BIO: William M. CATHCART, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 574 & 577.
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  WILLIAM M. CATHCART, one of Clearfield County's most highly respected retired 
farmers and substantial citizens, resides on the line separating Knox and Pike 
Townships and is one of the largest landowners in this section.  In addition to 
312 acres lying in Knox Township and a one-half interest in 100 acres more in 
that township, he owns 160 acres lying partly in Knox and partly in Pike 
Township.  Mr. Cathcart was born at Ansonville, Clearfield County, Pa., February 
24, 1827, and is a son of David J. and Keziah (Wilson) Cathcart.
  David J. Cathcart was born in Ireland but from the age of twelve years spent 
his life in Clearfield County, Pa.  When he reached manhood he married Keziah 
Wilson, who was born in New Jersey, and nine children were born to them, namely:  
Eliza Ann, William M., James, Martha, Mary, Ellen, Amelia, Sarah and Wilson.  
After marriage David J. Cathcart and wife located at Ansonville, where he 
engaged in farming, shoemaking and teaching school.  Later he acquired a farm of 
312 acres in Knox Township, the same now owned by his son, William M., and lived 
on this place until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years and his burial 
was in private grounds on his own place.  His wife lived only to be fifty-five 
years of age and her burial was in the same place.  They were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church.  On account of an injury to his knee, Mr. Cathcart 
did not succeed in clearing more than thirty acres of his land.
  William M. Cathcart remembers his early school days at Glen Hope, when logs 
roughly hewn served as seats in the primitive cabin where he learned his first 
lessons.  He was twelve years old before he ever saw a real school house, at 
Turkey Hill, where he attended one month.  His opportunities were meager, as his 
services were needed on the farm in the summers and in the woods, getting out 
timber, in the winters.  After his first marriage he settled on a part of the 
homestead farm and made use of the buildings then standing, but these were later 
destroyed by fire and he erected new ones.  In 1885 he moved to Olanta but 
continued to partially look after his farm interests, although his son, Edward 
Cathcart, was the general manager of the farm industries.  Mr. Cathcart sold 
some land adjacent to Olanta, two acres to a coal copmany, which has been 
divided into lots and improved; one acre to John Otter; two acres to Charles 
Norman and one and three-quarter acres to a company at the mines, contracting in 
the sale of this land that only reputable people shall be admitted as residents, 
in this way insuring a first class citizenship.  Mr. Cathcart has leased an open 
coal bank on his farm to the firm of Brown, Snyder & Co.  He has had other 
interests, at one time owning 160 acres of land in California, which he sold, 
and both he and wife are stockholders in the Curwensville National Bank.
  Mr. Cathcart was married first to Martha Jane Read, in June, 1859, a daughter 
of Ross Read, formerly of Lawrence Township.  She died in May, 1893, and her 
burial was at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Knox Township.  She was a member of the 
Presbyterian church.  The five children born to this marriage were as follows:  
Edward who is now deceased, married Alice Ferguson, and three of their children 
survive; Edith Ann, who died at the age of eight years; Mary Alice, who died at 
the age of four years; Emma Olive, who died aged sixteen years; and Harry Allen, 
who is now associated with his father, relieving him of many responsibilities, 
resides in Pike Township.  He married Rhoda Norris and they have three living 
children.  In August, 1897, Mr. Cathcart was married to Miss Rebecca Dunlap, a 
daughter of John and Martha (Read) Dunlap.  Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart are members of 
the Lutheran church at Olanta.  In politics he is a Republican but has never 
consented to accept any office of a public nature.