan Elizabeth was graduated in the Beechwoods high school and remains at home : William and Ralph died in infancy ; Very Grace, Nancy Catherine and Charles Edward, Jr., are the younger members of the home circle and are attending school.

WILLIAM ORLANDO SMITH, of Punx- sutawney, has many claims to recognition from contemporary leaders in Jefferson county as well as from the general populace. His repu- tation has indeed several sources, but he is best known for his activities as a journalist and politician. For overy thirty years editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit, under his influence this paper has for more than a score of years enjoyed the reputation of being the leading newspaper in this section of Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith's popularity in other respects is equally noteworthy. His paper has been a medium for the recommendation and encour- agement of many advanced theories of public policy, originating with himself or other pub- lic-spirited citizens. His services in the State Legislature and Congress have shown him to be capable and persistent in putting those ideas into practice. No doubt it is his proved abil- ity to work out cherished ideals which holds him so strongly intrenched in the confidence of his friends and well wishers all over Jeffer- son county.

Mr. Smith was born in Jefferson county, whither his grandfather, Valentine Hulet Peters Smith, came from Franklin county, N. Y., in 1835. He was originally from Ver- mont. John Sprague Smith, son of Valentine, was born in Chateaugay, N. Y., May 6, 1826,

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the family settling in Winslow township, Jef- ferson county, on the site of what is now Rath- mel, when he was nine years old. Here he grew to manhood, after which he made his home in Reynoldsville, where, with the ex- ception of four years' service in the Civil war, one year in Tennessee and a few years in Allegheny county, he spent the whole of his adult life. He died March 22, 1912, aged eighty-six years. In his younger life he learned the trade of shoemaker, taught school, studied medicine, lectured on temperance, and man- aged a drug store, but was engaged principally as a surveyor, locating many of the roads in Jefferson county. His wife, Susanah Smith, was a daughter of John S. P. Smith, one of the pioneer settlers of McCalmont township, Jef- ferson county. Mrs. Smith died March 24, 1912, at the age of seventy-nine, within forty- eight hours of the death of her life partner. and both were buried in the same grave. Both were highly esteemed for their many sterling virtues. On account of his inflexible integ- rity, his scrupulous regard for truth, his un- disguised contempt for sham and hypocrisy, and the sacred exactness with which he re- deemed his word, he was familiarly known as "Honest John Smith."

William Orlando Smith was born June 13, 1859, in Reynoldsville, and had such early privileges for gaining an education as the district schools then afforded. He had to leave before he was ready, but he did not discontinue his studies, and for three years he kept up the practice of devoting his evenings from seven to twelve to his books. He even had the courage to tackle Greek and Latin textbooks. Meantime he was learning the printer's trade, and putting his acquirements into practice, and though the discipline was severe he has never had reason to regret it. In 1879 he went to Washington, D. C., and for about six years was employed in the government printing of- fice, meanwhile obtaining his first editorial experience. as associate editor of the Wash- ington Craftsman, the organ of the Typograph- ical National Union, to which position he was elected when the paper was established. He filled it for two years. This venture was one of the earliest indications of the courageous spirit and progressive tendencies which have characterized his whole career. The Crafts- man, a pioneer advocate of an eight-hour day and legislation favoring workingmen, was one of the first labor journals to be started in the city of Washington, if not the very first, and he was one of a small group of printers who joined forces to found it, an achievement of

which he has always been proud. His energies were also exerted in other good channels. He was one of the prime movers in the organiza- tion of the first Government Printing Office Relief Association, and served as its first vice president. Nor did his interest in his old en- vironment lapse when he left it. Years after- wards, while in Congress, and known as a pronounced friend of labor, he gave valuable assistance to a committee consisting of Presi- dent T. C. Parsons and others which secured for the workmen in the government printing office a permanent Saturday half holiday dur- ing the summer months. Its benefits also ex- tended to the toilers in the Washington navy yard.

Returning to Jefferson county in 1884, Mr. Smith located at Punxsutawney and founded the Punxsutawney Tribune. In September, 1885. it was consolidated with the Punxsu- tawney Spirit, which had been published for several years by William P. Hastings, and with the exception of one brief interval he has been its editor ever since. In 1892 Mr. Smith moved to Bradford, Pa., where he edited the Era for about one year, on his return to Punxsutawney purchasing a half interest in the Spirit, which he still retains.

An uncompromising Republican, Mr. Smith has succeeded, without dishonorable conniv- ance with other political parties, or with cor- rupt leaders in his own party, in holding the respect and confidence of all good citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. For instance, the Clarion Democrat said recently : "If the Republicans want to go outside of machine bossed politics for a good, square-toed candidate for Congress from a Republican standpoint, it is hard to see where they could find the equal of Mr. Smith in their party. He is one of the most intelligent men in the party in this district ; he has served in Congress and has the experience that would make him a most useful congressman : he has a good, clean character, and in his newspaper work has done more to support the Republican party than most any man in the district."

Mr. Smith's editorials and policy generally are watched with interest by the members of the newspaper profession, if some of the pub- licly expressed opinions of other editors in this section of the State may be regarded as a reliable index. The following remarks are typical: "As an editor he has been classic, poetic, incisive, forceful, broad and clear ; in short, masterful." "He is the best editorial writer in his region of the State." "A verit- able shining light in Pennsylvania journalism,

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Brother Smith is a man of fine jour- nalistic ability, and he has won his success by honest effort and splendid talent." Friendly comment has been his portion whenever the occasion has arisen for any sort of criticism. Flis private and public works have coordinated so easily that it is hardly possible to give them separate mention. He was first elected to the legislature in 1889, to fill a vacancy, and remained for four full terms in succession thereafter, having been reelected in 1890, 1892, 1894 and 1896. Quite naturally, with increasing renown and experience he became one of the leading members of the House, where he was influential in securing some of the best legislation enacted during his service. After a few years of private life Mr. Smith was again called upon to represent his fellow citizens, this time in the larger capacity of congressman from his district, the Twenty- seventh, and he served two successive terms in the national legislature, from 1903 to 1907, being a member of the Fifty-eighth and Fifty- ninth Congresses. In May, 1916, he was again a candidate for the congressional nomination, but on account of his nonconforming attitude toward the selfish control of corrupt party leadership he was opposed by the dominant political machine, and was consequently un- successful, although representative newspa- pers in all of the four counties of the district canre out with strong indorsements of his can- didacy, and he had the keen pleasure of know- ing that good feeling in his favor predominated among the people who do their own political thinking. Some of these comments are well worth quoting :

Indiana Democrat: "We expect to elect a worthy Democrat to represent this district in Congress for the coming term. But in case any of our good intentions should miscarry or get out of joint, then we bespeak a kindly word from our Democratic friends for W. O. Smith, who has all the brains and education needed for the place."

Kittanning Free Press: "Just now the citi- zens of Armstrong county and the Allegheny valley are greatly concerned in the slack water- ing of the Allegheny river, and Mr. Smith in his announcement to the voters of the dis- trict pledges himself if successful in thé pres- ent campaign to do all in his power to further the project. That he has the force to hasten this work if elected, and to intelligently and faithfully represent our district in the House at Washington, there is no question."

Forest Republican: "He is a close student of public affairs, and a broad-minded, cul-

tured gentleman, who delights in doing things for his constituents and looking after the gen- eral welfare. Perhaps this doesn't cut any figure with some of our neighbors across the line whose civic ideals may be blurred by factional prejudice, but if we were picking out a congressman for them, Smith would be it."

Mr. Smith's independence of party bosses has been one of his most valuable traits from the standpoint of his constituents in the ranks of the party. He has followed his own con- victions unfalteringly. This has been par- ticularly true of his activities in behalf of labor. He has remained a strong union man to the present day. As a legislator his services were always at the call of organized labor. llis ready response to any appeal for help from this source is an evidence of self-sacri- ficing loyalty deeply appreciated all over the State. For many years he was a stanch mem- ber of Columbia Typographical Union, No. IOI, and is at this time 'vice president of Punxsutawney Typographical Union, No. 751. It was through his influence that the appro- priation for a site for a Federal building in Punxsutawney was secured. Many other measures of value to the locality had his ad- vocacy and support. He was a Republican presidential elector in 1916.

In 1880 Mr. Smith married Phebe H Griggs, then of Washington, D. C., daughter of Algernon S. Griggs, of Morgan county. Ind., a prominent politician, who served in the State Senate and as judge. Four children have been born to this marriage: Sidney S .. Edward Griggs, Pierre and Imogene. Mr. Smith is a member of John W. Jenks Lodge. No. 534, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Williamsport Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons.

ITHAMAR B. WILLIAMS, who has de- veloped an important granite and marble business in the borough of Punxsutawney, has the best of modern facilities for the turning out of high-grade monumental and minor cemetery work, and his patronage extends over a wide scope of country normally tribu- tary to the metropolis of Jefferson county. His high standing in popular confidence and esteem is elcarly indicated by the fact that he has served since 1911 as secretary of the borough council of Punxsutawney and in 1915 was elected a member of the board of educa- tion for a term of six years.

Mr. Williams was born in Clearfield county, Pa., on the 4th of March, 1876, and was

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afforded the advantages not only of the public schools but also a well ordered select school, besides completing an effective course in the Pennsylvania Business college at Lancaster, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900. After his graduation Mr. Wil- liams was for a time employed in a clerical capacity by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany, and in 1904 he established his residence at Punxsutawney. Here he is store manager for the Anita and the Francis Coal Companies, which are virtually controlled by Dr. W. S. Blaisdell, of Punxsutawney. In May, 1915. hie purchased the Punxsutawney Granite & Marble Works, the operations of which he has since conducted with characteristic energy and ability, with the result that his patronage is drawn not alone from Jefferson, but from ad- joining counties. Mr. Williams is affiliated with John W. Jenks Lodge No. 534, F. & A. M., of which he is past master and was elected treasurer of the lodge in 1916: and is a member of the Consistory at Coudersport, Pa. In his home city he is affiliated with the lodges of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, and he takes a lively interest in all things touching the community welfare.

In 1903 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Williams to Catherine Mahaffey, daughter of William Mahaffey, of Clearfield county, where the village of Mahaffey was named in honor of this representative family. Mr. and Mrs. Will- iams have three children, Mahaffey, Josephine and Roberta.

CHRIST C. BROCIUS is a member of a family having numerous representatives in Jef- ferson county that was founded here in the pioneer days.

Mr. Brocius was born Dec. 7, 1844, on the farm now owned and occupied by his brother, Samuel T., and adjoining his own homestead in Beaver township. He profited by the ad- vantages of the pioneer schools and remained on the home farm until he attained the age of twenty-four, but meanwhile much of his time had been given to work in the woods during the winter seasons lumbering and for seventeen sticcessive winters he was thus employed in getting out squared timber, he and older broth- ers hauling the product to Red Bank creek, from which point it was rafted down the river to Pittsburgh, Mr. Brocius assisting in this hazardous work nearly every spring. In 1902 he transported with two such rafts timber

from his farm, and this closed his work in this line of enterprise.

In 1875 Mr. Brocius purchased a portion of his present farm, twenty acres being at the time available for cultivation ; most of the pine timber had been cut off but innumerable stumps still remained to challenge strenuous labor of the owner. The timber that remained proved a source of revenue and assisted Mr. Brocius materially in paying for the fine farm which he developed. Further returns were gained from a limestone quarry on the place, which previously had been operated several years and he continued to work it until a few years ago. That the land has been prolific needs no further voucher than to note the returns from its lumber, lime and agricultural products, and the fact that on land formerly owned by Mr. Brocius are located the coal deposits from which the Shawmut Coal Company is drawing large revenue, he having sold the property to this company, which established on it the little town of Conifer, the headquarters of the min- ing operations in this field, though for many years previously coal had been here mined for local use.

The Brocitis farm comprises 110 acres of fertile and gently rolling land, and about eighty acres are under cultivation. The attractive and substantial house is a commodious frame structure erected more than a quarter of a century ago, and with the other buildings on the place is kept in excellent repair, so that the entire domain shows thrift and prosperity. Nearly all of his coal deposit Mr. Brocius has sold to the Shawmut Coal Company, but he still retains about twenty-five acres under which lies a thirty-two-inch vein of excellent quality, the main coal tipple of the Shawmut Company being but one-fourth of a mile dis- tant. The farm is likewise in the gas belt, but no development work has been done.

[Since the above was written this farm has been sold, Mr. Brocits buying a home in Sum- merville .- Editor.]

Mr. Brocius is a stanch Democrat and in 1894 served as supervisor of his native town- ship, besides which he was for three years township auditor. Both he and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

On the 13th of May, 1869, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Brocius to Sarah Wyncoop, who was born in Indiana county, a daughter of J. W. Wyncoop. and at the time eighteen years of age. The family home was in Beaver town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Brocius have three chil- dren : Bertha is the wife of John Horner, of Beaver township; Clyde P. owns and operates

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his paternal grandfather's old farm in Clover township: Blanche M. is the wife of J. F. Lucas, of Alaska, Rose township.

FILLMORE CALDWELL is looked upon as one of the leading spirits in agricultural de- velopment. When he set out to improve his own property systematically he had no prece- dents of similar work in the locality, and his success has been an encouragement to his neighbors. His opinion is regarded as authori- tative where few have made as comprehensive study of soil conditions as he. He has served his township ably in several official capacities, but his ambitions in this respect are not for personal glory, and he has not aspired to more than local honors.

Born May 9. 1855. at Maple Creek, Forest Co., Pa., Mr. Caldwell is a son of the late Tim- othy Caldwell, in his day one of the most promi- nent farmers of Eldred township. He was born in the north of Ireland Oct. 26, 1826, and there his early life was spent. His parents, Cunningham and Lydia ( Porter ) Caldwell. were farmers, and passed all their days in Ireland; they were members of the Presby- terian Church. Timothy Caldwell received a fair education for the times and taught one term of school in Ireland. He came to this country in 1848 with his brother James, the young men landing at Philadelphia after a voyage of two months, and both remained there for a short time. After a few months James went to Pittsburgh, where he was successful in the retail dry goods business until his death in 1800. He also had engaged in merchandis- ing in Ireland. He never married.

Timothy Caldwell found employment at street work in Philadelphia, where he stayed two months, going thence to Pittsburgh, where he did similar work and was employed in a rolling mill for a short time. But in December, 1850, he came to Jefferson county, to look up James Summerville, whose wife was a Cald- well and in some way related. He lived at Mr. Summerville's in Eldred township for a time, and worked for him. During the winter of 1850 he taught at the Craft schoolhouse, in the Summerville district. He then went to Forest county and lumbered on the Clarion river, became a raft pilot on that stream, and for some time operated the old upright saw- mill at Maple Creek, near Clarington, where he lived for a short time after his marriage. In 1857 he bought for $2,000, at sheriff's sale, the old Cochran farm in Eldred township. This tract contained 182 acres and the original log house and barn were still standing. Only some

twenty acres had been cleared, so that he had practically all of the development before him. This fine property is now owned by his son Edward and grandson John Caldwell. Timo- thy Caldwell also owned other land, including eighty acres now owned and occupied by his son Fillmore, sixty acres of which are cleared. He was energetic, ambitious, and farsighted in providing for the future. Thus he took part. as occasion required, in public affairs, filling a number of offices when he could be of service in carrying out beneficial projects. Politically he was a Republican, having previous to the war been a Democrat. He and his wife were Presbyterians, being among the most zealous members of Mount Tabor Church, which he helped build in 1872, and of which he was an elder until his death, in March, 1911. Though he reached his eighty-fifth year, he continued to look after his affairs, even as late as 1910 making business trips to Pittsburgh. He set- tled his estate by will in a systematic manner. just as he had conducted all undertakings.

In 1853 Timothy Caldwell married Jane Steele, a native of Union township, born on the old McCullough farm. Her father, William Steele, was a native of Centre county, Pa. He removed to Missouri, where the mother died, and some years later came back, settling in Forest county, where Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell met and were married. Mr. and Mrs. Cald- well had nearly fifty years of happy married life, her death occurring ten years before his. They are buried in Mount Tabor cemetery. Of the eleven children born to them six died young, those who reached maturity being : Anna E., who married J. H. Moore, of Clarion county, and died when thirty-five years old ( Mr. Moore is now residing at Corsica ) ; Fill- more: James H., who owned part of the old home place, where his son John now lives, and died at the age of thirty-two years, leaving four children : David, a Presbyterian minister ; and Edward, who lives on the old home farm. David Caldwell took his literary course at Washington and Jefferson College, Washing- ton, Pa., and his theological course at the West- ern Theological Seminary, Allegheny ; was or- dained a Presbyterian minister, and filled sev- eral charges before retiring-at Pennfield. Pa .. in Ohio and in West Virginia. After ten years of service he withdrew from the active min- istry, and is now residing on a farm in Beaver county. He has served as supply at Mount Tabor, the church of his boyhood, and also at Corsica.

Fillmore Caldwell recalls living in the vicin- ity of Clarington, where his father had the

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mill, but he was only four years old when the family removed thence to Eldred township. which has since been his home. His father saw to it that the children had all possible ad- vantages for education, and though the boy was expected to do his share helping with the work on the farm and in the woods he was granted more than the privileges of the com- mon school, having been a student at Corsica Academy ( taught by James Ritchie) and in a private school in Pittsburgh. When eighteen years old he taught the Stone school, and fol- lowed the profession for three terms in this county. In 1881 he married and settled on one of his father's properties, a tract of eighty acres in Eldred township which they have since oc- cupied. As early as 1873 the young man had become familiar with the use of lime for in- creasing the fertility of soil, and when he came to this property he found it greatly in need of such improvement. The first limekiln in the neighborhood was put up on his father's farm, and it proved so valuable that other farm- ers in the locality soon followed suit, finding their labors in the hauling, burning and using of lime well repaid in increased crops. Mr. Caldwell cut what pine remained on his tract and got the ground under cultivation as rapidly as possible, doing his work thoroughly, and the excellent condition of the farm is due entirely to his systematic care. When his father bought the property a plank house was standing there. which he finished, and the present owner built the barn in 1801. Every point of value has been doubled under Mr. Caldwell's discrimi- nating cultivation. To those who know only modern conditions it is rather surprising, that game was plentiful there in his boyhood, and he enjoyed many a day hunting.

Like his father. Mr. Caldwell has been a good citizen as well as a good business man. He has filled all the township offices, and from the age of twenty-five held office for twelve years continuously, serving six as school di- rector, and other years as auditor, township clerk. and in other capacities. He has never had any desire for the responsibilities of county office. He is a Republican and in church mat- ters has remained true to the family associa- tions, belonging to Mount Tabor Presbyterian Church from the age of twenty-five.

In 1881 Mr. Caldwell married Anna M. MeCaskey, daughter of William and Mary McCaskey. of Eldred township, where she was born on the home farm. Her parents were both natives of Ireland. Mrs. Caldwell was nineteen years old at the time of her marriage. Six children have been born to this union : Ger-

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 85

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