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John A. Dale
JOHN A. DALE (deceased) was born in Centre county, Penn., November 14,
1808. The death, in 1815, of his father, Rev. Joseph Dale (who was a Methodist
minister), made it necessary for the widowed mother to journey with her little
ones to the then wilds of Western Pennsylvania, whither her own immediate
family had preceded her. It was a long “and perilous journey by wagons,
and the humble log-cabin, hastily erected on the bank of Tionesta creek, about
three miles above its outlet, promised little of home comfort to the widow and
her little ones; but she was a devout Christian woman, imbued with the
implicit confidence of the God of the widow and the fatherless, and bravely
took up her work. One son was soon laid to rest, but her remaining three
children, John A., Joseph G. and Susan (now Mrs. McClatchey), were spared her.
She lived to see her family honored members of society, and in her old age was
tenderly cared for by them. Opportunities for mental improvement were few in
the undeveloped and sparsely settled country, but, overcoming every obstacle,
the subject of this commemorative record obtained a liberal education, and for
a number of years taught school in the winter months, engaging in other
pursuits in the summer. This early self-tuition gave him a lawyer’s skill in
drafting documents; and for many years deeds, leases and all legal instruments
for the people of this section were written by him, with no other reward than
the good-will or those whom he served. He studied medicine in the office of
Dr. Marvin Webster, but never practiced. In 1835 he embarked in mercantile
business at Tionesta (then a mere hamlet), in which he was successfully
engaged for many years, making, by his honorable, straightforward course, many
friends, As an instance of his personal popularity, he was, in 1847, nominated
by the Whig party, and elected by a large majority, sheriff of Venango county
, although the county was at that time largely Democratic; he afterward held
the office of prothonotary of the same county, by appointment, on the death of
William Elliott. During the Civil war he was active in raising troops for the
suppression of the Rebellion, sparing neither time, labor nor expense in
sustaining the government, and he was proffered by President Lincoln an
appointment as paymaster in the army, with rank of major, but failing health
obligated him to decline the honor. The present boundaries of Forest, with
Tionesta as the county seat, are largely due to his influence and energetic
action, and although conscious that he was making personal enemies, he still
worked for “the greatest good to the greatest number.”
In 1867 Mr. Dale was appointed associate judge upon the death of the
incumbent. He filled many other positions or public trust, ever conscientious
in the discharge of duty, the public schools being the particular object of
his solicitude. The life of Judge Dale was a busy one. He was engage at
different times in the manufacture of lumber, and in the development and sale
of oil lands. Early in 1870 he became connected with the interests of the
Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, and labored zealously for the interests
of the company, holding various positions in the same. It was while returning
from an official visit to James McHenry (then in New York) that he met with
the terrible accident at Renovo, Penn., on the Philadelphia & Erie
Railroad, which was doubtless the cause of his death. Thus. from his early
manhold until his death, which occurred June 25, 1877, Tionesta was his home,
and the best interests and prosperity of its people his care, until he left
the stamp of his individuality throughout its entire limit; indeed, a history
of Forest county would be very incomplete without prominent mention of his
name. Many men, now in middle life, and dwelling in different parts of the
country, remember gratefully his helpful counsel, and say that life has been
better and brighter for what he did for them. He was a great lover of nature
and made a special study, in the later years of his life, of horticulture and
arbor culture, which be understood fully, as demonstrated by garden and arbor
surrounding his beautiful home on the banks of the Allegheny river. Pure
upright in his daily walk and conversation, honest and earnest in all things,
he was respected by all, and has left his family the best of all heritages –
that of a good name. He was a Freemason of high order for many years, great
affection for the fraternity, and he was buried with Masonic honors.
Judge John A. Dale was twice married; in early life to Jane E. Richardson, of
Kittanning, Penn., and in 1852, in New York City to Miss Elizabeth C. Watson,
who still survives him. There are four daughters living: Mrs. E. L. Davis,
Mrs. David Hays, Mrs. L. R. Freeman Mrs. W. A. Greaves.Source: Page(s) 926-927, Chapter 15 Biographical Sketches – Tionesta Township
and Borough of Tionesta
Hickory and Harmony Townships
History of Counties of McKean, Elk and Forest, Pennsylvania.
Chicago, J.H. Beers & Co., 1890.
Transcribed November 2005 by Nathan Zipfel for the Forest County Genealogy
Project
Published 2005 by the Forest County Pennsylvania Genealogy Project
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(c) Forest County Pennsylvania Genealogy Project
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