1832-1900

No man has contributed more to the preservation of Huntingdon County history than J. Simpson Africa, who resided here while compiling his monumental History of Huntingdon & Blair Counties in 1888. Lot#16, on which this building stands, was owned by the Africa family from 1796 to 1918. J.S.A. was born and died here. It was always his principal residence, no matter where the obligations of later life took him.
As a young man, Africa learned the surveyor's trade from his father and uncle, and first worked under Samuel Mifflin laying out the right-of-way for the Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railroad. His natural attention to accuracy and prodigious knowledge of Pennsylvania land titles elevated him to the top of his field, leading a biographer to report: "He has been pronounced by competent authority the best surveyor in Central Pennsylvania, and has not his superior in the state, if anywhere."
In later life, Africa demonstrated similar aptitude as a writer, editor, businessman, and politician: he served as Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg, president of the Union Trust Company of Philadelphia, and Grand Master of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Pennsylvania.

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