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engaged in the manufacture of wagons until 1896, when he became associated with D. C. Oyster, under the firm name of D. B. Hamilton & Co., which partnership was continued until January 1, 1889, when the company was changed to a corporation, under the name of the Hamilton Wagon Company (limited), the stockholders being D. C. Oyster, W. H. Osterhout and D. B. Hamilton, with D. C. Oyster, president, and D. B. Hamilton, secretary and treasurer. The Hamilton Wagon Company are on a sound financial footing, and give employment to twenty-five or thirty men. Their wagons have a reputation for durability, and the demand is greater than the supply. They take special pains in the selection of the wood used in their manufacture, and their wagons find a ready sale in the home market. Mr. Hamilton gives his entire time to the management of his business, and although interested in the welfare of the city, has no time to devote to the cares of public office. He casts his suffrage with the Republican party. Mr. Hamilton married Miss Flora E. McCrea, and they have one daughter. They are members of the Congregational Church.

W. C. HEALY, Ridgway, was born at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., in 1824, a son of Freeborn and Polly (Chandler) Healy. His father was a native of Wyoming county, N. Y., where he was married, and in 1819 moved to Michigan, where he died August 29, 1825. The mother died in January, 1839. W. C. Healy was reared in Michigan, and educated at the common schools. After the death of his mother he came to Pennsylvania, and in 1848 located at Ridg way, in Elk county, where, for three years, he was employed in a mercantile house, and then, for eight years, was engaged in lumbering, and later was in the mercantile business. In 1856 he was elected sheriff of Elk county, and served one term, and for a number of years has served as justice of the peace. He is one of the prominent citizens of the county, a Democrat in politics, and takes an active interest in local affairs. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Elk Lodge, No. 379, Elk Chapter, No. 230, and Knapp Commandery, No. 40. Mr. Healy married, New Year's Eve, 1853, Martha A., daughter of Caleb Dill, a pioneer of Elk county, and they have two children: Mattie E. and Claude H. They are members of the Episcopal Church.

W. S. HORTON, son of Isaac and Sarah (Sherwood) Horton, was born in Horton township, Elk Co., Penn., in 1853. His grandfather, Isaac Horton, came from the Eastern States in a very early day, and located in what is now Horton township, where he engaged in farming and dealing in lumber, clearing his farm of timber. He subsequently moved to Ridgway, where he died. His children were: Lovisa, wife of Col. Wilcox; Minerva, wife of J. W. Taylor; Charles, who was one of the first prothonotaries of the county; Isaac; Alvira; Hezekiah; Amanda, wife of Jerome Powell, and Matilda, wife of Col. Fred Schoening. Minerva, Alvira, Hezekiah and Matilda are the only ones living. Isaac was born at Brandy Camp, Horton township, and passed his life in Elk county, engaged in farming and lumbering. He was elected treasurer of the county, and moved to Ridgway, but died near Erie. He married Sarah Sherwood, who now lives at North East, Erie county. They had eight children: Loren C.; Emma, wife of John Collins; Helen, wife of Alfred Short; W. S.; Lucy; Milton C., a banker of Missouri; Ida, wife of Lester Chase, of Buffalo, and Walter. W. S. Horton was reared in Elk county, completing his education at Williamsport, and then engaged in the lumber business until twenty-two years of age, when he was appointed clerk in the prothonotary's office, filling that position from 1878 till 1884. In the meantime, from 1880 to 1883, he served also as deputy sheriff of the county, and in 1884 was elected prothonotary, and was re-elected in 1887. He is an active worker in the Dem

of that party, and has just ended his term as burgess of the borough of Ridgway.

J. H. HAGERTY, merchant, Ridgway, was born in Hollidaysburg, Penn., January 20, 1838, the second son born to James G. and Hannah (Mohney) Hagerty, natives of Pennsylvania. He received a business education in the district schools of Blair county, Penn., and lived at home until he was thirteen years of age, when he was employed as clerk in a general store in Mount Pleasant, Penn., remaining until he was nineteen, when he came to Ridgway, and engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Hagerty was married, July 16, 1866, to Miss A. E., daughter of David and Sarah (Stewart) Thayer, natives of New York State, who were among the early settlers of Ridgway, and built the Thayer House. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty are the parents of two children: May (deceased) and Rena, at home. In 1867 Mr. Hagerty opened a general store in Ridgway, and in 1869 was appointed postmaster, serving until 1887. In 1884 he started a shoe-store, in which business he still continues. He has held various borough offices, and is one of the leading business men of Ridgway. He is a member of Elk Lodge, No. 379, F. & A. M., also a member of No. 1644, K. of H., Ridgway, Penn. Mr. Hagerty is a thorough Republican and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention that met in Chicago in 1888, and nominated the Harrison and Morton ticket. In June, 1889, Mr. Hagerty was reappointed postmaster of Ridgway, and is now doing active duty in his old position.

W. S. HAMBLEN, attorney at law, Ridgway, was born in Standish, Cumberland Co., Me., February 15, 1839, a son of I. and Lydia A. Hamblen. In November, 1840, the parents moved to Lovell, Oxford county, where our subject resided until August, 1850. He was educated in the common schools of Lovell, and the academies at Fryeburgh and Waterville, Me., graduating from the latter school in 1859. He was a hard student, and his close attention to his studies so undermined his health that he was obliged to give up a college course, and leaving school, he entered the employ of a lumber company, in Cambria county, Penn., as manager, remaining with them from 1859 to 1865. In 1865 he removed to Elk county, and engaged successfully in the manufacture of shooks, which he shipped in large lots to Philadelphia, from where they were exported to Cuba, and returned to the United States filled with sugar and molasses. The insurrection in Cuba led to the relinquishment of this business by him in 1872. As he was located a long distance from an attorney, it became necessary for him to understand the law of contracts, etc., and this led him to read Blackstone, Kent, Greenleaf, and all necessary text books on contracts, bills and notes. This he did for his own benefit, but on locating at Ridgway, in 1870, was advised to enter the profession, and in 1874 was registered as a law student, and in 1876 was admitted to the bar, from which time he has been a thorough, reliable and responsible lawyer. He was instrumental in organizing the Elk county Republican committee in 1867, and was its chairman until 1872, when he refused to act in that capacity, as he was identified that year with the Greeley movement. He has been prominent in politics as a reformer, and has given his support to many enterprises of public benefit. Mr. Hamblen married Miss Annette D., daughter of Martin P. and Hannah Ayers, of Conneaut, Ohio. They have one son, named Lynne Ayers Hamblen, and also had a son and daughter who died in infancy.

D. B. HAMILTON, wagon manufacturer, Ridgway, is a native of Mercer county, Penn., born February 22, 1847. He was reared on a farm, and in his youth learned the wagon-maker's trade. He was employed at the Conklin Wagon Factory, at Olean, N. Y., until 1883, when he moved to Ridgway, and

engaged in the manufacture of wagons until 1886, when he became associated with D. C. Oyster, under the firm name of D. B. Hamilton & Co., which partnership was continued until January 1, 1889, when the company was changed to a corporation, under the name of the Hamilton Wagon Company (limited), the stockholders being D. C. Oyster, W. H. Osterhout and D. B. Hamilton, with D. C. Oyster, president, and D. B. Hamilton, secretary and treasurer. The Hamilton Wagon Company are on a sound financial footing, and give employment to twenty-five or thirty men. Their wagons have a reputation for durability, and the demand is greater than the supply. They take special pains in the selection of the wood used in their manufacture, and their wagons find a ready sale in the home market. Mr. Hamilton gives his entire time to the management of his business, and although interested in the welfare of the city, has no time to devote to the cares of public office. He casts his suffrage with the Republican party. Mr. Hamilton married Miss Flora E. McCrea, and they have one daughter. They are members of the Congregational Church.

W. C. HEALY, Ridgway, was born at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., in 1824, a son of Freeborn and Polly (Chandler) Healy. His father was a native of Wyoming county, N. Y., where he was married, and in 1819 moved to Michigan, where he died August 29, 1825. The mother died in January, 1839. W. C. Healy was reared in Michigan, and educated at the common schools. After the death of his mother he came to Pennsylvania, and in 1848 located at Ridgway, in Elk county, where, for three years, he was employed in a mercantile house, and then, for eight years, was engaged in lumbering, and later was in the mercantile business. In 1856 he was elected sheriff of Elk county, and served one term, and for a number of years has served as justice of the peace. He is one of the prominent citizens of the county, a Democrat in politics, and takes an active interest in local affairs. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Elk Lodge, No. 379, Elk Chapter, No. 230, and Knapp Commandery, No. 40. Mr. Healy married, New Year's Eve, 1853, Martha A., daughter of Caleb Dill, a pioneer of Elk county, and they have two children: Mattie E. and Claude H. They are members of the Episcopal Church.

W. S. HORTON, son of Isaac and Sarah (Sherwood) Horton, was born in Horton township, Elk Co., Penn., in 1853. His grandfather, Isaac Horton, came from the Eastern States in a very early day, and located in what is now Horton township, where he engaged in farming and dealing in lumber, clearing his farm of timber. He subsequently moved to Ridgway, where he died. His children were: Lovisa, wife of Col. Wilcox; Minerva, wife of J. W. Taylor; Charles, who was one of the first prothonotaries of the county; Isaac; Alvira; Hezekiah; Amanda, wife of Jerome Powell, and Matilda, wife of Col. Fred Schoening. Minerva, Alvira, Hezekiah and Matilda are the only ones living. Isaac was born at Brandy Camp, Horton township, and passed his life in Elk county, engaged in farming and lumbering. He was elected treasurer of the county, and moved to Ridgway, but died near Erie. He married Sarah Sherwood, who now lives at North East, Erie county. They had eight children: Loren C.; Emma, wife of John Collins; Helen, wife of Alfred Short; W. S.; Lucy; Milton C., a banker of Missouri; Ida, wife of Lester Chase, of Buffalo, and Walter. W. S. Horton was reared in Elk county, completing his education at Williamsport, and then engaged in the lumber business until twenty-two years of age, when he was appointed clerk in the prothonotary's office, filling that position from 1878 till 1884. In the meantime, from 1880 to 1883, he served also as deputy sheriff of the county, and in 1884 was elected prothonotary, and was re-elected in 1887. He is an active worker in the Dem

ocratic party, and is also active in all public affairs. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Elk Lodge; No 379, Ridgway Chapter, No. 230, and Knapp Commandery, No. 40. Mr. Horton married Ella Bennett in September, 1878, and they have three children: Isaac, aged eight; Ralph W., aged six, and Clara, aged four.

JACOB V. HOUK (deceased). Fourteen years ago, on January 26, 1876, there passed to his heavenly rest, after enduring excruciating sufferings, which he bore with characteristic Christian resignation, the universally respected citizen whose name heads this biographical memoir. The career of the deceased in his lifetime was one remarkable for its struggles and triumphs--a career adorned and made conspicuous by his liberality, public-spiritedness and zeal in the cause of right, though his earthly pilgrimage was one of trial, tumult and suffering. Mr. Houk was born, October 18, 1822, at Slippery Rock, Butler Co., Penn., in the vicinity in which he continued to reside until his twenty-fourth year, engaged in farming and such other labor as offered to him the best inducements. He then removed to New Brighton, Beaver county, where he followed lumbering for about a year and a half, after which he went to Tidioute, Warren Co., Penn., and here also worked at similar business for about a year, when he found his way to Beech Bottom, Elk county, where he took a contract to run round timber for the Blake company. After a time he went to Lawrence county, and once more went to farming for about a year, at which time he again sought the wilds of Elk county. At Beech Bottom he found employment as an efficient all-around man, both in the woods and in the mill, with Cobb & Rulofson, and then, in a year or two, moved to Bear creek, where he built and operated a railroad for moving lumber from the places of skidding to the streams. While thus employed he became united in marriage, July 2, 1857, with Miss Jeannette C. Gillis, daughter of Judge James L. Gillis, one of the foremost pioneers of Elk county. To this union was born, September 9, 1859, one son, James L. Gillis Houk, who died June 30, 1863. Mr. Houk, after marriage, took up his residence in Ridgway, and in connection with Judge James L. and Charles Gillis, built a section of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. This accomplished, he then formed a copartnership with J. S. Hyde in a lumbering business, at Mead Run, under the firm name of Hyde & Houk, but at the expiration of a year and a half he disposed of his interest in the Mead Run property to William Reed, and in conjunction with Charles McVeah purchased the mercantile business in Ridgway of Coyne & Burroughs, the title of the firm being Houk & McVeah. Subsequently Mr. Houk bought out his partner's interest in the concern, and continued the business in his own right for a period of years, when the store passed into the hands of R. S. & C. V. Gillis. Mr. Houk's next venture was in the flour and feed business, in copartnership with J. S. Hyde and J. K. Whitmore, the firm being known as Hyde, Houk & Whitmore, from which, several years later, he withdrew, repurchasing the store from C. V. Gillis, which remained in his possession until his death. In the meantime he was engaged in other enterprises, most prominent of which was the planing-mill of J. V. Houk & Co. A man of large and vigorous frame, Mr. Houk was almost a giant in strength and endurance, and up to about four years prior to his decease was comparatively free from the many ills that flesh is heir to. Having been appointed receiver for L. F. & H. M. Powers, who had been lumbering at Belmont mill, on Spring creek, he entered upon the discharge of his duties with the vigor and earnestness which characterized his whole life, and in so doing exposed himself to many hardships. On one occasion, while running logs, he was struck by a handspike and knocked into the stream. He then, without changing his clothes, walked to Ridgway, a distance of twenty miles, through

mud and slush. Through this he took a heavy cold, and from that time on he never enjoyed a single day of perfect health. In 1871 Mr. Houk was chosen one of the associate judges of the county, and often during the period of his illness was he found upon the bench, intent on the conscientious discharge of his duties, when he should have been in his room seeking to repair his shattered health. As a man, Mr. Houk was brave, true and honest, realizing that "an honest man is the noblest work of God," and so lived as to be entitled to that exalted position among men. As a friend he was ever true, often discommoding himself to relieve the necessities of those around him, and as a husband he was uniformly kind and devoted.

C. L. KELLOGG, dentist, Ridgway, was born in Canada, September 24, 1843, the third son in a family of nine children, born to Ira and Rebecca (Vinton) Kellogg, natives of New York State. His father was a dentist, and under his tutorship Mr. Kellogg became proficient in his chosen profession. In 1882 he came to Ridgway, where he has established a lucrative practice, and is one of the popular business men in the town. Mr. Kellogg married, September 24, 1874, Miss Ada T. Kellogg, of Canada, and they are the parents of two children: Etta M. and Nina E.

JOHN R. KIME, clerk, Ridgway, was born in Mifflin county, Penn., August 12, 1836, the eldest son in a family of six children born to G. W. and Ellen (Logan) Kime, natives of Pennsylvania. When he was nineteen years of age he went west, where he remained five years. September 22, 1861, he enlisted in the service of his country, and was assigned to Company I, Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving three months; then reenlisted, this time in Company K, Forty-ninth Regiment, and was commissioned first lieutenant, serving three years. Mr. Kime married, September 22, 1861 (the day of his enlistment), Miss L. J. Hesser, a daughter of John and Sally (Ross) Hesser, of McVeytown, Penn., and they have been blessed with five children: Clyde (deputy recorder), H. M. (merchant at Ridgway), Bruce (book-keeper for Hyde, Murphy & Co.), Daisy and Ed (clerk for Osterhout & Campbell). In 1871 Mr. Kime came to Ridgway, and engaged as clerk for Powell & Kime, with whom he worked for seven years, and since 1878, has been in the employ of W. H. Hyde & Co. In 1885 he was elected chief burgess of Ridgway, and served one year. In 1887 he was elected associate judge of Elk county. He is highly respected by his fellow citizens, and is one of the leading men in the township.

R. V. KIME, clerk, Ridgway, is a son of G. W. and Ellen (Logan) Kime, natives of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of six children, R. V. being the second son. He was born in McVeytown, Penn., September 29, 1839, and was reared and educated in his native town. When thirteen years of age, he commenced clerking in a store in McVeytown; in 1859 he moved to Elk county, and in 1863 came to Ridgway, and in company with J. Powell, opened a mercantile business; this partnership existed until 1887, when they dissolved, Mr. Kime acting as clerk for his former partner. Mr. Kime married, October 5, 1861, Miss Olive A. Horton, of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and they have four children: George C., Ellen L., Maud B. and Claude V. Mr. Kime has been prominently identified with the interests of the township, and has held various borough offices.

M. S. KLINE, cashier of the Elk County Bank, Ridgway, is a native of Clarion county, Penn., born in 1853. He is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Wiant) Kline. Aaron Kline is a native of Northampton county, Penn., but is now a resident of Clarion county, and was county commissioner there several years ago. Mrs. Elizabeth (Wiant) Kline's parents were natives of Bucks

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