Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/661

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COLUMBIA AND MONTOUK COUNTIES

returned to his farm in the Nippeiiose valley, operating same until his deatii, which occurred in 1868. H e married Rachel Childs, who was born in 1798, daughter of John and M ary (U regg) Childs, the former an Englishman, the latter of Scotcli descent. M rs. Purse) died Sept. 15 ,18 5 0 . T o M r. and Mrs. Pursel were born the following children: M ary Elizabeth m arried Thom as Perry, and both are deceased; Francis Bond m a r r i^ Elizabeth V an Dyke, and both are deceased; Rebecca Jane, de­ ceased, married Frank E v erh art; Joscph .New­ ton, deceased, married Priscilla l.«wis, of Buffalo, N. Y .; Hugh married M ary Ann ).entz, who i» deceased; Agnes Jam ella is the widow o f l^ m p crt Van Dyke, and makes her home at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Hugh Pursel, son o f Hugh and Rachel (Childs) Pursel, w as bom Aug. 9. 1832, in Northumberland, Northumberland Co,, Pa., and passed his childhood in Nippenose Valley, Limestone township, coming thence with the fam ily to Danville in 1845. Before that he had assisted with the fam t work, the family living on land which the Fursels had cleared. When the “ big m ill" was built at Danville he found employment there, and he continued to work at that plant and in other rolling mills until 1905. since when he has lived retired. H e was one of the promoters and a stock­ holder of the Cooperative Iron & Steel Com­ pany. H e has alw ays been faithful to his duties as a citizen, and served at one time as member of the borough council for six years. Mr. PurscI marrietl M ary Ann Lentz, daughter o f John and Catherine (W elshans) l.cntz, and graiidibughtcr o f W illiam Wclshans, o f Lycoming county, Pa., where the Welshans were located fo r a considerable period. Mrs. Ihirscl died M ay ao, k/)6. at (he age o f sixty-fou r years. She was the mother o f six children, nam ely: William G ran t; Elizabeth, w ife o f W. I. W illiam s; Francis, deceased; Rotort B., o f Danville, wlto mar­ rieii Lillian A n d rew; Jasp er N ewton; and Agnes R ., who married Arthur Prout, o f Dan­ ville. Hugh PurscI is a past master o f Dan­ ville I>odgc. No. 224. F. S: A. M. A fte r his school days were over Jasper N ew ­ ton PurscI clcikcil for a time and later engaged in the cigar business for four years. In 1899 he began work at the Danville Structural Tube W orks, where he has since been em­ ployed. at present holding the position of clerk. H e is a valued official, and has labored zealously in the interest of Ihc company. where his s e n ’iccs have been appreciated. He is a Mason, tolonging lo Danville Lodge. No. 224.

F. & A. M., and is also a member o f Beaver IxHlge, N o. 132, Knights o f Pythias. H e is a working member o f S t. Paul’s Methodist Church, being president of the board of tnistces and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Pursel is at present treasurer of the Danville Khool board; after eleven years’ service in that b to y he w as re­ elected in 19 13, for six years. M r. PurscI married on Aug. 18, 1897, M artha £. Evans, who w as bom S ^ t. 11, 1878. in E ast Danville, daughter of Thomas B. and M ary Ann (E v a n s) Evans, o f Dan­ ville, and they have had four children: Bea­ trice bom Ju ly 15, 1898; Marion, bum Aug. 14, 19 0 2; Ifclen A ., bom N ov. 1 1 . 1906; and William T ., born M ay 8, 1 9 1 1. Beatrice is in high school, and Marion and Helen arc attending the grade schools. A D O N IR A M JU D S O N S T I I X, who lives retired at DanviUe, belongs to an old Penn­ sylvania fam ily o f S w iss origin, the emigrant ancestor liaving come to this country from Switzerland and settled in what w as then the Province o f Pennsylvania. H is descendants arc quite numerous in the southeastern (urt of the State. Charles Stil). grandson of the em igrant, was the grandfather o f A. Ju d so n Still. H e was a farm er by occupation, and lis'cd to be seventy-nine. H is w ife, Catherine (S h cld rich ). who was bom in Pennsylvania Ju ly 2 1, 17&4. lived to the age o f eighty-two years. S h e was the daughter o f M ary Ann (Lau ghb augh) Shcldrich, born In 1760. and granddaughter o f Johannus Laughbaugh. who w as b o m in 1728 in Holland. M r. and M rs. C harles Still had a fam ily o f twelve children, all o f whom grew to maturity. Rev. Am os B. Still, son o f C harles, was born near Chester Springs. Chester C o .. Pa.. Oct. 15, 1823. and w as the eleventh in h i' parents' fam ily. He w as reared on the farm When sixteen years old he was converted and united with the Vincent Baptist Church, of which his parents, brothers and sisters were members. A t the age o f seventeen he be­ gan to Icam the miller’s trade, having spent the previous years working on the farm in summer and attending the public school in the winter seasons. A fte r spending six y e ars at the milting business he b ^ m e convinced that it w as his duty to become a preacher, and in October. 1846, left home to prepare himself for the work. H e entered the academic de­ partment o f Madison U niversity in N ew Vork Slaie, and there completed his academic