JOHN FRANKLIN MEGINNESS is one of the best known literary men in Pennsylvania, and the people of the West Branch valley owe him a lasting debt of gratitude for having rescued from oblivion the principal historical incidents relating to their locality, and placing them in permanent form to be handed down from generation to generation. He was born July 16, 1827, in Colerain, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. His early boyhood was passed upon the farm of his father, Benjamin Meginness, and his education was received in the common schools. He never enjoyed the opportunities for anything more than a common school education, but being possessed from early childhood of a thirst for knowledge, he diligently improved his time at home in study. When a very small boy his parents migrated to Ohio, but soon after returned to Pennsylvania, and about 1832 settled on a farm in Lancaster county. In October, 1843, our subject left home to battle his own way through life., and arriving at Warsaw, Illinois, he took a steamboat and went to St. Louis, Missouri. Subsequently he found employment on another boat and made a voyage to New Orleans. After a varied experience in traveling, he finally found his way back to his native county. He spent the winter of 1845 in school April 9, 1817, he enlisted, "to serve during the Mexican war," with the regular army, and on June 19th of that year he sailed from New York for Mexico. A work written and published by himself in 1891, entitled "The Meginness Family," gives a complete account of his experience in that war. In 1848 he taught two terms of school in Lycoming county.
On the 25th of October, 1849, he was married to Martha Jane, daughter of William King of Mifflin township, Lycoming county. Soon after they took up their residence in Jersey Shore. June 9, 1852, he became editor of the Jersey Shore Republican, and continued in that position until June 9, 1854. He then associated himself with S. S. Seely in founding The News Letter at Jersey Shore, from which Mr. Meginness retired, August 30, 1855. At this time he began writing a History of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna. It made an octavo work of 518 pages, was published in 1856, and was the pioneer history of this part of the State. In 1857 he became editor of The Sentinel, at Peru, Illinois. Early in the fall of 1859 the office was destroyed by fire, and he was out of employment for a time. Finally, through the influence of Stephen A. Douglas, he was employed as an editorial writer on the Springfield Daily Register during the heated campaign of Judge Douglas and Abraham Lincoln for the United States senatorship. It was his good fortune to be present at several of the great debates between these two eminent men. After retiring, from the Register he accepted a position with the Spectator at Carlinville, Illinois. He soon after purchased the paper and when he began to realize something for his labors, the rebellion broke out, and in a few weeks all business was at a standstill. In October, 1861, he sold his paper at a sacrifice and returned with his family to Lycoming county, and in June, 1862, he removed to Williamsport.
Late in the winter of that year he received an appointment as a clerk under Capt. William Stoddard, assistant quartermaster, Alexandria, Virginia. After two years of service in a subordinate clerical position, Mr. Meginness was made , chief clerk of the bureau of transportation. Shortly before the close of the war he resigned his clerkship, to accept an appointment in the division of referred claims, paymaster general's office, Washington City, under Col. Jacob Sallade. There he remained three months, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the third auditor's office, Treasury department, under Hon. John Wilson, and assigned to the division of State war claims. After about a year's service in this bureau, he was transferred to the second comptroller's office, Colonel Broadhead, Treasury department. While serving in this department, the impeachment trial of President Johnson took place, and he frequently attended the sessions of the high court. He remained in the Treasury until June 1, 1869.
He subsequently became managing editor of the Lycoming Gazette. Soon after this paper was consolidated with the Bulletin, under the title of Gazette and Bulletin, and he was appointed city editor. Later he became editor and continued until 1872, when he again took, the position of city editor. Four years afterward Mr. Meginness once more became editor in chief and continued as such until 1889, when he retired. During 1888, in addition to his editorial labors, Mr. Meginness started and conducted a monthly magazine, entitled The Historical Journal. In 1889 he rewrote and revised his "Otzinachson," or History of the West Branch Valley, Soon after retiring from the Gazette and Bulletin he wrote and published an exhaustive biography of Frances Slocum, the Lost Sister of Wyoming. During the last thirty years he wrote many letters and sketches for the Philadelphia Times, the Press, Record, New York Herald, Sun, and other journals. As early as 1855 he was a correspondent of the Philadelphia Ledger. In the spring of 1891 he commenced the compilation of the present History of Lycoming County, upon which he spent more than a year of constant labor. Mr. and Mrs. Meginness are the parents of ten children: Mary Virginia. who married William C. Arp; Alice Celinda, who married Jasper F. King; Sarah Rosetta; William Warren; Henry Harvey; Julia Rosabella; Ida Jane; Carrie Armenia; Herbert Eugene, and John Franklin.
Taken from History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
edited by John F. Meginness
On the 25th of October, 1849, he was married to Martha Jane, daughter of William King of Mifflin township, Lycoming county. Soon after they took up their residence in Jersey Shore. June 9, 1852, he became editor of the Jersey Shore Republican, and continued in that position until June 9, 1854. He then associated himself with S. S. Seely in founding The News Letter at Jersey Shore, from which Mr. Meginness retired, August 30, 1855. At this time he began writing a History of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna. It made an octavo work of 518 pages, was published in 1856, and was the pioneer history of this part of the State. In 1857 he became editor of The Sentinel, at Peru, Illinois. Early in the fall of 1859 the office was destroyed by fire, and he was out of employment for a time. Finally, through the influence of Stephen A. Douglas, he was employed as an editorial writer on the Springfield Daily Register during the heated campaign of Judge Douglas and Abraham Lincoln for the United States senatorship. It was his good fortune to be present at several of the great debates between these two eminent men. After retiring, from the Register he accepted a position with the Spectator at Carlinville, Illinois. He soon after purchased the paper and when he began to realize something for his labors, the rebellion broke out, and in a few weeks all business was at a standstill. In October, 1861, he sold his paper at a sacrifice and returned with his family to Lycoming county, and in June, 1862, he removed to Williamsport.
Late in the winter of that year he received an appointment as a clerk under Capt. William Stoddard, assistant quartermaster, Alexandria, Virginia. After two years of service in a subordinate clerical position, Mr. Meginness was made , chief clerk of the bureau of transportation. Shortly before the close of the war he resigned his clerkship, to accept an appointment in the division of referred claims, paymaster general's office, Washington City, under Col. Jacob Sallade. There he remained three months, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the third auditor's office, Treasury department, under Hon. John Wilson, and assigned to the division of State war claims. After about a year's service in this bureau, he was transferred to the second comptroller's office, Colonel Broadhead, Treasury department. While serving in this department, the impeachment trial of President Johnson took place, and he frequently attended the sessions of the high court. He remained in the Treasury until June 1, 1869.
He subsequently became managing editor of the Lycoming Gazette. Soon after this paper was consolidated with the Bulletin, under the title of Gazette and Bulletin, and he was appointed city editor. Later he became editor and continued until 1872, when he again took, the position of city editor. Four years afterward Mr. Meginness once more became editor in chief and continued as such until 1889, when he retired. During 1888, in addition to his editorial labors, Mr. Meginness started and conducted a monthly magazine, entitled The Historical Journal. In 1889 he rewrote and revised his "Otzinachson," or History of the West Branch Valley, Soon after retiring from the Gazette and Bulletin he wrote and published an exhaustive biography of Frances Slocum, the Lost Sister of Wyoming. During the last thirty years he wrote many letters and sketches for the Philadelphia Times, the Press, Record, New York Herald, Sun, and other journals. As early as 1855 he was a correspondent of the Philadelphia Ledger. In the spring of 1891 he commenced the compilation of the present History of Lycoming County, upon which he spent more than a year of constant labor. Mr. and Mrs. Meginness are the parents of ten children: Mary Virginia. who married William C. Arp; Alice Celinda, who married Jasper F. King; Sarah Rosetta; William Warren; Henry Harvey; Julia Rosabella; Ida Jane; Carrie Armenia; Herbert Eugene, and John Franklin.
Taken from History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
edited by John F. Meginness
JOHN FRANKLIN MEGINNESS is one of the best known literary men in Pennsylvania, and the people of the West Branch valley owe him a lasting debt of gratitude for having rescued from oblivion the principal historical incidents relating to their locality, and placing them in permanent form to be handed down from generation to generation. He was born July 16, 1827, in Colerain, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. His early boyhood was passed upon the farm of his father, Benjamin Meginness, and his education was received in the common schools. He never enjoyed the opportunities for anything more than a common school education, but being possessed from early childhood of a thirst for knowledge, he diligently improved his time at home in study. When a very small boy his parents migrated to Ohio, but soon after returned to Pennsylvania, and about 1832 settled on a farm in Lancaster county. In October, 1843, our subject left home to battle his own way through life., and arriving at Warsaw, Illinois, he took a steamboat and went to St. Louis, Missouri. Subsequently he found employment on another boat and made a voyage to New Orleans. After a varied experience in traveling, he finally found his way back to his native county. He spent the winter of 1845 in school April 9, 1817, he enlisted, "to serve during the Mexican war," with the regular army, and on June 19th of that year he sailed from New York for Mexico. A work written and published by himself in 1891, entitled "The Meginness Family," gives a complete account of his experience in that war. In 1848 he taught two terms of school in Lycoming county.
On the 25th of October, 1849, he was married to Martha Jane, daughter of William King of Mifflin township, Lycoming county. Soon after they took up their residence in Jersey Shore. June 9, 1852, he became editor of the Jersey Shore Republican, and continued in that position until June 9, 1854. He then associated himself with S. S. Seely in founding The News Letter at Jersey Shore, from which Mr. Meginness retired, August 30, 1855. At this time he began writing a History of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna. It made an octavo work of 518 pages, was published in 1856, and was the pioneer history of this part of the State. In 1857 he became editor of The Sentinel, at Peru, Illinois. Early in the fall of 1859 the office was destroyed by fire, and he was out of employment for a time. Finally, through the influence of Stephen A. Douglas, he was employed as an editorial writer on the Springfield Daily Register during the heated campaign of Judge Douglas and Abraham Lincoln for the United States senatorship. It was his good fortune to be present at several of the great debates between these two eminent men. After retiring, from the Register he accepted a position with the Spectator at Carlinville, Illinois. He soon after purchased the paper and when he began to realize something for his labors, the rebellion broke out, and in a few weeks all business was at a standstill. In October, 1861, he sold his paper at a sacrifice and returned with his family to Lycoming county, and in June, 1862, he removed to Williamsport.
Late in the winter of that year he received an appointment as a clerk under Capt. William Stoddard, assistant quartermaster, Alexandria, Virginia. After two years of service in a subordinate clerical position, Mr. Meginness was made , chief clerk of the bureau of transportation. Shortly before the close of the war he resigned his clerkship, to accept an appointment in the division of referred claims, paymaster general's office, Washington City, under Col. Jacob Sallade. There he remained three months, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the third auditor's office, Treasury department, under Hon. John Wilson, and assigned to the division of State war claims. After about a year's service in this bureau, he was transferred to the second comptroller's office, Colonel Broadhead, Treasury department. While serving in this department, the impeachment trial of President Johnson took place, and he frequently attended the sessions of the high court. He remained in the Treasury until June 1, 1869.
He subsequently became managing editor of the Lycoming Gazette. Soon after this paper was consolidated with the Bulletin, under the title of Gazette and Bulletin, and he was appointed city editor. Later he became editor and continued until 1872, when he again took, the position of city editor. Four years afterward Mr. Meginness once more became editor in chief and continued as such until 1889, when he retired. During 1888, in addition to his editorial labors, Mr. Meginness started and conducted a monthly magazine, entitled The Historical Journal. In 1889 he rewrote and revised his "Otzinachson," or History of the West Branch Valley, Soon after retiring from the Gazette and Bulletin he wrote and published an exhaustive biography of Frances Slocum, the Lost Sister of Wyoming. During the last thirty years he wrote many letters and sketches for the Philadelphia Times, the Press, Record, New York Herald, Sun, and other journals. As early as 1855 he was a correspondent of the Philadelphia Ledger. In the spring of 1891 he commenced the compilation of the present History of Lycoming County, upon which he spent more than a year of constant labor. Mr. and Mrs. Meginness are the parents of ten children: Mary Virginia. who married William C. Arp; Alice Celinda, who married Jasper F. King; Sarah Rosetta; William Warren; Henry Harvey; Julia Rosabella; Ida Jane; Carrie Armenia; Herbert Eugene, and John Franklin.
Taken from History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
edited by John F. Meginness
On the 25th of October, 1849, he was married to Martha Jane, daughter of William King of Mifflin township, Lycoming county. Soon after they took up their residence in Jersey Shore. June 9, 1852, he became editor of the Jersey Shore Republican, and continued in that position until June 9, 1854. He then associated himself with S. S. Seely in founding The News Letter at Jersey Shore, from which Mr. Meginness retired, August 30, 1855. At this time he began writing a History of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna. It made an octavo work of 518 pages, was published in 1856, and was the pioneer history of this part of the State. In 1857 he became editor of The Sentinel, at Peru, Illinois. Early in the fall of 1859 the office was destroyed by fire, and he was out of employment for a time. Finally, through the influence of Stephen A. Douglas, he was employed as an editorial writer on the Springfield Daily Register during the heated campaign of Judge Douglas and Abraham Lincoln for the United States senatorship. It was his good fortune to be present at several of the great debates between these two eminent men. After retiring, from the Register he accepted a position with the Spectator at Carlinville, Illinois. He soon after purchased the paper and when he began to realize something for his labors, the rebellion broke out, and in a few weeks all business was at a standstill. In October, 1861, he sold his paper at a sacrifice and returned with his family to Lycoming county, and in June, 1862, he removed to Williamsport.
Late in the winter of that year he received an appointment as a clerk under Capt. William Stoddard, assistant quartermaster, Alexandria, Virginia. After two years of service in a subordinate clerical position, Mr. Meginness was made , chief clerk of the bureau of transportation. Shortly before the close of the war he resigned his clerkship, to accept an appointment in the division of referred claims, paymaster general's office, Washington City, under Col. Jacob Sallade. There he remained three months, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the third auditor's office, Treasury department, under Hon. John Wilson, and assigned to the division of State war claims. After about a year's service in this bureau, he was transferred to the second comptroller's office, Colonel Broadhead, Treasury department. While serving in this department, the impeachment trial of President Johnson took place, and he frequently attended the sessions of the high court. He remained in the Treasury until June 1, 1869.
He subsequently became managing editor of the Lycoming Gazette. Soon after this paper was consolidated with the Bulletin, under the title of Gazette and Bulletin, and he was appointed city editor. Later he became editor and continued until 1872, when he again took, the position of city editor. Four years afterward Mr. Meginness once more became editor in chief and continued as such until 1889, when he retired. During 1888, in addition to his editorial labors, Mr. Meginness started and conducted a monthly magazine, entitled The Historical Journal. In 1889 he rewrote and revised his "Otzinachson," or History of the West Branch Valley, Soon after retiring from the Gazette and Bulletin he wrote and published an exhaustive biography of Frances Slocum, the Lost Sister of Wyoming. During the last thirty years he wrote many letters and sketches for the Philadelphia Times, the Press, Record, New York Herald, Sun, and other journals. As early as 1855 he was a correspondent of the Philadelphia Ledger. In the spring of 1891 he commenced the compilation of the present History of Lycoming County, upon which he spent more than a year of constant labor. Mr. and Mrs. Meginness are the parents of ten children: Mary Virginia. who married William C. Arp; Alice Celinda, who married Jasper F. King; Sarah Rosetta; William Warren; Henry Harvey; Julia Rosabella; Ida Jane; Carrie Armenia; Herbert Eugene, and John Franklin.
Taken from History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
edited by John F. Meginness
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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Mary Virginia Meginness Arp
1850–1929
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Sarah Rosetta Meginness
1852–1856
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Alice Celinda Meginnes Waite
1853–1932
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William Warren Meginness
1857–1923
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Henry Harvey Meginness
1859–1916
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Ida Jane Meginness Edwards
1862–1939
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Carrie Armenia Meginness VanGilder
1864–1940
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Herbert Eugene Meginness
1869–1945
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John Franklin "Frankie" Meginness
1874–1875
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