BIO: S. Mitchell BECHDEL, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ S. MITCHELL BECHDEL, a retired farmer residing in Eagleville, Centre county, is worthy of the highest respect, and enjoys the esteem of the entire community, in which he labors to bring about every enterprise that is calculated to elevate mankind and advance the welfare of the county. Here he has always made his home, having been born in Liberty township, December 7, 1849, and he is a worthy representative of one of its honored pioneer families. John and Sarah E. (De Long) Bechdel, parents of our subject, were also natives of Liberty township, Centre county, the former born September 6, 1806, the latter on July a7, 1814, and there they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond. The father died in 1870 at the age of sixty-four years, while the mother was seventy-three years of age at the time of her death. By occupation he was a farmer, and he was called upon to serve in several local offices, including those of tax collector and supervisor. He used his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and faithfully 462 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. performed every duty of citizenship. In the Disciple Church he and his estimable wife held membership, and by all who knew them were held in the highest regard for their sterling worth and many excellent traits of character. On October 23, 1836, they were married, and their union was blessed with children as follows: David, born August 12, 1837, died on the 28th of the same month; Susannah H., born August 25, 1838, is the wife of Joseph Wagner, a lumberman, of Eagleville; Frances S., born July 17, 1840, is the wife of William Kunes, of Eagleville; Margaret J., born December 2, 1841, is the wife of Samuel Spangler, of the same place; Sarah E., born May 1, 1843, is the wife of Daniel Kunes, a farmer of Liberty township; Mary A., born November 21, 1844, is the deceased wife of Joseph Pletcher, a lumberman of Eagleville; Lydia E., born April 1, 1846, died July 13, 1851; John A., born February 21, 1848, died in 1889; and S. Mitchell, our subject, completes the family. In 1871, in connection with his brother John, Mr. Bechdel, the subject proper of this sketch, purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead farm, which they operated together until John's death, when our subject came to Eagleville, and has since made his home with his brother-in-law, Joseph Pletcher. He is one of the honored and valued citizens of the community, with whose interests he has ever been actively identified. John Bechdel married Miss Susan H. Wagner, and they became the parents of ten children: John I., now a resident of Du Bois, Penn.; David M., who occupies a position as cook in Eagleville; Sarah F., who died at the age of nine years; Franklin M., who died in infancy; Mary B., at home; Almeda, wife of Silas Weaver, a cigarmaker of Du Bois; James, a cook, who resides at home; Harvey, of Eagleville, who married Annie Canar; George, at home; and Joseph, who died at the age of nine years.