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John C. Figard

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John C. Figard

Birth
Pennsylvania, USA
Death
3 Jul 1905 (aged 68)
Six Mile Run, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial
Six Mile Run, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Aged 68 years 8 months 5 days
Bedford Gazette (Bedford, PA) July 14, 1905.

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: John C Figard
Age: 63 Birth Date: Oct 1836
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Broad Top, Bedford, Pa
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Marriage Year: 1856 Yrs Married: 44
Household Members: Name Age
John C Figard 63
Leabram Wright 57
Albert Ramsy 24

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John C. Figard
Age: 44 Birth Year: abt 1836
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Broad Top, Bedford, Pa
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Spouse's Name: Milley Figard
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members: Name Age
John C. Figard 44
Milley Figard 40
Albert S. Figard 14
Wade Hampton Figard 3
Lewis A. Wright 38
H. Zimmerman 24
Ellen Hoges 12

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
VOLUME XXXII

CONTAINING LIFE SKETCHES OF LEADING CITIZENS OF
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
PENNSYLVANIA

JOHN C. FIGARD, Esq., one of the best-known citizens of Bedford County, Pa., has held public office continuously for the past forty years in Broad Top township, where he is now serving his seventh term as Justice of the Peace.
Son of James and Nancy (Sheckler) Figard, he was born October 28, 1836, on the farm that he now owns and occupies.
James Figard was born and brought up in York County, Pennsylvania. He came here as a pioneer settler about the year 1806, when this region, thickly wooded, was but a hunting ground, abounding with deer and other wild animals, the untold wealth beneath the soil being undreamed of. Clearing the land of the heavy timber with the help of his sons, he developed and improved a farm.
In December, 1852, after a long and useful earthly career, he passed to the higher life. He was a Whig in politics, active in his party, and a valued member of the Church of God, in which he was for many years a Deacon.
Of the children born of his union with Nancy Sheckler, who was a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, four sons survive, namely: Amos, of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; James, of Fulton County, Illinois; Joseph, of Broad Top, Pa.; and John C.
John C. Figard acquired the rudiments of his education in the public school of Round Knob, in Broad Top township, and when but sixteen years old received a teacher's certificate from the local school directors. But not deeming himself sufficiently qualified to accept a position in the public schools, he continued his studies, and subsequently passed a satisfactory examination in questions prepared by the district examiner and county superintendents Gettys, Heckerman, and Dickerson. He afterward taught several terms of school, but since that time he has devoted himself to the care of his large farm, the ancestral homestead of three hundred and thirty acres. In addition to farming, he pays much attention to raising improved stock, including Jersey and Durham cattle, and Poland China hogs. When coal was discovered in this locality, he was one of the first to commence mining, and he aided greatly in developing the industry by directing to it the notice of Eastern capitalists, and thus bringing about the building of the Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railroad.
Mr. Figard has been in public life ever since 1859, when he was first elected Township Supervisor, an office to which he was re-elected three times. For twelve years he was School Director of Broad Top township, serving during the entire period as secretary of the board, and for six years he was District Superintendent of Schools. In 1880 he was appointed an enumerator of the United States Census, and subsequently, under President Cleveland's first administration, he was for a short time store-keeper and gauger in the Internal Revenue Service for the district in which he resides. In 1884 he was a candidate for the State legislature, being the choice of the Democrats of the county, but was defeated by N. C. Evans, of Everett, the Republican nominee, although he ran ahead of his ticket four hundred votes. Notwithstanding his Democratic principles, Mr. Figard often supports at the polls the man he deems best qualified for the position to be filled, regardless of party restrictions.
In 1866 [sic] he was first elected as Justice of the Peace. In 1887 he was not a candidate for the position; but at the next election, in 1888, he was again chosen, running far ahead of his competitor. In every office to which he has been called he has been faithful to his trust, thoroughly identifying himself with the interests of his township. He has gained the confidence and good will of the community, and won a host of warm and lasting friends.
On February 28, 1856, Mr. Figard married Miss Emelia Wright. They have four children, all of whom reside in Broad Top township, namely: Theophilos S.; Clara B., wife of John Smith; Albert S.; and Wade H.
Aged 68 years 8 months 5 days
Bedford Gazette (Bedford, PA) July 14, 1905.

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: John C Figard
Age: 63 Birth Date: Oct 1836
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Broad Top, Bedford, Pa
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Marriage Year: 1856 Yrs Married: 44
Household Members: Name Age
John C Figard 63
Leabram Wright 57
Albert Ramsy 24

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John C. Figard
Age: 44 Birth Year: abt 1836
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Broad Top, Bedford, Pa
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Spouse's Name: Milley Figard
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members: Name Age
John C. Figard 44
Milley Figard 40
Albert S. Figard 14
Wade Hampton Figard 3
Lewis A. Wright 38
H. Zimmerman 24
Ellen Hoges 12

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
VOLUME XXXII

CONTAINING LIFE SKETCHES OF LEADING CITIZENS OF
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
PENNSYLVANIA

JOHN C. FIGARD, Esq., one of the best-known citizens of Bedford County, Pa., has held public office continuously for the past forty years in Broad Top township, where he is now serving his seventh term as Justice of the Peace.
Son of James and Nancy (Sheckler) Figard, he was born October 28, 1836, on the farm that he now owns and occupies.
James Figard was born and brought up in York County, Pennsylvania. He came here as a pioneer settler about the year 1806, when this region, thickly wooded, was but a hunting ground, abounding with deer and other wild animals, the untold wealth beneath the soil being undreamed of. Clearing the land of the heavy timber with the help of his sons, he developed and improved a farm.
In December, 1852, after a long and useful earthly career, he passed to the higher life. He was a Whig in politics, active in his party, and a valued member of the Church of God, in which he was for many years a Deacon.
Of the children born of his union with Nancy Sheckler, who was a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, four sons survive, namely: Amos, of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; James, of Fulton County, Illinois; Joseph, of Broad Top, Pa.; and John C.
John C. Figard acquired the rudiments of his education in the public school of Round Knob, in Broad Top township, and when but sixteen years old received a teacher's certificate from the local school directors. But not deeming himself sufficiently qualified to accept a position in the public schools, he continued his studies, and subsequently passed a satisfactory examination in questions prepared by the district examiner and county superintendents Gettys, Heckerman, and Dickerson. He afterward taught several terms of school, but since that time he has devoted himself to the care of his large farm, the ancestral homestead of three hundred and thirty acres. In addition to farming, he pays much attention to raising improved stock, including Jersey and Durham cattle, and Poland China hogs. When coal was discovered in this locality, he was one of the first to commence mining, and he aided greatly in developing the industry by directing to it the notice of Eastern capitalists, and thus bringing about the building of the Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railroad.
Mr. Figard has been in public life ever since 1859, when he was first elected Township Supervisor, an office to which he was re-elected three times. For twelve years he was School Director of Broad Top township, serving during the entire period as secretary of the board, and for six years he was District Superintendent of Schools. In 1880 he was appointed an enumerator of the United States Census, and subsequently, under President Cleveland's first administration, he was for a short time store-keeper and gauger in the Internal Revenue Service for the district in which he resides. In 1884 he was a candidate for the State legislature, being the choice of the Democrats of the county, but was defeated by N. C. Evans, of Everett, the Republican nominee, although he ran ahead of his ticket four hundred votes. Notwithstanding his Democratic principles, Mr. Figard often supports at the polls the man he deems best qualified for the position to be filled, regardless of party restrictions.
In 1866 [sic] he was first elected as Justice of the Peace. In 1887 he was not a candidate for the position; but at the next election, in 1888, he was again chosen, running far ahead of his competitor. In every office to which he has been called he has been faithful to his trust, thoroughly identifying himself with the interests of his township. He has gained the confidence and good will of the community, and won a host of warm and lasting friends.
On February 28, 1856, Mr. Figard married Miss Emelia Wright. They have four children, all of whom reside in Broad Top township, namely: Theophilos S.; Clara B., wife of John Smith; Albert S.; and Wade H.


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