Dennis, William E.

WILLIAM E. DENNIS, farmer, P.O. Linesville, was born in Pine Township, this county, December 31, 1844; son of Aaron and Betsy (Meeker) Dennis. His father came from the eastern part of the State and located in Pine Township about 1834. His mother was a daughter of William Meeker, who settled in Pine Township in 1819, and with three brothers— Moses, John and Joseph— located on the farm a part of which is now owned by John Gaffney, where they manufactured brick for several years. William Meeker later settled on the farm now occupied by the widow of his son, Smith Meeker, and lived there until his death. Aaron Dennis, the father of our subject, was twice married. His first wife was Betsy Meeker, by whom he had eleven children: William E., S.P., Polly J. (Mrs. James Culver), Almira (Mrs. Andrew Jackson), C.C., A.T., Emily (Mrs. George Adsit), Mary (Mrs. S.E. Clark), Harriet (Mrs. P.A. Herring), John and Carrie. His second wife was Mrs. Lucy (Flick) Wrightnour, by whom he had four children: Nancy (Mrs. Charles D. Brown), Jonah, Charlie and Maggie. The subject of this sketch was reared in Pine Township and received a limited education in the common schools. He served in the late war of the Rebellion, being drafted for nine months, and went with Company K, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; was on guard duty most of the time, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term. He was married September 30, 1873, to Lucy, daughter of John and Amanda (Smith) Rea, of Pine Township, this county. He located on the farm where he now resides in 1870, most of which he cleared and stumped himself and made all improvements in buildings, etc., and has now one of the best producing farms in the township. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the G.A.R.; has always been a Republican in politics and a strong advocate of prohibition.