BIO: Felix BURKHOLDER, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  228

  FELIX BURKHOLDER (deceased) was for many years one of the prominent 
and representative citizens of Potter township, Centre county, where 
his memory is held in reverence and honor.  A native of the Keystone 
State, he was born January 4, 1806 in Annville township, Lebanon 
county, and was a son of Felix Burkholder, Sr., who never lived in 
Centre county, but often visited his son after his removal to the 
county.  In the family were four sons and three daughters, of whom, our 
subject is the fourth in order of birth.  His father being in 
comfortable circumstance, he was provided with fair educational 
advantages but generally attended schools where only German was taught. 
  On February 7, 1833, in the county of his nativity, Mr. Burkholder 
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Meyer, who was born in 
Annville township, Lebanon county, December 26, 1807, and was the 
fourth daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Meyer.  They began their 
domestic life in Dauphin county, this State, where Mr. Burkholder 
engaged in milling for a number of years, and where were born to them 
the following children:  Mary, born January 9, 1835, died on the 29th 
of the following February.  John, born April 13, 1836, was a miller by 
trade and died September 23, 1893, in Miami county, Ohio, where his 
family are still living.  The next child died unnamed.  Catharine, born 
September 6, 1838, is a resident of Centre Hill, Centre county.  Felix 
M., born September 24, 1839, died May 24, 1893.  Elizabeth is the 
youngest. 
  In the spring of 1840 the family migrated to Centre county, traveling 
by boat through the canals to Lewistown, and thence by wagon to their 
destination.  Mr. Burkholder rented what is known as the Red Mill in 
Potter township, which he successfully conducted until the spring of 
1860, when he purchased the William Milligan farm near Centre Hill, and 
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits for the first time, 
having engaged in milling for over thirty years with good success. Upon 
that farm he spent his remaining days, dying on the 7th of May, 1883, 
and now lies buried in the cemetery of Tusseyville.  His wife, who 
survived him for some time, passed away July 26, 1893, and was laid to 
rest by his side.
  After coming to Centre county, the family circle was increased by the 
birth of four children, the oldest of whom, a son, died in infancy, 
unnamed; Michael M., born March 5, 1843, is a farmer of Potter 
township; Elizabeth, born September 17, 1844, married Daniel Seltzer by 
whom she had one child - Elmer B., who was born September 12, 1868 and 
died Oct. 17, 1876 (she and her sister now make their home together in 
Centre Hill, where they have many warm friends); Mary, the youngest in 
the family, was born August 12, 1849, and died September 10,1887.
  Mr. Burkholder was an energetic, hard-working man, who met with 
success in his business ventures by honest and fair dealing, and whose 
word was ever considered as good as his bond.  His wife was a 
consistent member of the Reformed Church, and although not connected 
with any religious denomination he was a great Bible student and gave 
liberally to the support of Churches.  In politics he was an ardent 
supporter of the Republican party.