John Henry Studebaker (1804 - 1900)

Born 14 Jun 1804 in Worth, Butler, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 20 Apr 1900 at age 95 in Worth, Butler, Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

He married Elizabeth Vogan in 1829.[2]

• Molly (1835-1919)[3]
• Lydia (1838-1879)[4]
• John Marion (1841-1899)[5]
• Julia Ann (1845-1913)[6]
• William Marshall (1847-1912)[7]
• Joseph Harlan (1852-1925)[8]

"Sitting in front of Pearson and McKee’s cigar store Saturday evening was a man of more than ordinary interest. He was rather small of stature with a clean shaven face, whose wrinkles marked the lapse of nearly 96 years. In one hand he carried a cane; in the other a half smoked cigar and as he talked to the little group about him his clear cut sentences showed him possessed of a vivid recollection and a vast store of useful knowledge. The speaker was Henry Studebaker, the oldest living representative of a family whose connection covers many states and numbers among its members many distinguished personages. Mr. Studebaker lives in Worth township, Butler county, about two miles South of Elliott’s Mills on the New Castle and Plaingrove road. He is here visiting his grandson, S. N. Carr of the Pearson building. It is the first time he has been in New Castle for about 5 years and his thoughts naturally reverted to his first visit here and changes which time has wrought. “The first time I saw New Castle,” said he to a News reporter, “there were three houses on Washington street between the Neshannock and Shenango. It is hard for me to realize that this is the same place.” He then went on to relate how he came to make his first trip. He said that his mother needed a spinning wheel and that they had heard that there was a wheelright in New Castle. His father determined to find out and, slinging his long rifle across his back, he started on horseback. There were no roads laid out at that time and his way led by a path through the forest, where wolves, bear and other wild animals. Arriving safely at New Castle he sought the wheelright and found him willing to make the spinning wheel but instead of wanting the cash he insisted on having four bushels of wheat. When the time to go for wheel came the elder Studebaker, whose name was David, found it impossible to pack four bushels of wheat on one horse and decided that Henry, who was then only seven years of age should accompany him, and that was how it came to pass that he saw New Castle with only three houses on Washington street. Mr. Studebaker related many more Incidents of his journeys to New Castle and Pittsburg on horseback, and later when roads were laid out, by wagon. Trips to Pittsburg were generally made in three days and he would bring home such things as could not be purchased in this section. The history of the Studebaker family in this country dates back to revolutionary times. In 1790 Henry Studebaker’s father, who was of German descent, came from Greensburg, Pa., and settled on a large tract of land south of where Elliott's Mills now stand. When the second war for independence broke out he went to the front as a captain and was stationed near Lake Erie when the war closed. The subject of this sketch was born in 1794. He was married in 1829 to Elizabeth Vogan. Of their children four are living. They are William and Joseph, who live near the old homestead; Mrs. Court Voder and Mrs. Andrew Allison, who also reside in the same neighborhood. Two sons were soldiers in the Union army and gave their lives for their country; David, was crossing the James river with other troops in a boat when it capsized and it is supposed that he was drowned, as nothing was ever heard of him afterwards; John was wounded on the James river and died from the effect of his injuries. The millionaire manufacturer of the Studebaker wagon at South Bend, Ind., is a descendant of the Studebakers who settled here. Mr. Studebaker is a Democrat of the Jacksonian stripe, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, He has voted the Democratic ticket at every presidential election since and will continue to do so till the end. He Is a Baptist in religion and a member of the Zion Baptist church. When asked to what he attributed his longevity, Mr. Studebaker said that he did not know further than that the good Lord was letting him live. He was never sick much and has been about like the average man in his habits. He has used tobacco for many years but not to excess, he says that he acquired a fondness for the weed by placing it in his teeth to relieve toothache. He is able to read fine print without spectacles, but his hearing is slightly impaired. He says that he can hear a man's voice well enough but there are some women he can scarcely hear at all. “I am in the hands of the Almighty,’’ he said, “and I am looking for Him to call me off at any time." ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ "A Striking Case of Longevity." New Castle News. New Castle, PA, August 23, 1899, p 15. [1]

• "US Census 1830." Slippery Rock, Butler, Pennsylvania; Series: M19; Roll: 147; Page: 81; Family History Library Film: 0020621. Ancestry Record 8058 #448217

• "US Census 1850." Slippery Rock, Butler, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_760; Page: 312B; Image: 620. Ancestry Record 8054 #521147

• "US Census 1860." Worth, Butler, Pennsylvania; Page: 888; Family History Library Film: 805087. Ancestry Record 7667 #1725726

• "US Census 1870." Worth, Butler, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1316; Page: 485B; Family History Library Film: 552815. Ancestry Record 7163 #2075529

• "US Census 1880." Worth, Butler, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1109; Page: 505C; Enumeration District: 058. Ancestry Record 6742 #37006222

• Harlan, Alpheus H. "History and Genealogy of the Harlan Family" The Lord Baltimore Press, Baltimore, MD. 1914. Vol 1, p 816. [9]

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 March 2020), memorial page for John Henry Studebaker (14 Jun 1804–20 Apr 1900), Find A Grave: Memorial #38396165, citing Unity Cemetery, Harlansburg, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Arigeni (contributor 47104610).