Jesse Lines was born on March 21, 1817 in Nittany Valley, Centre County, and was about eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents to their new home in Brady Township, Clearfield County. His education was limited to foremost attendance in school conducted where the Luthersburg Cemetery is now located and taught by Benjamin Hall of Centre County.

After his marriage Jesse purchased 175 acres of land which was covered with a heavy growth of timber. He built a hewed log barn and commenced clearing the place. Acre after acre was transformed into productive fields until the entire tract was under a high state of cultivation, and in 1861 he erected a large frame barn and also improved his residence.

In 1872, he removed to the mill property, which he had purchased some years previous of David Welty. He comprised fifty acres of timberland upon which he erected a dwelling house, barn, and saw mill; although now eighty years of age, he is still engaged in the manufacture of lumber,* personally looking after every detail of the business, and doing his own filings and other labors connected with the mill. He has ever been a progressive, energetic businessman and has met with a well-deserved success in his undertakings.

In 1869 he purchased another tract of woodland of Mr. Ashenfelter, consisting of 123 acres between the mill and Salem. In 1886 he purchased a tract of woodland from R.H. Moore, consisting of fifty acres which adjoins the Ashenfelter property formerly purchased by him, which makes a total of 173 acres.593
____________

In his political affiliations, Jesse has been a pronounced Democrat, and he has faithfully filled the offices of supervisor, auditor, school director, and assessor a number of times to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Both he and his wife are devout members of the Methodist-Episcopal Church and are honored and highly-esteemed citizens of the community in which they have so long made their home.20
____________

Jesse and Lavina were among the earliest settlers of Brady Township where they resided in 1898.594
____________

Resident of Crawford County, PA near Luthersburg (DuBois).572


*The lumber business was the predominant business in Clearfield County from 1840-1890. It was estimated that over 12-billion board feet of lumber was cut during that time. In addition, many tall and straight pine trees were cut for use as spars or ship masts.228