BIO: John G. PLATT, Centre County, PA

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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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  JOHN G. PLATT, of Philipsburg, Centre county, is one of the most 
energetic and enterprising citizens of that thriving city, his 
extensive wholesale grocery business being conducted after metropolitan 
methods, and reflecting unusual judgment and skill. Although the 
business is owned by a stock company, he was its chief promoter, and 
has been its manager and chief from the start, achieving a success 
which would have done credit to a much older head. Besides the store in 
Philipsburg, which is equal, in magnitude and business, to any large 
city establishment, he has another at Du Bois, in Clearfield county, of 
equal proportions, and six salesmen are kept constantly on the road. 
The business is exclusively wholesale, and stands second to none of the 
kind in the State.
  Mr. Platt was born May 7, 1863, at Ypsilanti, Mich., and is a 
descendant of a family whose various members have held honorable 
positions in life wherever they might be placed. His line of descent is 
traced to one of two brothers who came from France at an early day to 
make their homes in America, one locating in New York City, and the 
other at the site of the present city of Plattsburg, N.Y. From the 
latter was descended James Platt, our subject's great-grandfather, who 
lived and died in Rensselaer county, New York. Edwin A. Platt, the 
grandfather of our subject, was born at Stephentown, Rensselaer county, 
N.Y., whence in 1833 he removed to Michigan, where he passed his 
remaining years in agricultural pursuits. His wife, Caroline Pardee, 
also died in Michigan. Of their five children. Alfonso Platt, our 
subject's father, was the eldest: (2) Pardee, now a resident of 
Detroit, married Miss Fannie Alger, sister of Gen. R. A. Alger, 
formerly governor of Michigan, and for many years past a prominent 
figure in national politics. (3) Henry D. is a farmer at the old 
homestead (bought in 1833), near Ypsilanti, Mich. (4) Susan married 
John Roreson. (5) Lenota, who has not married, resides at Ludington, 
Mich. The Michigan branch of the family is highly connected, and Mrs. 
Don M. Dickenson, of Detroit, was a Miss Platt, and full cousin to our 
subject's father. Mrs. Caroline (Pardee) Platt, grandmother of our 
subject, was of Scotch descent, and related to an old family of 
Rensselaer county, N.Y. She was a sister of Ario Pardee, of Hazelton, 
Penn., a millionaire lumber and coal "king." The Pardee family, in 
company with the Platts, moved to Michigan in 1833, settling near 
Ypsilanti.
  Alfonso Platt was born November 19, 1825, at the old home in 
Rensselaer county, N.Y., but accompanied his parents to the West when a 
child, and was reared there. Mercantile life attracted him, and after 
clerking in a store for some time, he engaged in business for himself 
at Ypsilanti, remaining until he was forty-five years old, when he 
moved to Hazelton, Penn., to take charge of a store for A. Pardee & Co. 
Later he spent six years in Virginia, but returning to Hazelton he 
resided there eight years before finally locating in Philipsburg, where 
he is 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  509

now living in retirement. He is a Republican in politics. His first 
wife was Miss Martha E. Tower, who died in 1865, aged thirty-two years; 
only two of their six children lived to maturity, John G. and Ario 
Pardee. His second wife was Harriet (Redner) Tower, and two children, 
Pearl and Harcy, were born to this union.
  J. G. Platt was five years old when his father removed to this State, 
and he attended the first school in Hazelton. After a brief residence 
in Virginia, he spent some time in Michigan, and acquired a practical 
education in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. He then clerked in a 
wholesale grocery store in Detroit, for a time, and on his return to 
Hazelton he became bookkeeper for J. F. Barber & Co., remaining with 
them several years. With his abilities thus developed by experience, he 
went to Philipsburg in 1888, and established his present mammoth 
establishment, speedily winning a high rank in business circles. His 
offices are well adapted for business, and are thoroughly up-to-date in 
equipment.
  Mr. Platt's wife, formerly Miss Alice Turnbach, is a native of Black 
Creek township, Luzerne Co., Penn., born in January, 1863. One 
daughter, Lucile, brightens their home. The entire family are members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and active workers therein. Socially Mr. 
Platt is a Freemason, and member of the Royal Arcanum. In his political 
predilections he is a Republican, and has efficiently served on the 
city council three years.