Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 88

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 88

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tion with the Larkin Soap Company, at Buf- falo, New York.

On the 13th of July, 1901, Mr. Mckay married Mrs. Elizabeth (Huggan) O'Neil, who was born at Barclay, Bradford county, on the 27th of March, 1871, and was reared at Carbon Run, that county. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Rodgers) Huggan, both of whom were born in Nova Scotia. The father died at Carbon Run, when Mrs. McKay was in her tenth year, leaving his widow with three children, of whom Mrs. McKay was the eldest ; the two sons, George and Harry, now reside at DuBois, and with them their ven- erable mother makes her home. At Barclay Miss Elizabeth Huggan became the wife of Frank O'Neil, and the three children of this union are Maude, Ruth and Edna. To Mr. and Mrs. McKay have been born four chil- dren: Loretta, Lorene, Gilberta and Wilbur.

Mr. MeKay takes a loyal interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of his com- munity and though he has had no desire for public office he is found arrayed as a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JAY C. BOOHER, M. D., has been promi- nent as a physician and surgeon in Jefferson county, since 1892 successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in and around Falls Creek. Born in 1867 in Washington town- ship. Armstrong Co., Pa., he is a son of Jacob and Sarah Ann ( Bowser ) Booher, the for- mer of whom was born in Bedford county, this State, in 1830. Frederick Booher, father of Jacob, was a native of France, whence he emigrated to the New World in 1829. He located in Bedford county, where he engaged in milling for some time, but later removed to Armstrong county, and turned his attention to lumbering and farming throughout the re- mainder of his life. His death occurred in that county. There the father was reared, and upon the farm which he cleared and im- proved, in Washington township he still re- sides. To Jacob Booher and his wife were born the following children: Abraham, a farmer of Armstrong county; Catherine, wife of William Wyant, of the same county ; Evaline, wife of J. W. Frick of Verona, Alle- gheny Co., Pa .; Mrs. F. M. Painter, of Pitts- burgh. Pa .; Mrs. T. N. Hazlett, of McKees- port, Pa .; Mrs. G. W. Fair, of Kittanning. Pa .; S. F., at one time sheriff of Armstrong county, and postmaster of Kittanning. that county : F. B., a farmer of that county, and Jay C.

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Dr. Booher began his education in the pub- lic schools of Armstrong county, later be- coming a student in Read Institute and Clar- ion State Normal School, and preparing for his profession in the medical department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, which he entered in 1889. At the age of six- teen he began teaching, a profession he fol- lowed three years. Immediately after his graduation, in March, 1892, he located at Falls Creek, and has since enjoyed an extens- ive practice, his talents and culture having gained for him an honorable position in the medical fraternity.

Shortly after Dr. Booher commenced practice at Falls Creek there appeared a dis- ease among the workers of the tannery there that baffled the older physicians. There were several deaths, but the first case that came to him Dr. Booher diagnosed as anthrax and the patient fully recovered. Since then he has successfully treated upwards of four hun- dred cases of the disease, and his fame as a specialist in anthrax has spread throughout the country. He has been called to all parts of the country to treat that dread disease, and articles regarding his success have ap- peared in the New York, Philadelphia and other metropolitan newspapers. Many patients have been brought to him on cots and stretch- ers and in a few weeks walked away with little evidence remaining that they had ever suffered from anthrax.

In addition to being one of the leading physicians of his community, Dr. Booher is a leading citizen in the affairs of the borough, which he has served for eighteen years as a member of the board of education. He is a director of the First National Bank of Falls Creek. The Doctor has been frugal, con- served his earnings, and is one of the well- to-do and honored residents of the section comprising Jefferson and Clearfield counties.

On June 14, 1912, at Falls Creek, Dr. Booher was united in marriage with Sara Jane Carrier, daughter of J. E. Carrier, of Falls Creek. He has one daughter, Sara. The Doctor is a leading member of the Jefferson County Medical Society; of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society; of the American Medical Association; is medical examiner for the Knights of the Maccabees, to which fraternity he belongs, and for the New York Life Insurance Company and the Pennsylvania Mutual, the latter a Philadel- phia company; and surgeon for the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company. He is also connected with Garfield Lodge No. 559. F. & 28

A. M., of DuBois; with Jefferson Royal Arch Chapter, No. 225, of Brookville; became a charter member of Bethany Commandery, No. 83, K. T., of DuBois; was a charter member of Williamsport Consistory and the Acacia Club of Williamsport; and a charter member of Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Al- toona, Pa. He is also affiliated with Falls Creek Lodge, No. 957, I. O. O. F.

The Doctor has been much interested in blooded horses, and was the owner of one of the most valuable colts in America, Blanche B., registered and standard, sired by Star Pointer, record 1:5914, the fastest pacer in the world, dam Tommy Hunter by Bay Tom; he also has driven the finest road team to be found in this section.

GEORGE W. PORTER, of Punxsutawney, has withdrawn to a considerable extent from active responsibilities, but his influence has not lessened in the circles where his life work was carried on for so many years and where he may well feel that his efforts have been followed with effects of lasting benefit. It is the reward and recognition of worth due to one whose ambitions and energies, guided by foresight and confidence in the possibili- ties within himself and the community, en- abled him to undertake and carry to success an enterprise which has proved one of the most valuable among the industrial establish- ments of this section. But it is not only as a manufacturer that Mr. Porter has become known to his fellow townsmen. His mind has long found recreation in other lines, and he has spared time especially for educational mat- ters and allied interests, taking a helpful part in their promotion in his own town and keep- ing abreast of such movements elsewhere. The diversions into which he was attracted by his broad sympathies during the spare hours of his busy years now afford agreeable occupa- tion in his leisure.

Mr. Porter is a native of Jefferson county, born Aug. 28, 1849, at Brookville, son of George W. Porter and grandson of Robert Porter. The family is of Irish origin, Robert Porter having been born in Ireland, whence he came to America in the year 1818 with his wife and family, then consisting of two chil- dren. Ile first settled at Philadelphia, Pa., later removing to Clearfield county, this State, where he followed farming during the brief remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1821. He and his wife, Martha ( Thompson ). also a native of Ireland, were lifelong mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Their chil-

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dren were: Robert, born in 1813; Nancy, born in 1815: George W., born in 1818, and John, born June 4. 1821. The mother after- wards married ( second ) William Hepburn, by whom she had one daughter, Catherine (Mrs. Thompson ). born in Clearfield county in 1825. Mr. flepburn came to that county about 1806, being an early settler there. He first married a Miss MeCracken, and after her death went to Lycoming county, where he married Mrs. Porter. About 1824 they took up their residence upon the farm where Mr. Hepburn had previously located, and which he improved into a valuable property, mak- ing a very comfortable home for his family. He died on this farm, in the faith of the Pres- byterian Church, of which he was long a mem- ber. Mrs. Hepburn was born in 1787, and died in 1804.

George W. Porter, son of Robert Porter. was born in Philadelphia. in 1818, four months after the family arrived from Ireland. When old enough to adopt a trade he was sent to Brookville, where he learned cabinetmaking with Andrew Craig, and after completing his apprenticeship went into the business on his own account. He was so engaged until his death, which occurred in 1849, when he was barely past thirty. He is buried in the old cemetery at Brookville. Though he did not live to reach his prime Mr. Porter had shown unusual intelligence and strength of character. and he had filled the office of county commis- sioner. He married Amanda Winslow, daugh- ter of Judge James Winslow, of Punxsutaw ney, Jefferson Co., Pa., and of the three chil- dren born to them George W. is the only sur- vivor. Martha Elizabeth and James both hay- ing died in 1849. in childhood.

George W. Porter obtained his education in the public schools of Brookville, his teachers being Miss Mary McCormick and Miss Bishop. When the question of employment came up he turned to his father's trade, learning cabinetmaking with Barr & Sterling, at Punx- sutawney, with whom he served two years, the first year receiving two and a half dollars a week. However, this did not prove to be his life work, though his knowledge of wood- working was very valuable in the line he even- tually chose. In 1873 he entered the foundry and machine business, to which he was after- wards devoted. For some time the plant was given over to the manufacture of agricultural implements, but the product has changed with the development of the locality and the ma- chine shop is now used for a general machine business, with a varied output and facilities

for general repairing. They find a ready mar- ket especially for their diamond drills and diamond drill tools, as well as wrought iron eye sash, weights and castings of all kinds. Mfr. Porter at one time operated a hardware business in connection, but he discontinued it some time ago, though the firm still carries a complete line of water and gas fittings. The plant, now known as the Star Iron Works, is at No. 900 Main street, Punxsutawney, and the firm is now known as G. W. Porter & Son. The father still maintains his connection with the business, but the son. W. E. Porter, has taken over the active management, Mr. George W. Porter having spent much of his time of late years in travel, in this country and abroad. The Thousand Islands and Chau- tauqua are among his favorite resorts. He usually passes his winters in Florida, though he maintains his residence in Punxsutawney. Formerly he was engaged quite extensively in the real estate business, but of late has not handled many transactions in that line.

For many years Mr. Porter has been a valued member of the school board of his borough and zealous in establishing high standards and the best possible facilities in the local schools. He has contributed many articles to the local papers on various mat- ters which should have the attention of pub- lic-spirited citizens, and he is also a historian of recognized authority. He is an active mem- ber of the Punxsutawney Country Club, and takes great pleasure in playing golf. Frater- nally he is a Mason and Odd Fellow, belong- ing to the local lodges of both organizations, John W. Jenks Lodge, No. 534. F. & A., M .. and Lindsey Lodge. I. O. O. F. He was made a Mason in Hobah Lodge, No. 276, of Brook- ville, but when John W. Jenks Lodge was organized became a charter member, and is now its only surviving charter member: he is a past master of that lodge. Of the higher bodies, he holds membership in Jefferson Chapter. No. 225. R. A. M., of Brookville; Pittsburgh Commandery, No. I. K. T .. of Pittsburgh : Pittsburgh Consistory : and Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Altoona. Pennsylvania.

Mr. Porter married Jennie D. Gelispie. daughter of William E. and Jane ( Miller) Gelispie, and they had five children: William F .. who is his father's partner in the firm of G. W. Porter & Son: Amanda Jane, wife of William Reed, residing in St. Louis, Mo .: Frank, who is employed as a machinist : Annie, who married Hayward Bair and now resides at Colville, Wash. : and Lydia. wife

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of Earl H. Snyder, residing at Indiana, Pa. On Dec. 16, 1916, Mr. Porter married ( second) Mrs. Maude H. Roseboom, of Syracuse, N. Y., daughter of Jesse L. Hinds, a prominent mani- ufacturer of that city. Mr. Porter is a Repub- lican on political issues.

The Winslows, Mr. Porter's maternal an- cestors, are a noted family in Jefferson county, with whose history they have been identified since coming here in 1815. The first mem- bers of the family in this country were among the Pilgrim settlers at Plymouth, Mass., where Kenelem Winslow, younger brother of Gov- ernor Winslow, arrived in 1629, coming in the "Mayflower." on her second voyage. He was born .April 29, 1599, at Droitwich, Eng- land, son of Edward Winslow. He settled at Marshfield, Mass., subsequently removing to Salem, where he died Sept. 13, 1672, aged seventy-three years. Some of his descendants still reside upon the property which he pur- chased from the Indians, April 2. 1659.

James Winslow, a great-grandson of Kene- lem Winslow, was a millwright, and very early became familiar with the use of mechanical implements. He was afterwards engaged in shipbuilding, having a shipyard at Wiscasset, Maine, for several years.

Carpenter Winslow, son of James, above, was born March 22, 1766, at Pittston, Mass .. and died in November. 1827, in Jefferson county, Pa. In 1787 he married Elizabeth Colburn, who survived him about eighteen years, dying in 1845. and they are buried in the cemetery near Punxsutawney. They had a family of nine sons, four of whom became noted seamen, and the last survivors were James Winslow (grandfather of Mr. George W. Porter) and Joseph W. Winslow. These nine sons left a numerous posterity, still rep- resented in Jefferson and Elk counties, Pa., among the most desirable residents of that region. In 1815 Carpenter Winslow brought his family to Jefferson county. It is said he first made a temporary location in Clearfield county in 1819, at which time he purchased his farm in what is now Gaskill township. Jefferson county, and after erecting buildings settled there in the year 1821. His was the first family to settle in what is now Gaskill township. The county was then a dense wil- derness. and like all new settlers they had to undergo untold privations. But they found themselves in a healthy climate, and where the soil. though hard to clear. was productive. so that they were soon able to raise grain and feed in abundance, while the surrounding for- ests and streams afforded them game and fish. One of their difficulties was having to

carry their grain twenty or more miles along bridle paths through the forest to mill. In a few months the family of Dr. John W. Jenks came into the neighborhood, and with some others, settled in what is now Punxsutawney, and the Bowers family located near the Wins- lows. These were followed by other settlers, and they soon found themselves in the midst of a good neighborhood, which is to-day one of the best farming sections of the county. The property of Carpenter Winslow became one of the finest farms in the township.

JUDGE JAMES WINSLOW, grandfather of George W. Porter, was born April 14, 1798, in Maine, son of Carpenter and Elizabeth Winslow. He was a prominent man of his day, serving thirteen years as associate judge of Jefferson county (appointed in 1841) and for fourteen years as a justice of the peace. It was during his term as associate judge that Winslow township was erected, in 1847, and it was so named in his honor. In 1820 Mr. Winslow married Betsy Miller, who was born in 1800, daughter of Robert Miller, and died in 1847. Of the twelve children born to this union, three died in infancy, and three sons and five daughters were living in 1888. At this writing ( 1917). three daughters survive: Mrs. Lydia Gillespie, Mrs. Adelia Minish and Mrs. Ann Hendricks.

RICHARD ARTHURS. It was given to the late Richard Arthurs to uphold the high prestige of a name that has heen worthily and prominently identified with the annals of this section of the Keystone State since the very early pioneer era. and he was long numbered among the well-known and representative citizens of Brookville. He died April 23. 1910. and his remains were laid to rest in beautiful Brookville cemetery. His memory is held in lasting honor by all who came within the sphere of his kindly influence during the years of his singularly upright, earnest and prolific life. virtually the entire course of which was passed in Jefferson county. He was born in Brookville on the 9th of July, 1850. Sup- plemental data concerning the Arthurs family may be found on other pages of this work.

Richard Arthurs was a direct descendant of Richard Arthurs, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania in the Colonial days and who died in Warren county at the venerable age of eighty-four years. His son, John, grand- father of Richard. was born on the Ist of March. 1783, and was a youth when he came to what is now Tefferson county. where. in 1708. he assisted in the construction of its first sawmill. In 1806 he established his home

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in this county and in the same year married Joana Roll, who was born June 15, 1786, and came to Jefferson county in 1801. Even- tually the young couple settled on a tract of wild land near the present town of Stratton- ville, Clarion county, and there Mr. Arthurs was engaged in the herculean work of de- veloping and cultivating a pioneer farm at the time of the war of 1812. He turned from the vocations of peace to render loyal service as a soldier in that second conflict with Eng- land, and both he and his wife continued their residence in this section of the state until death, and lie buried in the old cemetery at Brook- ville. He died May 13, 1847, his devoted wife on the IIth of July, 1843. Of their children, Richard, father of the subject of this memoir, was the fourth in order of birth. The date of his nativity was Nov. 18. 1811, and of his death Feb. 20, 1892. On the 14th of January, 1845, he wedded Sarah Jane Williams, the ceremony being performed by Squire Corbet, who was then serving as justice of the peace in Jefferson county. Mrs. Arthurs was born Oct. 19, 1822, and survived her hus- band until Nov. 24, 1895. Following is a list of the names of their children, with their re- spective dates of birth : Benton Polk, Nov. 14. 1845: Nancy Hulda ( Mrs. C. S. Irvin). Nov. 9. 1847: Richard and Joanna (twins). July 0, 1850; Blanche Cordelia (Mrs. George Stewart ), April 3. 1853: Ida Jane, Feb. 28, 1857 (died at birth) ; Maude, July 14, 1859 ( died Sept. 6. 1860) ; Sarah (Mrs. Bell), Jan. 15. 1862: Samuel (who married Rebecca Pinnev ), Nov. 20, 1865.

Richard Arthurs, Sr., was for many years one of the prominent and honored business men of Brookville. He erected the old "Cen- tral Hotel," which he conducted as a temper- ance house, besides which he was identified with other lines of business enterprise in the community. His son, Richard, acquired his early education in the public schools of Brook- ville and early gained, under the direction of his father, practical experience in the hotel business. After having conducted the old "Central llotel" several years he assumed charge of the "Commercial Hotel," of which his father had become the owner and which continued a part of the family estate. With marked success Mr. Arthurs managed this popular hostelry for a period of twenty-one vears, during which he kept the place up to a high standard. He retired from the hotel business several years prior to his death. At one time Mr. AArthurs owned and operated a stage line between Brookville and Ridgway.

He was known for his buoyant and genial nature, undeviating integrity of purpose and loyalty and progressiveness as a citizen, so that he commanded the high regard of all who knew him, and of him it may well be said that he showed a high sense of personal stewardship in all of the relations of life. He was a Republican, and, though he was not imbued with the ambition for public office, served three terms in the Brookville council. Hle was actively identified with Hobah Lodge, No. 276, F. & A. M., and Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M., both of Brookville ; Pitts- burgh Commandery, No. 1. K. T .; and the Shrine at Pittsburgh.

Mr. Arthurs married Alice Johnson Car- roll, who was born and reared in Jefferson county, and is a daughter of the late John E. and Matilda ( Anderson) Carroll. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Arthurs has con- tinued to reside in her attractive modern home, which is situated on Main street, Brookville. She is a prominent and popular factor in the representative social activities of the commu- nity, and her circle of friends includes all who know her. Mr. Arthurs is survived also by one daughter, Anna Taylor Arthurs, who first married the late Frank Bennett llenderson, a son of J. B. Henderson, of Brookville. The two children of this union are Alice Arthurs and Richard Arthurs Henderson. Her second marriage was to Arthur Hugh McCracken, of Brookville, where he is successfully established in the hardware business.

MURRAY. The name Murray in Jeffer- son county has many worthy associations, the representatives of this family here being among the most responsible citizens of their respective communities, ably participating in important enterprises and always living up to advanced standards of social excellence. Several sons of the late Valesius S. Murray, one of the most honored residents of the county in his day, are residing at Punxsutawney or Rey- noldsville. three being established in the lat- ter borough, where they are associated with the Heading business operations and other ac- tivities of their generation.

The Murrays are of Irish extraction. John Murray. the grandfather of these brothers, was born in Ireland, and spent all his life in that country, where he died in 1847 at the age of fifty-five years. He conducted a whole- sale liquor house, and also dealt in grain and real estate, being a business man of no ordi- nary acquirements. His widow. whose maiden name was Julia I .. Goldsbury, was a native of

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England, and died in 1859, in Jefferson county, l'a., having come to America with her fam- ily in 1848. She had seven children, viz. : John P .; Valesius S. ; Arthur ; Caroline, who married John H. Holmes; Julia, who married Joseph Morris; Mary, who married Dr. Wil- liam Barkley; and Ellen, who married Alex- ander White. The family lived for a few years at l'hiladelphia, Pa., where they landed on arriving in this country, later at McGees Mills, in Clearfield county, this State, and in 1852 settled in Gaskill township, Jefferson county, where they became highly respected as citizens of sterling character.

Valesins S. Murray, son of John and Julia L. (Goldsbury ) Murray, was born in Febru- ary, 1836, in County Longford, Ireland, and spent his early years in his native land, com- ing to America with his mother in 1848. His education was begun under private tutors, and for three years he attended school in Phila- delphia, so that he had unusual literary train- ing for the times, and he continued to be a scholar and a great Shakespearcan student to the end of his days. Moreover, he was a friend of public education, endeavoring to place good advantages within the reach of all, and to that end served faithfully as a member of the school board of his township, also tak- ing part in other local affairs of interest and importance. He made friends readily and always held them, for he had the strength of character to intensify the good impres- sion made on his first meeting with others, and this feeling was universal among those who knew him. Farming and lumbering were his occupations through life, and for twenty years he also followed the carpenter's trade, which he learned in young manhood, but the last twenty years of his life were devoted en- tirely to agriculture and stock dealing. Dur- ing the greater part of his life he continued to make his home in Gaskill township, and always retained the ownership of a valuable tract of land there. However, he was a resi- dent of Punxsutawney at the time of his death, which occurred very suddenly, Dec. 28, 1896, and he is buried at that place. A few weeks before he had been elected commis- sioner of Jefferson county, but did not live to take the oath of office. He had filled a number of local public positions, including those of assessor and school director, giving thorough satisfaction to all concerned, and was in the prime of his usefulness when called away. Politically he had always been a stanch Republican, and during the Civil war was a Union sympathizer, serving ten months dur-

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 88

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