BIO: Benjamin F. STITT, 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, page 175.
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  BENJAMIN F. STITT, Shade Gap, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Dublin township, May 11, 1840. He is the son of Benjamin E. and Mary 
(Goshorn) Stitt. Mr. Stitt's father, Benjamin E. Stitt, was the son of 
a farmer, and spent his life in the cultivation of the soil. The 
educational advantages of that time were very limited. Although the 
distance to the school house was three miles, Benjamin walked the six 
miles daily. The school house itself was a very rough affair. Great 
cracks were worn in the floor, and under the floor was a space into 
which the dogs belonging to the children crept. Now and then a dog's 
tail would appear through a crack; a loud yelp and a cloud of dust 
would prove that some urchin had been too strongly tempted. As long as 
his father lived, Mr. Benjamin Stitt lived on the home farm, and when, 
after his father's death, the farm was divided between himself and his 
brother James N., he moved into the old house in which he resided at 
the time of his death. Mr. Benjamin Stitt was married in Dublin 
township to Mary Goshorn. Their children are: William H., died of 
scarlet fever, aged two; Benjamin F.; A. Hamilton, died young; 
Elizabeth, died in youth; Margaret, deceased; Harriet (Mrs. David 
Bealman), Shade Gap, Pa.; John B., farmer, Dublin township; McGuiness, 
died young; McGuiness (2), farmer in Kansas; Scott, died in youth; 
David; Emma (Mrs. Skinner), Spring Run, Pa.; and three who died in 
infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Stitt are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mrs. Stitt survived her husband several years; both are buried 
in the cemetery at Pine Grove church.
  Benjamin F. Stitt received his education in the public schools of his 
native township, patiently trudging two miles and a half through the 
mud and snow of unbroken country roads. While quite young, he was put 
to work on the farm, and was his father's assistant until he was 
twenty-four years of age. In 1864, Mr. Stitt went to Ontario, Richland 
county, Ohio, where he obtained a position as clerk in a store; two 
years later he was appointed collector for a steel company in Van Wert, 
Ohio. In 1868, Mr. Stitt returned to Huntingdon county to attend to the 
settlement of his father's estate, intending to return to Ohio in a 
short time. Owing to disturbance in financial circles, Mr. Stitt 
decided to remain in Pennsylvania, and bought a farm belonging to his 
father's estate. He still resides on this place, and, being an 
intelligent and progressive farmer, has made many improvements which 
have greatly increased the value of his property. In 1863, Mr. Stitt 
enlisted in Company E, Fifty-third Battalion, as second sergeant. He 
was mustered in for six months, but was discharged at the end of fifty-
six days. Mr. Stitt is a staunch Republican, active and zealous in 
politics. He is honored and esteemed for his many social qualities. 
Feeling the want of educational advantages, he is interested in 
providing better schools for his township. He has also served as 
supervisor for several terms.
  Benjamin F. Stitt was married December 30, 1864, to Matilda, daughter 
of William and Jennie (Harris) Junk, who was born in Juniata County, 
Pa., November 4, 1837. The city of Harrisburg, Pa., was named in honor 
of some of Mrs. Junk's ancestors. Their children are: Margaret Blanche, 
at home, taught school for some years; William E., at home; Victoria 
Anna, a student at several musical colleges, now a teacher of music in 
Altoona, Pa.; Angela Cora Allen, died aged twelve; Maud E.; Grace 
Carrie; and Frank Chalmers. Mr. Stitt and all his family are members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and take an active part in the work of their 
congregation; his daughter Maud is the choir-leader.