Capt. Robert Reed Means, (USA)

Robert left Mifflin County when he was a small boy, moving to Armstrong County in 1821. He grew to manhood on the family homestead near Curllsville, Clarion Co., Pennsylvania. In 1847, Robert went to Brookville, Pa. and in the following year engaged in the mercantile business. He was appointed deputy sheriff of Jefferson County, Pa., and in 1850, was elected a justice of the peace serving a full term of five years. In 1856, he purchased the "Railroad House", which he owned until 1864. Robert served under Col. Samuel Block as a Captain of Co. I of the 62nd Regiment. He participated in the campaign of the penisula and at Malvern Hill during the days fight. He was wounded in the thigh and left upon the field. Robert was later found by a scouting party of the Confederacy and was taken to Richmond, Virginia and put in Libby Prison. After a short time, he was exchanged and sent to Davids Island Hospital, New York where he remained for several months. He returned to Brookville on furlough and as his health did not improve, he tendered his resignation from the Army, which was accepted. In 1870, he was elected associate judge of Jefferson Co., Pa. and served his term with marked ability and gained the respect and love of his community. In 1875, Judge Means devoted his entire attention to his huge lumbering interests.
"The Means Family of America" Genealogy Book, Published in 1972 by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong

“Jefferson County, Pennsylvania: her pioneers and people, 1800-1915” by McKnight, W J (William James) 1836-1917 Published 1917.

Page 87
Hon. Robert Reed Means was born April 25, 1819 at Greenwood, Mifflin Co, PA and grew up in Curllsville, Clarion County, whither his parents removed in 1821. He was attracted to Brookville in his young manhood and settled there in 1847, the next year engaging in the general mercantile business. From the time of his location here he was identified with the local government. In the late forties, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Thomas Wilkins. In 1850, he was elected Justice of the Peace and served his term with great acceptability. Soon after its close, in 1856, he purchased the “Railroad House,” retaining the ownership until 1864. Meantime, on July 25, 1861, he entered the Union service as Captain of Company I, 62nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry under Col. Samuel Black for three years, but retired because of a wound before the expiration of that period.

He had taken part in a number of serious engagements in the Peninsular Campaign, the Battle of Malvern Hill and the Seven Days’ Fight, where he was wounded in the leg and left upon the field. Fortunately, he fell into a little ravine, which became filled with water during heavy rains soon afterwards, and so he managed to keep his wound from getting inflamed, until he was picked up by a Rebel scouting party, taken to Richmond and confined in Libby Prison for a short time until exchanged. He was sent to David’s Island Hospital, New York, where he remained several months, then returned to Brookville, on furlough, and resigned when he found he was disabled for further service.

Subsequently, he served the community ably as Associate Judge, to which position he was elected in 1870 and during his term of five years, added to an already enviable reputation by his strict regard for the rights and welfare of all classes and his conscientious performance of every duty. When he retired from the bench in 1875, he resumed business, devoting himself entirely to his extensive lumbering interests until the spring on 1877, when he had a violet attack of fever. It was so severe as to break down his health completely and he died Oct 4, 1877 from its effects.

On March 26, 1849, Judge Means was married to Mrs Sarah W (Hastings) Clark, widow of Jesse G Clark. Her father, Thomas Hastings of Brookville, died there June 3, 1889.

Of the 7 children born to this marriage, two died in infancy, the others being:
1 – George W, born at Brookville, Apr 23, 1853; a leading attorney of Brookville, married Emma E Newton.
2 – Thomas H was the 2nd son
3 – John Barton, born Mar 30, 1857, a member of the firm of Means Brothers since 1889, married Ada M Dickey
4 – Sallie A, born at Brookville, is the widow of George T Rodgers and resides at Brookville with her 3 children, Mary McClure, Ruth and George T
5 – Harry G, born July 7, 1864, a member of the firm of Means Brothers from 1889, married Emma Smith and has a family.

Contributor: C D Bird (49157592) • [email%C2%A0protected]* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 3 2022, 21:50:19 UTC