BIO: James SCHOFIELD, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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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, page 120

HON. JAMES SCHOFIELD, Representative of the Bellefonte District in the 
General Assembly of the State. An honorable ambition, sustained by practical 
ability and unyielding energy, is a passport to success, and the biographies 
of our distinguished men furnish interesting illustrations of the rule. It is 
a pleasure to present to our readers such a forceful example as the following 
sketch conveys.
  Mr. Schofield has become so thoroughly and prominently identified with the 
leading interests of this section that it is not difficult to imagine him 
making his way against heavy odds to his present position in the community, 
yet his brave and successful struggle is doubtless one factor in his 
popularity. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, March 20, 1848, the first child 
of William Schofield and his second wife Ellen (Allen). The father was a 
native of County Monaghan, Ireland, born in 1809, and in early life was a 
farmer, but later had charge of the shipyards of McClellan & Co., at Belfast, 
where his death occurred in 1896. Our subject's mother is still living in 
Belfast at the age of sixty-seven years. Both parents were connected with the 
Presbyterian Church from early years.
  Our subject, James Schofield, received a good elementary education in the 
schools of his native city, and learned the harness-maker's trade. When thus 
prepared for the practical work of life, he failed to find contentment in the 
prospects which lay before him. For one thing the idea of being a subject in 
a monarchy was distasteful to him, and the thought that by crossing the 
Atlantic he could become a citizen in a Republic, and be himself a recognized 
factor in the government, filled his soul with longing. He did not hesitate 
long. With characteristic promptness and decision he made his choice, and at 
the age of eighteen sailed for America, where he soon found a suitable 
location at Bellefonte, the climate and the people both proving congenial. A 
livelihood was, of course, his first consideration, and he applied himself 
diligently to his trade, working as a journeyman until 1871, when he went 
into business on his own account. Thoroughly competent in all branches of 
harness and saddle making, his masterly workmanship, coupled with upright and 
honorable business methods, attracted an increasing custom until he became 
the leading dealer in his line in Centre county. His genial nature and well-
informed mind gained him warm friends, and his shop became a meeting place 
for the discussion of the live topics of the day.
  As his prosperity became established, he had time to take an active part in 
political affairs, and, first as school director and later as overseer of the 
poor, he did efficient service. In 1892 he was elected on the Democratic 
ticket to the State Legislature, where he succeeded in getting some valuable 
measures passed. He was a member of the committee on Mining and Agriculture. 
At that time there were only seventy Democrats in the House. In 1894 he was 
again a candidate, but his party was slaughtered everywhere that year, and he 
went down with the rest. In 1896, he was again the choice of the Democrats of 
his county, and, although the party was divided, he was elected by a majority 
of 105, while Major McKinley carried the county by 400 votes. Mr. Schofield 
is now serving on a number of important committees, among them being those of 
City Appropriations, Manufactories and Election Laws. No progressive movement 
in his locality fails to receive Mr. Schofield's appreciation and support, 
and his friends and admirers are by no means limited to any party or class. 
He is active in fraternal society work as a member of the I. O. O. F. and the 
K. G. E.
  The wife of Mr. Schofield, formerly Miss Ellen Fleck, is a native of 
Philipsburg, Centre county, Penn., born in 1856. Their children are: Mary 
(who married George Parker, and has two children - Ferguson and Jennie), 
Edward, Elizabeth and Nancy, the son Edward being in the grocery business at 
Bellefonte.