Husband William Wilson Betts 1
Born: 1 May 1838 - Newark, Essex Co, NJ 1
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Father: Frederick Gregory Betts (1812-1845) 2 3
Mother: Cornelia Finley ( -1853) 2
Marriage: 28 Oct 1862 1
Wife Margaret J. Irvin 1
Born:
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Father: William Irvin ( - ) 1
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Children
General Notes: Husband - William Wilson Betts
At the age of about thirteen years he went to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he entered the office of the Crawford Journal, intending to learn the trade of a printer; but after remaining there nearly a year he was obliged to abandon it on account of defective eyesight. Returning to Clearfield in 1853, he was offered a situation in the store of Reed, Weaver & Powell, where he remained until, having attained the age of twenty-one years, he was taken into the firm as a partner, and the firm became Reed, Weaver & Company. Nine years later, 1869, G. L. Reed and William Powell retiring, the style of the firm became Weaver & Betts. This firm was among the heaviest and most extensive lumber dealers on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. In the year 1880 the firm ceased merchandising, and gave sole attention to their extensive lumber operations, and the development of their coal properties situated in different sections of Clearfield County.
Although Mr. Betts was not a politician in the ordinary meaning of that term, caring nothing far political power or place, yet he was ever an active and straightforward Democrat, aiding the success of his party with his means, and active in its councils. Though frequently urged to become a candidate for political position he invariably refused; although, in 1876, and again in 1878, he accepted the instructions of his county for the office of State Senator, but made no special effort to secure the nomination in the district. But in 1886, the senatorial conference, composed of Clearfield, Centre and Clinton counties, failing to select a candidate from among the aspirants for the office of State senator, unanimously tendered the nomination to him. Feeling that he could not refuse a nomination so generously offered, and coming entirely without solicitation, he accepted, and was elected for the term of four years, without opposition, the Republicans placing no candidate against him.