BIO: John MULHOLLAN, 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. _____________________________________________________________________ JOHN MULHOLLAN, who was born in 1800, and died on the 11th of June, 1860, was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Clearfield county. Carlisle wrote that "biography is the most universally pleasant and profitable of all studies," and in the life record of this gentleman there is certainly much of interest and of benefit. He was a self-made man, one whose energy and perseverance enabled him to pass on the highway of life many who had a more advantageous start. His labors brought to him a handsome competence, and by his well-spent life he won not only success but the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. He was a son of Rudolph and Mary M. (Werham) Mulhollan, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Ohio, of Irish and German extraction, respectively. Their children were James, Rudolph, George, Mrs. Mary Schwitzer, Alfred, Nancy (who died in infancy), John, Mrs. Nancy Clark, and Mrs. Rebecca Bowers, all now deceased. John Mulhollan was one of the early settlers of Centre county, where he made his home during the rest of his days. In early life he engaged in rafting on the river, and developed an extensive lumber trade which brought to him a handsome income. In later life he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and was thus engaged at the time of his death. His business career was characterized by great energy, well regulated and guided by sound judgment. He would brook no obstacles which could be overcome by determined purpose and honorable effort, and thus worked his way upward to prosperity, leaving at his death a large estate. On February 20, 1851, in Union county, Penn., he was married to Miss Barbara Betlion, who was born in Perry county, Penn., October 3, 1821, a daughter of David and Mary (Rafter) Betlion, natives of the Keystone State and of German descent. Both are now deceased. The father was a farmer, also a pilot on a boat that plied between Lock Haven and the ocean. In politics he was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. In their family were the following children: William (deceased); Barbara; John (deceased); Mary, wife of Christian Burns; Andrew (deceased); Joanna, wife of Cornelius Kaylor, a farmer of Union county, Penn.; Louisa, widow of John Richardson, also of Union county; Montgomery (deceased); and Kate, wife of Frank Speaker, a merchant of Montandon, Pennsylvania. Mr. Mulhollan also gave his political support to the Democratic party, and his widow is a warm advocate of the principles of that party. He was a leader in business circles, and alto- 272 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. gether a prominent citizen of Centre county. Industrious and persevering, he made the most of his opportunities, and in all the relations of life was a man whom to know was to honor. His widow still resides on the old homestead, which is a valuable property, the land being underlaid with coal and oil. With the many womanly qualities which bring to her friends, she combines excellent executive ability, and capably looks after her property interests. Mr. and Mrs. Mulhollan had children as follows: Elizabeth E., born October 31, 1851, died October 4, 1860; David R., born March 24, 1854, is a farmer of Burnsides township; William O., born March 23, 1856, died January 5, 1880; John A., born November 16, 1857, is now in Buffalo, N.Y.; Catherine A., twin sister of John A., is living with her mother. DAVID R. MULHOLLAN, the eldest son, whose home is only a short distance from that of his mother, is one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Burnside township. He was married June 4, 1873, to Miss Alice J. Flegal, of Goshen township, Clearfield county, and they have had nine children, namely: Ida (deceased), John P., Millie C., Ella V. (deceased), James R., W. 0., Preston E., Bernice E. and Ernest M. They have a pleasant home, and are highly esteemed people of the community. The Mulhollan family is especially worthy of mention in this volume. Mrs. John Mulhollan and her children all rank among the best representatives of this section of the county, and did also Mr. Mulhollan, her deceased husband.