BIO: Abraham W. PHEASANT, 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, pages 253-254. __________________________________________________________________ ABRAHAM W. PHEASANT, Cassville, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Trough Creek valley, Cass township, September 15, 1828, son of Samuel and Annie (Saylor) Pheasant. Samuel Pheasant was one of the Maryland settlers of this region. He was of German descent; he was a young man when he settled on a farm of sixty acres in Trough Creek valley, which, with thirty acres of timber land, he had purchased. He built a house and barn on his farm, made various improvements, and there spent his life, cultivating the soil and raising stock of sale. Miss Annie Saylor, who became his first wife, was born in Cass township, and was of German descent. Their children are as follows: Mary (Mrs. Levi Smith); Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Smith, both deceased; Sarah, deceased, wife of Abraham Shoop; Rachel (Mrs. Amandus Davis), of Brady township; John, farmer, of Union township; David, of Union township, married Sarah Shore; Abraham W.; Annie (Mrs. Joshua Gosnell), of Cass township; Christian, on Union township; Samuel, of Union township; Isabelle (Mrs. James Wright), of Union township. Mrs. Annie Pheasant died at the homestead, September 22, 1853, at the age of fifty-eight. Samuel Pheasant was again married; his second wife was Mary Baumgardner. Their children were: Alfred, a farmer of Cass township; Elmer, also a farmer, of Cass township; Jane (Mrs. P. Rowland); and Samantha. Mr. Samuel Pheasant was an excellent man, respected and trusted in the community and in the church. He was chosen for several public offices, supervisor, school director, tax collector, etc. He was a Republican. In the Methodist church, of which he was an active member and a class leader, he was elected trustee. He died at his home, October 30, 1871, aged seventy-eight. After his education in the public schools of Cass township was finished, Abraham W. Pheasant began business life with his father on the home farm, where he remained until he arrived at the age of twenty- four. He and his brother David then, as partners, purchased a tract of 113 acres in Union township. After cultivating it for four years, A. W. Pheasant sold his interest in it, and bought a farm of 115 acres in Cass township, upon which he built two dwellings and two barns, and made other improvements. He there carried on stock raising in connection with his farming operations. In 1874, he removed to his present place of abode, a tract of 66 acres, which he farms in addition to the original 115 acres and another farm, containing sixty-three acres, also in Cass township, which he bought in 1882. On all these farms Mr. Pheasant has built substantial houses, both dwellings and farm buildings, and mad other valuable improvements. He also built a residence in Mapleton, which he rents. Thus from very modest beginnings, by diligence, economy and judicious enterprise, Mr. Pheasant has worked his way to a position of honor and influence, and while increasing his wealth and opportunities for good of himself and his family, has by upright dealing preserved the regard of his neighbors. He is a Republican, and takes a deep interest in politics. He has been school director for five years; supervisor for three terms; judge of elections for one term; auditor for three years; constable for one term, and tax collector and assessor of the township, each two terms. He is a member of the Farmers' Grange of Cass township, of which he has been chaplain for five years. Abraham W. Pheasant was married in 1852, in Union township, to Emeline, daughter of Philip and Sarah A. Curfman, a native of Cass township. Their children are: Calvin J., farmer of Cromwell township, married Susan Curfman; Frank, a blacksmith of Cass township, married Jennie Clark; and Harry B., residing at home, has attended the Huntingdon State Normal School. Mr. Pheasant, like his father, is a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist church. He is a class leader, is treasurer of the church, and has been steward for twenty- three years. He is a Sunday-school teacher, and a manager of experience and judgment. James F. Pheasant, Latta Grove, Cass township, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Cass township, December 29, 1856, son of Abraham and Emeline (Curfman) Pheasant. He attended school in Cass township, and in Cassville, and began his career as a farmer on the homestead with his father. He then farmed for himself in Cass township for more than ten years, having under cultivation over 200 acres of land. In 1876 he learned blacksmithing in Cassville and Mill Creek, where he spent two years and a half. In 1878 he began farming on his own account, and has ever since followed the same calling. He is a Republican; has served on the election board, and as inspector of elections. James F. Pheasant was married November 2, 1876, in Cass township, to Annie J. Clark, born in Newburg, Tod township. She is the daughter of Thompson Clark, of Tod township, who was killed at the battle of Antietam. The children of MR. and Mrs. Pheasant are: Gertrude, wife of L. R. Smith, teacher, of Cass township; and Abraham H., at home.