The Habgood Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

This family long seated in England was founded in the United States by William Henry Habgood, father of Robert Patton Habgood, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, of the first generation born in the United States.

(I) Robert Habgood

Robert Habgood was a carpenter and builder of Gloucestershire, England, died in Cheltenham, England. By wife Mary he had children:

Children

1. William Henry. Of whom further.
2. Mary. Deceased.

His wife survived him and came to the United States, where she died and is buried at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Mr. Habgood and his wife were members of the established Church of England (Episcopal).

(II) William Henry Habgood

William Henry, only son of Robert and Mary Habgood, was born in Gloucestershire, England, August 16, 1847. He was educated in a private school at Cheltenham, and learned the watchmaker’s trade. He was engaged in Cheltenham as watchmaker and jeweler until coming to the United States in 1870. He was a watchmaker and jeweler in Renovo, Pennsylvania, and subsequently employed by the railroad in machinery department. He is now living in Bradford, Pennsylvania. In England he was conservative in politics and in Pennsylvania has always acted with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Du Bois. He married, in England, Sarah Sircombe, born in Bristol, England. Of her brothers and sisters Thomas is a merchant of Detroit, Michigan, while William, Elizabeth and Mary are deceased.

Children

1. Robert Patton. Of whom further.
2. Charles William. Born 1873, died in infancy.
3. Marian. Born August 19, 1875; married C. E. Cosolowsky and resides at Grafton Station, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; children:
   1. Carl. Born 1900.
   2. Marion. Died at age of two years.
4. William. Born 1877, died in infancy.
5. Minnie. Born 1880, died in infancy.

(III) Robert Patton Habgood

Robert Patton, only living son and eldest child of William Henry and Sarah (Sircombe) Habgood, was born at Bellefonte, Centre county, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1871. His early years were spent in Renovo, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated from the high school, class of 1887. In 1888 he came to Bradford, where he was employed in railroad work in various capacities until appointed general timekeeper in 1891, and continued in railroad positions until 1898. He was for one year engaged with a New York tea and coffee house as salesman, and in 1899 became associated with the Bradford Evening Star as advertising solicitor. In 1900 he became editor and business manager, and in 1903 secured a controlling interest, becoming president of the company, editor and publisher. In 1909 he merged the Star with the Bradford Record, and continued the publications as the Star-Record. He has made this paper a power in the county and a welcome visitor to the homes of a large list of subscribers. Since 1905 he has been secretary and treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Editorial Association, and holds a prominent position among his editorial brethren. He is also a director of the International Advertising Association, National counsellor of the American Institute of Civics, and has been secretary and manager of the Bradford Board of Trade. Since becoming a voter Mr. Habgood has been active in the Republican party and is a leader in his county. In 1906 he was elected a member of the house of assembly, serving during the session of 1907 as chairman of the committee on printing, and as a member of compare bills, judiciary general, labor and industry, military, public health and sanitation committees. In 1908 he was a delegate-at-large in the National Republican Convention that nominated President Taft. In 1908 and 1909 President of the Pennsylvania Republican State League, and April 1, 1911, was appointed postmaster of Bradford. He is also prominent in fraternal life, being a member of Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Improved Order of Red Men and Knights of Pythias. He has held official positions in all these bodies and is the present exalted ruler of the Elks. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian.

He married (first), November 3, 1897, Daisy M. Heffner, born at Parkers Landing, Pennsylvania, 1873, daughter of Samuel Dean Heffner, superintendent of Bradford water department, and Mary I. (Peightal) Heffner. They also have a son, Henry Clay Heffner. He married (second), June 6, 1911, Mary Ann Sheaffer, born in Bloomfield, Perry county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1882, daughter of Singleton and Margaret (Fisher) Sheaffer, whose children are:

Children of Singleton and Margaret Sheaffer

1. James.
2. Harry. Deceased.
3. William.
4. Mary A.
5. Lila.
6. Emily.

Children by first marriage

1. Stuart. Born 1900.
2. William. Born 1902, died in infancy.
3. Samuel. 1904, died in infancy.
4. Dorothy. 1906.

Child by second marriage

One son:

1. Robert Jr. Born May 25, 1912.

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.