BIO: Josiah R. NEWCOMER, 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 770 & 771.
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  JOSIAH R. NEWCOMER, who was born in Somerset county, Pa., July 29, 1848, is 
one of the representative and respected citizens of Greenwood township, 
Clearfield county, Pa., where he owns and resides on a valuable farm of seventy-
three acres, which is situated one and one-half mile northwest of Bell's 
Landing.  He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Thomas) Newcomer.
  Joseph Newcomer was born in Maryland and from there moved to Broad Top, 
Bedford county, Pa., and later to Somerset county.  He married Mary Thomas, who 
was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., and they lived in Somerset county until 
after the birth of four children - Frances, Aaron, Nancy and Josiah R. - and 
then moved to Clearfield county and settled in Burnside township, near New 
Washington.  While living there their last child, Sarah, was born, who died in 
1907, Josiah R. being the only survivor of the family.  From Burnside township 
Joseph Newcomer moved to Greenwood township and in May, 1860, settled on the 
farm above mentioned.  At that time the land was entirely covered with brush and 
timber and with the help of his children he cleared his property and developed a 
farm.  The only improvement on the place was a small plank house, but there was 
no barn or other building.  The family managed to live in the cabin and in 1866 
he put up the log barn now standing, which was later enlarged by the present 
owner.  In 1880 Joseph Newcomer and wife moved to Cherry Run, where they lived 
retired, in great comfort, during the rest of their lives.  He was born January 
29, 1822, and died in 1899.  She was born October 6, 1821, and died August 4, 
1881, and both were laid to rest in the Bower cemetery.  They were good 
Christian people, members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
  Josiah R. Newcomer attended school until he was about thirteen years of age, 
walking a long distance to the Deer Run schoolhouse near New Washington.  The 
clearing of the farm had to be accomplished and Mr. Newcomer very early became 
accustomed to heavy work.  He has always lived on the place and his occupations 
have been farming, stock raising and lumbering.  For thirty years he has been a 
member of Greenwood Grange, taking an interest in the movement when it was first 
started.
  Mr. Newcomer was married February 22, 1880, to Miss Maragret Brisbin, who died 
without issue, November 29, 1881, and was buried at Luthersburg.  On August 24, 
1884, Mr. Newcomer was married secondly to Miss Phinella E. Newcomer, who was 
born in Ferguson township, Clearfield county, Pa., a daughter of William and 
Malissa (Bloom) Newcomer.  Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Newcomer:  Nina A., who was born June 22, 1885; Reese O., who was born December 
3, 1887, and is a railroad engineer, in West Virginia; Lulu P., born January 11, 
1891, who is the wife of Raymond Bloom (they have one daughter, Fannie); William 
Joseph, who was born July 10, 1899, and died on the same day; and Eunice, who 
was born November 7, 1900.  Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Curry Run.  He has served three years as a member of the 
school board.  In politics he has always been a Democrat.