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JOHN A. BIDDLE, one of the successful farmers and highly esteemed citizens of
Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., resides on a tract of 235 acres, and was
born on this farm, October 8, 1845, a son of John and Anna D. (Anderson)
Biddle, who were early settlers of Blair County. The paternal grandparents of
our subject, John and Elizabeth Biddle, were natives of Germany, and after
coming to this country first located in Maryland. The maternal grandparents,
Julius and Harriet Anderson, came here from Holland. John Biddle, father of
subject, followed farming in Woodbury Township. In politics he was identified
with the Republican party. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian
church. They had two sons, Charles, who died in infancy and John A., the
subject of this record.
     John A. Biddle grew to man's estate on the home farm in Woodbury
Township, and obtained his education in the common schools of the township
and at Williamsburg Academy, where he spent six months. He then taught in the
schools of Blair County twelve terms, and about 1870 came to his present farm,
which was then known as the John Snively farm. He has resided here
continuously since that time, following farming in a general way, and is also
owner of 348 acres of land in North Dakota. Mr. Biddle is a Prohibitionist,
politically, and is at present a justice of the peace in Woodbury Township,
and has also served on the school board of this township. He is a member of
the Presbyterian church.
     In 1875 Mr. Biddle was joined in marriage with Miss Anna C. Johnston, a
daughter of James M. and Rachel B. Johnston, who were well known residents of
Blair County. Her father, during his early life, was a merchant and the owner
of boats on the canal, but later in life followed farming in this county. She
was the youngest of six children, who lived to maturity, namely: Robert M.,
Calvin C., George Elliott, Joseph, Martha, and Anna C.  Mr. and Mrs. Biddle
reared three children: Ida F., widow of James Patterson; and Emma A. and Lloyd.