BIO: David McKendree OAKS, 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 226-227.
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  DAVID MCKENDREE OAKS, Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Jackson township, Huntingdon county, June 9, 1849, son of James S. and 
Mary (Miller) Oaks. He belongs to the third generation born in America; 
his great-grandfather, John Oaks, came from Ireland, where his family, 
who were of Scotch origin, had settled. He came to this country, and 
chose a spot near Shavers Creek, Huntingdon county, as his residence, 
some time before the Revolution. He was already married, and brought 
his wife and family with him. He cleared a tract of land which he had 
taken up in Barree township, but removed later to Jackson township, 
where he built himself a house, and where he lived for the rest of his 
life. His son, the younger John Oaks, was also a farmer of Jackson 
township, cultivating over 500 acres of land and raising stock. In his 
early manhood he was a Whig, but afterwards became a Republican. He 
took a warm interest in the affairs of the township, and in the 
promotion of order and good living; he was a decided advocate of 
temperance. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He married Jane Stewart, a native of Standing Stone valley, of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Their children are: William A., deceased, was the 
father of ex-Sheriff Oaks, of Huntingdon county; James S.; and Sarah 
S., wife of Rev. W. R. Mills, a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, both 
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Oaks both died on the homestead in Jackson 
township.
  James S. Oaks was well educated in subscription and in public 
schools; whatever deficiencies there may have been in the advantages 
offered by the schools were largely made up by his own desire for 
knowledge and delight in reading. His youth and early manhood were 
passed on the homestead. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Oaks began 
business for himself on a farm belonging to is father, where he 
remained until 1875. In that year, he removed to Petersburg, and lived 
there for several years. He bought his farm in Logan township in 1873; 
it contained 118 acres. Mr. Oaks was a Republican. He was well known 
and highly respected in his own and the other townships of the county. 
He held at various times all the township offices, his judgment and his 
integrity being past question. He was esteemed as a school director; he 
took a wide interest in educational matters. Mr. Oaks was remarkable as 
one whose spirit and energy enabled him to overcome many difficulties, 
among which was the great drawback of ill health. He was married in 
Standing Stone valley, December 31, 1845, to Mary Miller, born in that 
valley June 6, 1820. Her father was David Miller, farmer of Standing 
Stone valley. Their surviving children are: John H., farmer, of Jackson 
township, married to Emma A. Smith, has six children: David McK.; 
William A., on the homestead; Mary V., at home; and Elizabeth W., at 
home. Mr. Oaks died June 29, 1883; his wife still survives him.
  David McKendree Oaks attended the public schools of Jackson township 
during the winter sessions of five months, finishing his school studies 
with a term at an academy in Mifflin county. He began at an early age 
to work on the farm, and has continued in that business all his life. 
He has superintended the cultivation of the homestead since 1883, has 
made improvements, and given attention to raising good stock. Mr. Oaks 
is a Republican. He is well regarded in the township, and has served as 
assessor and as tax collector. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church.