BIO: William J. CARLIN, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ W. J. CARLIN, one of the representative business men and prominent citizens of Brush Valley, Centre county, and a leading merchant of Rebersburg, was born February 23, 1850, at Potters Mills, in Potter township, Centre county. George Carlin (father of our subject), who was weaver by trade, was employed in the woolen-factory at that place. He was a native of the North of Ireland, whence when quite young he came to the United States with his parents, who located in Philadelphia, where both died. They possessed but limited means, and the father dying when the children were yet small, much responsibility rested upon George, who was the eldest. The others were James, a railroad engineer, who served in the Confederate army as colonel of an Alabama regiment, and died at Carthage, Mo.; William, also a railroad engineer, running on the Pennsylvania Central between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, who was a skilled mechanic and constructed an engine from the metal contained in a gold dollar; and Jane, who became the wife of John Hoyt, and died in Reedsville, Penn. John Hoyt was bookkeeper for William Mann, Jr., & Co., axe makers. He was killed by the cars while crossing the tracks at the axe factory, in 1872. In Philadelphia George Carlin learned to weave carpets, blankets, cassimeres, etc., and when a young man came to Potters Mills, Centre county, in order to obtain work at his trade. There he married Miss Catherine Toner, also a native of Ireland, who came to America with her parents, Thomas Toner and Catherine his wife. As the Potter Mills had closed down, Mr. Carlin removed to Mifflin county, Penn., in 1850, and obtained employment in Mann's axe factory as a temperer, which position he held until 1869, when he returned to Centre county, and purchased a home in Sprucetown, where his death occurred in 1875, when he was aged 68 years. He was a large and powerful man, weighing about 200 pounds, and his death was caused by a third stroke of paralysis. His wife was called to her final home in 1884, and was laid by his side in Sprucetown cemetery. He was an intelligent, well educated man and fine penman, and during his early life engaged in teaching in Chester county, Penn. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children, a brief record of the others being: John T. was a member of Company A, 46th P. V. I., during the Rebellion, but after serving eighteen months was discharged in 1863, on account of disability; he later became ticket agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Spruce Creek, Hollidaysburg and Indiana, Penn., respectively, and died at Yeagertown, Mifflin Co., Penn., in 1869; Sarah died at Potters Bank, Penn.; Mary died in infancy; Maria died at Potters Bank, at the age of twenty-eight years. George died at the same place; and Jane died at the age of nineteen. W. J. Carlin was an infant when taken by his parents to Mifflin county, and in the public schools of Reedsville he obtained his primary education, which was supplemented by a course in the Lewistown Academy, where he paid his own tuition, earning the money as an employee in Mann's axe factory. After the return of his parents to Centre county, he attended the schools of Potters Mills for a time, his teacher being George Peters. He then began teaching in Tylersville, and successfully followed that profession for six years. In Boalsburg, Centre county, he married Miss Emma Leitzell, a daughter of Aaron and Alvina (Hackman) Leitzell. Mr. Carlin's first experience in the mercantile business was as a clerk in a store in Reedsville when small but a boy, and later he held a similar position in the store of W. J. Thompson & Brother at Potters Mills, while for a time he served as bookkeeper for J. S. Shipman, a wholesale grocer of Titusville, Penn., with whom he remained through the year 1872 until the spring of 1873. Previously, however, he had also served as clerk in the establishment of R. H. Duncan at Spring Mills. On leaving Mr. Shipman he came to Rebersburg, where for a time he taught school, and was also agent for various sewing machines. In August, 1893, he purchased the general store of L. B. Frank, which he has since successfully conducted, now having the leading mercantile establishment in the place. In politics Mr. Carlin is a stanch Democrat, and is a leader and counsellor of his party in his locality, taking a keen interest in its success. For three years he ably served as constable of Miles township, and since 1882 has served as justice of the peace. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Society, No. 1031, of Rebersburg, which he represented in the grand lodge at Pittsburg, in May, 1896, and both himself and wife are active members of the Lutheran Church, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 288 while he has also served as secretary of the Sabbath-school for ten years. They have a comfortable home in Rebersburg, whose latch-string is always out, and their many friends are always sure to receive a hearty welcome. A man of known reliability, Mr. Carlin has often been called upon to act as administrator of estates, and as agent in settling other business transactions, the duties of which he has always promptly and faithfully discharged. In connection with his mercantile pursuits and official duties, he also acts as agent for W. B. Rankin, of Bellefonte, who represents various insurance companies. He is a careful, methodical business man, whose success is due entirely to his own perseverance, enterprise and good management. "Squire Carlin," as he is familiarly known, is one of Rebersburg's best citizens, and stands high in the esteem of all who know him. 1860 Brown Township, Mifflin County census - George Carlin, 48 Catharine Carlin, 45 John Carlin, 18 Sarah Carlin, 16 Maria Carlin, 12 William Carlin, 10 Jane Carlin, 8 George Carlin, 6