Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 9

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

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

becoming a pioneer lumberman in the pineries of Mecosta county, where he continued to re- side until his death, which occurred Sept. 28, 1865, his devoted wife having preceded him to eternal rest.

As previously stated, Wilson R. Darrah was a child at the time of the family removal to Pennsylvania, and here he was reared to adult age, the while he profited by the advantages afforded in the common schools of the day, though his broader education was that gained in the benignant school of experience. As a boy he found employment for a time in carry- ing the mail from Kittanning, Armstrong county, to Ridgway, Elk county, his journey-> ing between these places being made on horse- back and the intervening nights en route being passed by him at Brandy Camp. As an im- mature youth he also found employment as a driver on the towpath of the old Erie canal, and later he was engaged in the capacity of fireman on the Michigan Central railroad, at a time when ardnous work was involved in sup- plying the requisite fuel to the old-time wood- burning engines and when the track was of strap-iron rails.

At the age of nineteen years Mr. Darrah returned to New England, and after remain- ing two years in Hartford county. Connecti- cut. he gained a brief experience in connection with pioneer life in Kansas. He next engaged in agricultural pursuits in the State of Michi- gan, and there his first wife, whose maiden name was Cornelia A. Van Vleck, was called to the life eternal in 1858. Their marriage occurred in March, 1846. Of their children the eldest is John E., who now maintains his home at Clarion, Charlevoix Co .. Mich. ; Charles J. died at Brookville, in 1911 ; Sena S., who died in Michigan, was a twin sister of Mrs. Charles W. Roberts, of Pittsburgh.

After the death of his wife Mr. Darrah sold his Michigan farm and returned with his chil- dren to Brookville, and in 1860 was solem- nized his marriage to Mary Neese, of New Salem, Armstrong county. Of their children the firstborn, Wilmoth E .. of Brookville, is the only survivor. The other four children, Cora May, Alma C., Guy R. and Malcolm W., died young, and the mother passed away Nov. 30, IOII.

L'pon returning to Brookville Mr. Darrah engaged in lumbering on the Mile Hill tract, and in this enterprise he became associated with his brother, Edward H., who was his able coadjutor for many years. He became one of the prominent and successful representatives of the lumber industry in this section of the

State and eventually extended his operations into Michigan, where he owned valuable tracts of white pine timber, besides which he became identified also with lumbering in the State of Washington, to which section of the Pacific coast country he made his first trip in the year 1880. He achieved substantial success through his long association with the lumber industry and continued to maintain his home at Brook- ville, where he lived virtually retired for sev- eral years prior to his death. He erected a commodious and attractive residence on Mill street, and here his death occurred on the 18th of February, 1905, about two months after his eightieth birthday anniversary. He be- came widely known as an aggressive business man of much initiative and executive ability, and his inviolable integrity in all the relations of life gave him secure place in the confidence and high regard of all who came within the compass of his kindly influence. Mr. Darrah was a man of strong mental grasp and had well fortified convictions concerning governmental and economic policies. Though he was essen- tially a business man and had no desire to enter the arena of practical politics, he gave loyal allegiance to the Republican party and was liberal and public-spirited as a citizen. His religious faith, characteristically unostenta- tious in its exemplification, was that of the Presbyterian Church, of which both his first and his second wives likewise were earnest adherents.

WILMOTHI E. DARRAH, the only surviv- ing child of the second marriage of Wilson R. Darrah, was born at Brookville, Pa., on the 2Ist of January, 1866, and after duly profiting from the advantages afforded in the public schools he pursued a course of higher academic study in Lewisburg University, at Lewisburg, Union county. Thereafter he passed five years in the State of Washington, where he was ac- tively associated with his father's lumbering interests, and he then returned to his native village, where he devoted the ensuing four years to a prosperous retail furniture business. The next four years found him successful in the same line at Oil City, Venango county. In 1903 he assumed a position as traveling sales- mian for the A. J. Logan Company, manufac- turers of beds and bedding in the city of Pittsburgh, which important concern he has since continued to represent through the terri- tory of central and northwestern Pennsylvania. the while he has continued to reside in the fine . old homestead of his father in Brookville, where his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances and where he ren-

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ders the tribute and service of a progressive and public-spirited citizen, his political alle- giance being given to the Republican party ; both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian Church.

In the year 1893 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Darrah to lda Lee Enfield, of Johnstown, this State, and they have two chil- dren: Georgiana Madaline Darrah was mar- ried on May 30, 1916, to Courtland Williams of Clinton, Ky., who is interested in the manu- facture of carbon ; Dr. Lee W., who graduated from the medical department of the University of Pittsburgh, is now engaged in the success- ful practice of his profession at Newcastle, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM JENKS, attorney, of Punx- sutawney, holds a position in the legal profes- sion and among his personal associates entirely in keeping with the honored name he bears. The early record of the Jenks family in Jef- ferson county was one of such high profes- sional skill and brilliant service to the com- munity that it has imposed a sense of obliga- tion upon the succeeding generations, who have been a credit to their ancestry in so noticeable a degree that they are still looked to as exam- ples of public spirit and leaders of public opinion. William Jenks has been true to the . type. By reason of his success as a lawyer and the commendable part he has taken in local affairs he is one of the foremost citizens of Punxsutawney, where the name of Jenks has a permanent place in history. The beautiful public park there, conceded to be the most at- tractive spot in Jefferson county, was presented to Punxsutawney by Dr. John W. Jenks, grandfather of William Jenks, the deed for the transfer being made in 1821. The tract is 212 by 320 feet in dimensions, and its posses- sion and maintenance have become a matter of pride to the borough.

Dr. John W. Jenks, the founder of this family in Jefferson county, was born June 24, 1793, and until his removal here lived in Bucks county, Pa., having been reared there, at Newtown. He was highly educated, having graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania before the war of 1812, and from the medical department of that institution in 1816. He commenced the study of medicine in early life, and his principal instructor in that science was Dr. Phineas Jenks. He married Mary D. Barclay, who was born in New Jersey March 1, 1798. daughter of Rev. David Bar- clay, and like himself was cultured and ac- complished. She was considered one of the

most gifted women who ever lived in Jefferson county. Dr. Jenks had about completed ar- rangements to go to Europe to continue his medical studies in one of the universities when he was persuaded by his father-in-law, Rev. David Barclay, to join him as one of a little colony of pioneers about to settle in the wilds of Jefferson county, in western Pennsylvania. In 1818 Dr. Jenks came out to this region with several others of the party and built a cabin, besides making a few other improvements nec- essary for the reception of their families. Dr. Jenks and Rev. Mr. Barclay purchased 327 acres of land at what is now Punxsutawney, brought their families out in 1819, and laid out the borough within a short time. Dr. Jenks was the first physician here, and his coming was welcomed by the early settlers, but they were so few and scattered that he could not depend upon his profession for a livelihood. and he took an active part in the material de- velopment of the country and in the adminis- tration of the local government. His versatile ability and high character made him a very valuable leader in the new community, and if he did much to promote the advancement of the borough and county his services were highly appreciated, and he had the gratitude and affection of the entire population, com- manding a degree of personal esteem unusual even in the days when it was possible for so many of his fellow citizens to know him by direct contact. His cabin was the first within the original borough limits. In 1824 he and Rev. Mr. Barclay erected a gristmill on Elk rim, a short distance above Punxsutawney ; he had learned to tan hides and had the first tannery in this section ; he was also interested in a sawmill and a general store, and his in- dustry and practical activities were an incen- tive to all in the neighborhood. Dr. Jenks was one of the first associate judges of the county, appointed in 1830, and serving most of the time thereafter until he died ; he was elected a member of its first board of commissioners in the fall of 1824; and filled other offices with honor and good judgment. As a physi- cian he was beloved and respected in every home. He had a very sociable and hospitable nature, and his home was freely opened to all comers.

Dr. Jenks was one of the leading spirits who assisted Rev. Mr. Barclay in the organization of the Presbyterian Church afterwards known as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. These two men donated to the borough the burial place known as the old graveyard, and .here Dr. Jenks and his wife are buried. He

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

continued the practice of medicine until his health failed, and died in 1850. Mrs. Jenks survived him, but was sorely afflicted by the news of the death of her son, Charles D. Jenks, who died in 1849 on his way to California. A letter came to his mother describing his death and burial in the ocean, and she never recov- ered from the shock. The Masonic blue lodge of Punxsutawney was named in honor of Dr. Jenks, and he and his clever wife were long remembered as charming people whose noble Christian character was a powerful elevating influence in this section throughout a long period. Of the large family born to this couple several upheld the illustrious traits of their parentage. One son and one daughter died in childhood. David Barclay. the eldest child, born in 1815 or 1816 in New Jersey, graduated from Washington ( Pa. ) College, read law, and was admitted to the Jefferson county bar at the December term of court, 1835. He became a successful lawyer of this section, but died rather suddenly May 6, 1848, when just at the commencement of a promising career. The birth of Phineas W., the second child, was in 1819 and he was the first white child born at Punxsutawney, where he became a leading citizen. lle studied law with his brother, and became one of the foremost members of the bar in Pennsylvania; he also had excellent business talents, built a tannery and owned considerable land. William P., the next child, born May 27, 1821. also read law with his elder brother, and became an eminent mem- ber of the bar, serving as president judge of the Eighteenth Judicial district of Pennsyl- vania, which comprised Jefferson, Clarion and Forest counties, from 1872 to 1882; he was also a member of the State Legislature. John W., Jr .. born July 13, 1823. and Charles D .. born March 21, 1825, were next in the family. Mary C., born April 26, 1820. became the wife of Judge I. G. Gordon ; she was a woman of brilliant intellectual attainments. Joseph died at the age of sixteen years: Sarah died aged fourteen years : James D., born April 19, 1834. went West at an early day. was colonel of an Iowa regiment in the Civil war, and later went out to Montana; he died Dec. 20, 1915, · the last surviving son of the family. George A., born March 26, 1836, the most talented member of this exceptional family, was one of the brainiest lawyers of his generation in this country, and took part in some of the sharpest legal battles waged during his time. Hle served one term in Congress, during the seventies. "and achieved the greatest success in the same length of time of any member of

that body except Henry Clay." He took part in the celebrated Belknap impeachment trial before the Senate, was the leading attorney on the Democratic side before the electoral com- mission in the Tilden-Hayes contest in Feb- ruary, 1877, and was solicitor general during Cleveland's first administration. He was dis- tinguished as having recovered more govern- ment land illegally held by corporations than any other man who held that office up to his time.

John W. Jenks, Jr., was born July 13, 1823, in Jefferson county, and read medicine in his early life, but never followed the profession to any extent, preferring a business life. He owned and operated a tannery which was one of the prosperous industrial plants at Punx- sutawney in his active years, giving most of his attention to its management. Though pos- sessed of notable ability and executive capacity, he cared nothing for the glory of conspicuous service, but led a quiet life, in the course of which he made many friends. He married Eliza Richey, a native of Armstrong county, l'a., who died Aug. 17, 1897, after several years' illness, having never entirely recovered from the effects of a stroke of paralysis in 1803.

William Jenks, son of Dr. John W. ( Jr.) and Eliza ( Richey ) Jenks, was born at Punx- sutawney, and was admitted to the bar of Jefferson county Dec. 11, 1893.

HON. WILLIAM JAMES MCKNIGHT, M. D., was born and raised in the town of Brookville, Jefferson Co., Pa., the date of his birth being May 6, 1836. Thrown upon his own resources when a boy, at an age when little was expected of a youth, by his own in- domitable will, push and determination ( which were marked characteristics in his early boy- hood ) he rose from the humble and obscure farm laborer and "printers' devil" to a position and prominence which few men attain, carving out for himself a name and fame in the annals of his profession. town, county and State, to which his descendants and his friends can always point with pride.

Dr. MeKnight is recognized as one of the prominent. influential and well-to-do citizens of his section, one who has always taken an active and beneficial interest in the advance- ment of town, county and State, a man who has always held his word as sacred as his bond : one who has taken a great interest in the uplifting of mankind, and who has never wil- fully misused or wronged his fellow man. This sketch is taken largely from an article

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

which appeared in the Brookville Republican of March 24, 1897. Dr. MeKnight's parents were Alexander and Mary (Thompson) Mc- Knight, the father dying when W. J. was but thirteen months old. Before his marriage Alexander McKnight served about two years in the United States army. The Doctor re- ceived a limited education in the common schools. When he was about eleven years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and began the struggle of life. For five years he lived and worked upon a farm. At the age of sixteen he began teaching school and work- ing in the office of the Jefferson Star, learning the printer's trade. Two years later he began reading medicine under Dr. A. M. Clarke, of Brockwayville, and held a position as composi- tor on the Elk County Advocate. During the next three years, by practicing such economy as is rarely thought of by the young man of the present day, he had saved enough money to enable him to take a single course of med- ical lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, during the winter of 1856-57, and in March following ( 1857) he began the practice of medicine in his native town. In the autumn of 1857 he prac- ticed with and under Dr. A. M. Clarke, until the fall of 1859, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Niver, of Brockwayville, which was terminated four years later after they had established a large and extensive practice. In 1863 Dr. McKnight returned to Brookville, where he opened a drug store on Oct. 8th, carrying on the same in connection with his practice, and which, together with his son, J. B., he still operates under the firm name of McKnight & Son. It is the oldest store in point of continuous management in Jefferson county. On Aug. 4, 1862, Governor Curtin appointed the Doctor examining surgeon for Jefferson and Forest counties. He was also appointed. and served for seven years, as United States pension surgeon, but other duties made it necessary for him to resign this posi- tion. He served as private and orderly ser- geant in Company G, 57th United States Emergency Regiment ; was promoted to quar- termaster sergeant, and took part in the cam- paign against Morgan. In 1869 he attended lectures in Philadelphia and received the de- gree of M. D. He afterwards attended two full courses in succession at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., from which institu- tion he was graduated in March, 1884, and the same year received a degree from the school of anatomy and surgery. In 1885 he took a post- graduate course at Jefferson College.

Dr. McKnight's political activities began

when a boy. In 1876 Jefferson county Repub- licans presented him for State senator, and Indiana county Republicans presented Dr. St. Clair, Indiana and Jefferson counties form- ing the Thirty-seventh Senatorial district. Three conventions were held without a nomi- nation, when for the good of the party, to save the Congressional nominee of Indiana, and to secure harmony among the voters, Dr. Mc- Knight in a most magnanimous and manly let- ter withdrew from the contest. In 1880 Jef- ferson county Republicans again presented Dr. McKnight as their choice, and Indiana county Republicans presented George W. Hood. After a three days' convention of delegates from the two counties, no nomination being agreed upon, a second conference was held with no result. Another meeting was held at which Gen. James S. Negley, of Pittsburgh, acted as umpire, when Dr. Mcknight was nominated, he was elected at the polls and served in the Senate from 1881 to 1885. The Doctor took a very active part in all public measures brought before the Senate during his term of office. He was the author of sev- eral very important bills, and through his con- servative and practical business methods were enacted a number of needed reforms whereby the Commonwealth was saved several hun- dred thousand dollars per annum. Honesty and economy with the people's money was his slogan. His reform in printing public docu- ments saves the State forty thousand dollars a year. He advocated and secured the first additional appropriation under the new Con- stitution to the schools of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars; advocated the furnishing of schoolbooks free by the State to all the schools; and free schools in fact- school tax abolished, schools to be maintained and supported by the State. The attention he called to careless auditing brought into the State one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He carried through a reform in the commence- ment of borough and township offices. He took an active interest in the wards of the State and gave a hearty support to the soldiers' orphans' schools, advocating justice to the sollier, his widow and his orphan. In 1881 he originated, incepted and introduced a bill providing for the classification of the insane, and advocated that the expense of their sup- port be paid by the State. He originated and introduced a number of valuable reforms that fell for want of time. He pushed through the Senate in 1881 the bill authorizing counties to refund their bonds at a lower rate of in- terest This bill saved Jefferson county sev-

JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

eral thousand dollars. He originated, agi- tated and pushed through the Senate bill No. 117, entitled An Act For Promotion of Med- ical Science, by the distribution and use of un- claimed human bodies for scientific purposes. through a board created for that purpose, and to prevent unauthorized uses and traffic in human bodies, which was approved and signed June 18. 1883. This law has now been en- acted in nearly every State in the Union. He supported and voted for the following laws: The law of 1881, Act No. 21, which provides proper means of conveyance of persons in- jured in and about the mines, to their homes ; Act No. 54. 1881. "To provide the means for securing the health and safety of persons cm- ployed in the bituminous coal mines of Penn- sylvania"; Act No. 173, 1881, "To secure to operators and laborers engaged in and about coal mines, manufactories of iron and steel, and all other manufactories, the payment of their wages at regular intervals and in lawful money of the United States" ( this law regu- lates and prevents the excessive profit on mer- chandise) ; law of 1883, Act No. 16, "To pro- vide for voluntary tribunals, to adjust disputes between employers and employed"; Act No. 46, 1883, "To protect the miners in the bi- tuminous coal regions in this Commonwealth" (this law secures the miner pay for all clean coal mined by him without regard to size : makes seventy-six pounds of coal a bushel and two thousand pounds a ton ; requires all cars to be branded and uniform in size ; creates the office of check weighman and defines his duties ) : Act No. 48. 1883. which now com- pels props and timber to be furnished: Act No. 97. 1883, creating a mining boss and de- fining his duties, providing for cut-throughs and holes for shelter, bore holes, printed rules, safety lamps, board of examiners, etc .. also for six bituminous mine inspectors instead of three, and also for two mining engineers ; Act No. 104. 1883. "For the better protection of the wages of mechanics, miners, laborers and others" ( this law gives the laborer preference against insolvent companies or debtors).

In a speech advocating reform in the Sen- ate, March 14, 1883. Dr. McKnight used these words, "and now, Mr. President. to further assist in the public good, to promote honest government and purify the public service. I would make all offices in both State and na- tion, except the merest clerkships, elective by the people. I would elect postmasters, col- lectors. marshals, and especially United States senators." His zeal and enterprise gained for him State celebrity, as well as reflecting much credit upon his ability and statesmanship.

In 1884 Dr. McKnight and G. W. Hood were again pitted against each other for the nomination. The established usage of the party entitled Dr. McKnight to a second term. especially as Indiana county had had the sen- ator for sixteen out of twenty years, and all acknowledged that he had served with honor and credit to his district, his constituents and himself. He was regularly and fairly renomi- nated at a party conference in Indiana, but was defeated at the polls by Hood, who ran as an independent candidate.

Dr. McKnight has been a bituminous coal operator since 1895, opening and running the Toby Valley Coal Company, and also the Mc- Knight Coal Company, which is still (in 1915) in active operation.

As a writer Dr. McKnight is the author of "My First Recollections of Brookville, Pa .. " "Recollections of Ridgway. Pa.," also of the "Pioneer History of Jefferson County, Pa .. 1755-1844." "A Pioneer Outline History of Northwestern Pennsylvania," embracing four- teen counties, and of "Pioncer Sketches of the Cities of Allegheny, Beaver. DuBois and To- wanda, Pa." And now, in 1916, as director and vice president of the National Bank of Brookville, Pa., merchant, coal operator, writer and author, he is still active and has found time to write and complete this history.

Dr. McKnight married Penelope Goddard Clarke, Jan. 9. 1860, and they celebrated their golden wedding Jan. 9, 1910. Seven children were born to this union, four of whom are now living. viz .: Amor Archer, who was twice elected city auditor of Denver, Colo. : Mary Adaline, wife of H. H. Kennedy: Jay Byron; and Bonnie, the wife of George R. Matson. All reside in Brookville. Jennie died when four years. three months old. the two others in infancy. A further and more com- plete biography will be found in this history. under the celebration of his store's fiftieth an- niversary, in the Brookville chapter.

Fraternally Dr. McKnight is a Mason. Odd Fellow, Pythian. Redman. Artisan. Granger and Grand Army man. He was entered in Hobah Lodge. No. 276. F. & A. M., Brook- ville, Nov. 28, 1864, passed Jan. 16, 1865, raised Feb. 17. 1865. and made an honorary member Dec. 10, 1894. Religiously he was baptized and reared a "Blue Stocking" Presby- terian.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 9

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