BIO: A. Dorris STITT, 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 174-175. __________________________________________________________________ A. DORRIS STITT, Shade Gap, Huntingdon county, Pa., son of James N. and Isabella (Campbell) Stitt, was born in Dublin township, Huntingdon county, March 16, 1835. The grandfather, Archibald Stitt, was born in Dublin, Ireland, where he married Miss Newell, and soon after, with his wife and two small children, Mollie and John, sailed for America. On the passage they suffered shipwreck, provisions ran short, and all were on the verge of starvation. During these distresses their little ones both died and were buried at sea. Arriving in America, Mr. Stitt went to Pennsylvania and settled on a tract of land in Dublin township, Huntingdon county, which place he farmed until his death. At the time of settlement, the land was part of Tell township, but some of the people not being congenial, he petitioned and had his farm struck out of Tell and added to Dublin township. He bought his first calf at Alexandria, Huntingdon county. His first house was built of round logs. In building it, he was assisted by many of his neighbors, some of whom came as far as Burnt Cabins, and all worked with such a will that the structure was completed in one day. The grain raised on the farm was taken to Baltimore, Md., the wheat being disposed of at fifty cents a bushel; and the money realized on the crops was used in paying for the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stitt died in Dublin township. They had the following children: James N.; Archibald, who died leaving a family of two children; John W., lived on a farm in Franklin county, where he died; he had married, first, Miss Blair, then Miss Cree, later Miss Harris, and finally Miss Swan; Benjamin E., married Miss Goshorn, succeeded to the old homestead in Dublin township, and died there; Mollie, married James Harper, and both died in Dublin township; Nancy, married William Harper, both died in Dublin township; Jane, married William Hudson, both died in Dublin township. James N. Stitt was born on the old homestead in Dublin Township, Huntingdon County, and there all his days were spent. When a young man he learned carpentry and worked at that trade up to the time of his death. After his marriage to Isabella Campbell, a native of Huntingdon county, they took up their residence on part of the old homestead and there lived for many years. They afterwards made their home with their son, A. Dorris Stitt, at whose home both died, the father March 16, 1853, at the age of fifty-five years; the mother in 1857. They had these children: Eliza J., widow of David S. Peterson; A. Dorris; M. Campbell, farmer in Dublin Township; Blair, a farmer who went to Mansfield, Ohio, and married there; Rhoda (Mrs. Jacob Flasher), of Shelby, Ohio; William J., a farmer in Dublin township, married Miss Ann Corbin; Isabella (Mrs. Edward McKettrick), of Wilson, Kas.; Margaret, deceased, wife of William Clymans. Mr. Stitt was a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church. A. Dorris Stitt attended the public schools, but was always more fond of work than of study. From boyhood his life has been characterized by energy and industry. As soon as he was old enough he undertook farming the home place while his father worked at his trade, and after the death of the latter he continued to manage it for his mother. Both parents being dead, A. Dorris took the farm at the appraisement, and has cultivated it ever since. In 1860, he was married to Miss Amanda Wilson, daughter of George and Mary Ann (Elliott) Wilson. Their children are: James W., married Annie Swan, resides in Franklin county; U. Grant, farmer in Franklin county; Riley B., at home; Cora C., at home; William D., at home. Mr. Stitt is a Republican, and has filled the office of school director and supervisor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Shade Gap, and has served as trustee for a number of years.