USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Our country and its people. A historical and memorial record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. > Part 85
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Hon. J. P. Thomas .- To this gentleman is due that tribute of respect and admiration which is always given-and justly so-to those men who have worked their way upward to positions of prominence through their own efforts, who have achieved wealth through their own labors. and by their honorable. straightforward dealing commanded the esteem and confi- dence of those with whom they have been thrown in contact. He has also been prominent in advancing interests which have brought to him no personal gain, but have been of great material benefit to the city. He is public-spirited in an eminent degree. and has been an important factor in the history of Titusville and Crawford county.
A native of the Empire State. James P. Thomas was born in the town of Stafford. Genesee county, June 27. 1839. and spent his early boyhood days upon his father's farm, where he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He assisted in the cultivation of the fields through the summer months and in the winter season attended the district school of the neighborhood until fifteen years of age. when he entered a dry-goods store in Batavia. New York, where he was employed as clerk until the autumn of 1860. when he began the study of law in the office of Hon. George Brown. of that city.
This was the period of intense excitement over the slavery question. and the agitation at length precipitated the country into civil war. His patriotic spirit aroused. Mr. Thomas offered his services to his country, in
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August, 1861, and joined the "boys in blue" of Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment of New York Volunteers, at Le Roy, New York. Soon afterward the command was ordered to the front and participated in many hard-fought battles, which so decimated its ranks that in the spring of 1863, at Belle Plain, it was consolidated with the Ninety-fourth New York Infantry. In November, of that year, in recognition of his meritorious service, Mr. Thomas received promotion to the rank of second lieutenant, and in August, 1864, was made first lieutenant. He was in the thickest of the fight on many a hotly contested battlefield, and was wounded both at Antietam and Gettys- burg, and while at the battle of Weldon Railroad, near Petersburg, Virginia, on the 19th of August. 1864, he was taken prisoner. He was incarcerated in Libby Prison, also at Salisbury, North Carolina. and Danville, Virginia, but after suffering many hardships was paroled, February 22, 1865. When exchanged he returned to active service and remained at the front until hos- tilities were brought to an end and the stars and stripes were planted in the capital of the Confederacy.
For more than a third of a century Mr. Thomas has been a resident of Titusville, having come to this city at the close of the war. Here he turned his attention to the oil business and has since been connected with that en- terprise, through which he has realized a handsome fortune. For fifteen years he was also connected with the Roberts Torpedo Company, and ulti- mately retired from business life: but indolence and idleness form no part of his nature, and his energetic spirit could not content itself in inactivity, so that in 1885 he erected a very extensive plant for refining oil, equipped it with the latest improved machinery, and has since carried on operations in that line on a large scale. The International Oil Works, of Titusville, form one of the leading enterprises of the city, and not only bring excellent financial returns to the owner, but also promote the general prosperity by accelerating commercial activity. The development of the oil industry has been one of the greatest sources of wealth in this section of Pennsylvania and has revo- lutionized and controlled the oil trade of the country. Foreseeing its value as a marketable product, Mr. Thomas early became interested therein, and as the result of his sagacity, capable management. enterprise and sound judgment has won a most gratifying success.
In his political associations and views Mr. Thomas is a stanch Republi- can, and on that ticket was elected mayor of Titusville, February 19, 1884. For two years he held the office and discharged his duties so acceptably that he was re-elected for another term of two years, in 1886. His administra- tion was progressive and greatly benefited the city, being conducted in prac- tical business lines. Mr. Thomas is a broad-minded man. of benevolent spirit and kindly impulses, and his generosity to the poor and needy indicates his warm and sympathetic heart. He is quick to respond to any call for aid
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and to encourage those who are endeavoring to conquer an adverse fate. In all his business dealings he is scrupulously exact and fair. His success seems most marvelous, but has come to him as the result of foresight, executive ability and discrimination. The life of such a man is an object lesson of real value to the observing and thoughtful. It brings out prominently the char- acteristics that win. offers encouragement to young men who are willing to work with their minds and their hands, and affords another proof of the familiar adage that there is no royal road to wealth or distinction in this republic. The achievement depends upon the man.
William Lloyd Jamison of South Shenango township was born March 6, 1819, in Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His father. James Jamison, was born in the same township in 1775, and lived there until fifteen years before his death, at the age of seventy-seven years, when he moved to Venango county. William Jamison's grandfather, Robert, was a native of Ireland, and when very young came to America with his parents, set- tling on a grant of land in Westmoreland, and lived there until his death. The mother of William Lloyd Jamison was Elizabeth Lloyd, a native of Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, who lived to be sixty-five years old. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and had seven children, of whom William Jamison and two sisters are now living.
William Jamison lived on his father's farm until his twenty-first year, when he bought the farm in Venango county, and in 1865 bought the farm that has since been his home. His farm, of one hundred acres extent, is well improved, and is now operated by his son.
He married Miss Mary Ann ( Carrothers) of Venango county, who died September 16, 1897, leaving five children. Sarah E. is the wife of Thompson Marshall; Annie Jane is at home; and James A., John Lloyd and William Johnson are farmers in Crawford county.
Mr. Jamison, although a stanch Republican, has no political aspirations. He is an elder in the United Presbyterian church.
W'illiam Clark Brittain, physician and surgeon. Cochranton, a native of Beaver county, was born May 27, 1849, a son of Joseph and Belinda (Clark) Brittain of Chippewa township, Beaver county, where his early life was spent on a farm. Joseph Brittain was a son of Jeremiah Brittain, also a native of Pennsylvania, whose five children were as follows: Jeremiah R., born July 26, 1839; Lydia J., born March 7, 1844, and is the wife of William C. Cham- berlain of East Palestine, Ohio; William C .; Joseph I., born November 2, 1857, and lives at East Palestine, Ohio; and Elizabeth E., born April 25, 1853, is the wife of Newton Andre, at New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Brittain was educated in the public schools of his native town, in 1866
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entered the academy at Darlington, this state, and in 1870 began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. C. E. Martin of Greenville, Pennsylvania. Soon afterward attended the Eclectic Medical Institute for two regular terms at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating February 4, 1873. He began the practice of medicine in March of the same year in Orangeville, Trumbull county, Ohio. April II, 1876, he located in Cochranton, where he has since practiced, with unvarying success. February 13, 1873, he married Melissa, daughter of Thomas and Emily E. (Carringer ) Robinson. The latter died March 20, 1893. Their children were seven in number: Isabella, wife of Rev. J. R. Wallace, New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Mary A., wife of Milo Carringer, of Marion- ville, Pennsylvania; Melissa, wife of our subject; Milton, residing at Green- ville, this state; Jane, wife of F. W. McCoy, at Cleveland, Ohio; George L., at Chagrin Falls, that state; and J. Burton Robison of Jamestown, Pennsyl- vania. Dr. and Mrs. Brittain have two daughters: Belinda E., born Decem- ber 2, 1873, and is the wife of Frank E. Brown of Cochranton, and they have two children,-Arthur Edmon and Linnie Winsome; and Flora M., born July 31, 1877.
Mr. Brittain is a member of the United Presbyterian church, president of the board of trustees, inember and clerk of the sessions, and also president of the school board of the vi lage.
William Morris of Rome township is a son of James Morris, and was born in England and canie to Rome township in 1848, settling on the farm now owned by his son, Benjamin H. He was a machinist, and his wife, with the help of her eight children, did the work on the farm while he worked at his trade.
Benjamin Morris of Rome township is a son of Richard Morris, and ,vas born August 10, 1840. In 1866 he married Lucy A. Sedden, daughter of Eli and Jane (Harrison) Sedden, who died in 1869, leaving one child, Frederick WV. His second wife was Iphigenia Wheattall, daughter of Henry Wheattall. Mr. Morris has been a lumberman and farmer. He has had three children by his second wife,-Herbert R., Edna J., and Clyde N. Henry and Benjamin Wheattall, sons of John, were mariners, born in London, England, who came to Rome township about 1843, where Henry married Elizabeth, a daughter of Richard Harrison, the early settler. Henry Wheattall had seven children ( four now living), and his home was on the farm now owred by E. L. Hummer.
Dr. Levi S. Tyler of Pine township is a son of Solomon and Sally (Stead- man) Tyler, and was born in Stockton, Chautauqua county, New York, April 17, 1820. In 1836 his father moved to Conneaut township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. His education was obtained from the common schools and
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afterward at the Allegheny College. He read medicine, with Dr. E. P. Stead- man of Meadville for his instructor, for two years. Later he took a two-years course at the Eclectic College at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1845. In 1850 he located at Louisville, where he has since practiced.
John J. Houser, of Meadville, a son of John and Catharine (Kohler ) Houser, was born September 23. 1854. and educated at the public schools in Meadville, Westminster College and Edinboro Normal School. He followed teaching for seven years and kept grocery for thirteen years. He is now secre- tary and treasurer of the Parter Gum Company.
In 1884 he was united in marriage with Anna Johnson, and has one son, J. David, a member of the I. O. O. F., in which he has passed the chairs and been twice a delegate to the Grand Lodge.
John Houser, son of John, was born in Germany and came to America at the age of twelve years, when he learned the molder's trade. He married Catharine Kohler and they had twelve children. He lived at Cincinnati, Ohio, and for years worked at his trade. He came to Meadville and purchased a farm, where he died, in 1889, and his wife died in 1891.
Benjamin Kaster, Wayne township .- Samuel Kaster, father of the sub- ject of this sketch, came into Crawford from Mercer county about the year 1820, and taught school for a number of years in different parts of the county. and died in 1855 at the age of sixty-five years. His widow, nec Mary Mabam, died at the age of seventy-three. Their children are Maria, wife of Robert Heath: Isabella, wife of Henry Johnson; Sealey, William, Benjamin, and Robert.
Although a mere lad at the opening of the Rebellion. Benjamin enlisted in the Fifteenth United States Infantry in 1862, and served three years, receiv- ing wounds at the siege of Atlanta and the battle of Stoneboro. In 1865 he was discharged from the service as first sergeant of Company D, with the unusual distinction of being a three-years veteran before the completion of his eighteenth year. His oldest brother served in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Mr. Kaster then passed several years in the oil region, near Pithole, engaged in drilling wells. He then married Miss Emma E. Stevans, and settled upon his farm in Wayne township. They have three children .- John W .. Mae, and Lloyd B. Greatly interested in educational affairs, Mr. Kaster has served as school director twelve years.
William Davenport of Sparta township was born in Massachusetts, came to Rome township, Crawford county, in 1817, took up two hundred acres of land, built a log house and cleared up a farm. He was well educated and taught school during the winter for many seasons. He was prominent in town affairs,
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as he was the most competent to do business. He held many local offices. He and his wife, Clarissa ( Goodrich) Davenport, were members of the Presby- terian church, of which he was a deacon. He had nine children.
Asu N. Belknap of Beaver township was born July 1, 1829, at Austinburg, Ashtabula county, Ohio. Asa Belknap, his father, was a native of Dunnston, Vermont, where his youth was spent. His first independent venture as a farmer was at Austinburg, Ohio, where he lived until 1857 or '8. He then purchased the present homestead in Crawford county, upon which he lived until his death, at the age of eighty-two. In politics Mr. Belknap was a Demo- crat, and he demonstrated his patriotism by serving in the war of 1812. He was a member of the Baptist church. He married Miss Betsy Little of New York state, who lived to be about eighty years old.
After a youth spent on the farm at Austinburg, Asa N. Belknap started upon a venture that held many romantic and stirring possibilities, and the com- pletion of which indicates more than ordinary courage and perseverance. He desired to reach California, the then great mining Mecca of the west, and started out with a caravan, consisting of eleven men and five wagons, to cross the plains. They met with many adventures, their course taking in the cities of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati. St. Louis, St. "Joe." thence up the Platte river to Fort Kearney, and on to Fort Bridger, through Salt Lake City to California. As a miner Mr. Belknap was quite successful, remaining in the west for about ten years, after which he returned to Crawford county and pur- chased the farm that is now his home.
Mr. Belknap has had a varied military experience. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-third Regular Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving for two years under Generals Miles, McClellan, Porter and Daniel Butterfield.
Mr. Belknap married Miss Ann C. Gates of this county, and they have two children, living at home. He is an ardent Republican and has been active in local politics, holding the offices of supervisor, auditor and assessor for many years. He is a member of the Christian church.
The Belknap property consists of a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is well improved and thoroughly modern in all of its appliances.
A. M. Hunter, superintendent of the Titusville water-works, was born in Venango October 22, 1853, a son of R. P. and' Lucinda (Dunham) Hunter, early settlers of Allegheny, Pennsylvania. The former still survives, at the age of seventy-six years, and the latter died in 1895, at the age of sixty-six years. Mr. Hunter is of Scotch-Irish descent, and is the fifth child of a family of ten children. December 31, 1879, he was united in marriage with Anna Bateman of Titusville, and they have two children,-Lou and Howard.
For over twenty years Mr. Hunter was employed as foreman for the
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United States Pipe Line Company. In April, 1896, he was appointed super- intendent of the city water-works,-a position which he has filled with the utmost satisfaction and ability. Under his supervision the works have been rebuilt and put in first-class shape, giving the city of Titusville a better system than any of the adjacent towns. Since 1878 Mr. Hunter has also been en- gaged in oil-producing in various fields, with success,-which vocation he still pursues. He is a member of the Elks, I. O. O. F., Maccabees, and is a director of the Relief Association of the I. O. O. F.
I'. C. Harvey, farmer, of East Fairfield, was born October 27, 1848, on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He is a son of James and Sarah (Berry) Harvey, both natives of Crawford county. The former was born June 28. 1809, and died January 4, 1885, and the latter was born June 14, 1814, and died August 24, 1881. James was a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Thom- son ) Harvey, natives of Westmoreland county : the former was born in 1771. and died February 27, 1845, and the latter was born April 4. 1776, and died June 27, 1848. They reared three children : Mary, born March 23, 1803; Andrew, born February 16, 1805; and James, the father of subject of this sketch. Mr. Harvey is the youngest son of a family of four children, namely : John, deceased; Robert, deceased; Andrew; Elizabeth, deceased, formerly the wife of Levi Farringer; and W. C., the subject of this sketch.
November 27, 1873. Mr. Harvey married Julia, daughter of Philip and Julia Ann ( Peterman) Hart, of East Fairfield. Mrs. Harvey is the youngest of five children, as follows: Sarah Levina, William A., James, Rachel, and Julia. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey are the parents of three children,-John C., Loie E., and Andrew T. The homestead is situated in one of the most attractive locations in East Fairfield township, commanding a pleasing view of the French creek valley.
Il'. R. McGill of Harmonsburg, Pennsylvania, was born February 1, 1833, in Saegerstown, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. He was educated at the public schools and at the age of twenty was actively engaged in general farm- ing, stock-raising, driving and shipping horses and cattle to the eastern mar- kets. In 1875 he was elected deputy sheriff, which position he held for three years. when he was nominated by the Democratic party for the office of high sheriff, but was defeated at the election.
In 1879 he bought and settled upon a farm of four hundred and forty acres, situated in Summerhill township, where he now resides. Mr. McGill for the last twenty years has been extensively engaged in the lumber business. but has not in any way neglected the thorough cultivation and improvement of his magnificent homestead, the broad acres of which you will find heavily stocked with cattle and horses of the highest grade.
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In 1892 he was elected to the state legislature, which position he filled with honor to the end of the term. His ability is varied and many-sided and his keen business sense has enabled him to reach out and grasp opportunities that are not apparent to all. In no undertaking has he proven a failure, either financially or socially, and his life and thought are fashioned on broad and liberal principles.
His family, of eight boys and one daughter, are all living except one son, and few families are so intelligently lappy in their home relations and few children have so well appreciated and developed their respective talents.
It would be hard to find a man more keenly alive to the best interests of the community in which he lives, or more deserving of the profound respect which he enjoys, than is the Hon. W. R. McGill.
John Benedict, deceased, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1809. At the age of six years, both parents having died, he was bound out to an uncle and learned the blacksmith's trade. From boyhood he displayed remarkable strength of character and integrity, which prepared him for life's battle. Together with his trade he operated several mills and a large general store in Allegany county, New York, for about fifteen years prior to moving to Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1868, where he engaged in the grocery busi- ness. He died November 11, 1888, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Benedict's parents, Thomas and Sabre (Brown) Benedict, were natives of eastern Pennsylvania, and resided in Pittston. He was married September 25, 1830, to Saralı, daughter of James and Catherine (Wagner) Stark. Mrs. Benedict, a resident of Meadville, was the eldest of a family of fourteen chil- (Iren who lived to maturity, and still survives at the age of eighty-four. There were five children by this union : Jame's Stark, deceased; Catherine, widow of Frank French; Mary J., widow of Henry R. Johnson; Sarah, of Meadville; and Anna, wife of DeForest Davie, of Salamanca, New York.
Rev. Robert Murray, son of David and Sara (Creer) Murray, of Scotch parentage, was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancaster county, England, April 7, 1848, and educated in the public schools and Hackney College, London, where he was graduated in 1874 and admitted to the university. His first charge was the Congregational church at Towle Mere, England, where he was pastor four years. He then moved to Sheffield, Yorkshire county, and for five years was pastor of the Howard Street Congregational church, and for the next three and a half years was pastor of the Congregational church at Weston-super-Mare in Somersetshire. Here, his health failing, he resigned. and in September, 1886, came to America to visit relatives, and he has since made Titusville his home. For nearly twelve years he has ministered to the Kerr Hill Presbyterian church, three miles southwest of Titusville. For twelve
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years he has been in the business office of the Cyclops Steel Works at Titus- ville.
For several years during the winter months he has instructed in religious culture a class composed of men only. Hitherto the meetings of the class have been held in the Presbyterian chapel, but they are now conducted at the Opera House. The work is unsectarian and non-denominational. This is perhaps the only class of the kind in existence. The average attendance has been from two hundred and fifty to three hundred, but this year, at the Opera House. it is much larger. The institution is known as Robert Murray's Class.
September 22, 1874, Mr. Murray was married to Sara ( Hargill) Burgess. who has borne him two children : Mabel H., born July 30. 1876, and Edith H., born July 18, 1884. Mabel is taking a three-years course in the school for nurses connected with the Homeopathic Hospital at Rochester, New York; and Edith is a student of the Titusville high school.
Rev. Joseph M. Nau is the son of Martin and Margaret (Teusch) Nau. He was born December 25, 1858. at Trier, Germany, a Rhine province, where he was educated in the parochial school, gymnasium and college, for his phi- losophy. He then, for three years, studied theology in Louvain, in the Amer- ican College in Belgium, and on June 28, 1885, he was ordained priest. O11 September 18, 1885, he arrived in New York, and soon afterward became priest of St. Walburga's church at Titusville, Pennsylvania, and has been its priest until the present time. His charge embraces a membership of about eighty families. He has in connection with the church a parochial school for the benefit of the children of the members of the church. He has officiated tem- porarily in other parishes, but his regular work is in the Titusville church, with his residence on the grounds. His father is still in Germany; but his mother died December 15, 1897.
Joseph J. McCrum, son of Robert and Sarah (McCaslin) McCrum, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in Allegheny township, Venango county, Penn- sylvania, September 4, 1838. Until the age of sixteen Joseph attended the common schools and worked on his father's farm. At that age he went to Jamestown, New York, and learned the harnessmakers' trade of Silas Shear- Inan & Son. In 1862 he came to Titusville and engaged in the harness-making business on his own account, and until 1892, with few intermissions, he fol- lowed that employment. From 1892 for two years he was in the oil business. In 1894 he was appointed postmaster of Titusville, entering upon the duties of the office on the Ist of September that year. From 1865 to 1882 Mr. McCrum was continuously a member of the city government, and for four years of that time he was president of the council. From 1891 to 1894 he was a member
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of the school board. From 1876 for two years he was deputy sheriff of the county. He was also a member of the state legislature in 1883-4.
In 1865 he became a member of the Oil Creek Lodge, No. 303, of Free- masons. He is also a member of Aaron Chapter, No. 207, R. A. M .; the Occi- dent Council, No. 41, R. & S. M. ; and of the Rose Croix Commandery, K. T .. No. 48; and he has hield the highest offices in all these orders and passed all the chairs. He was secretary of the Oil Creek blue lodge for four years. On February 21, 1860, he was married to Miss Isabel Beck, daughter of James and Margaret Beck, of Scotch parentage. They have two children,-Charles Fred- erick and Daisy Isabel. Mr. McCrum's father died when he was an infant. His ancestors were very early settlers in Venango county, and it is supposed that his paternal ancestors were from the Isle of Man; it is certain that his mother's ancestors came from that island.
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