BIO: Thomas Gahagen, Jefferson County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. 
Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, pages 1075-1076.
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  THOMAS GAHAGEN.  This venerable pioneer of Porter township, Jefferson 
county, is the son of William and Elizabeth (Lantz) Gahagen.  The 
father, a native of Huntingdon county, this State, moved to Indiana 
county when a young man, and bought a farm in the midst of the forest, 
which he later sold on his removal to Armstrong county, Penn.  There he 
purchased 160 acres of timberland, on which he erected a hewed-log 
house and round-log barn, and at once commenced to clear and cultivate 
his place.
  William Gahagen died at the age of forty-seven years, leaving a widow 
and several children:  (1) Mary, the eldest, was born in Indiana 
county, in 1814, and married William K. Patrick, a farmer of Armstrong 
county, where she died, leaving a family of children.  (2) Thomas is 
next in order of birth.  (3) Susan is the widow of Isaac Mohney, and 
lives on the farm in Armstrong county left her by her husband, who died 
some years ago.  (4) John, born in Indiana county, married Julia A. 
Skinner, by whom he had several children.  He is still living in 
Freeport, Allegheny county, Penn.  (5) Martin, born in Indiana county, 
married Lizzie Allen, of Jefferson county, and they lived on the old 
homestead in Armstrong county, where she died some years ago, leaving a 
family, who are now in Kentucky.  (6) Elizabeth, born in Armstrong 
county, is the wife of William Postlethwait, and with their family they 
live near Brookville, Penn.  (7) Margaret, born in Armstrong county, is 
the wife of John Gohun, formerly of Clarion county, Penn., and now a 
wealthy citizen of Indiana county, who for many years was engaged in 
merchandising, but is now living retired.  They have a family.  (8) 
Michael, born in Armstrong county, was the youngest of the family, and 
died on the old homestead at the age of twenty-one.
  Thomas Gahagen was born in 1816, in Indiana county, but was reared in 
Armstrong county, receiving his education in the common schools near 
his home.  In 1841 he was married to Miss Agnes Hollar, of Armstrong 
county, and they began housekeeping upon his present farm in Porter 
township, where he purchased 160 acres, still in its primitive 
condition.  He cleared 130 acres, which he has placed under a high 
state of cultivation and improved with a good set of farm buildings and 
all other accessories found upon a first-class farm.  His worthy wife, 
who patiently shared all his early hardships and privations, was called 
to her final rest in January, 1892.  In their family were the following 
children:  (1) William E., born in Porter township in 1842, was killed 
by being thrown from a horse when a young man.  (2) Samuel, born in 
March, 1844, died at the age of two years.  (3) Arthur M., born in 
April, 1846, was educated in the common schools, and now lives near 
Olivesburg, Jefferson county.  He married Susan Seachrist, of  
Jefferson county, and has seven children - Viola, at home; Cora, now 
the wife of Clover Howard, who lives in Jeanette, Penn., near 
Pittsburg;  and William, Essie, Myrtle, Maggie and Hazel, all at home.  
(4) G. C., born in May, 1848, received a common school education, and 
makes his home in Erie, Penn.  He wedded Sarah Travis, of Indiana 
county, and has six children - Della, at home; Merill; Irena, wife of 
John Bricker, of Indiana county, by whom she has one son, Charles B.; 
and Bertha, Clair and Charles, all at home.  (5) Maggie J., born in 
May, 1850, is the wife of Milton Gaston, a farmer of Porter township, 
Jefferson county, by whom she has three children - J. O., J. T., and 
Lola.  (6) James A., born in August, 1852, married Ida Coleman, of 
Indiana county, and has four children - Mabel, Jay, and two whose names 
are not given.  For a time he resided on his father's old homestead, 
but is now living in Marion, Kans.  (7) Mary C., born in September, 
1854, wedded William Good, of Indiana county, where they lived until 
his death, in 1879.  He left one son, Harry, who is now in Illinois.  
His widow later married Russel Duncan, of Iowa, who is now engaged in 
farming in Armstrong county, Penn.  They have three children - Ethel, 
Lula and Rea.  (8) Byron A., born in July, 1857, emigrated to Missouri, 
where he married a Miss McKloskey, who died some years later, leaving 
four children.  (9) Elizabeth I., born February, 1860, married M. J. 
Irwin, of Armstrong county, and  they now live in Illinois.  Their 
children are - Lillie, Olive and Boyd.  (10) H. B., born in March, 
1863, moved to Nebraska, where he married Lucy Gross, of that State, 
and he is now a dentist of Fairbury, Jefferson county, Neb.  They have 
one son - Harry.  (11) O. E., born in August, 1865, was educated in the 
public school near the old homestead, and was married in March, 1894, 
to Jennie Himes, of Armstrong county, a daughter of Mathew and 
Catherine Himes, well-to-do people of that county.  He now has charge 
of his father's farm.  Their only child is Nora.  (12) K. F., born in 
October, 1867, died in July, 1878.
  Our subject is unswerving in his allegiance to the Democratic party, 
and has efficiently served as collector, assessor and supervisor of 
Porter township.  He and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian 
Church, to which his wife also belonged.  Although past eighty-one 
years of age, he has the vigor of a much younger man, and in spirit and 
interests seems yet in his prime.  There is an old age that is a 
benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives out of its 
rich stores of learning and experience, and grows stronger 
intellectually and spiritually as the years pass.  Such is the life of 
Mr. Gahagen, an encouragement to his associates and an example well 
worthy of emulation to the young.