BIOGRAPHY: James A. WHARTON, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 282-3
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JAMES A. WHARTON, a farmer and ex-soldier of Clearfield township, is a son of 
Joseph and Catherine (Bender) Wharton, and was born in Clearfield township, this 
county, January 16, 1845.
     The Wharton family traces its ancestry to England, where Mr. Wharton, the 
great-grandfather of the subject was born. Stanton Wharton, grandfather, was for 
many years a resident of the District of Columbia, whence he removed at an early 
day to Clearfield township, where he purchased a large tract of woodland.
     He was a pioneer of the township, and cleared and cultivated a large farm. 
He remained on the farm until 1861, when he removed to St. Augustine, this 
county; here he opened a grocery store, and for several years was postmaster. He 
was a member of the Catholic church, and was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
died in 1872. He married Miss Mary McConnell, and to their union were born four 
sons and five daughters: Sarah, the wife of Michael Driscoll; Joseph, deceased; 
Jane, the widow of the late John McMullen; John, deceased; William, located in 
Clearfield township; Ellen, deceased, who was the wife of Enos McMullen; Arthur, 
a farmer of Clearfield township; and Alice, postmaster at St. Augustine.
     James A. Wharton's father was born in Ebensburg, this county, where his 
father resided for a short time previous to settling in Clearfield township. He 
was reared on a farm, and followed farming all his life. On attaining his 
majority he located on the farm now owned by his son, James A., and resided 
there all his life. He died January 6, 1834. Death resulted from injuries 
received by being kicked by a horse. He was a member of the State militia, and 
held the rank of major. In religious opinions, he was a devout member of the 
Roman Catholic church, and in politics affiliated with the Whig party.
     His marriage with Miss Catharine Bender, a daughter of Emericka Bender, of 
Carroll township, resulted in the birth of five children: James A.; Charles, who 
was killed by lightning, July 29, 1892, was a merchant of Dysart, this county; 
Mary, the wife of Silas McGough, of Altoona; Alice, the wife of James McGough, 
of Clearfield township; and Ellen, the wife of Albert Ivory, of Greensburg, 
Pennsylvania.
     James A. Wharton was reared on his father's farm, and received his 
education in the common schools of his native township. He followed in the 
footsteps of his ancestors, and has followed the life and pursuits of a farmer 
all his life. He purchased the old homestead, and now owns eighty-five acres of 
land, all underlaid with coal. When the Civil War was upon us, Mr. Wharton left 
his farm and entered the service of his country. He enlisted September 15, 1861, 
in company A, Fifty-fifth regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry, and 
served during the war, receiving his discharge, August 27, 1865. He took part in 
the following battles: Pocotaligo, South Carolina; Drury's Bluff, Virginia, 
where he was taken captive and was prisoner in Andersonville prison for six 
months and seven days, and was then exchanged. Other battles were: Fort Darling, 
Virginia; Hatcher's Run, and Appomattox Court House.
     On receiving discharge from the army, he returned to his farm, where he has 
since been actively engaged in agriculture. He is a member of the Roman Catholic 
church, and in political belief is identified with the Democratic party.
     He has been twice married. October 22, 1867, he celebrated his marriage 
with Miss Marguerite McDermitt, and to their union eight children were born: 
Charles, of Buffalo, New York; Gertrude, a dressmaker in Altoona, Pennsylvania; 
Herman, deceased; Catherine, at home; Helena, in Altoona; Marcellus, at home; 
Mary and William, deceased. November 20, 1887, he married his second wife, Miss 
Mary Dodson, of Clearfield township, and the marriage has resulted in the birth 
of five children: Marguerite, Geneva, Charles, Cyrus and Edna.