BIO: Harry SILKNITTER, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

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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, page 103.
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  HARRY SILKNITTER, Manor Hill, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Barree township, July 2, 1868, son of Dorsey and Margaret (Miller) 
Silknitter.  The Silknitters were among the early settlers of the 
county; they are of Scotch ancestry, but their immediate progenitors 
were born in Ireland, and were therefore "Scotch-Irish."  Philip 
Silknitter, grandfather of Harry Silknitter, was a native of Ireland.  
He was a farmer and stock breeder of Miller and Barree townships.  His 
son, Dorsey Silknitter, was born at Stone Creek, Miller township, in 
1824.  He was extensively engaged in the same occupations; owning and 
having under cultivation 365 acres in Barree township, raising, buying 
and making shipments of live stock.  He carried on similar operations 
also in Miller township.  In connection with his father, he built a 
fine brick dwelling, and made various other improvements on his 
property.  He was a Republican.  His first wife, Margaret Miller, was a 
daughter of Thomas Miller, one of the family that gave its name to 
Miller township, where Mrs. Silknitter was born.  She died in Barree 
township in 1873.  Her children were:  Sarah; Addie (Mrs. Michael 
Clay), of Grapeville, Pa.; Harry, June; Mary and Maggie.  Mr. 
Silknitter's second wife was Miss Lucy Cracken, of Jackson township.  
Dorsey Silknitter died in 1893, on May 1.  He was a member and trustee 
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
  Harry Silknitter attended school at Manor Hill.  He learned the 
business of a farmer on the homestead, worked there with his father 
until the death of the latter, when he took charge of the homestead and 
now cultivates 160 acres, of which about 30 acres is woodland.  He is 
also interested in stock raising.  He is a Republican.  Mr. Silknitter 
is a diligent and faithful worker.