BIO: Samuel D. FOCHT, 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, pages 129-130.
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  SAMUEL D. FOCHT, farmer, Morris township, Huntingdon county, was born 
April 12, 1853, on the farm which he now owns, son of Adam and 
Charlotte (Dull) Focht. His grandfather, George Focht, was born at 
Clover Creek, Blair county, in 1780. He was highly educated, and 
possessed much ability. He once constructed a sub-marine vessel, and 
intending to take out a patent for it, went to Washington for that 
purpose; but thinking the required fee to be exorbitant, he returned 
home and later allowed the model to be destroyed. He married Miss 
Haneline, and resided on a farm in Clover Creek until his death, which 
occurred at the age of eighty-four. His wife preceded him, passing away 
at the age of seventy-one. Both are buried in Clover Creek cemetery. He 
was a Lutheran and was very active in his church, serving as elder and 
deacon and in other capacities. His children are: Adam; Joseph R., D. 
D., a Lutheran minister at Marklesburg, Pa.; Mary (Mrs. Ephraim 
Taylor), of Huntingdon county, deceased; Jeffeth R., a land agent in 
Brashear, Mo.; Margaret, who died young; David R., D.D., who took cold 
while watching the movements of the Confederates at Gettysburg and died 
soon after; and Rachel (Mrs. M. M. Wallace), of Alexis, Ill., deceased.
  Adam Focht, eldest son of George Focht, was born at Clover Creek, 
April 26, 1810. He was well educated in subscription schools, and 
taught for many years. Then he learned cooperage and blacksmithing, at 
which he sometimes worked. In 1840 he married Charlotte, daughter of 
Joseph Dull, and settled on a tract of land in Morris township which 
was owned by his father; here he remained until his death on July 22, 
1895. His wife, a fine woman and loving mother, died of a cancer ten 
years before his death. Mr. Focht was a prominent man and highly 
esteemed. Their children were: Catherine, died in 1882; Margaret; Mary 
(Mrs. T. F. Baring), died in Clearfield county; Martin, a farmer in 
Blair county; Samuel D.; George M., works in the stone quarry at 
Franklin Forge, Pa.; and Emma, who died in 1882.
  Samuel D. Focht was born on the John Shaffer farm of Morris township. 
He attended school in winter and did farm work in summer. He has always 
lived on the farm and has never married. At one time he was about to be 
married when his promised bride was removed by death; later he became 
engaged to another estimable young lady, but she also died before the 
marriage took place. Then he promised his father and mother to remain 
at home until their decease, and fulfilled his promise. Since the 
spring of 1888 he has owned the farm. Mr. Focht, although reared to 
Republican principles, is exceedingly liberal in political belief, and 
has never sought office. He is a member and regular attendant of the 
Lutheran church and is very highly esteemed by all because of his many 
good qualities. He is a member of the Canoe Valley Grange, and a past 
noble grand of Hart's Log Lodge, No. 286, I. O. O. F.