BIO: John Bernard McGRATH, Clearfield County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm _____________________________________________________________ From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr., Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 531 - 533. _____________________________________________________________ JOHN BERNARD McGRATH was born in a little village on the "Old Portage" Railroad in Washington Township, Blair County, Pa., July 5, 1854, and is the son of John McGrath and Margaret McHugh McGrath. His grandfather on his father's side emigrated from Ireland in 1814, and settled in Philadelphia, where John McGrath, Sr., father of John B., was born. On his mother's side he is also of Irish descent. His mother's father, Dennis McHugh, was prominently connected with the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and was obliged to leave Ireland secretly with his companions; he settled in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where his daughter Margaret was born. He served a short time in the American Army in the War of 1812. John B. McGrath comes from a family distinguished for its connection with the development of the bituminous coal fields of Pennsylvania. His father, John McGrath, Sr., was one of the pioneers in this industry; he it was who first developed the now famous "Miller" vein, as well as the "Lemon" Vein in Cambria County. Miles McHugh, an uncle, opened the first coal for railroad shipment in the Clearfield region, and Edward McHugh, an uncle, and M. B. McGrath, a brother, are largely identified with the development of the Houtzdale or Moshannon coal fields of the county. John B. McGrath was less than a year old when his parents moved to Dudley, Huntingdon County, Penna., and he remained there until he was about 14 years of age. His father died at Dudley, May 6, 1865, and his mother, with her family, John B. included, removed to Osceola, Clearfield County, Penna., on April 1, 1868 and with the exception of one year spent in Jefferson County, the family have resided in Clearfield County since that time. In 1875, shortly before the great fire that destroyed Osceola, Mrs. McGrath and her family moved to the Beech Woods Settlement (Jefferson County, Penna.), where they resided until early 1876, when they returned to Clearfield County and settled at Houtzdale, Pa. Mrs. Margaret McHugh McGrath died at Houtzdale, Dec. 1, 1878. John B. McGrath has resided in Houtzdale since Feb. 15, 1876; he is now practicing law and is a prominent member of the Clearfield County Bar. He is also engaged in the fire insurance business, maintaining an office at Houtzdale, Pa., and is the senior member of the firm of McGrath & Moore, insurance brokers of Clearfield, Pa. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Anda Coal Company, which conducts a coal operation near Houtzdale, Penna. Mr. McGrath was educated in the public schools; he attended school at Dudley, Pa., and also at Osceola, Pa. He has always taken an active part in politics and all public affairs. He is an uncompromising Democrat and has twice served as chairman of the party organization in the county; first in 1902 and was re-elected in 1903. He has held a number of local offices; - school director, justice of the peace, and is at present a member of the Houtzdale Borough Council. He takes a great interest in all public affairs and is considered among the progressive citizens of the county. On July 21, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Ingraham Marmion, at Fortress Monroe, Va. She was born at Wilmington, S. C., and was a daughter of Dr. George H. and Elizabeth Coffin (Wood) Marmion. Her father, Dr. Marmion, was a native of Harper's Ferry, Va. Mrs. McGrath was descended from Keziah Coffin, who was a relative of Benjamin Franklin, and her kindred were among the distinguished people of the country. At the time of her marriage she was a resident of Hampton, Va. Mrs. McGrath was a lady of beautiful character and the accident that caused her death threw a shadow over the community where she was much beloved. Mr. McGrath with his wife and children were driving a spirited team, which ran away when near Ramey, Pa., May 20, 1900, causing injuries from which Mrs. McGrath died three days later. Mr. McGrath was also injured and his little son suffered a broken leg. It was a very sad ending to what had promised to be a pleasant recreation. To Mr. and Mrs. McGrath four children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The survivors are: Margaret; John J., who is a student in Fordham College, New York, and George H. All have been given both educational and social advantages and are being prepared for any position in society. Mr. McGrath and children are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Columbus but with no other organization. He is one of the valued members of the Clearfield County Historical Society and takes a commendable amount of pride in the preservation of old records and particularly those which tell of the early days in the great mining sections of the state.