Taken from "Jefferson County, Pennsylvania - Her Pioneers and People", by W.J. McKnight, Vol. II, published in 1917 by J.H. Beers and Company, Chicago, page 471.
MARTIN SYPHRIT, of Knox Twp., is one of the most enterprising farmers in his section of Jefferson Co., where he has long been recognized as an advocate of progressive ideas. His present home is located 5 miles south of Brookville, and its highly state is the best testimony which could be offered as to his ability and competence.
Mr. Syphrit was born Sept. 8, 1856, in Winslow twp., son of Joseph and Mary (Campbell) Syphrit and grandson of Christopher and Mary
(Shank) Syphrit. The grandfather, a native of Germany, lived in Canada for a number of years before settling in the U.S., and there Joseph Syphrit was born in 1814, it is said on the day that the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought (July 25, 1814), and further that the roar of the cannon could be heard at the Syphrit home.
In 1818 the family came to Westmoreland Co., where Joseph Syphrit grew to manhood. It was in 1840 or 1841 that he located in Jefferson Co., 3 miles south of Reynoldsville, then a village with but three houses within its limits. His neighbors were very scarce during the
early years, only 2 or 3 families having preceded him into this region. He passed the remainder of his life on the land which he cleared and improved.
The work of clearing progressed so slowly at first that he burned the heaviest timber in order to get rid of it.
Mr. Syphrit was one of the most useful citizens of his day, intelligent, wide-awake, and worthy of the confidence his neighbors reposed in him. He helped organize the township, held nearly all the local offices, supervisor, overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, etc., and was also active in the establishment of the Paradise (or Syphrit) M.E. Church in his neighborhood, donating land for the church site and cemetery. He built a frame church nearly on the site of the present brick structure. Mr. Syphrit was one of the original class and always a leading spirit in the congregation.
Originally he was a Democrat, later a Republican, and finally his convictions led him to join the Prohibition party. During the latter part of the Civil War he enlisted as a substitute at Cincinnati, to which city he had gone with a fleet of timber, lumbered off his own land. It was his custom to lumber during the winter season and raft timber to Pittsburgh every spring.
Mr. Syphrit's kindly disposition was apparent in all relations with his fellow men, but never more than in his capacity as J.P. It was always his aim to avoid litigation and settle disputes out of court wherever possible, advising those that came before him that it would be wisest for each to yield a little rather than resort to litigation, and he was very successful in dealing with most of those who sought his intervention, his sincerity and evident fairness winning their complete confidence.
Mr. Syphrit lived to the age of 82 years, dying Apr. 8, 1895, and had witnessed most of the development of his locality from its primitive state to modern conditions. When he first lived here it was no uncommon thing for him to find deer in his wheat fields, and other game was also plentiful, but he never took any pleasure in hunting. He was 6 feet high, of stout build, fearless physically as well as morally,and kept his nerve even to old age.
Mr. Syphrit was twice married, and is survived by his second wife, Catherine (Allison). All his children were born to his first wife, Mary Campbell, d/o J.K. Campbell, of Ligonier Valley, to whom he was married in 1835. There were 13, ten of whom are still living, namely: Susan, widow of Levi Rudolph of Reynoldsville; Daniel, b. Mar. 18, 1841, a farmer, of Shamokin (he married Mary A. Henry); Mary, widow of Jacob Strouse, of Paradise; Noah, a retired farmer, of Paradise (he married Mary London); Christopher, of Polk Twp.; Amanda, Mrs. Clarence I. Johns, of Knox Twp.; Elizabeth, wife of James Gray, of Big Run; Priscilla, widow of Rev. J.P. Hicks, a minister of the M.E. Church; Martin; and Margaret, wife of Oscar Shaffer, of Paradise. The others were Rebecca and Joseph, who died in childhood; and Julia Ann, deceased at the age of 18.
Martin Syphrit was reared on the farm and lived with his parents or in the neighborhood until he was 28 years old. It was difficult for him to attend school regularly, as the facilities were poor and he could hardly be spared from home after he was old enough to be of real assistance, his services being especially valuable in the timber. He early acquired a timber lot of 163 acres at what is now Wishaw, which he sold eventually to a coal company, the Wishaw tipple being now located there.
He lived there 15 years, moving thence in May, 1900, to his present home, a tract of 118 acres formerly belonging to Miller Harding. Since he bought this it has been highly developed. He rebuilt the residence, has a large bank barn, and has 100 acres under cultivation, following general farming, though he makes a specialty of hay. By judicious liming, seeding and fertilizing, Mr. Syphrit has brought the soil into prime condition, the farm being now one of the best in the township and one of the most desirable as a home property. Two gas wells have been drilled, one of which Mr. Syphrit keeps for his own use. He owns some full-blooded stock, and in all the departments of his work has shown himself keenly alive to the advantages of maintaining high standards. From boyhood he has had to take a hand in all the work about a farm, and has done practically everything required to develop property in his locality except dig coal. He is also familiar with machinery, having operated threshing and hay baling outfits ever since he was a youth, and is able to handle them with
efficiency.
Mr. Syphrit appreciates the benefits of good government, and served his township as supervisor and a school director, but resigned before his last term expired, feeling that he was taking too much time from his work. He is a Republican on political questions. His religious connection is with the M.E. denomination, his membership being in Meade Chapel, which he serves as trustee, and is an active worker in
church and Sunday school.
On Dec. 25, 1889, Mr. Syphrit was married to Hannah B. Shaffer, d/o Jacob and Barbara (Best) Shaffer, of near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. Mrs. Syphrit was born Aug. 1, 1864, near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Syphrit are: Orie, whose wife is
Marie Wiley (he is an employee of the Glass Company at Brookville); Ethel May; Herbert; and Agnes Ruth.
MARTIN SYPHRIT, of Knox Twp., is one of the most enterprising farmers in his section of Jefferson Co., where he has long been recognized as an advocate of progressive ideas. His present home is located 5 miles south of Brookville, and its highly state is the best testimony which could be offered as to his ability and competence.
Mr. Syphrit was born Sept. 8, 1856, in Winslow twp., son of Joseph and Mary (Campbell) Syphrit and grandson of Christopher and Mary
(Shank) Syphrit. The grandfather, a native of Germany, lived in Canada for a number of years before settling in the U.S., and there Joseph Syphrit was born in 1814, it is said on the day that the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought (July 25, 1814), and further that the roar of the cannon could be heard at the Syphrit home.
In 1818 the family came to Westmoreland Co., where Joseph Syphrit grew to manhood. It was in 1840 or 1841 that he located in Jefferson Co., 3 miles south of Reynoldsville, then a village with but three houses within its limits. His neighbors were very scarce during the
early years, only 2 or 3 families having preceded him into this region. He passed the remainder of his life on the land which he cleared and improved.
The work of clearing progressed so slowly at first that he burned the heaviest timber in order to get rid of it.
Mr. Syphrit was one of the most useful citizens of his day, intelligent, wide-awake, and worthy of the confidence his neighbors reposed in him. He helped organize the township, held nearly all the local offices, supervisor, overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, etc., and was also active in the establishment of the Paradise (or Syphrit) M.E. Church in his neighborhood, donating land for the church site and cemetery. He built a frame church nearly on the site of the present brick structure. Mr. Syphrit was one of the original class and always a leading spirit in the congregation.
Originally he was a Democrat, later a Republican, and finally his convictions led him to join the Prohibition party. During the latter part of the Civil War he enlisted as a substitute at Cincinnati, to which city he had gone with a fleet of timber, lumbered off his own land. It was his custom to lumber during the winter season and raft timber to Pittsburgh every spring.
Mr. Syphrit's kindly disposition was apparent in all relations with his fellow men, but never more than in his capacity as J.P. It was always his aim to avoid litigation and settle disputes out of court wherever possible, advising those that came before him that it would be wisest for each to yield a little rather than resort to litigation, and he was very successful in dealing with most of those who sought his intervention, his sincerity and evident fairness winning their complete confidence.
Mr. Syphrit lived to the age of 82 years, dying Apr. 8, 1895, and had witnessed most of the development of his locality from its primitive state to modern conditions. When he first lived here it was no uncommon thing for him to find deer in his wheat fields, and other game was also plentiful, but he never took any pleasure in hunting. He was 6 feet high, of stout build, fearless physically as well as morally,and kept his nerve even to old age.
Mr. Syphrit was twice married, and is survived by his second wife, Catherine (Allison). All his children were born to his first wife, Mary Campbell, d/o J.K. Campbell, of Ligonier Valley, to whom he was married in 1835. There were 13, ten of whom are still living, namely: Susan, widow of Levi Rudolph of Reynoldsville; Daniel, b. Mar. 18, 1841, a farmer, of Shamokin (he married Mary A. Henry); Mary, widow of Jacob Strouse, of Paradise; Noah, a retired farmer, of Paradise (he married Mary London); Christopher, of Polk Twp.; Amanda, Mrs. Clarence I. Johns, of Knox Twp.; Elizabeth, wife of James Gray, of Big Run; Priscilla, widow of Rev. J.P. Hicks, a minister of the M.E. Church; Martin; and Margaret, wife of Oscar Shaffer, of Paradise. The others were Rebecca and Joseph, who died in childhood; and Julia Ann, deceased at the age of 18.
Martin Syphrit was reared on the farm and lived with his parents or in the neighborhood until he was 28 years old. It was difficult for him to attend school regularly, as the facilities were poor and he could hardly be spared from home after he was old enough to be of real assistance, his services being especially valuable in the timber. He early acquired a timber lot of 163 acres at what is now Wishaw, which he sold eventually to a coal company, the Wishaw tipple being now located there.
He lived there 15 years, moving thence in May, 1900, to his present home, a tract of 118 acres formerly belonging to Miller Harding. Since he bought this it has been highly developed. He rebuilt the residence, has a large bank barn, and has 100 acres under cultivation, following general farming, though he makes a specialty of hay. By judicious liming, seeding and fertilizing, Mr. Syphrit has brought the soil into prime condition, the farm being now one of the best in the township and one of the most desirable as a home property. Two gas wells have been drilled, one of which Mr. Syphrit keeps for his own use. He owns some full-blooded stock, and in all the departments of his work has shown himself keenly alive to the advantages of maintaining high standards. From boyhood he has had to take a hand in all the work about a farm, and has done practically everything required to develop property in his locality except dig coal. He is also familiar with machinery, having operated threshing and hay baling outfits ever since he was a youth, and is able to handle them with
efficiency.
Mr. Syphrit appreciates the benefits of good government, and served his township as supervisor and a school director, but resigned before his last term expired, feeling that he was taking too much time from his work. He is a Republican on political questions. His religious connection is with the M.E. denomination, his membership being in Meade Chapel, which he serves as trustee, and is an active worker in
church and Sunday school.
On Dec. 25, 1889, Mr. Syphrit was married to Hannah B. Shaffer, d/o Jacob and Barbara (Best) Shaffer, of near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. Mrs. Syphrit was born Aug. 1, 1864, near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Syphrit are: Orie, whose wife is
Marie Wiley (he is an employee of the Glass Company at Brookville); Ethel May; Herbert; and Agnes Ruth.
Taken from "Jefferson County, Pennsylvania - Her Pioneers and People", by W.J. McKnight, Vol. II, published in 1917 by J.H. Beers and Company, Chicago, page 471.
MARTIN SYPHRIT, of Knox Twp., is one of the most enterprising farmers in his section of Jefferson Co., where he has long been recognized as an advocate of progressive ideas. His present home is located 5 miles south of Brookville, and its highly state is the best testimony which could be offered as to his ability and competence.
Mr. Syphrit was born Sept. 8, 1856, in Winslow twp., son of Joseph and Mary (Campbell) Syphrit and grandson of Christopher and Mary
(Shank) Syphrit. The grandfather, a native of Germany, lived in Canada for a number of years before settling in the U.S., and there Joseph Syphrit was born in 1814, it is said on the day that the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought (July 25, 1814), and further that the roar of the cannon could be heard at the Syphrit home.
In 1818 the family came to Westmoreland Co., where Joseph Syphrit grew to manhood. It was in 1840 or 1841 that he located in Jefferson Co., 3 miles south of Reynoldsville, then a village with but three houses within its limits. His neighbors were very scarce during the
early years, only 2 or 3 families having preceded him into this region. He passed the remainder of his life on the land which he cleared and improved.
The work of clearing progressed so slowly at first that he burned the heaviest timber in order to get rid of it.
Mr. Syphrit was one of the most useful citizens of his day, intelligent, wide-awake, and worthy of the confidence his neighbors reposed in him. He helped organize the township, held nearly all the local offices, supervisor, overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, etc., and was also active in the establishment of the Paradise (or Syphrit) M.E. Church in his neighborhood, donating land for the church site and cemetery. He built a frame church nearly on the site of the present brick structure. Mr. Syphrit was one of the original class and always a leading spirit in the congregation.
Originally he was a Democrat, later a Republican, and finally his convictions led him to join the Prohibition party. During the latter part of the Civil War he enlisted as a substitute at Cincinnati, to which city he had gone with a fleet of timber, lumbered off his own land. It was his custom to lumber during the winter season and raft timber to Pittsburgh every spring.
Mr. Syphrit's kindly disposition was apparent in all relations with his fellow men, but never more than in his capacity as J.P. It was always his aim to avoid litigation and settle disputes out of court wherever possible, advising those that came before him that it would be wisest for each to yield a little rather than resort to litigation, and he was very successful in dealing with most of those who sought his intervention, his sincerity and evident fairness winning their complete confidence.
Mr. Syphrit lived to the age of 82 years, dying Apr. 8, 1895, and had witnessed most of the development of his locality from its primitive state to modern conditions. When he first lived here it was no uncommon thing for him to find deer in his wheat fields, and other game was also plentiful, but he never took any pleasure in hunting. He was 6 feet high, of stout build, fearless physically as well as morally,and kept his nerve even to old age.
Mr. Syphrit was twice married, and is survived by his second wife, Catherine (Allison). All his children were born to his first wife, Mary Campbell, d/o J.K. Campbell, of Ligonier Valley, to whom he was married in 1835. There were 13, ten of whom are still living, namely: Susan, widow of Levi Rudolph of Reynoldsville; Daniel, b. Mar. 18, 1841, a farmer, of Shamokin (he married Mary A. Henry); Mary, widow of Jacob Strouse, of Paradise; Noah, a retired farmer, of Paradise (he married Mary London); Christopher, of Polk Twp.; Amanda, Mrs. Clarence I. Johns, of Knox Twp.; Elizabeth, wife of James Gray, of Big Run; Priscilla, widow of Rev. J.P. Hicks, a minister of the M.E. Church; Martin; and Margaret, wife of Oscar Shaffer, of Paradise. The others were Rebecca and Joseph, who died in childhood; and Julia Ann, deceased at the age of 18.
Martin Syphrit was reared on the farm and lived with his parents or in the neighborhood until he was 28 years old. It was difficult for him to attend school regularly, as the facilities were poor and he could hardly be spared from home after he was old enough to be of real assistance, his services being especially valuable in the timber. He early acquired a timber lot of 163 acres at what is now Wishaw, which he sold eventually to a coal company, the Wishaw tipple being now located there.
He lived there 15 years, moving thence in May, 1900, to his present home, a tract of 118 acres formerly belonging to Miller Harding. Since he bought this it has been highly developed. He rebuilt the residence, has a large bank barn, and has 100 acres under cultivation, following general farming, though he makes a specialty of hay. By judicious liming, seeding and fertilizing, Mr. Syphrit has brought the soil into prime condition, the farm being now one of the best in the township and one of the most desirable as a home property. Two gas wells have been drilled, one of which Mr. Syphrit keeps for his own use. He owns some full-blooded stock, and in all the departments of his work has shown himself keenly alive to the advantages of maintaining high standards. From boyhood he has had to take a hand in all the work about a farm, and has done practically everything required to develop property in his locality except dig coal. He is also familiar with machinery, having operated threshing and hay baling outfits ever since he was a youth, and is able to handle them with
efficiency.
Mr. Syphrit appreciates the benefits of good government, and served his township as supervisor and a school director, but resigned before his last term expired, feeling that he was taking too much time from his work. He is a Republican on political questions. His religious connection is with the M.E. denomination, his membership being in Meade Chapel, which he serves as trustee, and is an active worker in
church and Sunday school.
On Dec. 25, 1889, Mr. Syphrit was married to Hannah B. Shaffer, d/o Jacob and Barbara (Best) Shaffer, of near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. Mrs. Syphrit was born Aug. 1, 1864, near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Syphrit are: Orie, whose wife is
Marie Wiley (he is an employee of the Glass Company at Brookville); Ethel May; Herbert; and Agnes Ruth.
MARTIN SYPHRIT, of Knox Twp., is one of the most enterprising farmers in his section of Jefferson Co., where he has long been recognized as an advocate of progressive ideas. His present home is located 5 miles south of Brookville, and its highly state is the best testimony which could be offered as to his ability and competence.
Mr. Syphrit was born Sept. 8, 1856, in Winslow twp., son of Joseph and Mary (Campbell) Syphrit and grandson of Christopher and Mary
(Shank) Syphrit. The grandfather, a native of Germany, lived in Canada for a number of years before settling in the U.S., and there Joseph Syphrit was born in 1814, it is said on the day that the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought (July 25, 1814), and further that the roar of the cannon could be heard at the Syphrit home.
In 1818 the family came to Westmoreland Co., where Joseph Syphrit grew to manhood. It was in 1840 or 1841 that he located in Jefferson Co., 3 miles south of Reynoldsville, then a village with but three houses within its limits. His neighbors were very scarce during the
early years, only 2 or 3 families having preceded him into this region. He passed the remainder of his life on the land which he cleared and improved.
The work of clearing progressed so slowly at first that he burned the heaviest timber in order to get rid of it.
Mr. Syphrit was one of the most useful citizens of his day, intelligent, wide-awake, and worthy of the confidence his neighbors reposed in him. He helped organize the township, held nearly all the local offices, supervisor, overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, etc., and was also active in the establishment of the Paradise (or Syphrit) M.E. Church in his neighborhood, donating land for the church site and cemetery. He built a frame church nearly on the site of the present brick structure. Mr. Syphrit was one of the original class and always a leading spirit in the congregation.
Originally he was a Democrat, later a Republican, and finally his convictions led him to join the Prohibition party. During the latter part of the Civil War he enlisted as a substitute at Cincinnati, to which city he had gone with a fleet of timber, lumbered off his own land. It was his custom to lumber during the winter season and raft timber to Pittsburgh every spring.
Mr. Syphrit's kindly disposition was apparent in all relations with his fellow men, but never more than in his capacity as J.P. It was always his aim to avoid litigation and settle disputes out of court wherever possible, advising those that came before him that it would be wisest for each to yield a little rather than resort to litigation, and he was very successful in dealing with most of those who sought his intervention, his sincerity and evident fairness winning their complete confidence.
Mr. Syphrit lived to the age of 82 years, dying Apr. 8, 1895, and had witnessed most of the development of his locality from its primitive state to modern conditions. When he first lived here it was no uncommon thing for him to find deer in his wheat fields, and other game was also plentiful, but he never took any pleasure in hunting. He was 6 feet high, of stout build, fearless physically as well as morally,and kept his nerve even to old age.
Mr. Syphrit was twice married, and is survived by his second wife, Catherine (Allison). All his children were born to his first wife, Mary Campbell, d/o J.K. Campbell, of Ligonier Valley, to whom he was married in 1835. There were 13, ten of whom are still living, namely: Susan, widow of Levi Rudolph of Reynoldsville; Daniel, b. Mar. 18, 1841, a farmer, of Shamokin (he married Mary A. Henry); Mary, widow of Jacob Strouse, of Paradise; Noah, a retired farmer, of Paradise (he married Mary London); Christopher, of Polk Twp.; Amanda, Mrs. Clarence I. Johns, of Knox Twp.; Elizabeth, wife of James Gray, of Big Run; Priscilla, widow of Rev. J.P. Hicks, a minister of the M.E. Church; Martin; and Margaret, wife of Oscar Shaffer, of Paradise. The others were Rebecca and Joseph, who died in childhood; and Julia Ann, deceased at the age of 18.
Martin Syphrit was reared on the farm and lived with his parents or in the neighborhood until he was 28 years old. It was difficult for him to attend school regularly, as the facilities were poor and he could hardly be spared from home after he was old enough to be of real assistance, his services being especially valuable in the timber. He early acquired a timber lot of 163 acres at what is now Wishaw, which he sold eventually to a coal company, the Wishaw tipple being now located there.
He lived there 15 years, moving thence in May, 1900, to his present home, a tract of 118 acres formerly belonging to Miller Harding. Since he bought this it has been highly developed. He rebuilt the residence, has a large bank barn, and has 100 acres under cultivation, following general farming, though he makes a specialty of hay. By judicious liming, seeding and fertilizing, Mr. Syphrit has brought the soil into prime condition, the farm being now one of the best in the township and one of the most desirable as a home property. Two gas wells have been drilled, one of which Mr. Syphrit keeps for his own use. He owns some full-blooded stock, and in all the departments of his work has shown himself keenly alive to the advantages of maintaining high standards. From boyhood he has had to take a hand in all the work about a farm, and has done practically everything required to develop property in his locality except dig coal. He is also familiar with machinery, having operated threshing and hay baling outfits ever since he was a youth, and is able to handle them with
efficiency.
Mr. Syphrit appreciates the benefits of good government, and served his township as supervisor and a school director, but resigned before his last term expired, feeling that he was taking too much time from his work. He is a Republican on political questions. His religious connection is with the M.E. denomination, his membership being in Meade Chapel, which he serves as trustee, and is an active worker in
church and Sunday school.
On Dec. 25, 1889, Mr. Syphrit was married to Hannah B. Shaffer, d/o Jacob and Barbara (Best) Shaffer, of near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. Mrs. Syphrit was born Aug. 1, 1864, near Eleanor, Jefferson Co. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Syphrit are: Orie, whose wife is
Marie Wiley (he is an employee of the Glass Company at Brookville); Ethel May; Herbert; and Agnes Ruth.
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