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Mahan, John: John Mahann, a native of Kentucky, married Susannah Tellett, and subsequently removed to Ross County, Ohio and in October 1928 came to Roundhead Township. Where he settled on the southeast quarter of Section 19, where he resided until his death. He died April 30, 1845 at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife died September 4, 1862, aged sixty-two years. Mr. Mahan a few years after locating here, saw the inconvenience of going twenty miles or more to Logan County to get grinding, those being the nearest mills to this new settlement, so he at once erected a horse power mill. The buhrs were made from nigger-head stone; the drive wheels made of blocks of wood, the triangular shape, the base being oval and placed at the circumference, with the apex to the center. This wheel was then connected with the horse-power by a belt of hickory bark, and the horse made to pass around in a circle. Attached to the sweep-pole put the whole machinery in motion, when the grain placed in the hopper passed between the buhrs and was thus ground into meal. Although it was somewhat imperfect and slow in its operation compared with our mills of the present day, yet it was a great convenience and saving of much time and labor to the early settlers and for a few years supplied the people until better mills were erected.  Mr. Mahan was twice married. After the death of his first wife, he married Susan Hillman, a native of Pennsylvania. His children, by his first wife were; Mary, Mattie, Nancy, Elizabeth, James, Charles, John and Lydia all now deceased but Charles, Nancy and Lydia. By his second wife he had Samuel, David, Wesley, William, Henry, Sarah J., Eliza Ann, Asa, Edward H., Margaret and Clay; the latter was killed in the army in the war of the rebellion. "Centennial History of Hardin Co. Ohio" pg.568

McMILLAN, JACOB : JACOB McMILLAN, a prosperous farmer of Colerain township, was born and raised on the farm where he now lives, son of Jacob and Sarah (Vale) McMillan. The father, born in York county, Penn., in 1796, died in 1884. He was a son of Thomas McMillan, and grandson of John McMillan, a native of Scotland. The mother, born in York county, Penn., in 1800, daughter of Joshua Vale, a native of Wales. Our subject's parents had five children: Mahlon, deceased; Eli, died 1890; Sarah A., Elizabeth, Jacob and Ira V. Jacob was raised in Belmont county, receiving a common school education in the old log school-house. He and sisters own 101 acres of the old homestead farm, where his father settled and remained till his death. He and family were members of the Society of Friends. "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

McMILLAN, SARAH A. : SARAH A. McMILLAN, wife of Eli McMillan (deceased), who was one of the leading farmers of Colerain township, was born in Pennsylvania, October 29, 1827, died January 5, 1890. He was a son of Jacob and Sarah (Vale) McMillan. He was raised until about twelve years of age in Pennsylvania, came to Ohio with his parents and settled in Colerain township, where he grew to manhood. He received a good common school education. In 1865 he married Sarah A., daughter of Abner and Mary (Dillon) Stillwell. The father was born in Maryland, and came to Ohio in a very early day when St. Clairsville was yet in the forest. He first settled in St. Clairsville, and for several years followed teaming for a living. He began in life without anything, but by hard work and close economy, he accumulated considerable money, and at one time owned over 500 acres of land. He lived to be nearly ninety years of age, a respected and honored citizen. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. McMillan eight children were born: Sarah V., Mary L., Ira S., Isaac N., Albert E., Ina B., Edith O. and Ethel E., twins. The mother was born and raised in Belmont county. Jacob was a member of the Society of Friends and of the Masonic order. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was an exceptional son. His father bought a farm, and while the other members of the family left home he remained with his parents till he was forty years of age and paid out for the farm and placed all the improvements upon the same. After marriage he purchased sixty-two acres which he left to his family, also five-eighths interest in sixty-two acres more. They are living in a stone house that was built in 1824. His family is well respected by all. "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

MEYERS, Albert R. : Albert R. Meyers, a carpenter of Rockwood, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born May 30, 1880, in Upper Turkeyfoot township, a son of Aaron and Susan (Snyder) Meyers, and grandson of Reuben Meyers, who was also a native of Turkeyfoot. He is of German descent. Aaron Meyers (father) was born April 29, 1855, and is a farmer by occupation. He married Susan Snyder, born March 20, 1850, and five children were born, viz.: Albert R. (of whom later), John F., David R., Anna C., Charles O.Albert R. Meyers acquired his education in the common schools of his native place, and at the age of sixteen engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1900 he learned the trade of carpenter, in which occupation he is still very profitably engaged. He purchased his present pretty home in Rockwood, December 22, 1901. He married, December 22, 1901, Mary Ellen Romesburg, born September 4, 1881, in Upper Turkeyfoot township, a daughter of Hiram and Phoebe (Fletcher) Romesburg. Hiram Romesburg was born March 4, 1859, and is a farmer by occupation. He is the son of Jonas Romesburg, who was also a farmer of Upper Turkeyfoot, and of German descent. Hiram and Phoebe (Fletcher) Romesburg had children as follows: David M., Mary E., Harry J., Susan B., Elizabeth M., Cordie E., James N., Silas O., William H. and Charles F." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 302

MEYERS, Robert Samuel : Robert Samuel Meyers, managing editor of the 'Gleaner,' Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and secretary of the Gleaner Publishing Company, was born October 21, 1878, the son of David L. and Susan M. (Hay) Meyers, and grandson of Samuel and Magdalena (Lichty) Meyers. The Meyers family originally came from Germany.
David L. Meyers was born in 1842 in Brothers Valley township, near Berlin. He was educated in the Somerset county schools, and was a farmer by occupation. He was a very successful agriculturist, and was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors. Politically he accorded allegiance to the Republican party. In church relations he was a leading member and pillar of the Brethren church, and served as trustee and deacon of same.
David L. Myers [sic] married Susan M. Hay, a daughter of George P. and ______ (Miller) Hay, of Somerset county. Mrs. Meyers was educated in the public schools of Somerset county. Three children were born of this union, as follows: Robert S., of whom later; Frank H., who bought and lives on the old homestead farm adjoining Berlin; and Annie B., wife of Edward S. Kimmel, a farmer of Brothers Valley, Somerset county. The death of David L. Meyers occurred in June, 1904. His widow makes her home with her son, Frank H. Robert Samuel Meyers obtained his early education in the common schools of the county, and also attended Freeburg Musical College. At the age of sixteen he commenced teaching school, and was thus engaged very successfully in several of the county schools for five years. He was a census enumerator for Brothers Valley township on the census of 1900, being then barely twenty-one years of age. After the completion of this work, he went west, visiting the states of Illinois and Iowa, and finally located at Carleton, Thayer county, Nebraska. For two years he taught in the Carleton public schools, and while thus occupied purchased the 'Carleton Leader,' a Republican newspaper. He edited that journal for one year, in addition to his school work. At the expiration of his second year of teaching he resigned this work, and gave his entire attention to the newspaper. During this period, Mr. Meyers came back to Somerset, was married, and returned to Nebraska with his wife. They remained in Carleton another year, and in 1903 Mr. Meyers sold out his western interests and removed to Somerset, where he engaged in the manufacture of tobacco. At the time of the death of his father, in 1904, Mr. Meyers removed to Berlin, where he now resides. There he organized a company and purchased the 'Gleaner,' a Prohibition paper. Mr. Meyers converted this paper into an independent political sheet, the first one of its kind in the county. He is managing editor of this paper. The enterprise is a successful one, the paper having a generous patronage and the confidence of the public. Mr. Meyers is also secretary of the Gleaner Publishing Company.
In his political affiliations he is an ardent Republican, and interested in all pertaining to the welfare of that organization. Fraternally he holds membership in the I.O.O.F., Berlin Lodge, No. 461, having been identified with this organization since 1899; in 1902 Mr. Meyers joined the Masonic order, and is a member of Gavel Lodge, No. 199, Carleton, Nebraska, in which he served as secretary. He is a member of the Brethren church, having joined the same when he was thirteen years of age.
June 25, 1902 Mr. Meyers married Nellie A. Sipe, daughter of Henry L. and Martha Sipe. Henry L. Sipe is a merchant of Somerset. He was for years in the grocery business, and is now a jobber of manufactured tobacco. When the Farmers' National Bank was organized, Mr. Sipe was its first president, an office which he still holds. His father, Peter Sipe, was one of the oldest Somerset county merchants, and on the discovery of gold in California was one of the party who made the journey overland in wagons. Their hope of finding gold was not realized, and they made the return trip in the same way. Mrs. Meyers was educated in the schools of Somerset. One child, Bernice, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyers, at Carleton, Nebraska, May 10, 1903" History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 99-101

 MILLER, Edgar Holmes : Edgar Holmes Miller, a druggist of Salisbury, is a descendant on the paternal side of natives of Ireland, and on the maternal side of natives of Scotland, which countries have contributed their quota to the citizenship of America, the representatives there from being among the public-spirited and patriotic men who have aided in building up the communities in which they located. The earliest member of the Miller family on record in Pennsylvania was Christopher Miller, who was born east of the Alleghenies, of Irish ancestors. In 1782 he journeyed west and settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he secured a "tomahawk claim" of four hundred acres. He married and was the father of four sons, each of whom received one hundred acres of the homestead farm. John Miller, one of the four sons of Christopher Miller, was born in 1780. He married, in 1802, Margaret Guy, born near Fredericktown, Maryland, who bore him six sons and one daughter.
Christopher Miller, son of John and Margaret (Guy) Miller, was born in Donegal township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1811, on his father's farm, part of the original "tomahawk claim," and here he always lived. His wife, Sarah J. (Knight) Miller, bore him the following children: William, deceased; John, deceased; Calvin, Lehman, deceased; George, Charles W., see forward; Mary Jane, Margaret and Emily.
Charles W. Miller, son of Christopher and Sarah J. (Knight) Miller, was born March 15, 1848. He was a miller by trade, but for many years has been a traveling salesman for a prominent wholesale house of Pittsburg. He resides in Claysville, Pennsylvania. He married Nancy Elizabeth Holmes, born May 28, 1852, and their children are: Edgar Holmes, see forward; Willard H., a druggist of Berlin; Alice Pearl, and Lulu Elizabeth. William Holmes, great-grandfather of Nancy E. (Holmes) Miller, was captain of a ship plying between Norway and Scotland. He was accidentally killed and was buried in Norway about 1782. William Holmes, son of William Holmes, emigrated to the United States in 1830, landing in New York. He journeyed through Canada, seeking a location, returned to the United States by way of Niagara Falls, and finally decided to locate in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he secured a farm which has ever since been in the Holmes name. He returned to New York for his family, came by water to Baltimore, Maryland, and thence by wagon over the Cumberland road to Claysville. George Holmes, son of William Holmes, was born in Salt coats, Scotland, May 13, 1820, a farmer of Claysville, married Elizabeth Snodgrass, and they were the parents of Nancy E. (Holmes) Miller.
Edgar Holmes Miller, eldest son of Charles W. and Nancy E. (Holmes) Miller, was born in Dallas, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1877. He attended the public schools, graduating from the high school of Claysville in 1897. The following year he entered the Pittsburg College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in 1900. After completing his professional studies, Mr. Miller selected Salisbury as a location and there in August, 1900, opened an up-to-date pharmacy, which is a model of appointment and efficient service, and here he attained financial success. In April, 1905, in company with his brother, Willard H., he opened a drug store in Berlin under the firm name of Miller & Miller, and in September, 1906, the firm added another store by the purchase of the drug business of W. C. Martin at Munhall, Pennsylvania, a business founded in 1875. Mr. Miller is a Republican and a member of the Reformed church. Although a young man and not long a resident of Somerset county, Mr. Miller has made for himself an honored name in the community with which he has cast his lot and where his social and business qualities have won him many friends.
Mr. Miller married, September 19, 1900, Mary Edith, born January 19, 1876, daughter of T. H. Sawhill, of Claysville. She was educated in the schools of Claysville. Their children are: Edgar Holmes, Jr., born June 10, 1903, and Darrell S., born June 20, 1904." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 192/3

MILLER, Michael H. : Michael H. Miller, a farmer of Rockwood, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born December 17, 1849, in Black township, Somerset county, the son of Jacob and Eliza (Lynt) Miller. Jacob Miller (father) was born in Somerset county, and was a farmer by occupation. Michael H. Miller received his educational training in the common schools of Somerset county, and at the age of eighteen left school and engaged in farming with his father on the home farm. In 1881 he went into the jobbing business, and has followed that in connection with farming ever since. He owns a small farm of four acres, on which he has erected a home. In political affiliations he is a staunch Republican. Mr. Miller married, March 17, 1876, Miss Samantha Grunawalt, born October 30, 1857, in Wellersburg, Somerset county, the daughter of Abraham and Meltonia (Wagner) Grunawalt, and one of seven children, namely: Samantha, Alford, Silas (deceased), Peter M., Mary E., William J. and Benjamin K. Abraham Grunawalt died in 1881. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Miller: Emer W., January 21, 1877; Lucretia A., April 11, 1878; Ada V., January 9, 1880; Cyntha L., March 16, 1882; Leora M., January 31, 1884; Mary Emma, December 28, 1885; Edna J. A., October 17, 1888; Benjamin H. A., March 1, 1891; and Delroy C. E., July 7, 1893." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 302/3

MILLER, Willard Homer : Willard Homer Miller, an enterprising and progressive young business man of Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born March 28, 1881, in Coon Island, Washington county, Pennsylvania, son of Charles W. and Nancy E. (Holmes) Miller. Charles W. Miller is a son of Christopher Miller, a Washington county farmer. He was reared on the home farm and learned the trade of millwright. He subsequently became a traveling salesman, which business he now follows. Charles W. Miller is a Republican in politics, and in church connections a Baptist. He married Nancy E. Holmes, who was a daughter of George Y. Holmes, a native of Scotland, who came to this country at the age of ten years. He became a farmer and a minister in the Baptist church. Mrs. Miller was educated in Washington county, and lived on the home farm until her marriage, in 1860. The following named children were born of this marriage: Willard Homer, of whom later; Alice A., Lulu E. (both residing at home with their parents), and Edgar H., a druggist of Salisbury.
Willard H. Miller received his initial education in the township schools and at the age of ten years entered the high school of Claysville, Pennsylvania. Early in life he resolved to follow the drug business, and with this end in view (at the age of fourteen) entered the service of G. Y. Holmes, a druggist of Claysville, continuing there for two and a half years. For five years he was engaged in the drug store of W. C. Martin, of Munhall, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller studied for his profession in the School of Pharmacy of the Western University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution in 1903. In March, 1905, he formed a partnership with his brother, Edgar H. Miller (who is in the drug business at Elk Lick), and established a drug store at Berlin, conducting the business under the firm name of Miller & Miller, but, under the management of Willard H. Although a young man, Mr. Miller is thoroughly familiar with all the details of his profession, and brings to his own business the experience gained in other establishments. He is a firm believer in modern advertising methods, which he extensively employs. His store is already well known in town and township, and the generous patronage he receives is the best proof of its popularity.
In political affiliation Mr. Miller is a strong Republican. Fraternally he holds membership in Berlin lodge, I.O.O.F., Homestead Lodge, Eagles, and Knights of Pythias, Berlin Lodge. He is an admirer of athletic sports, and is specially fond of base-ball, which naturally brings him in close touch with the younger element, while his sterling business principles and genial social qualities commend him to all. He is unmarried." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 241/2

MOSTOLLE, Percy Lester : Percy L. Mostolle, one of the young, prominent business men of Friedens, was born October 30, 1880, and is a lineal descendant of George Mostolle, who settled at Friedens, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1776, being among the pioneers of that town, and an active and prominent factor in the growth and development of the same. George Mostolle was a farmer by occupation, his operations being conducted on a large scale, and an earnest Christian. He married Mary Mowery, who bore him several children. Uriah Mostolle, father of Percy L. Mostolle, was born in Friedens, Somerset county, and his active career was devoted to farming and the building of houses, in both of which enterprises he met with a large degree of success. He enlisted as a private during the Civil war, this fact testifying to his love of country. He is a leader in the Evangelical Lutheran church, and since attaining his majority has cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. He was united in marriage to Ellen B. Lowery, born in Brothers Valley township, Somerset county, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Mosholder) Lowery.
Percy L. Mostolle received a common school education in his native town, Friedens, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, after which he served an apprenticeship at the trade of painting, becoming a skillful and expert workman in all its various branches. Subsequently he became a contractor painter and enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest contractor in Somerset county. His first contract, which was for the painting of twenty buildings, was made in 1898, and from then up to the present time (1905) his business has increased steadily in volume and importance, and he now requires the services of ten workmen to fill his orders. He has received the contract for some of the most prominent buildings in Somerset county, and his work has always been performed in a highly creditable and satisfactory manner, each contract receiving his own personal supervision. In addition to this he is extensively engaged in the real estate business, which adds considerably to his income. Energy, enterprise and an indomitable will are the prominent traits of his character, and to these qualities may be attributed the success which has crowned his efforts. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Friedens, and a leader in the Christian Endeavor Society connected therewith. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political support is given to the candidates of the Republican party, in which he takes an active interest, although never seeking or holding public office. Mr. Mostolle, although young in years, is one of the enterprising and representative citizens of Friedens, and a bright future is in store for him." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 303/4

NAYLOR, DAVID K. : DAVID K. NAYLOR, a farmer of Colerain township, was born in Smithfield township, Jefferson county, May 28, 1818, son of A. G. and Ruth (Hammond) Naylor. The father was born in Maryland, son of John Naylor, also of Maryland, and came to Ohio in 1812, and settled in Smithfield when it was in its infancy. He bought several farms and gave to all his sons. He was a slave holder in Maryland, but on coming to Ohio set them free. He had in his family nine children, five boys, our subject's father being the youngest. The mother was a daughter of George and Deborah (Hutton) Hammond, natives of Virginia, and was of Irish descent, and in 1811 settled in Smithfield township, where he remained until death. The grandparents on both sides were very strict Quakers. Our subject was raised in Smithfield township, received a common school education, beginning in the old log school-house. He first began life by working in a stone quarry. He afterward traveled in the mercantile business for five years, and then established a store in York where he afterward lost all he had formerly
made. In 1852 he married Margaret Smith, daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Parkinson) Smith. Of their six children, three are now living. Elizabeth, Ida M. and Harry A. The mother was born in Belmont county, where she lived till her death, September 24, 1879. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member of the same church. After he lost his property in York, he removed to Belmont county, and was then fifty dollars worse off than nothing, but by hard work and good management he has done well, and now owns ninety-two acres of good land, which is well improved, with good and substantial buildings. He served two years as justice of the peace and resigned his office. He is a thorough-going farmer and a worthy citizen. "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

NEWMAN, J. G. : One of the highly cultivated and therefore productive farms of Somerset county, located in the town of Listie, is the property of J. G. Newman, who was born in Addison township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1855, a descendant of an English and Irish ancestry. He attended the common schools in the vicinity of his home, completing his studies one month after attaining his majority. He began his active career as a farmer, which occupation he followed up to the year 1899, when he assumed the management of a general store at Listie, continuing the same for a period of two and a half years, and then disposing of the stock in order to purchase the farm on which he now resides in the town of Listie. He is a member of the Reformed church, and since attaining his majority has cast his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party. On February 8, 1877, Mr. Newman married Ellen J. Baker, born December 19, 1855, daughter of Levi and Mary Baker, and two children were the issue of this union: 1. George A., born August 20, 1878, in Addison township, Somerset county; he received his education in the common schools of his native county, and gained a lucrative livelihood by following the occupations of stonemason and farmer; in the fall of the year he devoted his attention to threshing. December 27, 1905, he started working for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as fireman, which position he still holds. He is a Democrat in politics. He married, October 31, 1899, Clara E. Walker, born June 22, 1882, in Milford, Somerset county, daughter of Bernard J. and Martha Ann Walker, and they are the parents of three children: Walter W., born September 6, 1901; Vinnie May, born November 16, 1903, and Deelda Fern, born September 17, 1905. 2. Vinnie M., born December 15, 1879,in Addison township, Somerset county. On March 8, 1898, she became the wife of John H. Schrock, a merchant of Baltimore, Maryland, in which city they reside, and they are the parents of two children: Dewey, born August 13, 1899, and George A., born September 5, 1901. Mrs. Ellen G. Newman, wife of J. G. Newman, died October 4, 1903." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 335/6

OGLE, General Alexander Sr. : General Alexander Ogle, Sr., was born in or near Baltimore, in 1767, and settled in Somerset county about 1790, his first place of residence being at Stoyestown, where he kept a store and tavern. A few years later he removed to Somerset, and for a time at least kept a tavern. A man of commanding presence and of great force of character, he became the foremost and most influential citizen of the county. This was recognized both at home and abroad. Entering public life, he represented the county eight times in the Assembly, and the district one or more terms in the State Senate. He was also once a member of Congress. Twice under appointment of the governor he held the offices of prothonotary, clerk of the courts, register and recorder. In the military organization of the state he held every rank from captain to major-general. He was the acknowledged great man of the world in which he lived. The region of country which gave him his theatre, and the people who formed the cast of the company for the drama of his life were in such keeping with him as if they had been made for him and he for them. He owed to the schools nothing but reading and writing in his mother tongue and a knowledge of the simple rules of arithmetic, but was none the less equal to any emergency in affairs, and was never nonplusssed by any defect of education. In one of his speeches in the legislature he designated his constituency as being "The Frosty Sons of Thunder"--an appellation that was proudly adopted by them, and by it the people of Somerset county are known, not only in their own state, but in every other state between it and the "Golden Gate." From among these "Frosty Sons of Thunder" have gone forth men whose fame is not circumscribed by the lines of their native state. General Ogle died in 1832. (For a more extended sketch of General Ogle the reader is referred to "The Enchanted Beauty," a volume of sketches by Dr. William Elder.)" History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 549

OLDHAM, Joseph : Joseph Oldham, of Shade township, Somerset county, is a great-grandson of Thomas Oldham, who came from England in 1768 and settled in Philadelphia, subsequently moving to Adams county. He married a Blackburn and their family consisted of three children: William, mentioned at length herein after; Thomas, born in 1782, married ______ McCreary; and Alice, born in 1784, wife of Aaron Frazier.
William Oldham, son of Thomas and ______ (Blackburn) Oldham, was born in 1781 in Adams county, and in 1825 moved from Bedford county to Shade township, where he purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land at fifty cents an acre, paying for it by hunting wolves. He was an expert hunter, once shooting seven wolves in one day. After killing six he took a torch, went into the den, drove out the seventh and shot it. Mr. Oldham, assisted by a neighbor, once killed nine deer in one day. On one occasion he saw a large black bear in the woods, and, creeping within ten rods of it, leveled his rifle and fired. The bear ran directly toward the hunter, going several rods behind him, and then, turning sharply round, came toward him. Mr. Oldham began to climb a tree, the bear pursuing, and just as he reached the tree dropping dead, to the great relief of the hunter.
The first sawmill in Somerset county was built by Mr. Oldham in 1833. He did all the work with a broadax, using no sawed timber or boards in its construction. Thenceforth he engaged in the lumber business. He also built a gristmill, and in 1840 erected the Rockingham furnace, the second in the township. It was not, however, a success, and he returned to farming and lumbering for the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat and a member of the Society of Friends.
Mr. Oldham married, about 1806, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Calathan, and their children were: 1. Thomas, born about 1810, married Elizabeth Bone and had five children. 2. Rebecca, born in 1812, wife of John Elison [sic], had six children, one of whom, John, died in the army in 1860. 3. Polly, born in 1816, wife of Charles Wilson, had four children, one of whom, ______ Heninger, had seven children. 6. Hettie, born in 1820, wife of William Cardif, had six children. 7. William, mentioned at length hereinafter. 8. Elizabeth, twin to William born September 9, 1822, wife of Nathan Miller, had six children. 9. John, born in 1824, married ______ McGrew had six children. 10. Jethro, born in 1826, married Sarah Barder [sic], had four children. The death of Mr. Oldham occurred in 1854.
William Oldham, son of William and Elizabeth (Calathan) Oldham, was born September 9, 1822, in Napier township, Bedford county, and settled on the farm he now occupies. He served two terms as supervisor of the township. He is a Democrat and an orthodox member of the Society of Friends. Mr. Oldham married, April 12, 1847, Mary, daughter of Samuel Berkebile, and they were the parents of the following children: 1. Emily, born April 12, 1849, wife of Jacob Hight [sic]. 2. Joseph, mentioned at length hereinafter. 3. Nathan, born April 7, 1852, married Clara Kuhns, had one child. 4. Marian, born November 25, 1853, wife of ______ Crum, had eight children. 5. Harrison, born April 7, 1855, married Hannah Rodgers, had six children. 6. Rebecca, born March 15, 1857, wife of George Laton, has two children.
Joseph Oldham, son of William and Mary (Berkebile) Oldham, was born September 2, 1850, and is a farmer, living on and owning the old homestead. He is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church. Mr. Oldham married a daughter of ______ Berkebile and the following are their children: 1. William E., born January 16, 1876, married Lizzie Herthrew, has three children. 2. Alda, born June 13, 1878, wife of Harris Lambert, has two children. 3. Frank J., born October 28, 188?, married Jennie Smith, has one child. 4. J. Hite, born February 21, 1883. 5. Harold A., born May 28, 1884. 6. George C., born July 17, 1889."
Transcriber's note:
I will fill in some of these blanks for this bio. since they are some of 'my gang' and the info. is at my fingertips - this info. is not part of the published biography.
Para. 1: Thomas Oldham, who came from England, married Rebecca Blackburn. Thomas, born in 1782, married Hannah McCreary.
Para. 2: William...son of Thomas and Rebecca (Blackburn) Oldham...
Para 4: Rebecca...1812..wife of John Allison... John, 1824...married Elizabeth Rebecca McGrew... Jethro...1826..married Sarah Border Para 5: Emily...born...1849...wife of Jacob A. Hite... I show the 'Marian, born 1853' as Miriam, wife of Jesse Crum.
Para 6: Joseph Oldham...1850...married Minerva Berkebile... History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 410/11