BIO: John O. TODD, Centre County, Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/
_______________________________________________ 

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.
_______________________________________________ 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 115-116

JOHN O. TODD (deceased), in his lifetime a prominent citizen of Philipsburg, 
was for many years connected with the mining interests of Centre county, and 
through diligence and economy secured a competency which enabled him to spend 
his declining years in ease and retirement. He was born in Durham, England, 
November 24, 1823, a son of John and Mary J. (Waistle) Todd, who were natives 
of that country, where the father died November 3, 1823. Later the mother 
wedded Joseph Boothe, and in the fall of 1848 they came to America, locating 
at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Penn., where they remained for three years. They 
then took up their residence in Philipsburg, Centre county, where the mother 
died in November, 1868, and her husband on February 23, 1870.

116	COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

  On April 12, 1847, Mr. Todd sailed for America, landing in New York May 22 
following. Proceeding at once to Schuylkill county, Penn., he there worked in 
the coal mines for three years, and then came to Philipsburg, where he was 
employed in the lumber woods and in a sawmill, while during the spring he 
rafted lumber on the Susquehanna river. In 1860 he began mining for his 
father-in-law, and served as mining boss until 1893, when he laid aside 
business cares, and sought the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. A practical 
and skillful miner, he was well fitted for the responsible position which he 
filled.
  On September 14, 1862, Mr. Todd married Miss Susannah Nuttall, and ten 
children graced their union, namely: Martha J., now the wife of Andrew 
Allport, a farmer in Virginia; John T., who is a stockholder and 
superintendent of mines near Philipsburg; Frederick C., who is also 
interested in mines at the same place; Charles (deceased); Mary W. and Harry 
W., both at home; Herbert, Albert and Edna (all three deceased); and Ethel 
N., at home. Mrs. Todd was born July 19, 1847, in England, whence when two 
years of age she was brought to the United States by her parents, John and 
Betty Nuttall, natives of Lancaster, England, who located in New York for a 
few years, later in Centre county.
  Mr. Todd died June 8, 1897. Socially he affiliated with the Knights of 
Pythias; politically he was identified with the Democratic party, whose 
principles he strongly advocated and whose candidates he always supported by 
his ballot. A public-spirited, progressive citizen, he manifested a deep 
interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the community, where he 
found a pleasant home for so many years, while throughout the county he made 
many warm friends, and his departure from their midst was deeply mourned.