BIO: James C. BREWSTER, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 159-160. __________________________________________________________________ J. C. BREWSTER, Meadow Gap, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born September 24, 1834, in Concord, Franklin county, Pa., son of Henry and Nancy (Campbell) Brewster. William Brewster, his grandfather, was a native and lifelong resident of Fannettsburg, Franklin county, where he kept a general store. He married Miss Robinson, who was of Scotch ancestry. He was himself descended from the Brewster family who landed as pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. William Brewster's children were: John, a soldier of the war of 1812, fought at the battle of Chippewa, owned a large tannery in Hull valley, died at Shirleysburg, Pa.; Mary, married Nathaniel Kelly, both deceased; Margaret, married S. O. Brown, both deceased; Henry; Maria, married John Skinner, both deceased; William, M.D., for some years editor of the Huntingdon Journal, died at Newville, Pa.; Alexander, died in early manhood, at Fannettsburg; and James R., real estate agent and merchant tailor, died at Newville, Pa. Henry Brewster, father of J. C., was born at Fannettsburg in 1798, and educated in the common schools. He was afflicted with rheumatism when a boy, which lamed him for life. In his father's store he received a thorough mercantile training. About 1825 or '26, he opened a general store in Concord; and in that town he married Miss Campbell, who was a native of Perry county, Pa. In 1838, they removed with their little family to the banks of the Wabash River, in Indiana, but remained there only a year, all the family suffering from fever and ague; during that year, Mr. Brewster kept a store. Returning in 1839 to this State, he opened a store at Shirleysburg, Pa., which he conducted until 1853, and then retired from business. In 1845, Mr. Brewster represented his district in the legislature of Pennsylvania. He was an old line Whig, and active in politics. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster are: William H., merchant at Shirleysburg; an infant, which died; J.C.; Henry R., who was burned to death in a building at Shirleysburg; Margaret, died in Indiana; John, residing in Huntingdon county; A. McGinley, went to Illinois in 1869, and is now a retired farmer in that state; Henry, died young; and Martha, widow of David R. Douglas, resides at Shirleysburg. Mrs. Nancy Brewster died in 1855. Mr. Brewster some time after married Mrs. Withington, a widow, who died a short time subsequent to their marriage. His third wife was E. Elliot, who survived him a few years. There were no children by either of these last two marriages. Mr. Brewster died in 1880, at Shirleysburg. During the year when his parents resided in Indiana, J. C. Brewster, then a child of four years, lived with his aunt, Mrs. Skinner, in Franklin county, joining them on their return. He was educated in the common schools, and entered the sophomore class at Jefferson College in 1857. At the end of the term, his health failed, and he was not able to return to college. He and his brother John then united their capital, amounting to about $1,500, and opened a general store at Saltillo, Pa. Two years later, when war broke out, he sold his interest to his brother, and enlisted at Huntingdon, in Company G, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, for three years. After being sworn in at Harrisburg, June 12, 1861, Mr. Brewster went to the front, and took part in the battle of Mechanicsville, where on the first day he received a bullet wound in the left side. Two days after, at Savage Station, he was captured and conveyed to Libby prison, where he remained three weeks, and was then exchanged and sent to Fort Hamilton, N.Y., thence to near Alexandria, Va., and thence to his regiment, which was attached to Gen. Burnside's command. Mr. Brewster's next battle was at Fredericksburg, Va., after which his regiment fell back and went into camp at Washington, D. C., where it lay until the following May. He was next in the great fight at Gettysburg, then following up Lee, and was directly after transferred to the invalid corps, in which he remained until his discharge, June 13, 1864. Mr. Brewster then came home, and conducted his brother's store at McConnellstown, Pa., for a year. In 1868, he opened a gentlemen's furnishing store, but without success. In the spring of 1869, he opened a general store at Meadow Gap, which he still carries on, having built up a good trade. In 1871, he was appointed postmaster at Meadow Gap, and has held that position ever since. He owns two farms, containing respectively 150 and 110 acres. Mr. Brewster may be classed among self- made men, having by diligence, fair dealing and business tact made his way from small beginnings to a position of ease and competence. He is a staunch Republican, and has served his township as auditor. He is a member of Colonel Albright Post, No. 483, at Three Springs. J. C. Brewster was married at Meadow Gap in 1869, to Elizabeth, daughter of Philip E. Weaver. Their children are: Harry L., married Miss Nannie Beers, is engaged in his father's business; Nannie; John and Mary, twins; and Alice. 1870 Springfield Township, Huntingdon County census - James C. Brewster, 35 Elizabeth Brewster, 28