Kathi Reid has placed online her websites various Pennsylvania genealogy material. This page links directly to that material. Her website contains various history and biographical material for Bucks, Butler, Centre, Clinton, Erie, Fayette, Lycoming, and Schuylkill counties as well as Pennsylvania military records.
The Hooper family, established in New England by William Hooper in 1635, has deep roots in Bridgewater, MA. His son, John Hooper, settled in Bridgewater and had several descendants involved in various local endeavors. George Mitchell Hooper, born in 1838, engaged in the brick manufacturing business and served in local government, reflecting the family’s long-standing commitment to community service. His marriage to Jane Hayward further connected the Hoopers to influential local families, including the Mitchells, whose ancestry traces back to early colonial times.
Adam Hodgson, an English traveler, visited the Elliot mission in 1820 and was impressed by the Choctaw people and their educators, particularly Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury. Hodgson emphasized the benevolence and intelligence of the Choctaws, contrasting them with prevailing stereotypes of Native Americans. He described his warm reception at the mission and the humility and dedication of the missionaries. The establishment of schools among the Choctaws, supported by Kingsbury and others, marked a significant step towards education and moral improvement in the community. Rev. Kingsbury continued his work until his death in 1871.
The Narrative of Mary le Roy and Barbara Leininger. Who for four and a half years were captive among the Indians, and on the 6th May 1759 arrived happy in this city. From her own lips never written and promoted to the Press. This manuscript gives an account of the captivity and escape of these two girls, whose families lived on Penn’s Creek, in the present Union County, Pennsylvania. It also provides a lengthy list of names of other prisoners met by the two ladies in their captivity.
The Poorman Mine, located on War Eagle Mountain near Silver City, was discovered in 1865 and became renowned for its significant production of silver, copper, and ruby silver, notably yielding $606,692 in just a few months during 1866. This esteemed mine, equipped with a ten-stamp mill and a cable tramway, was purchased by a London syndicate in 1888, which aimed for further development. Alongside other notable mines in the region, such as the Black Jack, the Poorman contributed greatly to Silver City’s historical prominence in mining.
George Godfrey resided in Ritford, England, and with his wife Mary Ostick, settled in several locations in Pennsylvania and Missouri during the early 19th century. His lineage includes several sons, notably Thomas, who moved to Canada, and John, who ventured to California. Godfrey’s contributions extended to his active role within the Methodist Church, reflecting a strong commitment to his faith. His family also spread across the United States, with branches in Kentucky and Missouri, showcasing a diverse and widespread legacy.
George C. Diestilhorst, born in Poile, Hanover, Germany in 1813, emigrated to the United States in 1836. After various jobs in harness-making across multiple cities, he established a successful harness business in Gallatin, Missouri, in 1842. Diestilhorst married Martha Smith in 1850 and had four children. He was active in his community and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His journey reflects a determined immigrant seeking opportunity and success in a new land.
Frank O’Neill, a prominent farmer and stockman in Malheur County, was born on May 10, 1846, in County Antrim, Ireland. After working in Scotland and Liverpool, he immigrated to the United States in 1870, eventually settling in California. O’Neill married Mary Mullary in 1875, later relocating to Malheur County in 1881. After her death, he married Anna Jackson in 1886. O’Neill cultivated a successful ranch on lower Willow Creek and was well-respected in his community for his integrity and dedication to local advancement.
Samuel Simeon Andrews, born in 1850 in Macon, Georgia, reflects on his life as a former slave, moving through various plantations before emancipation. He describes his experiences, particularly on the A.J. Lane plantation, where he recalls kind treatment and familial ties among slaves. Andrews shares memories of plantation life, Civil War incidents, and post-emancipation education challenges. Despite a difficult past, he emphasizes community resilience, his active involvement in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a longevity attributed to a positive outlook on life and health practices.
James King, born August 15, 1832, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a prominent architect and land office register in Boise. He hails from a lineage of German and English descent, with ancestors who participated in the Revolutionary War. After being educated in Pittsburgh, he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving as a second lieutenant. Post-war, he established a successful architectural career, contributing significantly to Boise’s skyline. He is a dedicated Republican and an active member of the Odd Fellows society and the Veterans League.
George N. Ifft, born on January 27, 1865, in Butler County, Pennsylvania, began his journalism career in Pittsburgh before working in cities like Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. In 1893, he settled in Pocatello, Idaho, where he became associated with the Pocatello Tribune. A Republican, Ifft has been an advocate for silver, reflecting the western sentiment. He partners with William Wallin, another seasoned newspaper professional, who also arrived in Idaho in 1893 after gaining experience in Ogden and Salt Lake City.
Otho Eckersley, born on September 23, 1839, in Lancashire, England, immigrated to the United States with his family in 1848. After their initial settlement in Pennsylvania and a brief period in Iowa, he pursued mining in Colorado before shifting to agriculture in eastern Oregon. In 1869, he began farming near the Cove, focusing on livestock and small fruits. A family man, he married Mary L. Owensberg in 1870 and raised seven children. Eckersley is recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community values.
George Gumbert, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1835, is the pioneering butcher of Boise, Idaho, starting his business in 1864. After moving west to California and Nevada, he settled in Boise when it was a small settlement and established a meat market that he continually operated, earning community trust through his integrity. A Democrat and a county commissioner, he married Mary C. Turner in 1865, with whom he had one daughter. He is also an active member and treasurer of the Knights of Pythias.
Charles Criswell Arbuthnot, born on May 30, 1876, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a prominent professor of Economics at Western Reserve University. He earned his B.S. from Geneva College in 1899 and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago in 1903. Arbuthnot held various academic positions, ultimately becoming a full professor in 1908. He actively participated in numerous organizations, including the American Economic Association, and contributed to discussions on economics and social issues, notably engaging in vocational guidance initiatives for the Y.M.C.A.
William McKinley Duncan, born on May 19, 1873, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a prominent lawyer. He was educated in public schools and at Cornell University. Duncan married Viola Deetrick in 1899 and had three sons. Admitted to the bar in 1894, he joined the firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in 1911 and notably represented the Eastern Trunk Railroad in arbitration. He also served as receiver for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad and was active in various clubs.
Aaron Kerr Hannen was born in 1854 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Henry and Amanda Kerr Hannen and received his education at Lafayette College. In 1882, he married Annie Piper DeArent and had one son, Harry A. Hannen, who resides in Los Angeles, California. Hannen dedicated thirty years to Berkshire Life Insurance Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was an active member of all Masonic bodies in Western Pennsylvania, as well as the Colonial Club.
James Richey Horner, born June 7, 1861, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, was a prominent physician and educator. He graduated from several medical colleges, including Homeopathic Hospital College in 1883 and New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1884. His career included positions as a resident surgeon and obstetrician in Pittsburg, followed by advanced studies in neurology in London. Horner specialized in mental and nervous diseases, eventually becoming a professor of psychiatry at Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College and serving as president of the Huron Street Hospital staff.
Robert Murray Kilgore, born on June 14, 1877, in Pittsburg, was a distinguished sales manager at Jones Laughlin Steel Co., where he began his career in 1898. He graduated from Penn State College and married Bertha Wallace in 1900, with whom he had five children. In 1908, he became the manager of the Cleveland sales district. Kilgore was actively involved in various organizations, including Kappa Sigma, Union and Mayfield Clubs, and the Chamber of Commerce, and was a Royal Arch Mason.
Frederick Ingham Kennedy, born on November 10, 1866, in Erie, Pennsylvania, was educated at Erie Academy and commenced his career with Youghiogheny River Coal Co. in 1884. He held various positions, including treasurer and director, and later worked for Pittsburg Coal Co. as an auditor. He became agent for The C. Reiss Coal Co. and The Milwaukee Western Fuel Co., and served as a director for multiple steamship companies. Kennedy was married to Madeline Hammond and had two children.
Samuel Brownlee Fisher, born on October 24, 1846, in Ohio, is a distinguished consulting engineer with nearly fifty years in railway engineering. Descended from Scottish Covenanters, he studied at Washington and Jefferson College, earning multiple degrees. His career spans significant roles, including chief engineer positions with various railways, leading to his long-standing association with the Missouri, Kansas Texas Railroad Company. A Republican and Presbyterian elder, he married Agnes Crooks in 1881, with whom he had two children. Fisher’s legacy is marked by his contributions to American railway infrastructure.