Northumberland-Pike County PA Archives Biographies.....Vincent, John H. 1826 - living in 1899 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 1, 2005, 11:55 am Author: Biographical Publishing Co. JOHN H. VINCENT, Esq., one of Northumberland's most estimable citizens, is a leading attorney-at-law who enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He is a son of Isaac and Rebecca (Comly) Vincent, and was born in Delaware township, Northumberland County, Pa., December 2, 1826. Our subject is of Dutch descent and traces his lineage back to his great-grandfather, John Vincent, who came to this country as early as 1772 and became one of the pioneers of Northumberland County. One of his sons, Daniel, became the owner of about 400 acres of land near Fort Freeland, lying along Warrior Run Creek, and in the year 1790 he built the first mill in that vicinity. This was remodeled in 1818 and is now standing; he did the work for the farms for many miles distant and was a very prominent man. He was at Fort Freeland when it was attacked by the Indians and he and his wife were taken prisoners, but, as she was in a delicate condition, she was sent back to her friends on horse-back. Mr. Vincent was taken up into Canada where he was held in bondage for four years, during which time he acted as butcher for his captors. During his fights with the Indians he sustained an injury in the side which gradually grew worse and finally resulted in his death. He and many members of his family now lie buried in the Warrior Run Cemetery. His wife's maiden name was Angeline Huff and their children were as follows: Phoebe; Isaac, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines; John; and Elizabeth. The old family property was divided equally between the two sons, John and Isaac. Isaac Vincent was born on the old homestead in Northumberland County and early in life took to agricultural pursuits. He fell heir to one-half of his father's estate, and lived on it throughout his entire life. He was united in marriage with Rebecca Comly, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and the following children were born to bless their home: Ezra C.; a child who died in infancy; Nancy; Daniel; Charles; Caroline; Isaac; John H., the subject of this biographical record; Rebecca; Hannah M.; Elizabeth; and Henry Clay. John H. Vincent attended the public schools and the McEwensville Academy after which he taught school for some time; saving his earnings he was enabled to enter Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., and there remained until he had passed the junior year, when he enrolled at Williams College, Mass. He graduated from the latter institution in 1849 and then went to Charlestown, S. C., where he engaged as a school teacher. He later removed to Alabama where he also taught school until he returned home and began his preparation for the legal profession, entering the law office of Gov. James Pollock. One year later he took up his study in the McCarty Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1854, immediately thereafter beginning practice at Easton. He displayed much ability as a practitioner and remained in Easton until 1857 and then located at Milford, Pike County, where he resided when the Civil War broke out. In 1862 our subject enlisted as a private in Company B, 151st Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., but was made 2d lieutenant before the company saw service. He was later promoted to 1st lieutenant and served as such in the battle of Chancellorsville, and in many skirmishes, receiving his discharge in 1863. Returning then to Milford, Pike County, he took up his practice of law and remained there until 1867, since which time he has been located in Northumberland. He has a large practice, being patronized by an influential class of citizens and he is regarded as one of the foremost business men of the borough. In 1877 he built a large and handsome brick residence and office on Queen street, where he has since been located. Mr. Vincent has twice been joined in hymeneal bonds, first with Mary C. Davis, a daughter of John Davis of Easton, and they had two children: Julia, who died at an early age; and May, the wife of J. W. Elliott of Renova, Pa. Mrs. Vincent died young and our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance with Caroline M. Montgomery, who comes of a very prominent family of this section. She is a daughter of William Montgomery and traces her ancestry back to Robert Montgomery, who, at the age of thirty-two years emigrated to this country from County Armagh, Ireland, settling in Dauphin County, Pa. He located on the site of the present city of Harrisburg and served as one 6f the first grand jurors of Dauphin County. He died in 1776 at the age of seventy-one years. He and his wife Sarah became the parents of five children, namely: William; Thomas; Hugh; David; and John. John Montgomery was born in Ireland, and was four years of age when brought to this country by his parents. He grew to manhood in Dauphin County, Pa., and became a farmer by occupation. In 1773 he exchanged an improved farm in that county for a wild tract of land in Turbot township, Northumberland County, the other party to the exchange being William Patterson. It proved to be a good transaction on John's part, and he realized a good advantage and started his career there under better conditions than did most of the pioneers. After getting his affairs straightened out and in a prosperous condition, his home was attacked by a band of Indians and he was obliged to flee with his family to Fort Freeland for safety. It was while at that fort that, on July 28, 1779, they were attacked by a party of over 300 Indians and British soldiers; then John sought refuge at his old home in Dauphin County, settling near Harrisburg. When peace had finally been declared, in 1783, he returned to his home in Northumberland County, rebuilt the buildings which had been destroyed, and erected a limestone house which still remains standing. He continued in his work about the farm until November 8, 1792, when he was killed by a falling tree while building the Derry road. He was fifty-eight years old. His wife died on March 2, 1821, aged eighty years; both lie buried in the Chillisquaque burying-ground. Religiously they were both members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Montgomery's maiden name was Christianna Foster. To them were born the following children: Robert; John; William; David; Jane; and Sarah. William Montgomery, the grandfather of Mrs. Vincent, was born at what is now Paradise, Turbot township, Northumberland County, and succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead on which he followed farming all of his life. He died August 22, 1853, at the age of seventy-six years and his wife died in 1806, at the age of twenty-six years. He married Rachael Simpson, by whom he had three children: Nancy, the wife of Robert Van Valzah, M. D.; John T., who married Hannah Hower; and William, the father of the wife of our subject. William was born on the old homestead on March 7, 1805, and early in life settled at Limestone Ridge, but later bought a fine property at McEwensville, where he engaged in farming. He was very successful and at his demise owned a fine estate. He died in February, 1875, as a result of small-pox. He was united in marriage with Molly Caldwell, a daughter of John Caldwell, and their children were: William C, who married Hadassa G. Dearmond; Mary Jane, who resides with our subject and who married John M. Thatcher, a hot-water furnace manufacturer of New York, now dead; Caroline M.; and Sarah E., the wife of Valentine S. Truckermiller of Truckermiller's Mills. Our subject and his wife had four children, two of whom are now living: John, a law student living at home; and Caroline, who is also at home. Those deceased were: William M., and Ella. Mr. Vincent is a Democrat in politics. He has held the office of justice of the peace since 1889, with the exception of one year; he also has been a school director and has filled minor offices for several years. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 8.5 Kb