John E. Gable's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.757

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY 757

    Howard Clifton McWilliams, fore familiarly known as "Mac," has been agricultural extension representative at the Cambria County Farm Bureau since 1915, and is among the oldest of the county agents in point of service. Prior to taking up the work with the Farm Bureau and following his graduation from Penn State University in 1911, Mr. McWilliams was employed by the Virginia Fruit & Farms Commission as superintendent of a large farm in central Virginia where he received very valuable experience.
    Mr. McWilliams was born at Elysburg, Northumberland County, Pa., Feb. 10, 1887, son of Clifton Craig and Georgianna (Jefferis) McWilliams, of Scotch-Irish descent. His family was well known in Northumberland County. His early life was spent on his father's farm near Elysburg, where he received his early agricultural training that has proven of such value in later life. For two years following graduation from Elysburg High School, he assisted his father in market gardening work. He then took up a course in agriculture at Penn State and was graduated in horticulture with the class of 1911.
    During his undergraduate career Mr. McWilliams was well known and made many friends. He was a member of Alpha Zeta fraternity and on the staff of the Penn State Farmer. Following his graduation he was able to use to good advantage his horticultural training by developing the farm in Virginia into a profitable orchard proposition. In 1915 he returned to his native state and was appointed county agent for Cambria County on July 1st of that year. The agriculture of Cambria County has been remarkably built up since the opening of the Farm Bureau and Mr. McWilliams has secured the united support not only the agricultural interests, but of all groups of men. Through his efforts more and better live stock is being produced in the county and through the work done with the organization and the operation of the Cambria County Potato Growers Association and the market gardeners, the farmers have become interested in showing their products to a large public. Greatly by reason of the active and personal support of Mr. Charles M. Schwab, one of the largest county fairs in the United States was held recently near Ebensburg and was highly successful. The interests of the farmers were advertised as the result.
    In 1914 Mr. McWilliams was married to Miss Julia W. Jones, of North Garden, Va. They have had four sons, as follows: Charles J., Howard D., Jr., Philip J., who died March 15, 1926; and Bayard T.

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY	757
Howard Clifton McWilliams, fore familiarly known as "Mac," has been agricultural extension representative at the Cambria County Farm Bureau since 1915, and is among the oldest of the county agents in point of service. Prior to taking up the work with the Farm Bureau and following his graduation from Penn State University in 1911, Mr. McWilliams was employed by the Virginia Fruit & Farms Commission as superintendent of a large farm in central Virginia where he received very valuable experience. Mr. McWilliams was born at Elysburg, Northumberland County, Pa., Feb. 10, 1887, son of Clifton Craig and Georgianna (Jefferis) McWilliams, of Scotch-Irish descent. His family was well known in Northumberland County. His early life was spent on his father's farm near Elysburg, where he received his early agricultural training that has proven of such value in later life. For two years following graduation from Elysburg High School, he assisted his father in market gardening work. He then took up a course in agriculture at Penn State and was graduated in horticulture with the class of 1911. During his undergraduate career Mr. McWilliams was well known and made many friends. He was a member of Alpha Zeta fraternity and on the staff of the Penn State Farmer. Following his graduation he was able to use to good advantage his horticultural training by developing the farm in Virginia into a profitable orchard proposition. In 1915 he returned to his native state and was appointed county agent for Cambria County on July 1st of that year. The agriculture of Cambria County has been remarkably built up since the opening of the Farm Bureau and Mr. McWilliams has secured the united support not only the agricultural interests, but of all groups of men. Through his efforts more and better live stock is being produced in the county and through the work done with the organization and the operation of the Cambria County Potato Growers Association and the market gardeners, the farmers have become interested in showing their products to a large public. Greatly by reason of the active and personal support of Mr. Charles M. Schwab, one of the largest county fairs in the United States was held recently near Ebensburg and was highly successful. The interests of the farmers were advertised as the result. In 1914 Mr. McWilliams was married to Miss Julia W. Jones, of North Garden, Va. They have had four sons, as follows: Charles J., Howard D., Jr., Philip J., who died March 15, 1926; and Bayard T.