BIO: George McCOOL, 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 307-308.
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  GEORGE MCCOOL, Donation, Oneida township, Huntingdon county, Pa., was 
born in County Derry, Ireland. His parents were Robert and Ellen 
(McCahan) McCool, both born in Ireland; but the former was of Scotch 
parentage. He was a farmer. He emigrated from Ireland in 1847, and died 
in May of that year, within two days of landing in this country. His 
wife died in 1863. The grandfather of George McCool was remarkable fore 
weight and longevity. He weighed over two hundred and fifty pounds, and 
was more that one hundred years old at the time of his death. He 
married Jennie Calistur. The children of Robert and Ellen McCool are: 
Ellen, deceased, was the wife of William Sampson, who resides in 
Ireland; Jane (Mrs. David Blair), of Donation, Pa., died in April, 
1894; John, married Sarah McGill, resided in Barree township, 
Huntingdon county, died in 1866; Sarah (Mrs. John Cochran), of 
Huntingdon, Pa.; Robert, married Maria McCahan, of Shavers Creek, near 
Green Tree, Pa.; and James, married Katie Smith, resides in Donation. 
  George McCool enjoyed very slight opportunities for obtaining an 
education; he did his best to make up for his deficiency in this 
respect, but was obliged to begin self-supporting work early, and 
therefore had little time for study. He began in Glasgow, Scotland, as 
a shoemaker, but was compelled to return to his home in Ireland, on 
account of a strike among the Scotch workmen. He pursued the same 
calling in Ireland, until he was induced to join his brother in 
emigrating to America. Here, in 1847, he began in the same occupation, 
but later, found it more to his interest to work on the Pennsylvania 
State Canal, and on the Pennsylvania Railroad. He helped to lay the 
track between Lewistown and Latrobe, Pa. He then came to the farm on 
which he now resides, and which he now owns, in addition to a 
considerable tract of timber land. Mr. McCool made two attempts to 
enlist during the war of the Rebellion, but was not accepted. The 
second time he went to Hollidaysburg to enlist, but in vain. He has 
served his township as supervisor. His politics are to vote for the 
best men and for such measures as shall be for the good of the country. 
He gave his vote for Presidents Lincoln and Grant.
  George McCool has been twice married. His first wife, Lydia Johnston, 
died in 1867. Their children are: John, residing in Donation, Pa.; 
Robert, married to Miss Lucas; William, married Mary Kephart; George, 
married Amelia Cox; and Margaret, died in 1895. The second wife of Mr. 
McCool was Nancy Frew, of Ireland, daughter of Alexander and Ann 
(McCahan) Frew. Her father died in this country. The children of this 
marriage are: Alexander, a child which died before it was baptized; 
Ella; Nancy, died in April, 1894; Katie; James; Mary, died in 1897; 
Lizzie; and Clarence; all except those deceased are living at home. Mr. 
McCool is a member of the United Presbyterian church at McAlevys Fort, 
Rev. Mr. Freeman, pastor.