The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-08-31
HON. J. B. AGNEw DEAD.
Expires After An Illness d Only One
Day-AppOplexy the Cause
Of Death.

vi Dtdtus
Notwithstanding the fact that at some
time in the near future, the fall of the
curtain on the tragedy of life is considered
final in every sense and the thought of
avoiding death is looked upon as an idle
dream by even those in good health, yet
the attitude of the human family towards
this one great enemy is such that when
the Grim Reaper snatches loved one
from the household, or the community,
no one is prepored for the shock. We
are so unable to foretell the events OF the
future--even for a day, that we are sell
dom able to answer the question correct
ly, "who will be taken next?"
When this question was propounded
but little over a week ago, when death
last visited our midst, our thoughts little
centered on some one, at that time, in the
best of health, and this is why our COM
munity was so severely shocked yester-
day morning when it was announced
that Hon. J. B. Agnew was taken sud-
denly from among us, and that Tionesta
was again deprived of one of its best citi-
zens. Being but twenty-four hours un-
der the care of physician, to many his
death was the first announcement OF his
illness.
From the history of Forest county, we
learn that Joshua B. Agnew was born in
Clarion county, Pa, May "a, lS40. His
father, John Agnew, came of that sturdy
Scotch-Irish family of Agnews, well
known in this State, and was born in
Centre (now Blair county, in 1900. His
mother, Ellen Bailey, was born in Lam
caster county, and was a decendent ofthe
early settlers of that section of the state,
and from Holland. John Agnew was
well known to the early settlers of North
western Pennsylvania. When a young
man he came to Clarion county, was mar
ried there, and engaged in various busl-
ness enterprises of that day. He was one
of the early pioneers in the first settle
ment and developement of the eastern
part of Forest county, which was then al
most an unbroken wilderness. His fam
lily consisted of nine sons and three
daughters. ]. B. Agnew being the fourth
son, and no doubt inheriting the enter
prising spirit of his father, at the early
age of fourteen years commenced to
make his own way in the world, and to
provide for himself and render such as
sistance to his parents as he could. He
had commenced to lay the foundation OF
his education at the old Agnew schoo ]
house, erected through the effofts of his
father about one mile from his home.
There he improved such opportunities as
he had up to the time of leaving home at
the age of fourteen years, which, with
several months OF schooling sfterward
provided for by himself at public school,
and his own perseverance and efforts oi
self-education, fitted him to commence
the study OF law in after years.
After first leaving home as a boy, he
for few months worked in saw-mill
after which, with friend, he took con-
tracts for taking out square timber, hii
first contracts being on the waters o
Spring creek, Forest county. four mile'
from any habitation, where he spent hi
first winter, in a lumber camp, with th'
men under his employ. After complet
ing his first contract, he went to schoo
for a few months then to work again a
various jobs in the lumber business, run
ming on the river, pilot on the Clariol
when yet boy, and followed this lif
. in which he was always successful, unit
| about the year 1873, when only eighteen
{ He then purchased team and wagon
0 and for some time was engaged II
freighting and delivering goods that wer
( then shipped by water to points allen
= the Allegheny, to Clarington, Shippen'
Mill, Cooksburg, and to various town
, and numbering establishments along th
Clarion. In 1860 he commenced to rea
n law, studying, however, only in the eve
nings and such times as he could spar
q from his work. Having engaged in pu
ting in timber RATS slaves, ETC., for I'll
Pittsburg market, he hoped to be abl'
after his return from marketing, in th
= spring Of 1851, 10 complete his educatio
y and law studies, and enter upon the prat
= tice of law. But on hearing the new
that Fort Sumpter was fired on, an
when President Lincoln issued his ca
for volunteers, he, with his father an
. three brothers-JOhn, Samuel and Leor
: ard-were ready to 20 in defence of th
"stars and stripes" For three years b
was member of Co. e, Tenth Reg
Penn'a Reserve Corps, then having n
y enlisted he was transferred to Co. |, I
: the One Hundred and Ninety-first PenI
Vet. Vol, and in June, 1854, was, b
special order OF Gen. Meade, detailed an
placed in charge of the ordinance train
>. the Third Division of the Fifth Arm
Corps, in which capacity he acted as cal
n tain and a staff officer until the close
> the war. He declined commission
captain for the reason that 1t would n
g. cessitato the resignation OF wound'
captain and thus deprive his friend Of
captains pay. His record as soldier
o. brilliant one, he having participated
some twenty-seven battles and engag
" ments, and having received special me
10 ton in general orders for bravery in
ton. lie was mustered out Of service
of July, 1865, when he returned to his hon
in Forest county. In the fall of '66
was unanimously elected sheriff OF b
county. Before his time as sheriff 9
,;ol ho ,,,as aioctad nrothouotorv reoi