BIO: Melvin J. HURD, 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, page 531.
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  MELVIN J. HURD, a well known merchant conducting a store at La Jose, Chest 
township, where also he holds the office of postmaster, was born at this place 
April 4, 1884, son of Alonzo L. and Belle (McFadden) Hurd.  He is a great 
grandson of Elias Hurd, who settled in Newburg borough in 1832, clearing land on 
the site of the present village of La Jose.  He came to Clearfield county from 
Danville, Vt.  He died at the age of 75 years, leaving two sons - H. H. Hurd and 
L. J. Hurd, grandfather of our subject.  The latter, who was born in Vermont, 
married Rachel Wood, and they became pioneer settlers in Clearfield county, Pa.
  Alonzo L. Hurd was born at La Jose, Clearfield county, Pa., about 1849, and is 
now living at the age of 62 years.  In early manhood he was engaged for some 
time in farming.  In April, 1892, he opened a general store in La Jose, which he 
carried on successfully for a number of years, retiring at last from active 
business life.  For some time he held the office of Postmaster at La Jose, which 
postoffice, formerly known as Newburg, in now called Hurd, it having been 
renamed in his honor.  He is a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Mahaffey, and 
belongs to the order of P. L. S. of A., at La Jose, of which he is treasurer.  
In politics a Republican, he has served on the school board since coming of age, 
and has been a member of the borough council since its organization.
  Alonzo L. Hurd was first married to a Miss Tozier, of which union there were 
two children, namely:  Bird, a resident of Johnstown; and Louie, wife of C. 
Durwell, of Connelsville, Pa.  For his second wife, Mr. Tozier married Belle 
McFadden, who was born at La Jose, this county, a daughter of Robert P. and Ann 
McFadden.  She is still living at the age of 54 years.  The children of this 
second union were as follows:  Melvin J., subject of this sketch; Arthur, who is 
a partner with out subject in the mercantile business; Orvis, who is agent for 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Barnesboro, Pa; Joseph, who is attending 
school at Collinsville; Clair, Herbert and Audrey, all attending school.
  Melvin J. Hurd, after completing his school studies at the age of 15 years, 
found employment in teaming for his father, with whom he remained until the age 
of 21.  He was then a clerk in the mercantile store of A. T. Wilson of La Jose 
for four years.  He then purchased his present store, being associated at first 
with both his father and brother, but on the father's retirement has had his 
brother alone for a partner.  He has a well equipped store, carrying everything 
in the line of general merchandise for which there could be any probable demand 
in this community, and he has met with a gratifying degree of success.  A 
Republican in politics, he was appointed postmaster, July 17, 1908.  He is also 
treasurer of the borough and recording secretary.  He belongs to the Red Men's 
lodge at Mahaffey.  Mr. Hurd married Miss Edna Markle, who was born in La Jose, 
a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Williams) Markle, her father being a merchant of 
this borough.  Mr. and Mrs. Hurd have two children - Chetwin, born April 21, 
1907; and Mary Belle, born December 8, 1910.  Mrs. Hurd is a member of the 
Baptist church.