BIO: Robert J. COONS, Huntingdon County, PA

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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, page 327.
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  R. J. COONS, Orbisonia, Huntingdon county, Pa., is the son of Solomon 
and Elizabeth (Sarver) Coons, and was born in Path valley, Franklin 
county, Pa., October 23, 1850. The family is of German descent; Mr. 
Coons' grandfather, Peter Coons, was a resident of Path valley, his 
progenitors having been among the earliest settlers of that region. 
Peter Coons was all his life engaged in farming. His children are: 
Peter; Solomon; Elizabeth (Mrs. Doyle); and Susanna (Mrs. Jonathan 
Crouse). Some of the family are members of the United Brethren church, 
while others prefer the Presbyterian denomination; it seems probable 
that the father did not belong to any church. He died in Path valley in 
1866; his wife survived him for ten years. Their son Solomon, second of 
the family, was born in Path valley, July 25, 1827. He acquired a 
knowledge of agricultural matters while a boy, in the practical way of 
helping on the farm; but preferring a trade, he went at the age of 
seventeen to learn that of machinist, which vocation he has always 
followed. He was married in Path valley to Miss Sarver, who is a native 
of that place. Mr. R. J. Coons is their only child. In 1865 the family 
removed to Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., where they resided for 
ten years; in 1875, they removed again, to Orbisonia, which has ever 
since been their home. Solomon Coons is a Republican, of the gold type. 
He is among the most valued and respected citizens of Orbisonia. He had 
a seat in the earliest council of the borough.
  R. J. Coons attended the common schools and the Spring Run Academy in 
Path valley, and the high school of Greensburg. In his boyhood, he was 
for a short time clerk in a store, and worked for a short time as a 
machinist. But at the age of nineteen, he chose an occupation better 
suited than either to his tastes and talents, entering the office of 
the Greensburg Tribune as an apprentice to the "art preservative." 
After the removal to Orbisonia, Mr. Coons went into the printing 
business with his father, and has ever since given it his attention. He 
undertook the first newspaper published in Orbisonia, a weekly, called 
the Orbisonia Leader; this journal he conducted until 1891, when, in 
September, he leased the office to Mr. B. F. Ripple. That gentleman 
changed the name of the paper, calling it the Dispatch, and continued 
its publication for several years. In the fall of 1893 Mr. Ripple sold 
his interest to E. B. Swayne, who, after carrying it on for six months, 
sold it again to Mr. Coons, who is still its owner and publisher. With 
regard to politics the paper was independent until 1894, when it 
adopted the Republican platform. Mr. Coons votes the ticket of that 
party. He is a member of the P.O.S. of A., and a citizen who enjoys the 
esteem and respect of the community. He has for three years been 
secretary of the school board of Orbisonia.
  R.J. Coons was married at Dry Run, Pa., to Molly A., daughter of 
Samuel C. and Catherine (Skinner) Johnson. Their children are: D. 
Coyle, aged twenty years; R. Bruce, aged nineteen; Cora, aged fourteen; 
and Nancy, aged five. Mr. Coons is a member of the Presbyterian church, 
and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is also president of the 
Christian Endeavor Society.

Note:  The R. stands for Robert according to census.