Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-08-03
[coPYRIGHT SECURED.
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
OR, "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.

The Ridge settlement on the south side of
the river 1as commenced by Alexander Read
and his sons at MitchelI's place. Alexander
Read was a citizen of Cecil county, Maryla
In 1895 he emigrated to Penn's Valley in Gen.
tire county and in 1901 or came to Clearfeld
and began the Improvement mentioned, to
which place he brought his family in 1903.
He had five sons and two daughters:-Alexan-
der, who married first Martha, daughter Of
Benz. Jordan, afterwards Elizabeth Reed, and
subsequently,, in 1880, Miss Polly Ferguson.
He met with sudden death whilst hunting on
Ciearfield creek, and some of his descendants
reside in Ferguson township. Thomas was
twice married. His first wife was Mary Jor-
dan and his second Margaret Ferguson. He
cleared the large farm the old turnpike,
where the brick Mansion House is erected.
He had large family of children. John L.
married Mary Reed. He lived on the adjoin-
ing place to Thomas until his deeease, which
occurred recently. He led useful and qui
ct life, fearing God and loving his neighbor as
himself. James A. married Margaret Ardery,
and Amos WAS married to Sarah Ardery.
James A. removed from this settlement to a
piece of land short distance below Clearfield
town, but Amos continued in the neighbor-
hood and opened out good farm. Sarah be-
came the wife Of William Dunlap, who re-
moved from Penn's Valley to this settlement
about 1904 From this union have sprung
many children, who occupy reside near the
land upon which William Dunlap settled. Ra-
ehel, the other daughter, and widow of Alex
ander B. Reed, resides in Clearfield Borough.
Her unostentatious charity-her heart alive to
the calls OF suffering and distress, and her
hand ever ready to do the promptiDgs of her
heart, have gained for this genuine lady of the
old school share of public esteem enjoyed
by but few.
Alexander B. Reed, Esq, sometimes called
t.Black Alex from the color of his hair and
to distinguish him from ssRed Alex" his
brother-i in law, was one of the marked men of
this section of the State. His father was Will
liam Reed. who, in 1913, moved from North
amptou county to the farm now occupied by
Daniel Bailey. A. d. Reed was of large stat
and commanding appearance-intelligent,
enterprizing. and sagacious; imperious, yet
kind and affsble to his intimates; unyIelding,
he maintained his position with warmth, and
brooked no opposition. His political bias led
him to espouse the cause of the National Re-
publican party. In him Henry Clay had an
ardent friend and admirer. His opposition to
the Democratic party was so decided that he
only once voted for a nominee of that party,
which was On the occasion of his son-in-iaw,
William Bigler, running for Governor in 1901
against VIM. f. Johnston. Mr.. Reed at one
time held the Office of County Treasurer. In
1881 he was candidate for the Legislature,
but was defeated. He was appointed Super
intendent of the West Branch canal in 1886.
He died On the 2lst day of April, 1853, aged
81 ycars-the day of his death being the anni-
yersary of his birth. His expiring moments
presented remarkable illustration of the
power of mind over an exhausted physical sys-