BIO: Lyman T. EDDY, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ LYMAN T. EDDY, the efficient and popular manager of the McCoy & Linn Cold Blast Charcoal Furnace, Rolling Mills and Chain Works, located at Milesburg, Centre county, was there born January 30, 1841, and is a son of Thomas H. and Sarah M. (Moses) Eddy, natives of Connecticut, where they were married and remained until 1838, when they came to Centre county, locating near the Harvey Mann's Axe Factory. For about four years the father was a heater and striker in the same, and then removed to Milesburg, where, in connection with his brother- in-law, Reuben Loveland, he opened an axe factory of his own, conducting the same for three years. On going to Clinton county, this State, on the expiration of that time, he operated an axe factory under the firm name of Loveland & Eddy until is death, which occurred in August, 1865, when he was aged fifty-two years. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 501 Church, a great Sunday-school worker, and being an excellent vocalist took quite a prominent part in the singing at camp meetings. He was first a Whig in politics, later giving his support to the Republican party. After his death our subject took charge of his business interests for two years, and then leased his share of the factory to Mr. Loveland for three years, who later purchased the same. The mother of our subject, who was born August 2, 1818, died February 6, 1897; she, too, was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In her family were four children: Walter, who was scalded to death at the age of two years; Lyman T., of this review; Nancy, wife of Samuel Watson, of Lamar; and Ira C., a bookkeeper, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The educational privileges afforded Lyman T. Eddy were rather meager, and as a farm hand he earned the money with which to pay his tuition at Dickinson Seminary, which he attended at intervals for six years. At the age of sixteen he was compelled to lay aside his text books, and in October, 1857, began teaching in the public schools of Lamar, his term there covering a period of seven months. For the two succeeding winters he taught at Hublersburg, Centre county, then again at Lamar, and the next winter at Flemington, Clinton county, while the following year he had charge of a school at Williamsport, Penn., from the 1st of September until the 1st of November. For thirty-eight months he followed that profession mostly during the winter season, before attaining his majority, while the summers were spent in farm work and in attending the seminary at Williamsport. Mr. Eddy then entered the employ of the Washington Iron Works, at Lamar, where he remained some ten years, filling the positions of bookkeeper, salesman and manager. On November 1, 1872, he accepted his present responsible position, which he has so capably and acceptably filled, as his long retention plainly indicates. On August 10, 1862, Mr. Eddy was married to Miss Margaret E. Walker, and to them have been born two children: Alma F., wife of Calvin Zimmerman, of Milesburg; and Clarence P., deceased when one year old. The mother's birth occurred in Clinton county, October 30, 1837, and she is a daughter of Philip and Judith (Moyer) Walker, of Centre county, where the father died. He was a prominent farmer, was called upon to fill several official positions of honor and trust, and was an active worker in the Evangelical Church. The mother, who was born in 1808, is still living on a farm at Clintonville, Penn. In their family were six children, namely: Margaret E., wife of our subject; Cyrus, who operates the old homestead farm in Clinton county; Nannie B., at home with her mother; Harry A., a merchant of Lock Haven, Penn.; James, who was killed by the kick of a horse; and Abigail J., deceased. For almost a quarter of a century, Mr. Eddy has been prominently identified with the business and political interests of Milesburg, being elected to several important official positions, the duties of which he has always promptly and faithfully discharged. He has served as school director, councilman and auditor, filling the last named office at the present time. Fraternally he is connected with Bald Eagle Lodge No. 410, I.O.O.F., in which he has passed all the chairs. Like his honored parents, Mr. Eddy is also a prominent Church worker, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Milesburg, in which he has served as steward, recording steward, trustee, secretary of the board of trustees, president of the Epworth League, and class leader for seventeen years. For thirty years he has also been teacher in the Sunday-school, ten years of which time he served in that capacity in Lamar, and the past twenty years he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school at Milesburg. He takes great delight in music, which he reads readily, is a vocalist of much ability, and has devoted his talent in this respect toward raising money for Church work. The poor and needy always find in him a warm friend, and no man in Milesburg is more universally beloved and respected than Lyman T. Eddy.