BIO: James MONIHEN, 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, page 259. __________________________________________________________________ JAMES MONIHEN, farmer and stockman, of Latta Grove, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Tod township, May 20, 1834, son of Patrick and Sarah (Foeshey) Monihen. Patrick Monihen was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent, came to America when a young man and settled in Huntingdon county. After working for some time as a laborer he found employment at Paradise Furnace, Tod township, but after a short stay removed to Huntingdon, Pa. There he enlisted in the standing army, and has never been heard from since. In Huntingdon county, he married Miss Sarah Foeshey; of their three children, only James is now living, Thomas and William having died young. Mrs. Monihen was married, secondly, to Henry Alexander, of England, a stone cutter by trade. She died in 1884 at the home of her son James. James Monihen attended the common schools, then worked out as a farm hand, and later learned hoop-making and coopering. In February, 1864, he enlisted at Hollidaysburg in Company C, One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Rodgers and Capt. J. C. Hamilton commanding. He fought at the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, at Petersburg and in other engagements. At the last named place he had his skull broken by a shell and lay over a year in the hospital in Washington, D. C. On May 23, 1865, he was at the grand review in Washington, and soon after returned to his native county. After spending some time in Cromwell township, while slowly gathering strength, he bought a farm of 130 acres, erected buildings, and otherwise improved it. He was married in Cass township to Anna, daughter of Michael Dell. They had these children: Hettie (Mrs. William Sipe); Henry A.; Hannah (Mrs. George Shore); Sarah (Mrs. Frank Stever); Miles J.; Rhoda; Mary, deceased; James, died in infancy; Winfield S., deceased; and four others, who died very young. Mr. Monihen is a Republican. He has served as school director for six years, and as constable. He is a very active member of the United Brethren church, a teacher in the Sunday-school and a class leader. He belongs to Camp No. 662, P. O. S. of A., and to Grange No. 935, P. of H. He began life as a poor man, and by his own efforts has risen to a position of competence and influence, and is personally highly respected.