Franklin County Pennsylvania Biographies
| F. S. BRENISHOLTS, dentist, Waynesboro, was born in Juniata County, Penn.,
February 13, 1839, son of Peter and Eliza (McConnell) Brenisholts, natives
of Pennsylvania, and of German and English origin, former of whom was a farmer
and stock dealer. Their family consisted of six children, five of whom grew
to manhood and womanhood. Our subject, the third born, was reared on the
farm in his native county, and received his schooling in the Juniata Academy.
He first followed farming as an occupation. The Doctor, from his earliest
years showed wonderful skill in working in wood, and without receiving the
usual instructions became so expert as to command the highest prices for
his work. During the war he was engaged in Washington on work for the Government
for a time, and afterward went to Williamsport, Penn., where he worked three
years in constructing spiral stairways, and one year later he carried on
building and contracting in the same place. Then, in 1871, he commenced the
study of dentistry with his brother, and has since devoted his entire attention
to his chosen profession. He was united in marriage, in 1878, with Samantha,
daughter of the late Dr. R. M. and Mary Ann (Peel) French, former of whom
was born in Otsego County, N. Y., of Scotch-Irish extraction; the latter
was born in Cumberland County, Penn., of English descent, and a relative
of Sir Robert Peel of England. Dr. French attended the medical college at
Philadelphia, and also at Baltimore; he was a successful physician, practicing
his profession for many years in Pennsylvania, and in those early days his
ride extended into several counties. Mrs. Brenisholts is a member of the
Presbyterian Church. The Doctor is a member of the Methodist Church, of which
he is trustee and steward, and assistant superintendent in the Sabbath-school.
In politics he is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the town council,
and at present is a director in the American Manufacturing Company, and president
of the school board of Waynesboro. He is a member of the K. of P. of
Williamsport, Penn., and of the Subordinate and Encampment of the I. O. O.
F. The Doctor has been very successful in his practice.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 936 . - Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| ALLEN BROWN and descendants. Allen Brown came from Cookstown, County
Tyrone, Ireland, and settled in Lower Path Valley, then Fannett Township,
Cumberland Co., Penn., about the year 1755. He built a house on the main
road leading to Pittsburgh, started a small store and traded with the Indians
and early settlers. In 1765 he bought from Adam Hoopes 450 acres of land,
for which he paid £359. In religion he was a Presbyterian, and it is
supposed he was one of the many that left Ireland about that time in order
to have larger religious liberty. He was twice married - to Mary Brotherton,
July 3, 1755, who died July 10, 1758, and, May 16, 1768, to Margaret Oliver,
who died March 14, 1817. Allen Brown died October 14, 1808, aged seventy-nine
years, and is interred in the White Church Presbyterian graveyard. He was
enrolled in Capt. Abrams company, and did some service in the Revolutionary
war. In person he was a man of medium height and size, kindly disposition,
and a leader among men at his day and in the community in which he lived.
He left three children: Mary, Joseph and Stephen O. Mary married James McCurdy,
and died at the age of seventy-five. Joseph was twice married, was elected
justice of the peace and was for a number of years a ruling elder in the
Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church. He died, respected by the community,
at the age of seventy-six, and is interred in the White Church graveyard.
Stephen O. was born February 7, 1782. He fell heir to one half the large
tract which his father owned; on this land he built a house, on the road
leading through the valley from Fort Loudon to Concord, and there lived all
his days. April 30, 1806, he married Martha Johnston, of Antrim Township,
this county, a lady of the noted family of that name which figured so largely
in the early history of Antrim Township and Franklin County. She died March
22, 1817, aged forty-three, and is interred in the Johnston graveyard near
Shady Grove. March 5, 1824, he married Margaret Brewster, daughter of William
Brewster of Fannettsburg, this county. She died May 17, 1872. Stephen O.
Brown died March 8, 1860, aged seventy-nine years, and is interred in the
Lower Path Valley graveyard where a neat monument has been erect to his and
his wife's memory. He was six feet in height, weighed about 175 pounds, hair
brown, eyes blue. In his prime he was a man of strength, with fine physical
and muscular build, a large, well molded head and a strong face. He was a
reader and well informed on all subjects, and a fine conversationalist. He
was a Presbyterian, and for many years held the office of trustee in the
church. He was a Whig in politics, but never sought nor held office more
than school director of his township. By economy, industry and good judgment
he accumulated quite a large fortune. He left three children: Martha Jane,
wife of Samuel M. Linn, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Oliver S. Brown and Dr.
W. B. Brown, Greencastle, Penn.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 700-701. . Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| DAVID DUNCAN SKINNER, farmer, P. O. Dry Run, was born October 11, 1815,
the sixth child of Stephen Skinner, a son of William Skinner. He remained
at home until he was of age and for several years drove a team to Pittsburgh.
At the age of twenty-five, he married Margaret, daughter of John Flickinger.
She died leaving eight children, but one now living, Stephen. Mr. Skinners'
second wife is Jane Beers, a native of Huntingdon County, and a daughter
of Alexander Beers. To this union ten children were born (nine now living),
viz.: Robert, Eldorado, Gilson, Nancy M., Clinton, Wilbert, Mary, Retta J.,
Emma C. and Anna M. (latter deceased). In 1844 Mr. Skinner moved on the place
where he now resides, and on which he has put all the improvements. He had
but $700 when he bought the property, and has now three farms, making 600
acres in all. Mr. Skinner has been very industrious and probably did more
hard work than any other man in this Valley. In politics he is a Republican.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 757.
. Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| D. J. SKINNER, farmer, P. O. Dry Run, is a descendant of one of the old
pioneer families of Path Valley, this county, where he was born August 10,
1822, the third son of John and Judith (Doyle) Skinner. John Skinner was
born April 17, 1786, in this township, as was also his wife, Judith, daughter
of Barnabas Doyle, whose ancestors came here as early as 1748. The grandfather
of David J. was William Skinner, one of the pioneers of Path Valley. Our
subject remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, when he married
Catherine, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Stark) Barkley, the latter a daughter
of Isaac Stark. Mr. Skinner remained on the homestead farm fifteen years
after his marriage, and, about 1859 moved to the Adam Crouse farm where he
remained until 1869. He then moved to his present residence, where he has
since lived, and up to the present time has been continuously engaged in
farming pursuits, having several hundred acres of choice land, highly improved.
He is the father of ten children, as follows: Washington, Sarah A., John
M., William B., Anna A., Lizzie O., Jennetta A., David M., Ada B. and Lotta
B., all of whom are residents of the county, except John M. and William B.,
the former a merchant, the latter an attorney, in Mount Vernon, Mo. Washington
entered the service of his country at the age of sixteen, and returned as
captain; he was subsequently elected county treasurer. Mr. Skinner is a member
of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 757. Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |
| DR. W. M. SHULL, Concord, was born in Spring Township, Perry Co., Penn.,
August 14, 1859, the youngest of his father's family. His father, Samuel
Shull, was a native of Perry County, and a son of Frederick Shull. Subject's
mother's maiden name was Alvina Albert, also a native of Perry County. The
Doctor was reared to farming, acquired a good education, and began teaching
at the age of eighteen. He taught for five years, a portion of the time as
assistant at Wilson College. In the spring of 1882 he began the study of
medicine, first with Dr. McMorris, of Duncannon; later with Dr. Stricker,
of New Bloomfield, finally graduating at Jefferson Medical College in the
spring of 1885. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Blaine,
Perry County, where he met with success. In February, 1886, the Doctor came
to Concord, where he has since received an excellent patronage and is meeting
with success.
History of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 756. Transcribed and Donated by Carol Parrish |