Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-08-03


several years, and in November, 1851, he en-
dured a most painful operation, performed by
DR.. Pancost, at Philadelphia, for heulorrhoids; !;
but this brought to him only temporary relief.
The disease returned in few months there
after, and continued its exhausting ravages
till the time of his decease. By the middle of
April, 1858, he was far redhced that death
was inevitable, and the time had come to gath
er his relatives about him. No one seemed so
sensible of this, or talked so freely about it.,
as himself; but he manifested great unwil-
lingness to send for Gov. Bigler and his affec-
tionate daughter, the wife of the Governor, so
long as the Legislature remained in sessions
but messenger was dispatched for them on
the day of the adjournment, and they arrived
at the residence of Mr.. Reed at O'Clock on
the evening of the 2lst, they being the last of
the relatives to arrive. He received them
with marked cordiality, and even cheerful
air. He said he was glad they had arrived
that he could not have delayed much longer
that the family were now all present, and he
would soon leave them. He shortly after
wards caused all his children and relatives to
be called into the room, and with singular
composure told them that his time had come,
and commenced to take leave of each by cor
dial shake of the hand. He expired at the in
slant he ceased shaking hands with the last who
surrounded his bedside. SO far was his phys
zeal system exhausted that his spirit seemed
to take its leave the moment that the will gave
its consent. His physicians were impressed
with the belief that nothing but strong de-
sire to live until all his family were gathered
around him, sustained him for several days
prior to his departure from this earthly sphere.
He had three children-Geo. Lattimer Reed,
Maria Jane, the wife of Hon. VIM. Bigler, and
Rebecca. the wife of John F. Weaver, Esq.
In 1904, George Hunter, an Irishrnan, for
merly citizen of Huntingdon county, built a
cabin on the farm owned by John j. Reed,
where he died. He was singular genius, but
we are not aware of the characteristics which
distinguished him from others. 1t is said that
he was once invited by a neighbor, into whose
house he had entered as the family were about
suppng, to sit down and eat with them. His
reply was-'sno occasion; ate just before
left the settlement The settlement to which
he referred was Penn's valley, frotn ~hich
place, near 80 miles distant, he had walked.
Prior to Hunter commencing his clearing,
Hugh Jordan, the brother of Benjamin, had
began to open out a farm which afterwards be-
came the property of James Hamilton, na-
tive of ireland, who came to CIearfield from
Chester county in 1880. About 1905, Joseph
Patterson of Penh's valley, accompanied by
his son Robert, settled neal the VIM. A. Reed
and turned his attention to the manufacture of
spinning wheels. Robert, who acted for some
years as school teacher, raised several chill.
dren, four of whom, Joseph, Robert, James,
and daughter, the widow of Abraham High,
reside in Jordan township. John Moore, a
relative of Patterson, came out about the same
time, and lived on an adjoining place until a.
bout 1921, when he died. He has two sons
and two daughters still living in the county
Joseph and William, citizens of Ferguson
township, and Margaret the wife of Thomas
Henry, Esq, and Jane who was married to
BENZ. Spackman. In 1910, Ignatius Thomp-
son came to the Ridges. The place of his na-
tivity was Ireland. He resided few years in
Huntingdon county before moving here. In
and a heart ovcrfowing with the kindest senti-
ments for his fellows, made him valuable and
welcome addition to the community. He has
ever been the friend of the poor and distress
ed, and has thus done much towards increasing
the prosperity of the settlement. His general
intelligence, industry and urbanity enabled
him to act as justice of the peace and fill sew
uffl, IIa has two
sons, John d. and James, living in Curwens-
vile, and another, Josiah W., and daughter,
on the homestead, enjoying with him the
fruits of his we'll spent life. loses Norris al
so came from Huntingdon county in the year
1910. He commenced on land now owned by
Amos Reed, which he made one of the finest
farms in that section. He had two sons and
three daughters, who are yet living in the
county. John Rowes, the ancestor of nu-
merous race, cast his lot on the Ridges. His
descendants are noted as hunters, woodsmen,
and lumbermen. He formerly lived IN Half
Nj DON. Handy to ohm Mooro's place, Daniel
Spackman, of Chester county, settled In 1871,
where he, at the advanced age OF SO years,
and his wife, also at ripe old age, yet
live. He is member of the Society of
Friends-a kind hearted, estimable, but unob-
trusive man. He raised a family OF eleven
children, nine of whom are living. About
1880, John Mitchell, a native of ireland, moved
on the land first cleared by Alex. Reed, and,
assisted by his boys, cleared out large extent
OF hand. He had large family-eleven chill
dren-threo Of whom only are living Robert,
and lIen T1,roa wears later. James
Dougherty and John Mcoiaughlin, came from