"History of Cumberland & Adams Cos., PA" pub. 1886 by Warner, Beers & Co.

ROBERT McCURDY (deceased), who for many years was prominent in the political and industrial life of Adams County, was a son of Capt. William McCurdy, who died in 1849. William McCurdy represented Adams County in the State Legislature in 1839, his competitor being the great commoner, Thaddeus Stevens, whom he defeated. Robert McCurdy was born in 1813 in Cumberland Township, on what is known as the McCurdy farm, a beautiful tract, comprising over 300 hundred acres. In 1846 he married Mary Marshall, daughter of Hon. John Marshall, of Carroll’s Tract, whom he survived seventeen years. For a number of years he resided on his farm, but the condition of his health, and his desire for a more active life led him to seek other occupations, and about 1856 he removed with his family to Gettysburg. He was one of the earliest and most persistent promoters of the Gettysburg Railroad, which gave to Gettysburg its first modern facilities by connection with the Hanover Branch Railroad. He was, on its completion, elected president, serving in this capacity until the road passed into the hands of the courts, by which he was appointed sequestrator, remaining in that office until the final sale of the road. In 1869 he was elected associate judge, serving one term, the office then being abolished by the new constitution, which went into effect in 1873. In 1871 Judge McCurdy was commissioned by Gov. Geary a trustee to superintend the removal of the Confederate dead from the field of Gettysburg, acting in conjunction with E. G. Fahnestock, Esq. In 1880 he was elected to the office of prothonotary, serving one term. In addition to these elective offices, Judge McCurdy was for many years a manager of the Adams County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and one of the managers of the Evergreen Cemetery. A man of strong religious feeling, he was for a long term of years a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. Few men were more thoroughly imbued with the principles of early Democracy than Judge McCurdy, yet, although strongly attached to its history, and believing in the necessity of its supremacy, he was not a bitter partisan, the genial character of his nature and the conservative bent of his mind leading him to avoid extreme views. He died in August, 1885.

"History of Allegheny County"

James B. McCurdy, farmer, P.O. Talley Cavey, is a son of Robert and Rosanna (Bole) McCurdy. John McCurdy, his grandfather, who was a native of Ireland, emigrated to America some time before the Revolution, located in the eastern part of the state, and afterward returned to Ireland. Some years later he again came to America, and settled in this county, on what is known as the Scott Farm, in Shaler township, and finally settled in Hampton township, on the farm now owned by Frank Poff where he lived until his death, in 1825. Robert, the father of James B., was born in Ireland in 1783, and was brought by his parents when an infant to this country, where he was reared and followed farming. He died in 1864. He was father of four children, all of them are deceased except James B., who was born Oct. 31, 1833, and received his education in the school of the township. In February 1865, he enlisted in Co.I, 61st P.V., and served until the close of the war, after which he engaged in mercantile business at Talley Cavey for fourteen years, and since followed farming. In 1858 he married Mary A., daughter of John and Grace (Holmes) Porter, of this county, and they have seven children living: William, of Tarentum; Harry, of Butler County; James A., and Ida G., Keepers of the tollgate in Hampton township; M. Blanche, wife of Charles A. Smith, of Sharpsburg; Robert P. and Walter F., at home. At present Mr. McCurdy is one of the supervisors of the township. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church of Talley Cavey.

"History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania..." pub. 1889 by A. Warner & Co.
Page 752
J. M. McCurdy, M.D., Dravosburg, was born May 27, 1846, in Indiana County, PA, a son of Samuel McCurdy, of Scotch-Irish descent, and an old resident of the above named place.  Dr. McCurdy received his primary education in his native county, where he subsequently became a teacher.  In June 1864, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in Co. F, 204th H. S. and served his country until the close of the war.  After wielding the rod three years he was persuaded by his mother, Margaret (Miller) McCurdy, an excellent woman, to study medicine.  He attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated at the Long Island Medical College in the class of 1871.  the doctor has been a a successful prectitioner, and in Dravosburg has built up a good practice.  He married Clara Bell, and has two children, Wilda N. and Garvin P.

"The History of Butler County, Pennsylvania"
published in 1883 by Waterman, Watkins & Co.

" James McCurdy was the first permanent settler in the territory now known as Summit Township. He found a few scattering settlers in his neighborhood when he came. His experience illustrates well the difficulties and hardships which early settlers of this county had to face, and for this reason we will attempt to outline it...James McCurdy was born in Cumberland County, Penn. in 1777. His father moved to Westmoreland County when James was eight years of age, and there the latter remained until 1796, when he determined to secure himself a home in the yet unsettled portion of the State.
In company with a Mr. Smith (later determined to be Thomas Smith), he started with knapsack upon his shoulder and gun in hand, and plunged boldly into the wilderness. The first day they crossed the Allegheny River where Freeport now is, and thence took a path leading northward. Night overtook them not far from Saxonburg Station. They discovered there the remains of a fire which had been made by some one who preceded them, and being tired, decided to encamp. They cut brush and laid it upon the ground and attempted to sleep. Rain soon came and forced them to give up the hope of repose; but by midnight the storm had passed, and the moon was shining clearly. They decided to proceed, took up their packs and journeyed on, guided by a blazed tree here and there along the dimly defined path. They found a deserted cabin near the spot where Mrs. Henry now lives, and another, also without an occupant, where John Pistorius now resides. About daylight, they reached the Robert Gilliland farm, and there found a family by the name of Ray. During the day they learned that there were a few other settlers in the neighborhood, who had come the preceding spring, it now being the fall of the year.
McCurdy and Smith had started out with the intention of settling in Mercer County, but finding that the settlers here were anxious to have neighbors, they decided to look around, and if the country suited, settle. After viewing several tracts, they at last selected land in the beautiful valley through which Bonnybrook runs. Smith chose the land which is now owned by James Stephenson and George Bartley, and McCurdy took up his abode on the adjoining tract, now owned by S. P. Young.
McCurdy lived sixty-seven years on the farm where he now lies buried, and never moved, except from a cabin to a log house, and from the latter to his brick residence. The first night he slept in Butler County, he lay in a booth made of brush.
James McCurdy was married in 1802, to Peggy Thorne, by whom he was the father of four sons and five daughters.
He helped to lay out the town of Butler in 1803, and to locate the Butler and Kittanning road in 1827. He acted as Justice of the Peace, and was an influential citizen. He was a Ruling Elder in the church over forty years. He was active in promoting the best interests of the community. He died in 1872, being ninety-five years of age. His children were John, Thorne, Duncan and Elisha; Jane, Matilda, Sarah and Rebecca. Thorne and Elisha are still living.
McCurdy and Smith built their rude cabins with the assistance of a neighbor, without using other tools than an ax, an auger and a frow.
James McCurdy erected a brick house about 1830, the large, two-story building which is now the home of Mr. Young. This was doubtless the first brick house in the township. He planted a few apple trees quite early, as did also his neighbor, Smith.
About 1812, Abraham Brinker purchased the Smith property. He was one of the most prominent citizens of his time; served as Justice of the Peace, as County Commissioner, etc. besides carrying on a good deal of business. He was public-spirited and generous; encouraged and supported schools, and, both directly and indirectly, his influence was exerted for good. His judgment was sound, and it was very common when any dispute arose among his neighbors for them to say, "Let us leave the matter to Squire Brinker". Thus, without an appeal to law, many troubles were settled quietly and to the satisfaction of all interested parties. There being no public houses near, his house and Squire McCurdy's often afforded entertainment to travelers upon the pike. Squire McCurdy was a religious man, and his hospitable home was often visited by ministers, who came to preach at the schoolhouse. As his house stood on one side of the creek and Mr. Brinker's on the other, it became a common saying among the settlers that Bonnybrook had the law on one side and the Gospel on the other."

"History of Franklin Co., PA"
  Maj. James McCurdy, farmer, P. O. Willow Hill, was born in this township on the farm he now owns, December 4, 1807.  His great-grandfather, Arthur McCurdy, a Scotchman by birth, moved from the land of his nativity to County Antrim, Ireland, and immigrated to America prior to the Revolution.  He settled in Pennsylvania, and from him are descended four of the name: John, James, Robert and Hugh.  James and Hugh settled in this county, John in Virginia, and Robert in Adams County, Penn.  The subject of this sketch is of the third generation in America of the same name, James being the name of his father as well as that of his grandsire.  His father was born in this township in 1770, and married Mary Brown, a daughter of Allen Brown.  He died in 1822 aged fifty-two years.  The following are the names of his children: Anna, Margaret, James, Jane and Stephen O., all of whom reared families.  Stephen O. located in Fannettsburg, this county; Anna married John Alexander; Margaret married James Rankin, and settled in Clarion County, and Jane married John Casey.  James, our subject, located on the homestead, where he has remained up to the present writing, having engaged in farming.  He married Elizabeth Klippinger, daughter of Anthony and Mary (Hess) Klippinger.  For several years Maj. James McCurdy was employed in the mill which his grandfather built, and afterward engaged in farming.  During the days of militia and general training he held important positions in the State militia, was brigade inspector of the Second Brigade of the Eleventh Division of Pennsylvania Militia.  Five children have been born to him: Margaret, wife of John Wolf of Fannett township, this county; Stephen O., Anthony K., Elizabeth and Mary, wives of David and A. S. Flickinger, respectively.  Anthony K. and Stephen served in the civil war, returned home unscathed, and are now residents of the township.  Mr. McCurdy has for many years been identified with the Presbyterian Church, and is an official member of the same, as was his father before him.  In politics he is a Republican.