BIO: Elias HANCOCK, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ ELIAS HANCOCK, a general farmer, and the present efficient superintendent of the Sabbath-school of Wallace Run, Centre county, now makes his home at that place, where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and also in teaching. He was born in Elk county, Penn., March 6, 1841, but for many years he has been one of the prominent and representative citizens of Centre county. James R. and Sarah (Taylor) Hancock, parents of our subject, and natives of Bedford and Juniata counties, Penn., respectively, were married in Elk county, where they continued to reside until 1866, when they removed to Boggs township, Centre county. Here the mother, who was born March 9, 1806, died in 1867, and the father, who was born June 11, 1802, died in 1876. He was a cooper by trade, following the same in Bedford county, but in Elk county he engaged in farming, and on coming to Centre county lived retired. In early life he was a Whip in politics, later a Republican, and for many years served as supervisor of Fox township, Elk county. Our subject is one of a family of eleven children, namely: William T., born August 4, 1824, died when young; Mary, born April 12, 1826, married Jacob Taylor, but both are now deceased; Sarah, born April 9, 1828, is the de- 396 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ceased wife of George Taylor, of Central City, Penn.; James, born August 19, 1830, Josiah, born October 20, 1832, George W., born March 9, 1835, and Elizabeth, born July 20, 1836, are all deceased; Joel, born June 1, 1839, is a farmer of Nebraska; Elias and Eliza (twins) were born March 6, 1841, and the latter is now the wife of James R. Green, of Elk county; and Benjamin F., born October 6, 1843, is deceased. Until seventeen years of age, Prof. Hancock assisted in the labors of the farm, but at that time met with a painful accident. While engaged in chopping down a tree with two others, he slipped and fell, his hand going under the axe, which his brother-in-law was just bringing down, his right hand being severed at the wrist, and for three months he was confined to his bed. On his recovery he began teaching in Elk county, which profession he there followed some eight terms. In the meantime, however, he attended the State Normal College at New York for one term. He has since engaged in teaching in the schools of Centre county, where in the spring of 1896 he finished his fortieth term. For three terms he did not follow the profession, his time being spent as school director, collector and treasurer of the school board. He has proved a most competent and able instructor, and holds high rank among the leading educators of the county. On April 7, 1870, Mr. Hancock was married to Miss Mary E. Taylor, by whom he has two children: Edward R., who was born April 4, 1871, and is now engaged in teaching in Boggs township; and Sarah B., born August 20, 1878, at home. Mrs. Hancock was born July 6, 1843, at Farmers Mills, Centre county, of which county her parents, Thomas J. and Sarah (Homan) Taylor, were also natives, and there the mother died February 14, 1861, at the age of thirty-nine years; the father, who was born August 2, 1820, now makes his home at Unionville, Penn. For several years during early life he also engaged in teaching, later followed clerking, bookkeeping and photographing; then conducted a hotel at Unionville; but is now engaged in weaving carpets. He is a member of the Baptist Church, in politics is a Democrat, and has held a number of local offices of honor and trust. His parents, George and Mary (Dunlap) Taylor, spent their entire lives in Centre county. Mrs. Hancock is the eldest in the family, the others being as follows: Sarah E., wife of Charles McGlocklin, superintendent of coal mines in Clearfield county, Penn.; Martha J., wife of Prof. H. Meyer, who was for a time superintendent of the schools of Centre county, and now resides at Rebersburg, Penn.; Susan C., who died at the age of five years; and George W., who is engaged in clerking in Bedford county, Penn. The father of these children was twice married, his second union being with Susan Swyers, by whom he has one daughter, Clara B., wife of T. F. Leathers, a government employee in the printing department at Washington, D.C. Prof. Hancock casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and has most acceptably filled the offices of supervisor, assessor, assistant assessor, and clerk of his township, holding the last position at the present time. Promptness and fidelity mark the discharge of all duties entrusted to his care, and he has proved a most popular official. He holds membership in the Presbyterian Church but attends the United Brethren Church, to which his children belong, while his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. They are earnest, consistent Christian people, and the son is contemplating entering the ministry. They hold a high position in the social circles of the community, have the confidence and respect of all who know them, and hosts of warm friends.