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as he was put to work in the woods at twelve years of age, to assist in clearing the homestead. He has followed the occupation of a farmer, lumberman and gunsmith. He married, in 1844, Miss Margaret, daughter of David Taylor, of York county, Penn., and two children were born to this union: Gilbert, born in October, 1847, a merchant and farmer of Jefferson county, and Wilhelmina, born July 26, 1849. Mr. Brockway is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Church of the Messiah. N. M. Brockway, brother of the subject of this sketch, served as captain of a company in a three-months regiment, in 1863, at the time of Lee's invasion.

CHARLES A. BROWN, farmer, and superintendent for W. H. Hyde, P. O. Brandy Camp, was born in Elk county, Penn., October 8, 1851, a son of Andrew J. and Harriet (Coleman) Brown. Mr. Brown attended the township schools, and has always followed farming, owning a fine farm in Fox township. November 1, 1888, he came to his present location, where he superintends the farm and hotel for W. H. Hyde. June 3, 1873, he married Miss Georgia, daughter of Robert McIntosh, of Horton township, and they have two children: Chester S. and Edna A. Mr. Brown is identified with the Republican party.

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C. L. CHAMBERLIN, of the firm of Horton & Chamberlin, Brockport, was born June 28, 1854, received the advantages of a good academic education, and has followed book-keeping as a profession, having kept the books of W. H. Horton for many years. In 1884 he established a grocery business at Brockport, under the firm name of Nulf & Chamberlin, which continued four years. present Mr. Chamberlin and Daniel Nulf are conducting a pool-room, restaurant and barber shop. In April, 1889, he became a member of the firm of Horton & Chamberlin, by purchase of the interest of W. H. Horton in the old firm. In 1883 Mr. Chamberlin was united in marriage with Miss Agnes, daughter of William Cheatle, of Horton township, and they have two children: Claude and Donald. Mr. Chamberlin is a Republican, and has served as auditor, school director, etc., and also served for several years as town treasurer and treasurer of the school board. Mr. Chamberlin has two brothers: Celo W., of Punxsutawney, and William E., of Horton City. W. H. Horton, A. S. Horton (whose sketches appear elsewhere) and Mr. Chamberlin, are cousins. He is a member of Ridgway Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

GEORGE W. CLINTON, farmer, P. O. Brockport, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., April 4, 1833, a son of Henry D. and Mary (Groves) Clinton, natives of Vermont and Steuben county, N. Y., respectively. In 1840 they moved to Potter county, Penn., and in 1843 to Elk county; they next purchased a farm in Huston township, Clearfield county, and finally located in Jefferson county, where the father died in 1872. The mother still survives, and makes her home with her son, George W. They reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz.: George W., Joseph (of Jefferson county), Eliza (wife of D. H. Trude, DuBois, Penn.), Charles, William and Jeremiah (all of DuBois) and Henry A. George W. Clinton is the eldest child. He received an ordinary education, and has since followed farming, land surveying, etc., settling in Horton township in 1859. He is identified with the Republican party, and in 1882 was elected county surveyor, serving one term. He served ten years as justice of the peace of Horton township, and was ten years secretary of the school board. He is a member of Cicero Lodge, No. 897, F. & A. M., of Brockwayville, Penn.

JOHN CUNEO, merchant, Brockport, is a native of sunny Italy, born in 1842. Coming to America in 1854, he located at Kersey, Elk Co., Penn.,

where he engaged as a laborer until 1874, when he moved to Brockport, same county, and in 1875 established here his present general store, which he has since conducted. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with them one year. He was then transferred to the Seventh Massachusetts Battery, and was honorably discharged at Chapin Farm, Va., in 1864. He married, in 1872, Miss Mary Catherine Fopeano, a lady of American birth and Italian descent, and they have eight children: Cecelia, Allie A., Phineas, Lucius, Thomas, Alena, Jennie and Ward. Mr. Cuneo is a Republican, and has served as postmaster of Brockport eleven years; at the present time he is one of the auditors of Horton township. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

HEZEKIAH HORTON, farmer, P. O. Brockport, was born at what is now Brandy Camp, Horton township, Elk Co., Penn., March 1, 1824, a son of Isaac and Lucy (Warner) Horton, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Connecticut. Isaac and Lucy Horton were married in the State of New York, and in 1818 came to what is now Elk county, Penn., where they entered a tract of land on which Brandy Camp now stands, being among the very early pioneers of this region. Isaac Horton was instrumental in organizing Elk county, and Horton township was named in his honor. He was active in Democratic circles, and served as associate judge of the county five years. In the war of 1812 he was drafted, but sent a substitute. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Horton were as follows: Minerva (wife of Joseph Taylor, of Ridgway, Penn.), Almira (of Bradford, Penn.), Matilda (wife of Frederick Shoening, also of Ridgway) and Hezekiah. The subject of this biographical record was reared in Horton township, receiving his education at the common schools, and has made lumbering and farming the chief vocations of his life. In 1850 he married Miss Hettie, daughter of Daniel Oyster, of Horton township, and to this union have been born four children: Warren H. and Alonzo S. (of Brockport, Penn.), Ella A. and Minnie L. (at home). Mr. Horton, in politics, is a Democrat, and has filled various township offices. and his family are members of the Universalist Church. D. C. Oyster, of Ridgway, Penn., is a brother of Mrs. Horton.

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WARREN H. HORTON, Brockport. As a fair example of what a solid early training, a sound physical constitution, clear perceptions, mature judgment, an iron will and indomitable perseverance will produce, the subject of this sketch stands in the front rank in his county. Warren H. Horton was born October 23, 1851, at Brandy Camp, Horton township, Elk Co., Penn., eldest son of Hezekiah and Hettie (Oyster) Horton, the former a native of Horton township, and the latter of Northumberland county, Penn. boyhood days of Mr. Horton were spent on the farm, his school advantages being no better than a fair average. The chief institution of learning which he attended was the Hellen School, which, added to a course at Harrisburg Academy, makes up his educational experience. About the time. he arrived at maturity he began lumbering with his father, rafting and running lumber on the creek, in the neighborhood of which they had contracts. In this way he spent winter and spring, while summer and fall found him employed by Clark Wilcox, of the firm of Short & Wilcox, in the woods on Bear run, which lumber operations he subsequently came to conduct as manager and owner, instead of working as a day hand. In 1874 Clark Wilcox died, and Mr. Short was left without an active manager. At that time Mr. Horton was twenty-three years old, but such was his shrewdness, sound judgment and acumen in business affairs, that Alfred Short could not fail to recognize in him a safe and capable man to manage a business concern of con

siderable magnitude. Accordingly, in 1876, a proposition was made to Mr. Horton to become a partner with Mr. Short, which he accepted, and while he had but little cash capital to bring into the concern, he was possessed of keen sense and indisputable capacity, and under his sagacious control the business of the new firm of Short & Horton could not fail to prosper, and did prosper. In 1881 a consolidation with D. C. Oyster enlarged the responsibil ities of the young man by adding the Keystone property, and Mr. Horton remained, as before, the head and manager of the entire business. In 1883 the property was sold to Gillingham, Garrison & Co., and this placing some leisure time on Mr. Horton's hands, he concluded to enter the arena of politics, which resulted in his being elected to the legislature from Elk county. In 1885 he bought an interest in the Ridgway Lumber Company, operating in the Black Hills above Ridgway, in Elk county, and at Kinzua, in McKean county. Some time later the company purchased the timber on the 6,000 acres of the Shawmut lands, and at once made preparations for operations on a gigantic scale. A saw-mill was built at the Mead Run School-house, since called Horton City, and a contract awarded to Mr. Horton to peel the bark and manufacture the lumber. The time being limited in which to get the timber off this large area of territory, it became necessary to do a large yearly business, and preparations were accordingly made for a cut of 15,000,000 feet first season. This was so satisfactorily accomplished that in the summer of 1887 everything moved on a still larger scale. In the summer of 1887 Mr. Horton sold out his interest in the Ridgway Lumber Company, retaining, however, his contracts for manufacturing and peeling. He is also interested in timber lands in Missouri and in some mining property in Arkansas. 1879 the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Clara Ferman, by whom he has two children: Ernest Clark and Heck. Mr. Horton is a member of Cicero Lodge, No. 897, I. O. O. F., of Brockwayville, and in politics he is a Democrat.

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ALONZO S. HORTON, of the firm of Horton & Chamberlin, merchants, Brockport, was born in Horton township, Elk Co., Penn., March 2, 1856, a son of Hezekiah and Hettie (Oyster) Horton, the former a native of Horton township, Elk county, and the latter of Northumberland county, Penn. Alonzo S. Horton received a common-school education, and first began work as a log scaler in the lumber woods in the year 1876, which vocation he followed six years. For two years he was engaged in the butcher's trade, then in July, 1885, in company with his brother, W. H. Horton, commenced his present mercantile business. This partnership existed until April 15, 1889, when C. L. Chamberlin purchased the interest of W. H. Horton, the firm name now being Horton & Chamberlin. Mr. Horton married, December 7, 1881, Miss Eleanora, daughter of Uriah W. and Sarah M. (Taylor) Rogers, of Fox township, Elk Co., Penn., and they have had three children, viz.: Rena V. (deceased), Edgar A., and Jay W. (deceased). Uriah W. Rogers was a son of Uriah and Hannah (Rogers) Rogers, natives of Fox township, Elk county, and Mrs. Sarah M. (Taylor) Rogers was a daughter of Joseph W. and Margaret (Reesman) Taylor, also natives of Fox township. Mr. Horton is a Democrat in politics, has held the offices of township clerk for seven years, and has been auditor of the township.

H. D. PARSON, farmer, P. O. Brockport, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, January 6, 1836. His father, Loran Parson, was a native of Massachusetts, where he married Miss Harriet Hovey, and they afterward moved to Ohio, where the father died about 1860, and the mother in 1873. They reared eleven children, eight of whom are living: Orrin (in Geauga county, Ohio),

Alvin (in Venango county, Penn.), Horatio (in Chautauqua county, N. Y.), Van L. (in Steuben county, N. Y.), Adam (in Cleveland, Ohio), H. D., Mortimer (in Cleveland, Ohio) and Oliver (in Warren, Penn.). H. D. Parson was reared in Geauga county, and received his education at the public schools. In 1869 he came to Elk county, and has since been engaged in farming in Horton township. He served, during the Civil war, with the ninety-days men. December 25, 1864, he married Miss Emma, daughter of Amos Fox, of Horton township, and she died April 9, 1877, leaving three children: Loran, Annie and Lillie. In 1879 Mr. Parson married Miss Maggie Holemyer, of Centreville, and they have two children: Emma and Louisa. In politics Mr. Parson is independent.

RICHARD TORPIN, JR., firm of Gillingham, Garrison & Co., lumber manufacturers, Brockport, was born in Warrington, Bucks Co., Penn., March 8, 1836, and was educated at the common schools of Montgomery county, and by his own study at home. His parents, Richard and Ann Jane (Crowley) Torpin, were natives of Yorkshire, England, and of Chester county, Penn., respectively. His father came to America in 1829 and engaged in farming in Bucks county, and in 1856 moved his family to Rock Island county, Ill. In 1857 Richard, Jr., went from there to California to take charge of a ranch for his brother-in-law, where he remained four years. He met with business reverses, and in 1861 went to Sacramento and obtained work as a day laborer for the Sacramento Valley Railroad. He then went into the freight department, and through strict attention to business, embracing every opportunity to win the good will of his employers, he was rapidly promoted. The flood of 1861 washed out the railroad, and while many men refused to work to rebuild the road, Mr. Torpin went out upon the line to receive freight transported by boats and teams until the road was rebuilt to Sacramento. In 1862 he was made train-master, and located at Auburn Station. In 1863 he was made conductor, and while in this position had the misfortune to break his ankle, which disabled him for several months. As soon as able to be on duty again, he was appointed passenger and assistant freight agent, and afterward appointed general passenger and freight agent, in which capacity he served until the fall of 1865, when he came to Philadelphia and was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Elizabeth, daughter of William R. and Elizabeth Cash, by whom he has had four children. Not having any particular business, he took a course of study at the Crittenden Commercial College, from which he was graduated March 1, 1866. He then secured a position as book-keeper with the lumber firm of Taylor & Betts, with whom he remained until September, 1869, when he was offered a similar position with his present firm, with the understanding that he should be made a member, and has been a partner since 1876. They purchased property in Elk county in 1883, and after trying to leave their business to superintendents, Mr. Torpin found it necessary to move to Brockport, and has since resided there. He is treasurer of the firm and general manager of the Elk county department. In January, 1881, he was elected a director in the Kensington National Bank, of Philadelphia, and held that position until he resigned, in 1888. He is also a vestryman of Advent Protestant Episcopal Church of Philadelphia. Mr. Torpin's first wife died April 21, 1877, and he then married Miss Maria Louisa, daughter of Lewis R. Willard, of Montgomery county, Penn. The children by the first wife are Caroline Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan D. Barnsley, of Olney, Md.; Richard (third), of Philadelphia; Ellen Cash and Victorine Power. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M., of Sacramento, Cal., and at the present time is president of the school board of Horton township. Politically he is a Republican.

CHAPTER XX.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-BENEZETTE TOWNSHIP—
JAY TOWNSHIP.

BENEZETTE TOWNSHIP.

JOHN BARR, farmer, P. O. Benezette, was born in Lycoming county, Penn., May 20, 1825, a son of James and Margaret Barr, natives also of Pennsylvania. They moved to Sinnemahoning in 1826, and there John was raised. He is the third son in a family of fourteen children. He worked for his father until twenty-one years old, and then commenced lumbering on his own account by taking contracts. In 1849 he bought the farm where he now lives, which at that time had some timber on it, and has since then given his attention to clearing and cultivating his farm, and has also engaged in lumbering. In 1870 he was elected a county commissioner and served three years; he has also served the town in different offices and has given general satisfaction. In September, 1848, Mr. Barr married Miss Almira Mason, a daughter of James and Ruth Mason, and they have four children: Margaret (widow of Mark Radcliffe, who died in 1885), James, Minnie M. and Myrtle. Mr. Barr is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F.

HENRY BLESH, proprietor of Benezette Hotel, Benezette, was born in Clinton county, Penn., January 14, 1837, a son of John and Elizabeth Blesh. His parents died when he was ten years old, and he was thus early thrown on his own resources. He remained in his native county until 1863, beginning life as a laborer, but later dealt in lumber as a jobber. In 1863 he came to Benezette township and began work in the lumber district and continued that business until 1875 when he bought a hotel in Benezette, and has since had charge of one of the popular resorts for the traveling public in Elk county. He is also engaged in the mercantile business, carrying a complete stock and having a good trade. Mr. Blesh was married in December, 1865, to Miss Sarah Saltsman, a daughter of Frank and Sarah (Rone) Saltsman, and they have a family of seven children: Georgia M. (wife of Merrit Jones), Frank, Estella, William H., Bertha, Laura and Emma. Mr. Blesh has held various township offices. He is a member of the Benezette Lodge, No. 988, I. O. O. F. B. A. BOOTH, farmer, P. O. Benezette, was born in Putnam county, N. Y., March 19, 1844, the only son of two children born to John and Eunice (Townsend) Booth, natives of New York State, who came to Bradford county, Penn., in 1853. He received a practical business education in the public schools of Bradford county, and in 1864 entered the United States service. He was assigned to Company A, Two Hundred and Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving until May 22, 1865. After his return home, he came to Elk county, where he engaged in lumbering and farming, and has since remained, with the exception of three years after his marriage, which he spent at his old home in Bradford county. Mr. Booth married, January 1, 1866, Miss Luzerna M., a daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Overturf) Johnson. and they have reared eight children, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs.

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