Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 97

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 97

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Samuel L. Clawges in boyhood was sent to school at Richardsville, and assisted his father with the farm work and lumbering. although

the latter died when he was but a boy. At the time of his marriage, in 1882, he began housekeeping at Brockwayville, where he has continued to reside. The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad was just being con- structed about that time, and he found work teaming. After it was finished he resumed farming and lumbering, in which he was suc- cessful, being so engaged for over twenty years. In 1903 he was elected chief of police, and for ten years gave all his time to the duties of that office. Upon retirement he was variously engaged until he took the office of commonwealth constable in the summer of 1916. Mr. Clawges is a Republican, and holds membership in Cicero Lodge. I. O. O. F.

On March 7, 1882. Mr. Clawges married Margaret J. Ross, who was born Nov. 27. 1859. on the Ross homestead in the Beech- woods, in Washington township, attending the old Dennison school under Abbie Mccurdy and Mattie Dennison. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clawges, namely : (I) Ross W., born at Brockwayville Feb. 13. 1883. graduated from the high school and Grove City College. He also took a course in the Lancaster (Pa.) Business College. For several years he taught school in Jefferson county, being principal at Reynoldsville eight years, and in 1916 was elected superintendent of schools at Emporium. Pa. He married Clara Tench, and they have one child. Mar- garet. (2) Leverta S., born in Brockwayville. graduated from the high school and taught for eight years in Jefferson county prior to her marriage to Arthur Haskins, of Reynoldsville. (3) Olive M. graduated from the Brockway- ville high school, later attended Grove City College, and has been teaching in Jefferson county the last eight years. (4) Samuel E. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Clawges' niece. Margaret E. Britton, has made her home with them since the death of her parents. She is a graduate of the high school, has also at- tended Grove City College and the Clarion Normal School. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church.

The Ross family, to which Mrs. Clawges belongs. is of Irish ancestry, her grandfather, James Ross. having been a native of County Donegal. 'Ireland. Ile came to the United States before his marriage, which took place at Bellefonte. Center county, to Nancy Fewry. and in 1831 settled in the Beechwoods. where he farmed. His large family was as follows: James, Mary. John, Oliver. Nancy, Ruth. Elizabeth, Rachel, Sarah and Martha.

John Ross, son of James and Nancy Ross,

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was the father of Mrs. Clawges. He was born June 17, 1831, near Bellefonte. Growing to manhood amid primitive surroundings, he had the ordinary educational advantages found in a pioneer neighborhood and all the trying ex- periences of attempting to farm under adverse conditions. But he also had the sturdy char- acter and strong physique with which most of the pioneers were endowed, and met his difficulties courageously. Ile lived at home and worked with his father up to the time of his marriage, when he purchased an adjoining tract of eighty acres upon which he and his wife settled, living thereon for nineteen years. Then, when his parents died, he returned to the old homestead, which he purchased, culti- vating it until eighteen years before his death, which occurred in 1911 in Brockwayville. On retiring he turned the farm over to his son and moved into the borough, where he spent his declining years in the enjoyment of the highest respect of his townsmen, who admired and esteemed him just as his old neighbors in the Beechwoods had done. He was one of the oldest citizens of the place when he died, after less than a week's illness. He is buried in the Beechwoods cemetery.

Mr. Ross was long a member of the Presby- terian Church in the Beechwoods, and after his removal to Brockwayville attended the church there. We quote from the issue of a Brockwayville paper a few days after his de- cease : "By the death of Mr. Ross Brockway- ville loses one of its best citizens. Ever since dwelling in this community he had been closely identified with the interests of the town and had helped in every manner to promote its wel- fare and prosperity. His home life came first with him, then his home town, and all that could be done for its progress and well-being appealed to this generous man, who gave of his support as much as he was able. While he was not inclined to mingle actively in the public and political affairs of the community in any conspicuous degree, when any office was thrust upon him he served to the best of his ability, with the conscientious energy of a loyal and upright citizen. While dwelling in Washington township Mr. Ross was quite ac- tive with the local offices of that district, but since living in Brockwayville he left these duties to the younger generation. The only local office he filled while residing here was that of constable for a term. ITis life was an example of upright and honorable manhood, performing life's duties as he saw them to do, extending the hand of sympathy and help to those in need and distress, and doing each

day so many deeds of kindness that were not realized until they are missed. Faithfulness, steadfastness and honor are the attributes which characterized John Ross throughout his long and useful life, and death will not sep- arate him from the good deeds done in the body."

Besides his wife and children Mr. Ross was survived by twelve grandsons, twelve granddaughters and eleven great-grandchil- dren, as well as a sister, Mrs. Martha Kear- ney, of Creston, Iowa. On Nov. 2, 1854. he married Susanna Patterson, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to the United States when young with her parents, the fam- ily settling in the Beechwoods in Jefferson county. She is still living (1916). at the age of eighty-two years, enjoying the love and esteem of a large circle of relatives and friends. Of the ten children born to this mar- riage, William John died in 1879, when twenty- four years old; Ruth is the wife of Wallace Morrison, of near Reynoldsville; Margaret J. is Mrs. Samuel L. Clawges ; Nancy Matilda. deceased, was the wife of Jacob Wingert : Isa- bella, Mrs. John Daugherty, lives at Reynolds- ville: James Andrew resides in the Beech- woods (he married Martha Gumbert ) ; Robert Monteer married Ida Moore, and died in the Beechwoods; Susanna, Mrs. Perry Britton, is deceased; Mary O. is Mrs. McClellan. of Brockwayville : one died in infancy.

John Patterson, father of Mrs. John Ross, was born in Ireland, and there married Isabella Smith, whose family, like his, settled in the Beechwoods in Jefferson county.

JOHN EVANS is well upholding the honors of a family name that has been one of prominence and influence in connection with civic and business affairs. His paternal grand- father was the first merchant at Brookville. the ancient daybook that was kept by this sterling pioneer having proved a source of much valuable information to Dr. Mcknight in the compilation of this history. John Evans has developed a substantial and prosperous business as a cement contractor, and is here properly accorded recognition. He was born at Brookville on the 23d of July, 1861. being a son of William C. and Sarah G. ( Johnson) Evans. William C. Evans likewise was a native of Brookville, which was but a hamlet in the forest at the time of his birth, and he was either the second or the third male child born in the place. Here he continued to re- side until his death, April 21, 1902, at the age of seventy-two years. His father was Jared

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B. Evans, while the mother was Jane Mc- Creight. Jared B. Evans was born near Phila- delphia, on the 15th of October, 1808, and his death occurred Feb. 21. 1891. He was of Welsh ancestry, of a family founded in Penn- sylvania in Colonial days. He was among the earliest pioneers of Jefferson county and at Port Barnett established the first mercantile store in the county. When the county seat was founded he removed his store there, his little establishment standing on the site of the pres- ent Henderson-Guthrie building, while his residence occupied the site of the present home of Harry Means. Ile was the owner of other realty and erected the substantial building still known as the Evans block. He served as asso- ciate judge of Jefferson county, later engaged in mercantile business at Rockdale, and finally removed to the State of Delaware, where he continued in the mercantile business a few years. When venerable in years he returned to Rockdale Mills and conducted a store; he died there Feb. 21, 1891. He and his wife were members of the Society of Friends.

William C. Evans succeeded his father in the general store at Brookville, and so con- tinued until he enlisted in Company F, 82d Pennsylvania Volunteers, as a Union soldier, his service having continued to Sept. 2, 1864. He returned to Brookville, the remainder of his active career being spent in retail merchan- dising. He was widely known and commanded high regard. His death at the age of seventy- two, occurred April 21, 1902, the community mourning the loss of one of its oldest and most honored native sons. Mrs. Evans survived her husband by nearly eight years, dying on the 4th of March. 1910, in her eighty-seventh year, her memory being revered by all who came within the compass of her gracious and kindly influence. William C. Evans was a loyal citizen, and both he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their children, Charles died at the age of twenty-one; John was the second ; Harry passed his entire life at Brookville, be- ing forty years of age at his death (he was the father of five children, Robley, Bruce, Sarah, Harry, Jr., and Emma, the last named dying in early childhood ).

John Evans acquired his early education in the public schools. For twenty years he has given his attention to contracting in concrete work, and it should be noted that fully three fourths of all the concrete walks in Brookville were constructed by him. He has shown a deep interest in everything pertaining to civic and material welfare, and while manifesting

110 ambition for political preferment he gives stanch allegiance to the cause of the Re- publican party. He is affiliated with the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fel- lows, passing the official chairs in both. He and his wife are active members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

On July 7, 1887, Mr. Evans wedded Mar- garet E. Borts, who was born in Brookville Ang. 11, 1866, a daughter of Levi and Sarah ( Wilson ) Borts, her father having long been in the employ of the old-time iron furnaces in Clarion county, his home being at Brookville, where he died May 12, 1909, at the patriarchal age of ninety-one years ; his wife died Nov. I. 1907, aged seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have six children: Jeanette is the wife of Verne D. Huffman, and they reside in the old Evans homestead; Bessie remains at home and is a skilled seamstress ; Charlotte married Walter Morse, of Perry, N. Y .; William is employed in a large rubber manufactory at Akron, Ohio, as is also his sister Sallie, while Harold remains at the parental home.

EDWARD JOHN DURBIN has long car- ried on a merchant tailoring business at Brock- wayville, where he has unrivaled standing as a high-class workman, and a patronage from many other towns as well. In other connections he is widely and favorably known, especially as chief of the borough fire department, a posi- tion he has filled without interruption since 1904. He is a native of Pennsylvania. Wil- liam and Hannah (Clapp ) Durbin, his grand- parents, natives of England, came to this coun- try after all their children had settled here, and he died at Williamstown, Dauphin county, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their family consisted of five children, Joseph W., John, Samuel, Joseph C. and Mrs. Ann Blanning.

John Durbin, father of Edward John, was born in England in 1819 and there grew to manhood. Being near-sighted he did not learn the trade of shoemaker, like his father and three brothers, but from the age of nine was employed in coal mines. While working in Wales he acquired a familiarity with the Welsh language. In 1858 he came to New York City, thence directly to the coal fields, of Schuylkill county, where he soon found work. He was also similarly engaged in Dauphin county, later conducting a general store at Lykens for sev- eral years. He died in 1893. His first wife, Elizabeth (Thomas), was the mother of four children, all now deceased. His second wife was Catherine Amelia Voorhees (originally Von Voorhees), a second cousin of Hon. Dan

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Voorhees, of Indiana. Her ancestors came to America from Hees, Holland, during the early part of the eighteenth century. Seven children were born to this union, namely: Newton, who lives in Rochester, N. Y., married Etta Snyder. of Elizabethville, Pa. ; Louise married William G. Bateman, of Williamstown, and (lied at Scranton; Edward John is next in order : Arthur J., of Rochester, N. Y., married Clara Shaffer of Williamstown; Lydia, Mrs. John Trotman, lives at Williamstown: Irene died unmarried in Brooklyn, N. Y .: Joseph C., of Rochester, N. Y., there married Murta Morrison. The mother of this family died in 1889, aged fifty-four years. Both parents were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Dur- bin was independent in politics.

Edward John Durbin was born Feb. 9, 1868. at Lykens, Dauphin Co., Pa., and was nine years old when the removal was made to Wil- liamstown. When eleven years of age he was apprenticed to J. H. Stroup, to learn the tailor's trade. He was to remain five years, and it was stipulated that "he is not to marry within that period of time." After completing the five years he remained four years and nine months longer, learning the various branches of the trade thoroughly. Not yet satisfied with his preparation, he took a year's course at the cut- ting school of John J. Mitchell, in New York City. Soon afterwards, in 1889, he entered the employ of D. L. Byrer, at DuBois, working on "the board" until Mr. Byrer sent him to Brock- wayville a few months later, to open a branch establishment. In November, 1889, he started a shop of his own in the old Daly building on Main street. But in 1802 he removed to De- pew, N. Y., where he conducted a thriving business for ten years. Returning to Brock- wayville he occupied the room where the Brockwayville Cleaning & Dyeing Company is now established, removing one year later to his present location, where he has commodious and well appointed quarters. He has custoni- ers who live even as far away as Pittsburgh, many of his old patrons continuing to depend upon him after they have removed elsewhere, a complimentary test of satisfactory service.

Mr. Durbin has taken a disinterested part in promoting the general welfare. allying him- self with no political party but supporting good men and measures. He has been chief of the local fire department since its organiza- tion, in 1904. working faithfully to increase its efficiency, its standing being high among sim- ilar bodies in the State. He is a Mason, be- longing to Depew (N. Y.) Lodge, No. 823. F. & A. M .; Mount Sinai Chapter, No. 293,

R. A. M., of Buffalo, N. Y. ; Knapp Command- ery, No. 40, K. T., of Ridgway, and Couders- port Consistory, Scottish Rite Masonry: and to Charity Lodge, Knights of Pythias.

On Oct. 22, 1890, Mr. Durbin was married at Brockwayville to Rose Chillcott, daughter of Thomas and Maria Chillcott, and they are the parents of three children: William Voor- hees, born July 30, 1891, at Brockwayville, after graduating from high school studied (lrafting, and is now a draftsman with the Ridgway Manufacturing Company, of Ridg- way : by his marriage to Grace Stokes, of Oak- land, l'a., there are two children, Claud and Dorothy. John Wesley died in Rochester, N. Y., Aug. 9, 1806. Ralph Edward was born in Brockwayville Aug. 6, 1904.

HANS OLSON, president of the Punxsu- tawney Drilling & Contracting Company, has shown in his character and achievements the ability and sterling attributes that bring suc- cess not as a matter of accident but as a logical result. He is one of the sturdy sons of the far northland who have found in the United States ample scope and opportunity for productive activity, and his advancement has been won entirely through his own efforts and powers. He stands to-day as one of the representative figures in the industrial and commercial circles of Jefferson county, and as a progres- sive man of affairs and a loyal. upright and public-spirited citizen he merits definite rec- ognition in this history.

Mr. Olson was born in Norway on the 10th of October, 1858, and his parents passed their entire lives in their native land, where the father devoted the major part of his active career to services as a woodsman. In the schools of his native land Hans Olson gained 'a good practical education, and at the age of twenty-two years he set forth to seek his for- tune in America, to which country he came with the most modest of financial resources. but with a full quota of energy, ambition and resolute purpose. He landed at old Castle Garden, in New York, on the 16th of May, 1880, and from the national metropolis he forthwith came to Clearfield county, Pa., and entered the employ of the Berwind-White Coal Company, at Houtzdale. To him at this. stage of his career came a full measure of arduous toil, as he worked driving rock tunnels in the mines and at cutting coal. His industry. ability and fidelity soon won him advance- ment, and finally he became foreman at the Anita mine, a position in which he continued for a short time. In May. 1887, he assumed

.79

Hans Olson

EW YORK LC LIENARY

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and efficiently completed the contract for opening the company's first mine at Horatio, Jefferson county. In November, 1891, the company assigned to him the supervision of the diamond-drill testing of certain of its coal lands, under the direction of J. S. Cunning- ham, who was then chief engineer for the company. After being thus engaged for a period of eighteen months Mr. Olson pur- chased the drill outfit, and, in company with W. E. Pifer, of DuBois, formed the firm of Pifer & Olson. This alliance continued four years, when Mr. Olson purchased the interest of his partner and individually continued the operations of the drilling business. Later he admitted to partnership Charles Hawk, who had an interest in only one of the drills, Mr. Olson having added several other drilling ma- chines to his outfit. Finally Mr. Hawk sold his interest in the business and Mr. Alebrand was admitted to partnership. Under these conditions the business was carried on until 1907, when John A. Fisher purchased the in- terest of Mr. Alebrand, and the business was incorporated under the present title, the Punx- sutawney Drilling & Contracting Company. Mr. Olson is president of the company and Vlr. Fisher is its secretary and treasurer. Con- cerning the important and well ordered busi- ness controlled by this company a former pub- lication of industrial order has given an effec- tive estimate, and from the same the following quotations, with but slight change, are taken : "One of the most important industries de- veloped by the operation of the vast coal mines in central west Pennsylvania is that of test- ing for paying and productive veins, and this is the work of the skilled tester and mining expert. When a field is to be located these men open up the supposed vein by means of diamond drills, and on their findings the fu- ture operations are based. In Punxsutawney is located the home office of one of the best known and most successful concerns engaged in this line of work. the Punxsutawney Drill- ing & Contracting Company, and the leading productive mines now in operation in this en- tire territory were located by this company. They are now working all through the coal belt of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland. They have many machines in operation and employ a large force of skilled men. Their office at Punxsutawney is in the new Weber building, at the corner of Ma- honing and Findley streets, and the company is always prepared to furnish machines and men to make any tests of coal lands, with a guaranty of perfect satisfaction in both work 31

and prices. The officers of this company are men of wide experience in their line, occupy secure place in the financial and industrial world, and are closely identified with the best interests of Punxsutawney and Jefferson county." In connection with its general opera- tions this representative company also main- tains near the railroad station in the East End of Punxsutawney a well equipped machine shop in which several skilled workmen are em- ployed and in which is turned out the best grade of machine work and repairing for the trade.

Alr. Olson has entered fully into the civic and business life of Jefferson county and is known as a liberal and progressive citizen. He has served as a member of the borough council of Lindsey, and was for a time the chief burgess. He was a pioneer in the dia- mond-drill business in this section of the State, and his success has been of the most substan- tial and commendable order. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

In the year 1879 Mr. Olson wedded Allette Amundsen, who was born in Norway on the 12th of July, 1857, and who was a young woman when she came to the United States. The family home is a fine modern residence at No. 313 West Mahoning street, known for its cordial hospitality. In conclusion is given brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Olson: Bertha is the wife of Dr. Clifton G. Hughes, who is a representative practitioner of dentistry in the city of Pitts- burgh, and they have three children, Clifton, Laura and Allette ; Albert, the only son, died in 1893, at the age of twelve years, three months, nine days ; Marie is the wife of Bur- ton Hampson, a mine superintendent, and they maintain their home at Punxsutawney, having one child, a son, Bernhard; Allette, the young- est of the children, remains at the parental home.

THOMAS S. NEEL, of Brookville, now retired, is a highly esteemed citizen of that borough, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and a typical representative of the name he bears, which has been associated with upright character and creditable citizenship in the sixty years and more the family has been established in Jefferson county. Born Aug. 8. 1845, at Mckeesport. Allegheny Co., Pa., he is a son of James Neel, who came to the county in 1853

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and was in his time one of the most prominent lumbermen in this section of Pennsylvania.

James Neel was born in 1817 in Mifflin town- ship. Allegheny county, and was reared on a farm. After arriving at manhood he engaged in the lumber and coal business at AlcKees- port, where he remained until his removal to Jefferson county in the year 1853. Here he bought the Iowa (now Erdice) lumber plant in Pinecreek township, from Clark & Darralı. and lumbered there for a period of seventeen years, at the end selling this property to Nich- olson & Means. Then, in partnership with Calvin Rogers and John Thompson, he bought the Beech Bottom lumber plant located on the Clarion river in Elk county, later selling his interest to Mr. Rogers. His next removal was to Monongahela City, where he established the firm of Neel, Foster, Blythe & Company, who operated a sawmill, boatyard and planing mill. Mr. Neel remained at Monongahela until his death, which occurred July 24. 1892. He is buried in Veralies cemetery at Mckeesport.

Thomas S. Neel was reared in the city of his birth, and had excellent educational advan- tages. But lie was little more than a schoolboy when, fired with patriotism, he offered his serv- ices to his country for the Civil war. Though not quite sixteen he was accepted, joining Com- pany K, 11th Regiment, Pennsylvania Re- serves. under Capt. E. R. Brady, and served almost three years, having enlisted July 18, 1861, and received his discharge June 13, 1864. His experience covered almost all the vicissi- tudes of war, the hardships of campaigning. injury and imprisonment, but he went through with it manfully, in all the operations in which his command took part. He was in several of the most important engagements, having fought at Gaines's Mill and Gettysburg, and in the latter was wounded and captured, being con- fined at Libby prison three months, until pa- roled and later exchanged.

Shortly after his return from the army Mr. Neel was married to Mary M. Fuller, of Sum- merville, daughter of Abel Fuller, a sawmill man of considerable reputation ; he built the first circular sawmill in West Virginia. His chief occupation was lumbering in all its phases-in Jefferson and Elk counties. Mrs. Neel was one of seven children. To her and her husband were born nine children, namely : Susan C. was the wife of Calvin Lyle and died young : Anna V., who was the wife of James Quick, died in 1909: Harry .A. is an employe at the glass works; James A. died in child- hood ; Thomas E. is in the employ of the state in New Mexico; Mamie died in childhood ;

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 97

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