BIO: John J. McGARVEY, 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 734 & 735.
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  JOHN J. McGARVEY, farmer and fruit grower, in Chest Township, where he was 
born, on the old family homestead, October 16, 1847, is a son of Anthony and 
Jane McGarvey, and a grandson of William McGarvey.
  Anthony McGarvey was born in Ireland and accompanied relatives to America when 
he was a boy of twelve years.  His father came from Ireland at a later date and 
subsequently died at Philadelphia.  Anthony McGarvey came from that city and was 
one of the first settlers in Chest Township, where he followed farming and 
lumbering during the whole of his active life, surviving into old age.  He was 
married to a lady who had been born in Ireland, who died when their son, John 
J., was only three years old.  Anthony McGarvey was married second to Mrs. Ellen 
Hunter, who was of Scotch descent.  John J. McGarvey has one sister, Elizabeth, 
who is the widow of Daniel Gorman, of La Jose, and a half-brother and a half-
sister:  Robert H., who resides on the old homestead; and Kate, who is the wife 
of J. Sunderland, of Clearfield.
  John J. McGarvey obtained a district school education, although, in his 
boyhood, school opportunities near his father's farm were meager, and afterward 
engaged in farming on the old homestead until he secured a farm of his own, 
where he has resided ever since.  In addition to general farming he has also 
engaged in lumbering, has followed threshing for many seasons and is also 
largely interested in raising fruit.
  Mr. McGarvey married Miss Martha Ann Robison, who was born in Chest Township, 
a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Chamberlain) Robison.  Mr. and Mrs. McGarvey 
have seven children, namely:  Thomas, who married Susanne Harrison and they have 
three children; Mary, who married B. Frailey, and they have four children; 
Nellie, who lives at home; Robert, who married Blanche McMasters, is a farmer in 
Chest Township, and they have three children; Elizabeth, who married Hugh 
Gallaher, of Chest Township, and they have three children; Bradley, who married 
Elizabeth McMasters, resides at Berwinsdale, Pa., and they have one child; and 
Martha, who still resides with her parents.
  Mr. McGarvey has always been identified with the Democratic party.  His 
standing as a reliable and representative citizen has been frequently recognized 
by the people with whom he has spent his life, and they have elected him to 
responsible offices.  For six years he has been a member of the township school 
board and for sixteen years served in the office of township auditor.  He 
belongs to the Odd Fellows and is identified with the lodge at Clearfield.